Sunday 10h April 2022
Sponsor: FORD Bros building & Electrical.
Squad:
Alice, Amelia, Beth, El, Emmie, Jess, Katie, Maddie, Ruby
Rugby Town u12 Lionesses travelled to Kirby with just 9 girls today on the back of some recent strong performances. The home fixture had been a very tough game, very early in the season. The Rugby girls have come a long way since then and were keen to show it.
Emmi was in goal and did a great job in commanding her area.
Some alterations in defence during the first half showed how much the girls have developed. With Maddie playing in the centre half position and Alice moving over from right back to the left. Ruby taking up the right back position.
Katie continued in the holding midfield role and did really well, knowing she would have to run for the whole match.
Beth and El took up the left and right of midfield with Amelia playing just behind Jess up front.
The first half was a cagey affair, with Kirby having much of the play. Rugby clearly aware of the strength of the opposition and the fact they would have to pace themselves, on what was turning out to be a reasonably warm day.
Despite Kirby having the most possession and chances, Rugby had some good attacking moments clearly showing that they were not going to just roll over. And Amelia and Jess did have some chances to open the scoring.
Kirby did however open the scoring due to a short clearance from Rugby, which allowed them to score a fortunate goal.
Rugby had worked hard and deserved to be level at half time.
The second half started with Rugby getting a chance on goal straight from the kickoff, showing the fight they had in them.
Rugby were now going for it, and despite tiring legs were creating some great chances. Some of which the Kirby goalie did really well to stop.
Kirby scored twice more, one being from a goalmouth scramble.
At this point Rugby could have given up and thought at 3 nil it was all over. However, this was a stronger Rugby, and they were going to dig deep.
Katie continued to play well in the middle of the pitch and has grown in confidence. Her and Maddie rotated into central defence in order to try and rest legs. Both made some strong clearances and set up Rugby attacks.
Beth made a great run forward and after a great 1 on 1 battle with the Kirby full back got a nice pass into the Kirby six-yard box for Jess to slot home with confidence. Jess had really played well today, not allowing herself to be dragged out of her position and therefore maintaining a constant threat to Kirby throughout the game.
Rugby were clearly boosted by this and started to press more and more. Rugby were now the stronger team despite having no rotation.
Kirby were still having some good attacks, and a great diving save at full stretch by Emmi, showed just how good she has become in her first season in goal.
El and Amelia were now really making some great runs and attacks and putting Kirby under pressure. Jess was also getting into some good positions and was unlucky to have only scored one goal.
One great Rugby attack in the second half, managed to drag the Kirby defence and keeper out to the side, and a great cross was put into the box by Rugby with Maddie and Amelia both in fantastic positions in the goal mouth for an easy tap in. However, the ball came in at speed and the opportunity for what would have been a cracking second Rugby goal was missed. Great reading of the game by Maddie and Amelia to be in that position.
However, with Rugby pushing more and more to get it to 3-2, and in control of the game, Kirby managed a counterattack in the final minutes to break away and score a late goal against some very tired legs.
Final score 4-1, but even the away supporters said the score didn’t reflect the game, and the Kirby manager also commented on how the girls had improved.
Manager’s girl of the game: Alice, for a great performance in an unfamiliar role at left back. She made many great tackles on her own side of the pitch and some vital saving clearances coming across the back to clear out to the right side.
Parents player: Ruby for another strong performance, she is really hit the ground running since she joined the team.
Thank you to Pete for assisting and running the line, and thanks to the parents for their fantastic support of the girls.