The team has always played well against Silsden but this was to be no easy game as Silsden were much improved and took the fight to the Scorchers. The first half opened with Scotton in control, passing the ball well, being aggressive in midfield and solid in defence, with Sam having little to do in the Scotton goal.. Emily, Chloe, Grace and Coutney combined well in attach while Honor covered the defensive two of Georgina and Molly well when needed.
The attacking force was to pay dividends early in the half when the (excellent) Silsden keeper parried a good low cross from the right and Emily was on hand to slam the ball into the roof of the net. Chloe then set up the second for herself by rounding the defender and leaving the keeper with little chance. The keeper made excellent saves from Emily, Chloe and Courtney before Jayde (on for Grace) got on the score sheet with a shot/cross to make it 3-0 mid way through the first half.
As the team changed over, using regular substitutions, there looked to be no danger but suddenly Silsden got a break and accelerated down field finding themselves 4 against 2. The Scotton team were caught with too many in attack and Silsden finished the move well and left Sam with little chance.
Within 2 minutes Silsden pulled another one back as they created space and looped a great shot over Sam who could do nothing to prevent the goal. The Scorchers needed to up their game and despite Becky, Grace and Honor working hard in midfield to re-take control of the game and Lowenna, Georgina and Molly were all outstanding when under pressure but, the half time whistle was welcome for the Scorchers.
The team talk at half time was a little more difficult than it should have been but, just like last week, the team changed the game and came out fighting. Molly and Georgina took control of the defence and as an attacking force the Scorchers looked dangerous every time they had the ball.
Chloe relieved the pressure somewhat as she extended the lead to 4-2 after 10 minutes of the second half by following in a shot from Jayde and being on hand to tap in the loose ball. Then Sam (who had been replaced in goal by Courtney) got on the score sheet by repeating the tap in to make it 5-2. At the other end Molly was outstanding, ably supported by Honor, Lowenna and Georgina and when the ball did break to a Silsden striker then Courtney was alert and quickly smothered most of the attacks before they could develop.
Silsden did pull one back, although it looked very offside, but no one would deny that they deserved it as they could have legitimate claims for at least one, maybe two penalties!
At 5-3 the Scorchers always looked to be in control and as Silsden tired the Scorchers took advantage, Jayde shooting low across the keeper to make it 6-3 and then Emily hit another low cross which seemed to catch the keeper unaware and it crept in at the near post to make it 7-3.
The best was kept until the last however as Grace picked up the ball 25 yards out, went round one player and then pushed the ball past the last defender before finishing coolly past the advancing keeper to make the final score 8-3.
Despite the eight goals scored by the Scorchers and the many more chances that were saved by the Silsden keeper, player of the match went to Molly who put in a terrific performance, as she has in every game this season, and kept her cool at crucial points in the game and often found the right pass to turn defence into attack.
Another all round great team performance however against a very spirited and, at times, quality Silsden team. Well done to all the girls.
