Sunday 18th September 2022
Sponsor: FORD Bros building & Electrical.
Squad: Alice, Amelia, Beth, El, Elisa, Emmie, Jess, Katie, Lola, Macy, Maddie, Matilda, Poppy, Ruby.
Rugby Town u12 Lionesses travelled to Nuneaton today, for their second game of the season.
Rugby travelled in confident spirits, on the back of a good win in their previous game.
Rugby started quite cautiously, against a very physical Nuneaton side, and it was clear from the start it was going to be a tough match.
A back three of Ruby, Beth and Maddie started the game and worked hard to contain the Nuneaton attack, and there were a number of tough challenges. The Rugby defence dealt well as a unit. Alice also rotated into the defence and also played extremely well, in limiting the opposition to long-range efforts most of the time.
Behind the defence, Emmi was in goal and managed her penalty area extremely well, coming quickly out of goal to smother any loose balls.
Rugby played their well-practised diamond formation in midfield, with Katie playing just in front of the defence, and made some important challenges and some nice forward distribution.
Poppy and Elisa began the game on the flanks and were kept busy with the pace of the game, and performed both their defensive and attacking duties well. Both girls putting some great passes forward in the Nuneaton area.
Playing at the tip of the diamond, Matilda supported the attack with some great short and long passing. Through to the striker.
Amelia, Lola and Macy also played very well in the midfield, and their great performances showed the overall strength of the squad. It’s great to be able to rotate the girls as needed whilst maintaining the quality of the football.
Jess playing in the lone striker role, again had a great game, keeping the opposing defence on their toes, and having some lovely chances.
The game was end to end at times, but the quality of the Rugby play was starting to show. With a number of nice team moves, and strong defending.
At halftime, the game was 0-0, but Rugby was confident for the next half but knew that they would still have a fight on their hands.
During the match, Rugby won a couple of free kicks in potentially dangerous positions. Beth came forward to take the kicks, to allow the Rugby attacking players to pressure the Nuneaton goal area. The first was taken well and forced a great block by Nuneaton in the goal mouth, and Jess waiting to pounce on any rebound was unlucky not to break the deadlock.
The tempo of the game continued, and a second free kick was awarded to Rugby. Beth again stepped up to take the kick and struck the ball very well, and it hit the back of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
Nuneaton was clearly not going to give up, and they continued with their physical game, and Rugby needed to match this kick for kick.
The Nuneaton efforts did pay off, and the opposition drew level with a well-taken shot.
Rugby however had self-belief and continued with playing some nice football, which they had now managed to establish, compared to the opening stages.
A lovely through ball which the Rugby midfield players had been giving to Jess, finally paid off.
Jess was let through on goal 1v1 with the Nuneaton keeper. Jess clearly with a goal in her sights was ready to finish the game. The Nuneaton keeper did very well to come out towards Jess, and it looked like she had managed to force Jess wide….however with great determination, Jess did not give up. With only inches of pitch left, she managed to take the ball just inside near post, from the tightest of angles.
1-2 Rugby.
The game was still not over, and Nuneaton was in no mood to give up yet. Rugby changed to a back 4 formation and this allowed Rugby to see the game out, despite a late free-kick given to Nuneaton, which was well managed by Rugby.
Final score 1-2
Parents player: Beth, for a great defensive performance, and a couple of nicely taken free kicks, one is rewarded with a goal.
Managers player: El for a strong performance, with skilful play in more than one position during the game.
Thank you to Pete for assisting and running the line, and thanks to the parents for their fantastic support of the girls.