Wolverhampton & Tettenhall 1st XI 0 - 2 Old Silhillians

Wolverhampton & Tettenhall 1st XI 0 (0) - (2) 2 Old Silhillians

Goalscorers: Caro Kappes; Noreen Afshan

The Sils went into this match without Sophie Boyle and Priya Majevadia (at the rugby), Frankie Levey (Hen weekend), Emily Hilton (home for the weekend) and Ruth Dovey (brother's 40th), as well as Lily Evans being at Crufts, and the Ladies 2nds also missing a number of key players, plus Lara Berardo struggling with her recent shin injury. Hence, the full squad was called upon, and they did not disappoint.

From the start, this game was one-way traffic, with all the players doing exactly what had been asked of them. This match evidenced how much many of the younger players have developed, but also how well everyone understands what their role in the team is. The early exchanges showed that the skillful running of Caro Kappes and Noreen Afshan were going to cause problems, but the sound marking and tackling of Lorna Brooks-Scott and Anya Hemming down both flanks, and the incisive runs by Imogen Pemble and Lauren Hobday added to this team performance. When called upon, Claire Wright and Jess Cox at full-backs were assured and carried the ball with confidence, and Libby Shepherd playing on the right in this match, won the ball back time and time again, and released Noreen to cause havoc down the home side's left. The final piece in the jigsaw was Donna McGettigan playing at centre-forward and never giving the home defence a moment's peace! All of this combined to mean that Sils had several early chances, but, as would be the case for much of the game, the home goalkeeper was in cracking form and stopped several goal-bound efforts.

However, Sils took a deserved lead with Kappes the scorer, but much of the hard work being done by the pressing of McGettigan, Pemble and Brooks-Scott to help win the ball - Caro was then able to run at the defence and fire a trademark reverse stick shot into the bottom corner across the goalkeeper's despairing dive.

The second came soon after, this time the right side combining to win a penalty corner, and Noreen danced past the number one runner before smashing home at the near post.

Imogen dashed off at half-time to go and play for the seconds (a MASSIVE thank you to her and her Mum for putting themselves out to help the 1s) leaving the team in a strong position. The second half continued in the same vein as the first - with Lara making it through the second half without her legs hurting too much, and Noreen continued to combine with Anya and Libby over and over again to cause problems for the home defence. Several chances were created, but once again, the Wolverhampton goalkeeper made some tremendous saves, and a few times the ball whistled just wide of the goal.

The game finished with no further goals, but with Sils not really ever looking like conceding, and this win, combined with other results in the league takes them to fourth - only behind Birmingham Uni on goal difference. With two games to go, the side's fate is now in their own hands. Win both games, and they are guaranteed a place in the division for next season - they could even finish 2nd at an outside push!

Player of the Match went to Noreen Afshan, but many players performed really well.