Rugby Town Vs Loughborough Foxes at Aylestone Park FC
At the beginning of the season the U15s were set two targets. The first was to finish top 6 in the League. The second was to reach the League Cup Semis. So to find them at Aylestone Park FC in the League Cup final was a huge achievement in itself, and one that every member of the squad should feel proud of.
It was fair to say that this was the biggest match most of them had ever played in and pre-match nerves were an issue for many. Overwhelmed a little by the occasion, and with the added knowledge that Loughborough are unbeaten this season, an element of resignation crept over the team before they had even set foot on the pitch.
This was compounded further when the 15s conceded a penalty to Loughborough just two minutes into the match. The Foxes took the opportunity to wound with precision. A match-fatigued Rugby side’s heads went down whilst Loughborough stood tall and eased into their stride.
The first half became an onslaught of goals as Loughborough put 6 passed Rugby, exploiting the gaps in midfield and making the 15s run more often than they wanted to. A disconnected Rugby side looked deflated and Loughborough knew it.
But the one thing Rugby don’t do, is NOT score and a glimmer of hope came shortly before half time as Hollie wove her way through the Loughborough defence to get Rugby onto the scoresheet as they headed into the break. (HT 1 – 6)
Finishing the Half on a positive certainly helped to bolster the team’s confidence and a half time pep talk saw a more determined Rugby head back out on to the pitch.
Rugby were able to keep Loughborough at bay for much of the second half, but whilst the Foxes’ defence was there to be beaten, their stronger midfield was almost impenetrable. It was Emily H who made the second half breakthrough when a beautifully struck lob sailed passed the Loughborough Keeper from 25yards.
But Loughborough stood firm despite finding themselves held back more. The second half score-line was a much more respectable 2 – 1 to the Foxes but with the damage done in the first half, pulling back a win was an uphill task that was beyond Rugby today.
Whilst there was the obvious disappointment in losing, there is much to be celebrated this season, which is still yet to finish. Runners Up in the League Cup and a (likely) top 4 finish in the League, has exceeded all pre-season expectation. Girls, hold your heads high and be extremely proud!
Well done 15s – it’s been an amazing 2017-18!
FT: Rugby Town Girls 2 – 7 Loughborough Foxes