Rugby Town U11s travelled to Beaumont Park to play their Quarter Final cup game. Rugby Town were riding high with confidence after their last two wins. Their desire to progress to the Semi Finals was palpable.
Sponsors: Lisa Collins Hair Design and Caring Help at Home Ltd Squad: Ellie, Hannah, Amy, Ella, Izzy, Kelsey, Mia, Evie, Elle J
Our regular keeper was unavailable so Amy stepped in, keen to get on with the job in hand. With a squad of 9, we had a few options and were focussed on keeping midfield and defence strong. Playing on a 3G pitch, the Rugby Town players hoped our Friday training experience would stand us in good stead.
From the first whistle, Beaumont set out their stall. They were playing for a win and it was up to Rugby to deny them. Play was fierce from the start and it looked to be a very physical game on a large, fast pitch.
Beaumont put pressure straight on Rugby, forcing Rugby into some scrambling defence, not really clearing the ball much past the midfield. After a few minutes, Rugby began to settle into their positions, made cleaner passes and understood they would have to take the game to Beaumont.
A number of throw ins gave Rugby some opportunities to push forwards with Kelsey battling hard for possession and to gain some forward momentum. Beaumont were quick to identify Kelsey’s pace and were tightly marking her throughout the game.
Elle J and Kelsey put together a good combination of passes, beating several Beaumont players and Elle J provided a great final pass allowing Kelsey a shot which went slightly wide and out for a goal kick.
The game continued with much end to end play. Beaumont had a couple of very powerful shots during a ten minute spell of intense pressure, luckily all went wide. Rugby held their nerve well and did not allow themselves to be intimidated and slowly started turning the tables on Beaumont.
Evie, Elle J and Kelsey really found their stride and were showing confidence and skill to drive forward. Elle J had a particular good run just right of midfield, sprinting forward and placing a skilful pass to assist Kelsey, allowing her to slot the ball in to the left of the Beaumont keeper.
Beaumont Park 0 – Rugby Town 1
From the restart, Beaumont were determined to level the score and made a beeline for the Rugby goal. A speculative shot from the right wing was not far wide of the Rugby goal post. Goal kick saw Rugby regain possession and head up to the Beaumont end. The end to end play pushing both teams hard in terms of tactics and endurance.
Hannah had a great first half in defensive midfield. She was mindful of the game and worked hard to ensure she pushed forward when able to but showed great turns of speed when falling back to defend. Hannah showed commitment in her tackles and worked very well against a determined Beaumont side.
Several Beaumont clearances led to back to back throw ins for Rugby. Hannah delivered them all well and Rugby gain good traction with Kelsey and Elle J both winning the ball and gaining ground. A clearance by Beaumont soared down the pitch, and with several Beaumont players on the charge, Ella calmly despatched the ball into touch. Beaumont delivered a lightning quick throw in which caught Rugby on the hop. Luckily, Ellie A spotted the danger and provided a hard, long range clearance.
Again, thanks to a number of Beaumont clearances, deep in their own half, Rugby were awarded successive throw ins. One found Kelsey in space and, after working on our finishing in training, Kelsey trusted herself to set and shoot straight away. An on shot target which just lacked a little pace and was saved by the keeper. The goal clearance was intercepted by Elle J and Evie, who worked well to get the ball up field and to Kelsey. Another shot just wide due to good defensive control by Beaumont.
Back down to the Rugby goal and Beaumont were awarded a direct free kick. Amy directed her players well. The two player wall held their nerve and saw the ball sail over the cross bar. Beaumont intercepted the goal kick, Evie was straight in to regain possession. Evie turned and came down the middle of the pitch, released the ball to Kelsey who weaved passed a couple of defenders, side passed the ball off to Elle J who finished the move with aplomb, scoring a lovely well worked goal.
Beaumont Park 0 – Rugby Town 2
The restart saw Beaumont once again with the Rugby goal in their line of sight, the Rugby defenders were beaten and Beaumont shot wide of the mark, with Amy putting in a great covering dive and proving very calm under pressure. Rugby won a free kick just outside their penalty area from a foul, intercepted by Beaumont, but Izzy was there to clear into touch.
Ellie A and Ella proved a successful partnership in defence, they were calm under sustained pressure from Beaumont and both provided excellent defensive clearances on numerous occasions. They were both made to work hard today and certainly rose to the challenge.
The second half started with Rugby holding the upper hand but certainly not complacent about being ahead. Beaumont Town were ferocious from the off, with hard tackles being traded by both sides. Beaumont won an early corner which was cleared without drama by Rugby.
Elle J delivered a great penetrative pass straight through the midfield up to Kelsey, who subsequently made a fantastic solo run up the right wing with the Beaumont defence hot on her heels. Finding herself surrounded by three players, Kelsey did exceptionally well to execute a couple of turns to create space to get a shot on target which was well saved by the keeper.
The Beaumont keeper didn’t clear the ball as well as she wanted too and Elle J was there with a useful interception, a short dribble and another shot on target. Good pressure by Rugby. The Beaumont keeper had a better kick and the ball was sailing off toward the Rugby half. The ball was picked up by a charging Beaumont player, crossed it to the left where the striker made great contact and scored.
Beaumont Park 1 – Rugby Town 2
Fired up and chasing the equaliser, Beaumont had a really strong period, testing Izzy and Ella in defence. Mia dropped back and assisted and Rugby survived a shot on target with an easy save by Amy. Amy’s goal kick was cleared into touch for a Rugby throw in.
Rugby, back down in the opposition half, were passing well looking for their third goal. The thought put into their passes by the midfield and forward players was excellent and Beaumont were very lucky to scramble clear what looked to be goal. Back in possession, Beaumont were not giving up without a fight and were coming at Rugby again in waves of attack.
In the dying minutes of the game the frantic pace did not let up. Elle J and Kelsey had another push forward but were just run off the ball. Back up to Rugby’s goal, with Ella there with a vital clearance. Beaumont regained possession and had 2 shots just wide in a matter of minutes. In the final seconds, Beaumont had a last ditch effort, and a slight miscommunication in Rugby’s defence allowed a clear shot for Beaumont to find their equaliser. The final whistle sounding whilst the net was still shaking.
Beaumont Park 2 – Rugby Town 2
Extra Time
After all the effort put in during the game, to ask more of the girls was hard. They were slightly deflated about losing their lead, but dusted themselves off to face extra time.
Rugby efforts provided little opportunity other than a soft shot on target from distance which didn’t trouble the Beaumont keeper. A Rugby corner was dealt with swiftly by Beaumont. There was equally little pressure from Beaumont with most of the play being seen in midfield with possession changing touch by touch. Tired legs all round. As the whistle went, Rugby faced the prospect of their first penalty shootout.
Penalties
Rugby were confident and we quickly had 5 players volunteering for penalties. A quick pep talk with Amy, a team talk with the players and they stood, as one united unit, for the shootout.
Beaumont scored their 1st penalty. Kelsey stepped up and was calm and controlled in her delivery. Score! 1-1
Beaumont scored their 2nd penalty. Evie walked forward and executed a textbook penalty. 2-2
Beaumont missed their 3rd penalty. Hearts were in mouths as Hannah stepped forward but was really unlucky to hit the left post. 2-2
Beaumont had their 4th penalty brilliantly saved by Amy knocking it over the crossbar. Elle J, no doubt feeling the pressure, delivered beautifully. 2-3
Beaumont kicked their 5 penalty wide! Rugby win on penalties!
U11’s, this was a really hard fought and physical game. Your stamina was fantastic. Your teamwork is excellent. You are such a close knit team and your cup run is testament to how hard you are working together. Well done and enjoy your semi-final next week!
Beaumont Town 2 – Rugby Town 2 (Extra Time 0-0)
Rugby Town won on penalties 3-2
Captain – Izzy
Coaches Player of the Match: for match awareness, great combination play and teamwork: Evie
Parents Player of the Match: for work rate and teamwork: Elle J Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
