High flying Hampton held

Sils made the short journey to high flying Hampton with a team hit by yet another flurry of withdrawals but one eager to improve on recent performances. The game started well with Sils taking the game to Hampton and for once not losing the ball straight away. Within the first minute they had forced a short corner and were pressing hard and it wasn’t until 5 minutes later that Hampton managed to mount an attack of their own. The game was now being played at a high tempo with sweeping attacks being mounted by both sides and Sils playing far better than in previous weeks and subs rolling on and off the pitch to freshen up any flagging energy levels. Short corners were being traded to no effect with both defences working well and good battling in the midfield by the ever reliable Ruth Dovey and Ally Taft ensured that Hampton didn't have nay time on the ball.

Now with the pairing of Claire Robinson and Kate Huntington aka as the “stuff up twins” it was only a matter of time before something monumental happened and sure enough two minutes to half time Huntington entering into the Christmas spirit pushed the ball calmly to an unmarked Hampton forward just above the penalty spot but reading the game well goalkeeper Joanne Brett executed a lightening text book smother before the forward had time to react with the ball eventually finding it’s intended way to Robinson who sent the ball off up the wing for another attack.

Having a good percentage of the play Sils started the second half well but found a rejuvenated Hampton side who were pressing hard at every opportunity and eventually the pressure told with a goal coming from a well worked short corner within 5 minutes of the restart. Sils were momentarily stunned and started to lose out on the 50/50 challenges and passes were starting to go awry. With three forwards breaking through the defensive barrier Brett was again called upon to clear and forcefully got another attack under way. After a moments composure Sils settled and Naomi Ennis was beginning to get the beating of her defender on the left and some unjust tactics were being employed by Hampton in an attempt to halt the flying winger. Sils were now commanding the game as they chased for the equaliser and after a short corner on 60 minutes Hampton were unable to get the ball away and from close range the ball fell to Sils leading goalscorer Taft who forced the ball home.

The next ten minutes saw Sils faced with a barrage of attacks, short corners in quick succession and the post getting hit but with Dovey and Tori Breillat running the injections down Hampton were being forced to hurry their game and with passes being intercepted Sils were able to start a few attacks taking the pressure off the over worked defence. As the final whistle blew Sils could take pride in a well fought contest.

A great team performance as the rebuilding continues.

MOM: Nobody deserved it more than Ruth Dovey for another full on energetic display which even saw her playing upfront towards the end of the game as Sils chased for the equaliser.

DOD: An interesting one this week as the player in question initially tried to deflect the award to a number of other candidates but when you eventually admit that you had a Zumba class in the morning, turned up for the game with an ankle the size of an old ladies, caused a monumental stuff up and then almost passed out during the game through lack of energy (remember the Zumba class) there is only one real candidate. So Kate Huntington enjoy with pride!