Sunday 19th January
Sponsored by Kunis Coffee and Comics
Venue: Butlin Road, Rugby.
Weather: Sunny and mild.
Ground: Frosty, clearing.
Rugby Team: Frankie, Sophie, Ruby, Pauline, Emily, Vince, Bailey, Soapy, Kiki, Hav, Hev, Nicole.
First game of the new year at home, against unknown opposition in the form of Asfordby Amateurs, with the girls looking to bounce back after their last match at Oadby Owls.
First half Rugby were pressing and pinning their opponents in their own half with plenty of running and passing, just missing the final shot at goal. Substitutions made midway through the half to change the tempo of the game resulted in Rugby taking a deserved advantage as they looked to turn their superiority into goals.
Rugby continued to attack with flair leaving their opponents with the odd breakaway effort in Rugby’s half with the girls defending well. First half ended a positive result for the girls.
As the second half got under way, the same players started with only a change of goalkeeper. The change seemed to distract their concentration as they started the half nervously. Asfordby could sense this and attacked with more purpose; three corners in succession meant that Rugby had to defend courageously.
The goalkeeper then made a stunningly brave save and that breathed the confidence back into the players. Rugby began to take control of the game again and could have increased their hold on the match. As the game wore on, substitutions were made again to inject further energy to the team. The game ended with a positive and improved performance for the girls.
During the last training sessions the girls had worked tirelessly on pass and move, 1v1 and 2v1 situations. The skills developed were well utilized today as some integral passing moves between the girls led to sublime chances in front of goal. The girls are always looking to improve and play as a team; they recognise that they could be more vocal with each other when marking at set pieces and when attacking or defending as a team.
When we don’t have the ball press the opponents to force the error and be braver in front of goal – the girls’ tactical awareness continues to grow and that gives them lots of new techniques and ideas to work on in future training sessions. Win, lose or draw we are always learning
Overall Performance: Total control of the game, improved passing and tackling. Need to have more confidence in sight of goal. Great team effort by the girls.
Coaches player of the match: Kiki for a box to box display, full of running; deserved a better reward for her efforts in front of goal.
Supporters player of the match: Bailey, cool and calm; with the vision and pace to turn defence into attack.
Kunis Coffee and Comics player of the match: Emily for her never give in attitude, capped off by some clinical finishing.