Sunday 8th January 2023
Squad: Ellie, Izzy, Kelsey (Captain), Sophia W, Sophia K, Robyn, Millie, Zoe, Ella, Ava, Evie, Rosie
Sponsor: Lisa Collins Hair Design and Life Investments Estate Agency
Rugby Town U16 recommenced the 2022/23 season with a trip away to Leicester City Ladies.
A small squad, a very heavy pitch and several players nursing injuries meant that Rugby had quite a challenge on their hands today to grind out a win against their nearest league rival.
First Half
The visitors started strongly with Rosie forcing an early save from the Leicester keeper. Leicester are a strong team and Rugby needed to keep a sharp eye on their quick and skilful forward player on the break.
Rugby won a corner which was cleared well by the home side and shortly afterwards, Rugby won a free kick, well delivered by Ellie but calmly dealt with by Leicester.
Robyn, Evie, and Kelsey teamed up well to press the Leicester defence with Kelsey seeing her shot just over the crossbar. From their goal kick, Leicester formulated a good attack and saw their shot go wide.
Evie <-> Zoe
Millie <-> Evie
Rugby were struggling with the heavy ground and were making hard work of clearing their lines, a good attack from Leicester saw them open their score line.
From the restart, Rugby were keen to redress the balance, and an Evie/Ava/Rosie combination saw Rosie’s shot saved. Rugby continued to press, and a Kelsey / Rosie combination proved fruitful will a great ball supplied by Kelsey from the right and a lovely calm finish from Rosie to bring the score level going into half time.
Second Half
Kelsey <-> Millie
Early into the second half and Leicester were moving the ball cleverly, a well-timed run beat the Rugby high defensive line to stretch the score line once again.
Rugby were putting the effort in, but were not managing to move the ball around the pitch very well and were finding themselves often caught in the boggy no man’s land of the centre circle.
Leicester won a couple of corners during the second half, the Rugby defence managing the risk very well and clearing without my threat to the goal.
Millie <-> Kelsey
A Rugby free kick, delivered by Ellie could not be capitalised on.
Leicester worked play back down to the right corner of Rugby’s defensive third and produced and outrageous cross and tap in to extend their lead.
Ava <-> Millie
The game was running away from the visitors, who, despite their effort, were not playing at their best. Another opportunity for Leicester to capitalise saw Rugby concede a 4th goal.
Final play saw Kelsey and Zoe work to claw a goal back, only to see it saved by the keeper.
Summary
Leicester City Ladies 4 – 1 Rugby Town (Rosie)
A disappointing result as Rugby record their first defeat of the season.
Captains’ player of the match: Evie, who was asked to play in several positions on the pitch and gave 100% effort
Managers player of the match: Rosie. Playing up front for only the second time this season. Provided some nice positional work, strength, and effort
Thank you to Paul for running the line and all the U16 parents for your support.