Rugby Town Girls U12s vs Harborough Town Juniors U12s – Sunday 16th September
Rugby Town Squad: Sophia, Ella, Erin, Hannah, Evie, Tasha, Ava, Izzy, Elle J, Ellie A
Rushing back from East Goscote with the U8s and it was time for the U12s first home game of the new season. We found out that the referee was none other than club Chairman, Jason. Rugby were set to impress and continue their opening season form!
1st Half
Rugby started with a positive attitude but were slightly caught out by Harborough Town (HT) setting out their stall early with a strong defence and good fluid movement in midfield who moved the ball forward well and upsetting the Rugby defence. Sophia was called on early and made a good save.
Erin, in only her second game showed a much improved performance from the start. She clearly understood what was needed and was determined in her movement and defensive positioning; putting in some good defensive tackles.
Hannah played one of many very good through balls from the midfield, picking out the Rugby forwards. Hannah is really finding her feet and her tactical positioning and play is coming on leaps and bounds.
Ava was putting on a great display on the right wing with a number of scorching runs down the wing with the ball rather than taking the easier, but less effective method, of simply booting the ball in the general direction of a forward player.
HT sneaked in a blistering counter attack and, finding the defence on the back foot providing lots of open space, opened the scoring with a soft goal.
Rugby Town 0 – 1 Harborough Town.
Rugby now needed to show some grit and determination and not let the early goal get to them. From the restart, Rugby pushed forward. Losing possession allowed HT back in to the game, down to Rugby’s goal which was cleared for a corner.
Sophia made not one, but two great saves from the corner and then a rebound, clearing the ball up field. HT won the ball back and were straight back down for an aggressive counter attack. The ball went out for a Rugby throw in.
Hannah delivered the throw in beautifully down the wing for Evie to pick up. Just like in training girls! Evie to Tash who found Ava with a brilliant and well thought out pass. Ava was unlucky to have her shot blocked by a lucky HT defender.
Hannah continued a fantastic and hard fought display in midfield, proving once again what a demanding position it in the 7v7 formation.
Ella had begun a great period of defence in the right back position, providing some crucial clearances from dangerous positions for Rugby.
Ava and Tash were going great guns, excellent work rate and well thought out play. Both were reading the game very well and their positional play was exactly what was needed today.
Tash moved the ball to Hannah who, after a short run, released the ball well to Ava who took a shot, just wide and hitting the side of the net. Rugby now had a taste for attacking play and the pressure on Harborough Town was heating up.
A bit of back and forth in midfield saw Rugby come out on top. Rugby won a corner, well delivered by Hannah. Evie collected the ball, passed back to Hannah, over to Ava and score! Great combination play by Rugby to equalise
Rugby Town 1 – 1 Harborough Town
Rugby finally getting a taste for scoring saw a non-nonsense attitude develop. Rugby quickly won position, turn the ball and charge towards the opposition goal. Evie, Ava and Tash combining beautifully to allow Tash to score. Again, combination play leading to a great goal.
Rugby Town 2 – 1 Harborough Town
Rugby kept the pressure on and contained high pressure play against HT from Hannah and Evie. Rugby were now really testing the HT defence and it was only a slight lack of finishing seeing Rugby missing out on a couple more goals from Ava and Tash.
2nd Half
All change in defence with Izzy and Ellie coming on for Ella and Erin and a fresh legs up front with Elle J swapping out for Ava,
Rugby again started strong, maintaining the great attitude they saw then take the lead from a losing position in the first half. Ellie provided one her now infamous strong and long clearances to Tash who took the ball forward and released to Evie. HT took position and cleared into touch.
Izzy took a good throw in, won back by HT and immediately won back by Ellie, kicking a long, sweet pass to Ellie J in midfield. Up the field again with Rugby threatening the HT goal, cleared behind for a Rugby corner.
Again, Hannah, our chief corner taker, kicked it right where it needed to be. HT scrambled the ball clear and Rugby won 3 quick throw ins in a row. All well thrown by Hannah, allowing Rugby to make ground up towards the HT goal.
Evie and Ellie J were working the midfield well and getting into great positions to pass and receive the ball to each other. The whole teams on ball performance is showing great improvement. Rugby won another corner which was well defended by HT.
Harborough pushed down into Rugby’s half. Rugby’s throw in saw Ellie perform a huge lob. HT won possession but Ellie was straight back into the game, dominating the defence and certainly intimidating the HT forwards. Piling on the pressure, resulting in a strong clearance.
HT picked the ball up in midfield and again showed a lightning quick counter attack that Rugby could do little about. The Rugby defence and keeper were beaten and Harborough equalised.
Rugby Town 2 -2 Harborough Town
Down to the last 10 minutes. Could Rugby dust themselves off and take the game?
Another Rugby corner for Hannah to deliver saw a poor HT clearance straight back to Hannah who crossed into the box again, finding Elle J who converted a well-deserved goal with a lovely shot.
Rugby Town 3 – 2 Harborough Town
Restart and Rugby again were pushing through albeit with tired legs and red faced. Parents’ excellent support really lifted them and a surprise run from Elle J straight through the HT midfield, passing the ball to Evie on the outskirts of the HT box. Score!
Rugby Town 4 – 2 Harborough Town
Rugby were really having to work hard now, but again, Elle found a way through a tiring HT defence, her shot just clipping the HT goal post. Goal kick and Rugby regained possession allowing Evie a nice run up the wing.
Harborough regained possession and moved swiftly down to Rugby’s goal, unleashing a great strike from the side saw Sophia well beaten.
Rugby Town 4 – 3 Harborough Town
Last few minutes saw both teams tired and looking forward to the final whistle. Sophia made a great save in the last minute. Securing a well fought and well deserved win for Rugby Town.
A great game, proving the work we are doing on combination play is really starting to pay off.
Some areas for training session over the next couple of weeks: releasing the ball earlier and also our finishing. Rugby easily missed a couple of extra goals that would have been more successful with player confidence on their final touches.
** Tl:Dr – Rugby won 
**
Rugby Town Girls U12s 4 – 3 Harborough Town Juniors U12
Thank you to the parents for your usual excellent support, the players, Richard and I really appreciate it.
Thank you Jason for refereeing our game.
Parents Player of the Match – for an all-round outstanding performance and for bagging one of the goals – Evie
Coaches Player of the Match – for a hugely improved performance on last week, in only her second ever game for Rugby Town Girls – Erin