Sils U12s take 3rd Place in Tournament

Played 4, Won 2, Drew 1, Lost 1
Final Placing: 3rd

Sils had a tough start, playing tournament favourites Rugby in their first match, however, totally undaunted by their task, they took the lead, with Charlotte Harmer pouncing on a loose ball in the D to get a quick shot away and surprise the Rugby GK. Rugby came back strongly, and equalised soon after following some fine skills from their Centre-midfielder.

Sils then suffered a setback as Morgan Price managed to split open his eye, following a clearance which ricocheted back off the past and up into his face. After a short delay, the side resumed but struggled to regroup in time, and Rugby took the lead - one which they held onto to win the game 2-1.

However, the Sils reacted very well to this setback, and scored very early in their next game against Stratford with Kiera Johnstone again shooting early to give the Sils the lead. Unfortunately, in goal, Hannah Teal was having major issues with kit (for which Coach Stephen Tabb should be blamed!) and Stratford were able to capitalise on this to turn the game in their favour, and go 2-1 up. With the GK kit causing all sorts of issues, the Sils had to switch to 7 outfield players, a tactic which became the turning point in the match; with the extra pressure applied by the additional outfield player, Sils camped in Stratford's half, and they were able to firstly equalise via Fleur Gallagher, and then win the game with a goal with only a minute to play from Charlotte Harmer.

This meant that going into the last group game, the Sils were well placed to finish 2nd in the group. They took the lead early on against Sutton, Annabel Dalby again benefiting from shooting as soon as she received the ball in the D, and whilst they had a number of chances to close the game out, one or two chances went begging and Sutton managed to score on one of their few counter-attacks with only a couple of minutes to go. The score finished 1-1, but Sils came second in the group on goal-difference.

That meant that they played Edgbaston in the 3rd/4th play off, and dominated entirely with Daisy Roberts and player of the tournament Daniel Bridges putting in yet more excellent defensive play, and with Louisa Miles and Thomas Shingleton dictating things in midfield. Unfortunately, the Edgbaston GK had a great game and kept the score at 0-0, but with no extra time being played, since Sils had earned 3 Penalty Corners, and Edgbaston none, the Sils took 3rd place, with the only downpoint being the injuries sustained by Morgan, and Charlotte who got a ball lifted into her knee with only minutes remaining in the last game.

An excellent display all round by a rapidly improving Sils side, and bodes well for things to come.