The U14s hosted a very talented Cosby team who had won all their games this season so the players knew it was going to be a tough match but were pumped up and ready for it.
Rugby started really strongly pressing from the front and putting the Cosby defence under real pressure.
Captain Molly led from the front with this tactic and the Cosby players must have felt like there were 3 of her on the pitch as she covered so much ground and gave them no time at all and her pressing frequently led directly to chances.
The other forwards supported and in midfield Erin tackled strongly and moved the ball forwards. The defence had a few direct balls and runners to deal with but Kayla and Ella in particular were strong in dealing with threats.
Unfortunately a Cosby breakaway when they got the ball forwards quickly led to a goal. Heads did not go down and the team continued the same way. To keep the tempo high subs were rolled on and off and the players coming on got straight into the action. Chances came at both ends but the score stayed the same at the end of the first half.
The players were determined at half time and discussed intelligently what improvements could be made in the second half and went back out looking for the equaliser. The game continued to be toughly contested with Rugby creating chances and Cosby having a few which had to be thwarted by Jodie in goal.
With Cosby under instruction to keep the ball and Rugby doing well to make that extremely difficult for them it was a good contest. Cesca and Molly created the bulk of the chances but unfortunately a goal couldn’t be found.
Cosby scored a goal direct from a corner and then proceeded to try and play the game out. Rugby were still trying to get a goal though and Kayla drove from inside her own half to have a shot but the game stayed 2-0.
A bit of better decision making and finishing may have got Rugby some points in this match but the overall performance and attitude of the players was brilliant and they should be extremely proud of the performance they all put in which combined determination and skill.
Rugby Town 0-2 Cosby United
Player of the match: Kayla