Sunday 4th April 2022
Squad: Ellie, Tasha, Kelsey, Ella, Cara, Evie, Lucy, Hannah, Priya (Captain), Robyn, Elle, Ava, Sophia W, Sophia K, Liv, Izzy
Sponsor – Lisa Collins Hair Design
The U15s played their 2nd round league cup game at home at Butlin Road on Sunday afternoon.
Rugby and Desford have not been in the same league this season, so both teams facing unfamiliar opposition. Match instructions, go all out!
First Half
Rugby dominating early on with Hannah starting the game with a fantastic run down the left wing. Ella, Ellie, Robyn and Cara were our starting back 4. Ellie and Robyn taking strong control of the central defence and Cara delivering another strong confident performance. Sophia K holding midfield. Kelsey, Priya, Ava and Hannah in midfield and Elle J staring up front.
Rugby found themselves in an unfamiliar situation, spending a lot of time in the opposition final 3rd playing a very high back line.
Elle J, nursing a bit of a niggle, came off and was replaced by Tash as the lone striker. Sensible play in midfield allowed Ava to gain some forward momentum and provide a very good ball through to Tash who calmly opened the Rugby account.
Ava and Cara off for Evie and Lucy
Desford won 2 corners in quick succession.
Rugby were still creating some good changes and were pressing hard and high. Decent final touches were proving elusive though so were posing no threat to the Desford keeper. The Desford defence were holding their lines well, and Rugby struggled somewhat with the timings of their runs, were penalised for offside quite frequently during the whole game.
Ella off for Izzy
Tash and Kelsey keep pushing from the front and won a late corner for the Rugby side which was kicked into the side netting.
2nd Half
Hannah off Elle J on
Desford came out stronger earlier anticipating the narrow lead Rugby had could be wiped out. Evie and Liv having a good game in midfield with both of them committed and confident. Another good run by Kelsey over on the left wing, shot in , kept out by the keeper, but only as far as Liv, who was in a fantastic position to pop the ball to the left of the keeper and extend Rugby’s lead.
Rugby kept the pressure on and Desford were not really having a huge amount of luck clearing their lines. Kelsey forcing a save from the Desford keeper and two quick offsides against Rugby proof of the work the Rugby team were doing.
Further changes for the last 20 mins of the game.
Izzy and Lucy off for Cara and Elle and Evie and Liv off for Ava and Priya
Sophia K off for a rest after a very energetic display, Hannah on into the defensive midfield role.
A rare break from Desford who forced a corner. Rugby were caught on the hop and were not in position to defend the quickly taken corner. Desford reducing the deficit to 1 goal again.
Conceding the goal threw the home side a little and after a few minutes of scrabbling around and losing a little structure they were asked to calm down, refocus and concentrate on their positional play.
The calmer play allowed the Rugby side to refocus in winning the ball, Ava winning the ball well and playing the diagonal to Kelsey on the left wing. A run down, cut in and pass to Priya who had anticipated well and converted a well-deserved goal.
Sophia K back on again for Hannah and was asked to sit deep and stop anyone passing her.
A further offside call on a Rugby press with a generally well controlled close out of the game saw Rugby victorious in their second cup game in a row.
Summary
A little scrappy at times and challenges seen in both defending and attacking corners but the whole team gave all their energy and got the job done. Into the next round for Team 15!
Rugby Town 3 – 1 Desford
Scorers: Tash / Liv / Priya
POM: Liv – a strong and confident midfield performance from Liv today and her first ever goal for RTGWFC
Captain’s POM: Kelsey – another energetic and committed performance
Thanks to Lee for running the line, Jason for refereeing and parents for your support.