Edgbaston 2nd XI 1 (0) - (0) 0 Old Silhillians
Sils went into this game with a very new look to the side, league debuts for Ali Williams in goal, Claire Wright having to play in an unfamiliar position at the back, Anya Hemming and Donna McGettigan; plus 1st team league debuts for Lorna Brooks-Scott, Amy Garside, Abi Landa and Jess Cox.
The Sils nightmare pre-season continued with Maria O'Malley phoning through 10 minutes before the meet time having had her car broken into, and her stick and shin pads stolen.
However, undeterred by this, Maria still came along to make up the 12, but with Abi Landa struggling with a bad head cold. The home side in contrast had 15 players and were full of running, but Sils put in a massive shift, and whilst they had less of the ball, they did still create chances and made Edgbaston work hard as they defended well and caught Edgbaston at pace.
The game remained tight in the second half, and with Libby Shepherd and Frankie Levey both getting shots away, Sils were well in, but a momentary lapse in concentration by the otherwise superb defence allowed the home team to sneak a forward into the D, and their early shot just crept under Williams' body to give Edgbaston the lead, and then ultimately the three points.
Whilst the result went against the team, the performance was very encouraging, and this team will do fine if they continue to progress at the rate they have been. Player of the Match was a contest between the two more experienced members of the team, with Ruth Dovey pipping Donna McGettigan to the title.