Rugby Town Girls u10s travelled to Asfordby today with just the 7 players due to various player commitments. They had faced Asfordby the Sunday previously and had struggled to cope with the size and physicality of the opposition players, this has unfortunately been a theme with most of the team being u9s.
However like with every game they play, they took to the field confidently putting last week behind them. The team started really well and were matching Asfordby for a good part of the first half. However after some pressure and a number of Asfordby corners, Rugby finally conceded following a corner and a goal mouth scramble. However this did not dent their spirits and they kept going for the first half. They did unfortunately concede a second which with a great amount of luck bobbled past Hav who was in goal first for the first half. However Hav had played a blinder in goal making some nice saves when called on.
Connie started the game alongside Bethany who was playing out of her usual midlfield role, due to lack of defenders. Both formed a good little partnership against some girls a good foot taller!
Sofia and Aurora made some great runs on and off the ball and linked up well, causing the opposition to work to maintain their lead.
Hev and Katie were having to run their socks off in midfield. I was asking a lot today of the midfield, as I wanted to provide more protection to the defence, however, not to leave Sofia and Aurora isolated up front.
It could easily have been 0-0 at half time. The second half did start with a quick goal by Asfordby who were able to call on regular substitutions to keep their players fresh.
However despite playing without subs Rugby started to settle and make some good attacks themselves. With Sofia and Aurora linking up to get forward more, they were occasionally a bit outnumbered 7 to 2 in the opposition half, this was because legs started to tire and the midfield were not getting a break having to run box to box.
With a change of keeper, Hav came out into midfield and with some fresh legs made some important blocks and tackles, that Rugby could use to counter attack. This eventually led to a nice little run by Sofia who slotted it away past the Asfordby keeper at close range.
There were a number of times in the midfield with Katie and Hav, that the ball just fell badly and on another day would have started a good attacking move.
Rugby battled the entire game and coped well against the bigger opposition and the fresher legs of the Asfordby subs. Rugby did concede two more on the half ending the game 5-1. But on another day it could have been 3-2 with a bit more luck and a full squad. They were definitely not out played today and it was a marked improvement on the game against the same team just a week ago.
Girl of the match: Sofia
Parents girls of the match: Everyone!