Rugby Town U11s welcomed Anstey Swifts to a mild but grey Kilsby Lane for their SECOND ROUND LEAGUE CUP GAME.
The Rugby Town girls were keen to capitalise on their recent good run and despite pre-game nerves regarding the opposition, whom have previously beaten us at home early in the season, spirits were high.
Sponsors: Lisa Collins Hair Design and Caring Help and Home Ltd
Squad: Ellie, Evie, Kelsey, Hannah, Izzy, Sophia, Ella, Elle, Amy
With a smaller size squad than in previous weeks, we decided to stick to a winning, albeit risky, formula of replacing our defence at half time. We hoped fresh legs in the second half would see us through to the end of the match with a strong defensive mind-set. However, the RT Girls decided the defensive game was not for them today and took the attacking bit between their teeth and were off!
1st Half
Rugby came charging out from the whistle and headed straight for Anstey’s goal. The forward players set the bar high with a shot on target from Elle within 2 minutes, which was dealt with confidently by the Anstey keeper. Rugby kept pressing and were awarded a corner shortly after. Our designated corner taker, Hannah, provided a great delivery which saw Evie power a shot slightly over the cross bar.
Kelsey, Evie and Elle kept constant pressure on the Anstey goal mouth, always looking dangerous and keen to take a shot. Elle was magnificent in the tackles and won ball after ball from the Anstey midfield and defence. Rugby retaining the bulk of possession during the first 10 minutes meant our defence and keeper had little to do other than keep their eyes on the game.
A fantastic throw in by Ellie to Kelsey allowed a turn, sprint and another shot on target which was parried and then smothered by the keeper. Elle and Kelsey worked very well to keep the Anstey defence on their toes. Evie provided pass after pass from the left wing into Kelsey and Elle to pepper the Anstey goal. There were numerous shots on target, which although fantastic, maybe highlighted a little practice needed on finishing!
15 minutes in Rugby won another corner and the training we have done on corners is plain to see. The girls knew their jobs and watched Hannah for the signal for delivery. Anstey cleared and had a run down the right wing. Ella was called upon to make an important clearance, which she did in her calm and confident manner. Ellie in left back put pressure on any Anstey forward who thought they fancied a chance on goal.
Ellie made some super powerful and directed clearances which provided a great feed for the Rugby forward players who frequently found themselves with lots of space.
Elle had a lightning quick run down the right wing and made a lovely pass across to the left straight to Kelsey who had made a clever run into the box. Unfortunately, Kelsey sliced the ball, but the preceding moves were fantastic to watch and the teamwork between all the Rugby players is strong, allowing then to reap the rewards.
Another corner for Rugby meant another fine delivery by Hannah. The ball passing between Elle and Kelsey, possession lost but Elle turned, tackled and won it straight back, running to the goal and a shot on target saved by a somewhat overworked Anstey keeper.
The goal kick down the field was intercepted by Hannah, out to Evie and back up field to Kelsey, another very hard shot on goal which forced a desperate save by the Anstey keeper.
Rugby were throwing everything they had at Anstey and were not giving them any respite in defence. A rare run towards the Rugby goal was again stopped in its tracks by Ella, who made a simply fantastic pass right up the right wing to a waiting Elle.
With 10 minutes left of the first half, it really was a question of when Rugby were going to score, not if. Evie made a fantastic volley clearance, dropping the ball to Kelsey who made a run up and fired a long range shot forcing the Anstey keeper to the ground to save.
Finally, the pressure, hard work and absolute determination paid off for Rugby as Kelsey beat 2 defenders, came in from the left and slotted the ball sweetly past the Anstey keeper. 1-0 Rugby.
The restart came with little pressure from Anstey, a thrown in from Ellie was dispossessed by Anstey who took a shot at goal, great communication from Sophie saw Ellie step over the ball allowing it to roll safety into Sophia’s hands. The final 5 minutes of the first half saw loads of action.
Hannah had an excellent run from the back releasing the ball to Evie on the left wing, great game play and teamwork by these two players today. A clever pass forward allowed Kelsey to beat the Anstey keeper a second time 2-0 Rugby.
Anstey had a short period of activity in front of the Rugby goal; a good clearance by Ella was picked up by Anstey who came back at Rugby which was again cleared for an Anstey throw in. Ellie made short work of clearing the ball up field. Hannah, marking closely, forced a thrown in which she took well, received by Elle who made a short run followed by another shot on target.
Second Half
Fired up from the first half, feeling confident and ready for another 25 minutes of well-played football, Rugby swapped out their defenders, bringing in Izzy and Amy. Early on the new defenders had to deal with an Anstey corner. Sophia directed her defence well and Rugby had no issues clearing the ball.
Hannah, winning the ball in midfield, released to Elle who ran past several Anstey players and, seeing Evie making a well thought out run forward, passed right, allowing Evie and perfect connection, easily beating the Anstey keeper. Another great assist, and great goal. 3-0 Rugby.
At the restart Rugby were again quick to regain possession, not losing their hunger for goals, saw Evie take the ball up the wing, passing to Kelsey who saw another shot on target saved by the beleaguered Anstey keeper. The goal kick saw Anstey make another rare run at the Rugby goal, beating the defenders, luckily the shot was wide and Rugby maintained their clean sheet.
Rugby, still camped firmly in the opposition half, won a direct free kick from a foul. Good movement in the box from Rugby and a strong strike from Elle saw the ball hit the near post keeping the score at 3-0 Rugby.
Legs were now getting tired which Anstey capitalised on, Rugby were feeling a bit of pressure. Amy make a good thrown in, which was dispossessed by Anstey, Amy was straight in and stuck to the Anstey attacker, winning the ball back and clearing up field to Evie. Another strong run up the right wing by Evie , passing to Kelsey for yet another shot on target saved by Anstey.
The ball back down field, won by Rugby where were fighting hard in mid field. Kelsey took the ball down the left wing and took a shot which the keeper had no change of saving, slotting the ball neatly into the bottom right corner. 4-0 Rugby.
After the restart, Rugby won a quick corner. Hannah gave a mammoth delivery , perfectly placed, which unfortunately, no Rugby player could get hold off, the ball rolling off for an Anstey throw in which Amy cleared with no issues.
Anstey came back at Rugby, finding themselves against a solo Izzy. Izzy held her nerve and made an important clearance 10 years out from her goal. Anstey won a free kick from a Rugby error, again, Amy made a confidence clearance and the pressure was removed.
Kelsey picked up the loose ball and charged off down the left wing again and made, what felt like her 15th shot on target. I think the Anstey keeper was probably quite fed up of Kelsey bearing down on her!
Rugby then provided one of the plays of the game with Evie, Elle and Kelsey teaming up together up front, beating the opposition with some fantastic passes and movement. They read the game well and knew what each other were doing. This period of great play resulted in Kelsey’s 4th goal of the game. Rugby 5-0
The final minutes of the game were still full of action. The Rugby side were now looking weary but dug deep and kept their heads. An Anstey corner shot straight over the other side of the pitch for a Rugby throw in. Cleared up the pitch and, with an audible sigh of relief, the final whistle was heard!
Today’s game was a fantastic display of teamwork, with a very effective aggressive counter attack style of play. A number of other Rugby Town coaches were watching the match and passed on their praise and comments on your game today!
U11’s I am so proud of your teamwork today. You ran your legs off and played your hearts out. You totally deserve your trip to the Quarter Finals ! Well Done !
Rugby Town 5 – Anstey Swifts 0
Captain – Evie
Coaches Player of the Match: (Although it seems a bit of a cop out) the whole U11 team.
I simply could not pick a single player. The whole team were awesome and a joy to watch!
Parents Player of the Match: for a truly fantastic game in defensive midfield: Hannah