Sunday 13th November
Squad: Ellie, Ava, Izzy, Kelsey (Captain), Sophia W, Priya, Sophia K, Robyn, Millie, Rosie, Lucy, Zoe, Ella
Sponsor: Lisa Collins Hair Design
Rugby Town U16 travelled to Barwell looking to get back to winning ways after last week’s draw and were once again playing 4-1-3-2 which seems to be driving nice attacking football.
An impeccably observed Remembrance Day silence from both teams and spectators.
First Half
Having played Barwell before, Rugby knew they liked to play a very high defensive back line. Therefore, instructions to Rugby for the first 10 mins was to work a high press and for Bob (DMF) and Ellie (CB) to pop some nice long balls over the Barwell defence to our running forwards. It worked.
Two minutes into the game and a great throw in by Ava found Kelsey to work her way around the blocking defender to open the score line.
Upon restart, Rugby were again on the attack. Rosie with the ball up the left wing was on the receiving end of a somewhat cynical tackle and Rugby were duly awarded a free kick outside of the 18 yd box. Ellie stepped up and provided a nice ball into the area where Ava was waiting to calmly convert.
Rosie had a good half, showing effort and intent. The Barwell defence were clearly rattled as they were heavily marking and bringing Rosie down in tackles on several occasions.
Rugby held the high press very well indeed throughout the first half and this did cause Barwell some issues as they were not getting a chance to challenge the Rugby defence. The attacking play from the visitors was fantastic to see, although there were several chances that went begging:
- Izzy with a great through ball to Kelsey who hit the post
- Kelsey and Priya link up with Priya shooting slightly wide
- Sophia K with nice attacking play to Priya who saw her shot saved
- Sophia K releasing Kelsey who saw her shot saved
- Rosie making a good run and playing to Priya who was 1v1 with the keeper flagged offside
- Ava delivering in a corner with Kelsey seeing the resulting shot saved
Barwell were working hard to try to gain some momentum in the game and in time won a corner. Barwell played a very nice ball in, and Sophia W was called in to make a very nice save indeed. Shortly after a Barwell player struck a speculative ball from well outside the area – that tuned out to be a very nice shot indeed, dipping smoothly into the top right of the net leaving Sophia W no chance to stop Barwell reducing the deficit by one.
Izzy (RB) Lucy (LB) both had a good game. Both offered a confident performance and some nice balls down the wing which our forwards found very useful. Millie’s (AM) speed and tenacity was causing Barwell some issue. Millie’s position play was much better today which benefitted the whole team,
In the closing minutes of the half, Rugby continued to press high and hard and did mount several attacks on the Barwell defence. Ava and Kelsey worked the ball well only for Kelsey to hit the post.
Second Half
Rosie <-> Zoe
Lucy <-> Ella
Rugby were again reminded to keep the press high and also to focus to winning the first balls. It was not long before Rugby turned on the burners and a great link up play pattern between Zoe, Ava, Priya and Millie saw Millie score her first goal for the team to extend Rugby’s lead.
Rugby continued to test Barwell and the pressure was leading to the home side making to errors. Kelsey and Zoe were hounding the defence to take back possession and the Barwell defence unfortunately directed the ball into her own net.
Kelsey continued to push and wide shot and an over the bar shot in quick succession was a good indication how her day was going really.
Rugby won a throw in deep into the Barwell half, a beautiful knock on by Millie to Zoe who converted for her first goal of the game. Shortly after, Zoe lends a hand with an assist for Kelsey to make it 6.
Ella (LB) was allowing no space for the Barwell wingers to impact the game. If any did get past Ella, she stood them up well, allowing the only option to run down into the corner flag, severely reducing their options.
The Rugby wingers and forwards were using the available space well and Ava, Sophia K, Kelsey, and Zoe linked up well and were unlucky to see Zoe’ shot go wide.
Rugby were not relenting and were camped just over the halfway line. Another good play by Ava and Zoe saw Zoe’s second goal of the game.
Final action in the game saw Ava shoot wide and Zoe, Kelsey and Ava working great as a team, always searching for another goal, right to the final whistle.
Summary
AFC Barwell 1 – 7 Rugby Town
A strong performance, executing pre match instructions well. The team clearly enjoyed the high press. They remain the only unbeaten team in the league and currently enjoy an 8 point lead at the top of the table.
Managers player of the match: Sophia W. A hugely more confident display in goal. Great communication and encouragement throughout the game. Controlled her area and worked with the defence effectively. I was particularly impressed with the work done between Sophia and Ellie.
Captains’ player of the match: Zoe. Fantastic effort using speed and clever positioning as well as two goals and an assist.
Special shout out to Robyn and Sophia K who both had a very strong game with excellent positional play.
Thank you to the referee, Darren for running the line and all the U16 parents, friends, and families for your support.