Sunday 12th September 2021
Sponsor: FORD Bros building & Electrical.
Squad: Alice, Amelia, Beth, El, Elisa, Emmi, Lola, Maddie, Matilda.
Rugby Town u12 Lionesses held their first home game of the season hosting Oadby Owls u12s. Rugby took the field without a subs bench knowing it would be a tough job, but keen to step up to the task.
The first half was a hard fought affair with both sides having many opportunities, Rugby Town lining up in diamond formation in midfield as a change from then flat four across the middle. This played to the strengths of the girls.
Emmi continued her great start to the season in goal, having stepped up to the role towards the end of last season. She made some great saves and linked up well with her defence.
Alice, Beth and Maddie had a good first half dealing well with the Oadby attacks, and have really grown as a defensive unit. Alice has picked up the game so well in her first competitive games and did some great work today. Beth was a strong presence in the centre of defence with strong tackles and clearances. Maddie also made some important tackles and kept her position well.
El played at the base of the diamond and had a great game controlling the centre of the field and distributing the ball well.
Lola and Elisa played on the flanks of the diamond and never stopped running. They broke down many attacks down the wing, and got the ball forward well to start the Rugby attacks.
Amelia made her league debut today at the head of the diamond. She was asked to use her pace to pressure the opposition and to create opportunities for herself and the striker. She made a number of great runs and passes, as well as getting in early pressure, to break up Oadby attacks.
Matilda led the line today, having been asked just before kick off to move forward from midfield. She again had a number of great opportunities which she deserved to be rewarded for.
The first half ended 0-0, and all was still to play for.
Oadby came out of the blocks quickly in second half, and put Rugby under some pressure, but Rugby bent without breaking!
Rugby soon got back into the game, and were looking good, however at the half way point of the second half Oadby got the break through. It was a run down the wing, which avoided a number of Rugby players who were starting to get a little heavy legged. The girls did not let this lessen their efforts but a short time later again conceded in similar circumstances.
The game was in its closing stages when Oadby got their third goal, this was a speculative effort, a good lobbed ball, which dipped just below the cross bar. This did leave a score which definitely did not reflect the game.
The girls should be proud of themselves today, having simply run out of a little steam in last 15 mins. This was however big improvement in terms of fitness compared to the last game just a week ago.
If the girls can continue to play like that during the rest of the season, they will get the results they deserve.
Parent’s player: Emmi
Manager’s player: Lola
Thanks to the parents for their support and thank you to Russ for being the Linesman.