Saturday 8th February 2020
Sponsor: Shambles Restaurant, Lutterworth
Rugby Team: Lily, Frankie, Carly, Emma, Lois, Ava, Sophie, Charlotte, Rosie, Zara (C), Skye and Evelyn.
1st Half
The formation on the pitch has changed from last weeks defeat to add a bit more resilience. Ava drops into central defence with help from Carly, Emma, Lois and Sophie. Skye goes RM with Zara and Rosie into CM and Charlotte LM and Lily/Frankie taking it in turns in goal and on the pitch. 3 subs to hand this week.
Rugby Town take the 1st pass of the game and have a charge on the counter attack with Skye, Zara and Rosie, but Kingsthorpe are quick with an interception as they make a counter attack from a throw in but Frankie is quick on the ball and picks it up.
There’s great play between Evelyn, Skye and Zara and lots of pressing by Charlotte and Zara in midfield. After 5 minutes gone, Kingsthorpe are really strong, the goalkeeper kicks out and their forward is in open space and goes on her own to score, 1-0 KJ. Another 2 minutes gone and Ava and Charlotte are struggling on the left hand wing and lose out to KJ winger as she is calling the shots and goes on another counter attack, shoots and score 2-0 KJ.
Straight after the restart, Rugby is awarded a throw in which Rosie takes to Evelyn but their goalkeeper is quick to intercept the shot. 18 minutes gone and Rugby’s players consisting of Skye, Rosie and Ava are showing great energy levels but it’s unlucky for the defensive line as a KJ attacker is on fire showing how fearless and unafraid she is as she scores again, 3-0 KJ. Substitute is made for Rugby, Charlotte off and Lily goes LM.
In the final 10 minutes there is a lot of great partnerships being made by Rugby’s players such as Zara and Evelyn showing compelling skills up front, Lily and Zara down the wing and Carly and Emma holding the defence line. Zara and Evelyn are being assertive as Evelyn is given a ball from Zara who tries to shoot but goes across the path and gets a lucky corner as it comes off KJ defence. Lily takes the corner in which it’s played short to Skye who passes it out but no one is on hand to retrieve it.
Another substitution is made, this time Skye off and Lois into RM. KJ goalie kicks out but goes out wide into Rugby’s half in which Lily makes a long throw into Zara who is showing positivity in her ball skills, and loops the ball over the goalkeeper but instead of going into the goal it goes over the crossbar. Quick kick out by the goalkeeper gives Rosie a chance by going on the charge but KJ are being very firm and intercept.
In the final few minutes, Rugby try and regroup as Zara nearly scores as she loses foot control over the ball but goes wide of the net. A sigh of relief is given by Rugby’s players, managers and parents on the side line.
2nd Half
A couple of changes were made at the break for Rugby before start off kick off – Lily in goal, Frankie off and Charlotte back on.
KJ kick off but Rugby are quick off the mark in the 1st minute as Rosie and Evelyn partner up in CM in which Rosie passes to Evelyn, shoots and scores 1-3. Straight after the restart, Rugby are awarded a throw in, Lois takes, Zara receives it well, goes across the path of goal but goes wide – unlucky! Lots of pressing by Lois, Carly and Ava who are holding KJ forwards as they are being very domineering. Rugby get 1st corner of the 2nd half, Rosie steps up and sends a long ball across who sees Evelyn unmarked and gets a breakthrough 2-3!
Another couple of substitutions within the 1st 10 minutes: Lois off, Skye RM – Sophie off, Emma CB – Rosie off, Frankie CM. KJ forwards are standing firm as Lily is trying to be tough in goal but is unlucky after a goal is scored through her legs, 4-2 KJ. In the 2nd half with 15 minutes gone, Rugby are showing so much enthusiasm and bursting with energy, great hustling from Skye, Carly is leading the defence line, Zara/Charlotte are commanding the wings and Evelyn leading the front. Lily is making some excellent saves and being solid by coming off her line when needs be.
Another breakthrough is made through Rugby where Evelyn is in control of the ball who passes to Zara and has the strength and intensity to go on her own, she explodes and scores 3-4. Whilst celebrating, Frankie accidentally trips her over but gets straight back up. Straight on the restart KJ possession again, who awarded are corner, Carly gets a touch on the ball but goes straight to KJ attacker, another goal scored 5-3. 23 minutes gone, some more substitutions are made by Rugby – Ava and Zara off, Rosie CM and Sophie CB, Carly off and Lois on.
With the last 5 minutes remaining, 2 goals are scored in quick succession by KJ, first goal is by KJ attacker who goes down the wing by herself and shoots straight into right side of the net- Cracking goal! Rugby are struggling as they are too powerful. The 2nd goal is crossed over from the wing but Emma and Lois lose the ball and it is tapped into the goal, score line reaches 7-3. One last chance is made by Skye to Frankie but her shot goes wide.
Rugby’s overall performance was 100% better than last week’s game as they showed tireless determination, spirit amongst themselves and great partnerships. Good luck to KJ Melody in the next round of the cup.
Parents players: Zara for her concrete skills in CM and flying high on the pitch.
Managers player: Ava for her drive in central defence (new position) and courageous effort.
