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Venue: Corby
Weather: Cool and overcast
Squad: Lois, Emma, Zoe, Selina, Grace, Sophie, Ava (c), Rosie, Charlotte, Hev, Hav, Evelyn
Without a league fixture for the second week running, we arranged a friendly with Corby Town, a team from the division above us but with both squads eager to get more minutes under our belts. A refreshed Rugby side contained Grace, Hev & Hav all making starts against a good opposition.
The game started in a fairly even fashion with Corby having the lion share of possession, but Rugby looking resolute and able to break well with intention. Grace was making some great interceptions from left midfield with Ava and Sophie breaking up play well and springing breaks and Hev & Hav consistently breaking into promising positions. The girls were trying to play short passes even when pressed and even though they didn’t always come off, the positive and encouraging attitude was great to see.
With 15 minutes of the half gone, Corby were able to get their noses in front with a well taken strike and doubled their advantage a few minutes later despite a good spell of pressure from Rugby. Despite leading the line well, a tough challenge on Hav required a switch with Evelyn coming on to complete the half with Rosie also coming on at left midfield.
Rugby finished the half really strongly carving out a number of chances. Shots from range from Sophie & Rosie stung the palms of the goalkeeper and a freekick from Evelyn flashed just wide. However, Evelyn finally reduced the deficit, flicking home after another fast break.
HT: Corby 2 – 1 Rugby Town
At half time we brought Charlotte on at right wing and reverted to our normal team set up but found it harder to get going, lacking a bit of the passing fluency of the first half. However the defence looked solid with Emma & Zoe in particularly closing down any defenders looking to break through the line. Lois also demonstrated the work she’s been putting into coming out quickly, and her delivery from her kicks was great at getting us pushing forward again.
Corby added a third goal with a well taken goal but Rugby remained positive and continued to create chances. A rapid break released Charlotte who burst through and drove a powerful shot across goal which the Corby goalkeeper did well to keep out. Despite Corby adding two more late goals, Rugby continued to look threatening in attack and in another breakaway Evelyn was unlucky not to score her second with a precise finish that flashed just wide.
FT: Corby 5 – 1 Rugby Town
Overall Performance: A positive experience against a good side with plenty of things for us to learn from. There were plenty of periods where we were the dominant side in possession and attack and we consistently tried to play football. We know we tend to struggle in the second half when playing on grass so we probably need to react to this a bit quicker, in both shape and personnel. A great run out for the team and should set us up well for a run of three fixtures at home now.
Parent’s Player(s): Sophie. Tireless running and effective in possession, particularly when she was playing in the centre of midfield. Worked well with Ava to break up play.
Coaches Player(s): Emma. Superb reading of the game, used her positioning to nullify attacks coming down the right and showed great development of her physical game to get the better of her attacker. Consistently passed the ball well out of defence, particularly from goalkicks.
Thanks to the parents for their positive support throughout, in what was a fair distance to travel for a friendly!
