Rugby Town Girls U12s vs Mountsorrel Juniors U12 Panthers – Sunday 28th October
Sponsors: Lisa Collins Hair Design and Caring Help at Home Ltd
Rugby Town Squad: Ellie A (C) , Ella, Hannah, Erin, Kelsey, Sophia, Ava, Elle J, Mia, Izzy
Rugby were flying high on their excellent league form so far. This morning we faced Mountsorrel Panthers at Kilsby Lane. Mountsorrel are snapping at our heels in 2nd place in the league so this game would decide who would retain or take the top spot this weekend.
Both teams respectfully observed a minutes silence for all those affected by the terrible accident that occurred at the Leicester City ground yesterday.
1st Half
Mountsorrel started quickly and strongly and had a couple of early shots. Luckily, Sophia was primed and ready and dealt with the threat very calmly. Compared with previous weeks, Rugby settled very quickly into their positions and game plan and were determined to dominate the game.
Rugby had good turn of pace on the counter attack and quickly found their way up to the Mountsorrel goal for a sustained period of attack which produced 2 corners for Rugby, both well delivered by Hannah.
Rugby’s forward players, Kelsey, Elle J and Ava, were already providing to be a formidable threesome and were causing all sorted of problems for Mountsorrel. Elle J in particular was having a spectacular game, displaying all kinds of tricks and skills, all fruitful and all accurate.
Kelsey found the ball in midfield and passed to Elle J. Elle was being marked closely by two Mountsorrel players, desperate for the ball. Elle had an epic midfield battle and released the ball across to Ava who was in a brilliant position to receive and score!
Rugby 1 – 0 Mountsorrel
On the restart Mountsorrel were clearly keen to quickly equalise. Erin and Ella in defence were worked hard by the quick Mountsorrel forwards. Both girls had a good game with Erin showing some great defensive positioning and Ella making some crucial clearances. Great teamwork, along with Sophia, in defence.
Rugby won a free kick for a foul against Kelsey, who stepped up and just shot wide of the left post. A nice confidence strike though. Back into play and Rugby won another corner. Again Hannah was called upon to deliver. In came and excellent ball, right to Ava who just failed to connect.
Several thrown ins from Rugby again saw them advance up towards the Mountsorrel goal. However, Rugby lost possession and Mountsorrel charged downfield, beating Rugby defence and let fly with a cracking strike which just shaved the paint of the cross bar.
Kelsey, Elle J and Ava were determined to apply the same pressure to the Mountsorrel keeper, and an attacking period by Rugby say the Mountsorrel keeper forced to make 2 very good saved in as many minutes.
Both teams were now pushing hard, and some strong tackles were being delivered. Mountsorrel found a break and tested Sophia again who make another excellent save, really on her game today.
Rugby back with position, saw Elle J have a great run up the right wing, crossing the ball into Kelsey, who was brought down in the box and awarded a penalty. Kelsey calmly stuck the ball left of the keeper to extend Rugby’s lead right on half time.
Rugby 2 -0 Mountsorrel
2nd Half
The second half saw Ellie A, and Izzy come on in defence and Mia in midfield. Fresh legs were needed to cope with the pressure Mountsorrel were undoubtedly going to pile on Rugby during the second half.
Ellie A was straight into role, providing some strong clearances from deep in Rugby’s half, well supported by Izzy. Ava continued to find excellent positions on the left wing, often with acres of space. Rugby missed a few opportunities to feed the ball to her, which would have certainly led to a goal or two.
Again, Mountsorrel were keen to take the game to Rugby and a short period of ferocious attach see Sophia make great save again and also Mountsorrel once again hitting the cross bar. Rugby were fighting hard to regain possession. Ellie J, right in the thick of the action, took a ball hard to the face which knocked her off her feet. Impressively, she got right back up and ran straight back into the melee of the midfield action.
Ellie A, Izzy and Mia stayed strong in the face of any Mountsorrel charges and generally coped calmly and effectively with any threat. Sophia gathered the ball and took a huge kick, with one bounce, finding Kelsey. Kelsey followed the direction of ball and did very well to get a toe to it, just shooting wide to the right.
The game continued at a very quick pace, and Mountsorrel won a corner. Sophia and Ellie worked well together to clear the ball, back up to the Mountsorrel goal and a clearance now say Rugby with a corner, delivered well by Elle J and cleared by Mountsorrel.
Kelsey collected the ball in midfield, ran past the Mountsorrel defenders and passed out wide to Ava but just shot wide. Rugby were really pressing Mountsorrel now and the next 10 minutes saw Ava shoot wide a couple of time. Finally, Ava receive a good through pass and turning, caught the keeper on the wrong side of their goal, slotted the ball past into the right hand side of the net.
Rugby 3 – 0 Mountsorrel
Game restart and Rugby kept pushing the game, dictating the pace and style of play very well. Kelsey had a great shot on target which was only saved by an excellent display of agility by the Mountsorrel keeper.
Ava, Elle J and Kelsey kept pushing the Mountsorrel defence into making errors. Kelsey again taking a shot, and this time finding the net with ease.
Rugby 4 – 0 Mountsorrel
Shortly after the restart Kelsey was again bought down by an ill-timed tackle in the Mountsorrel box, for Rugby’s second penalty. This time, the keeper make an astonishing save, parried the ball. Kelsey tried for the rebound but couldn’t find the net on this occasion.
The final minutes still saw plenty of action with Mountsorrel again making good runs to the Rugby goal but unable to find that finishing touch. Rugby were very sharp on their counter attacks, which was great to see and also saw another shot go wide of the Mountsorrel goal.
A Rugby corner saw a mass game of ping pong in the goal mouth with no less than three shots by Rugby. Sadly none of them reaching the back of the net.
Kelsey took a hard knock to the head and came off, Hannah stepping in up front to finish the game. Finally, Mountsorrel saw their hard work pay off with a fine cross and strong strike, beating Sophia who tripped over some rough ground. A consolation goal in the last minute for Mountsorrel.
Rugby 4 – 1 Mountsorrel
Summary
Rugby Town 4 – 1 Mountsorrel
Both teams missed a number of chances. Mountsorrel especially, rattling the woodwork on a number of occasions. A fast paced game which saw Rugby mostly dominate and dictate play, demonstrating a great desire, which is exactly what we have been working on in training.
7 games unbeaten, the U12s continue their charge! Well done team!
Coaches Player of the Match – for outstanding skill shown during the game and also a great display of defending from the front: Elle J
Parents Player of the Match – for superb positioning on the pitch, great game play, defending from the front not forgetting 2 of the goals : Ava
Thank you to Jake for refereeing our game.