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Rugby Town Squad: Ellie A (C) , Ella, Erin, Kelsey, Sophia, Ava, Elle J, Mia, Izzy , Evie, Tash, Hannah
As we are now approaching the sharp end of the season the team are keener than ever to play well and put on positive performances. Training exercises & focusing on specific areas are working well and converting to some great play on the pitch.
1st Half
Cosby started strongly and were clearly keen to run at Rugby, their enthusiasm was matched by Rugby who had a clear game plan, focusing on their passing game to generate positive play forward.
The Rugby defenders of Ella and Izzy had a strong half, working their partnership well and controlling the full back positions. Cosby found an early opening shot but shot well wide, posing no threat to the Rugby goal.
A rare keeper error by Rugby saw Cosby win a free kick on the edge of the box. Sophia set the wall up well and the Rugby side looked relaxed and untroubled, clearing a soft shot and concentrating on developing an effective counter attack.
Hannah was having a very strong game in her central defence position, making some excellent tackles and delivering some well thought out passes to the Rugby forwards.
Tash, Kelsey and Ava were started to connect really well and their attacking triangle was starting to look dangerous for Cosby. Ava and Tash working well on the wings to push forward and allow Kelsey and opening pass and run on goal. A shot on goal by Tash was saved by the keeper but the goal kick was swiftly won in midfield by Rugby and a well timed run by Tash and Ava allowed Ava a clear shot on goal!
Rugby 1 – 0 Cosby
The opening goal clearly boosted Rugby’s confidence and their work on the ball continued to improve. Rugby won a couple of throw ins, both delivered very well by Hannah, which allowed Rugby to make some good ground up into the Cosby half.
Cosby won the ball, using their strength in midfield, they ran at Rugby but probably wasted a good opportunity by releasing a soft shot from distance which was easily gathered up by Sophia.
Rugby’s positional play was very good, with all the team holding their positions well and using the space available. Kelsey, playing a bit deeper than usual, was working hard to push forward, and it was obvious that an opportunity would not be long in appearing.
A Cosby counter attack, originating from good defence in midfield, pushed on the Rugby goal. Rugby allowing them too much space saw a superb strike unleashed and forcing a save from Sophia. But, what a save it was! An excellent, well time dive, certainly saving Rugby from conceding the equaliser. The resulting Cosby corner caused Rugby no issues, leading to a simple clearance.
2nd Half
Our usual 5 player swap out a half time saw the new players settle straight into the game with a clear objective that they were determined to execute.
Elle J had an outstanding half, delivering some truly exceptionally passes to Kelsey and Evie. Rugby were attacking constantly, the ball skills were excellent and the control in midfield was great to watch.
A wide Cosby ball resulted in a Rugby goal kick. Sophia delivered an excellent ball, dropping in front on Kelsey who ran on, one on one with the keeper, and struck perfectly into the right side of the net.
Rugby 2 – 0 Cosby
Rugby won 2 successive corners, both brilliantly delivered by Ellie A. If we can just convince a Rugby player or two to head the ball occasionally, I am certain we would be scoring some good goals from our corners.
Mia and Erin were providing great cover in defence whilst Ellie was up delivering corners. Mia again had a great half, her consistency is of great benefit to the whole team. Erin also had a good game. Her awareness of play and the responsibilities of her position are really coming on well. She provides great cover.
Elle J / Evie / Kelsey were still causing all sorted of issues up front. If I was an opposition defender, I would not want to be facing these three! Elle J and Kelsey worked well to force a corner, again delivered exceptionally well by Ellie A who is developing a great curve to her kick.
The relentless Rugby pressure was starting to affect Cosby now, with a few of their players losing focus. Elle J in particular, showing exceptional attitude, worked 3 of their defenders to force yet another Rugby corner.
A poor clearance by Cosby allowed Rugby to intercept and regain possession. A soft shot by Rugby should have been an easy handle by the Cosby keeper, but a fumble saw an opportunistic Kelsey steal the ball away and slot the ball into the Cosby goal.
Rugby 3 – 0 Cosby
3 goals ahead were not quite enough from Rugby, who simply were not going to sit back and defend. Elle J had a stinging shot on goal, the keeper doing well to save. Again, Rugby pushed back against the Cosby attack, winning another corner which Kelsey and Elle J used to run a few rings around the Cosby defenders, resulting in Evie just shooting wide.
The goal kick was collected by Ellie A in defence. Ellie made a very productive pass to Kelsey, who using her speed, made up a load of ground and releasing to Evie on the left. Evie placed a good, and I’m sure deliberate, shot to the inside on the right post, seeing the ball rebound into goal.
Rugby 4 – 0 Cosby
Summary
Rugby Town 4 – 0 Cosby
Rugby put on an excellent team performance today, with every single player contributing to the win.
An absolute pleasure and inspiration to watch, resulting in a very well deserved win against a Cosby side we drew with away earlier in the season, showing just how well the team is progressing.
Coaches Player of the Match – for a very strong and committed game in midfield: Hannah
Parents Player of the Match – for super work rate and insightful play making: Elle J
Thank you to Jason for refereeing our game.