Warwick Ladies 2nd XI 1 - 4 Old Silhillians 1st XI

Warwick Ladies 2nd XI 1 (1) - (2) 4 Old Silhillians 1st XI

Goalscorers: Ursula Santos (3), Carolina Kappes

This was one of those games that was more about the result than it was the performance. Sils visited Warwick knowing this could be a potential banana skin to their league campaign, but left with all three points.

The game started as it continued, with Sils in the ascendancy of possession, but Warwick always looking dangerous through their hard hit clearances, bouncy pitch and quick forwards.

Whilst Sils started brightly, Warwick also showed threats, and took the lead as they won the ball in midfield and after the visiting defence failed to clear the ball, forced the opener from close range.

This galvanised Sils a little, and whilst the game continued in a fragmented fashion, the league leaders were able to put enough quality together to go into half-time 2-1 up. First Ruth Dovey and Sophie Boyle combined down the right, to find Caro Kappes, and in turn she was able to feed Ursula Santos who scored with a reverse stick shot.

Kappes then scored the goal of the game (and a contender for goal of the season!) The defence won the ball in the Sils defensive 23 and scrambled the ball to Kappes just outside the 23m area. With the forwards doing their job of leading high to create space, Kappes recognised the opportunity, and set off at pace, easily out running two trailing midfielders. She then beat two further Warwick players before entering the D on her reverse and firing past the excellent home GK into the top corner. The sheer quality of the goal deflated Warwick and the match was pretty much over as a contest at this point.

Jo Brett in goal still needed to make a couple of timely saves, and Hattie Evans in particular combined well with Clara Miles at the back to snuff out any further threats.

Sils played much better in the second half, but still struggled to beat the deep defence of the home team, and excellent Goalkeeping. However, two goals from Ursula Santos, the first from a deflected drag-flick and the second a volley smashed home from close range after Boyle's inital shot was saved, were adequate reward for a strong, if not flowing, display by the Sils.

Player of the Match was contested between Ruth, Hattie and Caro, with Ruth taking the honours this time round for her non stop battling and direct running.

The Ladies then enjoyed a sociable evening at the club, celebrating two wins from two for the Ladies section, and some good wins for the Men as well.

Next week threatens to be a much tougher affair against the Ladies from Leamington.