Shield Cup Semi-Final
Sponsored by Ados Group Limited
Liv GK, Olivia – DF, Anya – CM, Ava – LW, Ruby – RW, Chloe – ST, Jasmine – ST, Esme, Sophia, Erin, Caitlin – subs
Glorious sunshine brought the crowds out, with it literally being standing room only for the Shield semi -final between Rugby and Haunchwood. The previous matches between these two teams have been hugely entertaining and this encouraged the support to be particularly vocal.
The two teams were evenly matched, with Rugby having the more technical and skillful players and Haunchwood having more power and strength.
With Liv in goal and the confidence in the defensive partnership of having Olivia and Esme together provided the platform for sustained attacks. Ava and Ruby demonstrated their skilled wing play as the width was being used to great effect. Anya was committed in midfield, against girls much taller and bigger but without her tenacity and Jasmine and Chloe found shooting opportunities hard to come by against a well organised defence.
Playing at a high pace meant more frequent substitutions and Sophia and Erin came on to keep pressing the advantage in attack. Caitlin joined the midfield and showed her hard work and commitment in her tackling and using the wide players to create attacks meant that Rugby were continuing to press forward and Haunchwood playing on the counterattack. Quick thinking and excellent defensive covering from Esme and Olivia managed to keep the ball and no breakthrough came for either side at half time.
Having weathered the storm, Haunchwood came out for the 2nd half and in their first attack had a long shot squirm under Liv’s feet. This spurred Rugby on and Sophia started to take more direct runs at the defence taking on players, Ruby going wide and creating chances with her incredible crossing and Erin, Jasmine and Chloe all started to carve out chances.
Eva, Anya and Caitlin were linking up play and were keeping the midfield moving and working incredibly hard to press higher up the pitch. This left the defenders exposed at times but both girls were determined to not be beaten and Liv had relatively little to do in goal but maintained her concentration when called upon and was quick of her line and made some smart saves when needed.
The 2nd half pressure was beginning to show, with Sophia going close having gone past defenders, Ruby having a couple of long-range efforts that were narrowly wide and the opponent’s goalkeeper made some excellent saves. A glorious move started from a quick throw-in to Sophia, who went past two defenders and passed to Chloe and she showed good awareness in passing into space where Ruby arrived perfectly to finish neatly into the corner for the equaliser.
More long shots continued coming in, from Ruby, Sophia and Anya with almost constant attacking pressure but Rugby were unable to break through meaning the match ended at full time in a draw and the need for a penalty shootout.
In a best of three format, Liv demonstrated her outstanding goalkeeping skills as she saved every penalty she faced. Successful spot kicks from Ruby and Anya meant a close match went Rugby’s way and a well-deserved place in the final – against local rivals Rugby Borough for El Rugbico..!!!
Parents Player – Esme
Coaches Player- Liv