Rugby Town 6-1 Ashby Ivanhoe
“Bouncebackability”
The girls bounced back from last weeks defeat with an excellent all round performance.
Without our ever reliable keeper Arlo, it was down to volunteers to deputise in between the sticks. Hollie duly obliged but suffered what turned out to be a broken finger in the warm up, and so Hav stepped up for the first half.
After a relatively even first few minutes Rugby began to settle down and started to dominate the midfield exchanges. Jess and Grace W doing a brilliant job of breaking up attacks. Bailey provided pace down the right and began to get in behind the Ashby defence time and again but couldn’t find the end product that her runs deserved. Meanwhile Grace R was causing all sorts of problems down the left, and also recovered well to double up on their strongest player with Fifi, to ensure that Hav was well protected in goal.
Rugby began to lay siege to their opponents penalty area and it was a matter of time before a breakthrough came. Sofia bagged herself a goal with a smart finish and Chloe helped herself to a hat-trick with some excellent strikes.
Ria, Pauline and Fifi were called into defensive action regularly but their teamwork and covering for each other left very few gaps to exploit, and with Sophie L giving a typical energetic performance going forward and in defence Ashby were unable to create many real chances, though Hav did see one rattle off the bar from a good strike.
HT 4-0
Grace W and Hev came on in central midfield, Liv took to the right, whilst Jazmin went on in defence. Hav came out of goal to go up front and was replaced by Ria who donned the gloves. Whilst Hollie went up top also, despite her fingers being heavily strapped.
Hollie was instantly into the action with the first of many runs in behind, she was unlucky not to score after missing the far post with her shot by inches.
Liv and Grace W worked hard to get involved and Jaz was quick to get stuck in. Hev showed some excellent link up play to keep good possession for her team. Ashby responded well with a very good goal of their own, a looping shot that gave Ria no chance. Half way through the half more changes were made, including bringing Chloe back on into midfield and Soapy into the heart of defence. This helped to win key individual battles and snuff out the building momentum of Ashby, and turn the game once again in Rugby’s favour. Bailey beat the high line before squaring for Hav to finish from close range, and then got on the score sheet herself with a placed shot from the left of the box into the far corner.
FT 6-1
Parents Player of the Match went to Grace R ššš½ whilst Jess took the Coaches Award for a good first showing in midfield. Pauline had a probably her best game for the club today and all the girls improving as individuals and a as a team. šŖš½šš½.
Thanks to Bob and Rob for running the line today, to the parents for some great support, and also to the squad members not involved that came and provided brilliant backing for their team mates…it really is awesome to see such good team spirit!
Big thanks to our sponsors Pawprints Dog Rescue