Level 97 help

I have tried for over a week now to beat this level. Grrrrrrr! I have tried the ship on top row right away, a bomb on the middle bottom, right & left sides and a ship in the last full row. I have come within one tile of clearing when time runs out. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated to reach the next impossible level 98. Thanks!

Level 97 – On this level you have to clear the tiles, match the soldiers and clear the story event at the bottom. I clear the first double locked tile in the center by making two matches with it. Then I send two ships through the locked row beneath it. This is a long horizontal row and the ships work well. Then there is still one double locked tile before the pieces release to go to the bottom. I sent one ship through then you can wait for a hammer power up or a match to clear it. If it takes too long you can use a cannon ball. If you can save all three cannon balls for the bottom you can clear most of the locked tiles over the story event. You kind of have to be lucky as to the way the tiles fall to clear all of the locked tiles. Then you just match the pink & purple soldiers like crazy and clear the board. Just always be mindful of the corners and low spots. You can use the lightening to clear all soldiers that are on the board at any given time.

As each power up becomes available, use it immediately, especially the hour glass. The power ups do not get stronger or accumulate more power if you let them sit unused as in some other games. If the Army and Hourglass power ups are both ready to always click on the Hourglass first and empty it to the time rope. Then click on the Army as the Army will clear some hourglass tiles and send them to the now empty hourglass power up space.

I hope these tips help.

Thanks Lizzie,
I will try your suggestions. I did not try that strategy yet.