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Rugby Town Squad: Sophia, Ella, Hannah, Evie, Tasha, Izzy, Elle J, Ellie A
Rugby knew this would be a more challenging game against an opposition we have faced several times a two lower age groups. With a depleted squad, we were in the unusual position of only having one substitute which meant slightly different tactics.
1st Half
It is fair to say that Rugby were intimidated during the first hard by a very attacking LCL side, that had blistering pace on the wings and midfield. When we did win the ball, Rugby struggled to contact a relentless onslaught of counter attacks.
Evie was strong on the wing and found lots of space but the team could not find a way to release the ball to her due to a strong LCL midfield. Hannah worked well in midfield, trying hard to break up the LCL play, but was unsettled early in the half upon realising she was marking a player with a lightning quick turn of pace.
Tash was great up the left wing throughout the game and found Elle J in a tidy position, passing the ball through, only to see Elle J shoot slightly wide. Elle J was clearly disappointed but kept her head up well to continue to win the ball and find space.
LCL, gaining possession, shot back down to the Rugby goal and a hard strike saw the ball scream wide past the right post. LCL continued piling on the pressure and continued testing the defence of Izzy and Ellie.
Rugby slowly settled into the half but it was clear to see that to get anywhere near the goal they were going to have to think and work together to power through the LCL midfield.
Evie, Tash and Elle J formulated a clever combination play; Elle J delivered a beautiful cross into Evie, who just struck wide again.
The game continues apace and LCL won a corner. Sophia commanded her goal mouth and made a well-timed save. A quick release form Sophia, trying to catch the opposition on the hop, saw Rugby back down in LCL half, LCL won back possession and Rugby cleared into touch to ensure ground was not lost. Rugby defended the throw in well and Evie escaped with another great run down the right wing.
During the first half, Sophia was called upon to make numerous saves. Her confidence and accuracy really serving Rugby well today.
A Rugby corner was cleared by LCL who wasted no time in charging back to the other end of the field. The Rugby defenders were caught by surprise and were well beaten. Luckily for Rugby, despite numerous chances, LCL could not find that finishing shot today, and the ball went wide for a goal kick.
Rugby were still looking a little shell-shocked in midfield and the players had a period in the first half where they were a little out of sorts. Ellie A made some strong and accurate clearances from deep in the Rugby half, using her height to pressure the LCL forward into making errors.
Izzy started to warm up and was keeping close to attackers fancying their chances, some good clearances allowing the pressure to ease a little. Izzy did well to stick to some very quick players, denying them much opportunity to turn, and shielding the Rugby goal from direct shots.
Following a Rugby attack, which saw a missed opportunity for an early release and shot on goal, LCL were flying on another counter attack The pressure they put on the Rugby midfield and defence was immense and every Rugby player needed to be super alert at all times. There was no room for error.
Tash continued to have a fantastic game on the wing, showing great ball skills, winning the ball and providing cross and layoffs wherever she could. Tash had to work hard, and the LCL soon realised her capabilities meaning Tash had at least two players running her down whenever she had possession.
The whistle went and Rugby had done well to withstand constant LCL attacks, whilst also allowing themselves to feel slightly hard done by, due to a couple of missed chances.
The team were feeling despondent so a little pepe talk was needed. Focus, positivity and moving the ball was need for the next 25 minutes.
2nd Half
Izzy swapped out for Ella, our only sub, and we hoped fresh legs in defence would allow us to put the brakes on the contact LCL attacks.
Rugby had taken on board the half time suggestions and came out of the starting blocks and much more positive team. Hannah in particular was like a different player, confident in her tackles, accurate in her passes and providing much more positive positioning.
Hannah kept Elle J fed with the ball, who in turns used the wingers, Tash and Evie, to carve through the LCL defence. Hannah and Elle J also delivered some great throw ins, straight down the wing, allowing Rugby to regain ground and position.
Rugby were down to the LCL goal much more in this half. There was a clear desire, commitment and more importantly, a belief that they could score against this very strong and challenging opposition.
LCL were not going to concede without a fight though and there were several period when they looked close to scoring, only Sophia, making some crucial saves, prevented Rugby going behind.
Back down to the LCL goal and Tash god a strong strike in, the keeper did well to parry it, but unlucky for her (but luckily for us) it feel sweetly at the feet of Elle J and slotted in a perfect shot in the top right hand corner! After a number of disappointing misses, the relief on Elle J’s face was clear to see. A very well deserved goal.
Leicester City Ladies 0 – 1 Rugby Town Girls
From the restart, although Leicester was pushing hard for an equaliser, Rugby now had a strong belief they could win this game. Excitingly, they decided not to sit back and defend, but keep challenging for that second goal.
Ellie A and Ella were strong in defence. Ellie with her huge clearances and Ella in her close tackle and short balls through to the Rugby midfield.
Rugby worked the ball up field again and Tash released a lovely cross to Evie who was perfectly placed at the far post. Sadly, the ball had just a tad too much pace and Evie could not connect. Great thought out play from the team though to get to that point.
LCL won a few move corners in the last 5 minutes of the game. Sophia and the Rugby defence dealt with them calmly.
Rugby spend the last few minutes camped in the LCL half with two shots from Evie and Elle J respectively , just wide of the posts again.
Summary
This really was a game of two half’s, an intimated and pegged back Rugby having to defend desperately in the first half, transformed themselves into a positive, proactive and a force to be reckoned with in the second half.
Today making 3 wins from 3 for the U12s.
Well done girls!
Leicester City Ladies U12 0 – 1 Rugby Town Girls U12s
Captain : Evie
Coaches Player of the Match – for an excellent all round performance, including tenacity and brilliant game play : Tash
Parents Player of the Match – for a fantastic performance, that kept us in the game a number of times: Sophia