Sunday 25th September
Immie – GK
Elsie -DF
Esme – DF
Ava – CM
Ruby – CM
Annabelle – LM
Sophia – RM
Chloe – ST
Leila – ST
Sub – Olivia
I doubt very much that Henry Winter starts his day off by chasing his dog around White Hart Lane or Anfield when she won’t come back after being left off the lead, but thankfully the girls from Rugby U12’s made a much better start to the match than the reporter…
A bright and energetic start to the match saw Friday nights training sessions around goal kicks and playing out from the back being put into practice. A new defensive partnership of Esme and Elsie were able to free up Ruby to have a greater impact on creating attacking chances and the confidence in the girls was great to see.
This confidence was epitomised by both Ava and Sophia who both demonstrated their technical abilities but also a more direct attacking approach with some fantastic runs down the wings Some key personal duels between Annabelle, Sophia and their opponents became a key element of the 1st half, with Rugby having the edge on most occasions.
Some chances to break the deadlock came for Ava and Sophia, who was channelling her inner Zlatan with an outrageous attempt with the outside of the foot that brought an excellent save from the Anstey goalkeeper. Chloe and Leila were using the space well and the play between them was testing the defence as chances continued to be created.
Chloe was unlucky to be hit in the face with a pass from one of her teammates, which damaged her glasses. Unfortunately, the match reporter didn’t manage to identify which player it was that hit the wayward pass, and therefore won’t be able to accompany the subsequent trip to Specsavers….
Olivia came on and played up front for the first time and seemed to enjoy creating chances rather than preventing them. When she is at her best, the direct running and play of Sophia becomes so difficult to defend against and the battle with the Anstey No.5 led to a foul in the area and a penalty was awarded. Often this can lead to a nervous exchange of who takes the penalty, but Ruby was straight up to take responsibility and fired right into the top corner with an unstoppable shot to make the score at halftime 1:0.
The 2nd half continued in a similar manner and confident passing, movement and control was being shown from all of the girls. A rare counterattack from Anstey saw Esme and Elsie playing a great defensive high line and the linesman marked his debut with a superb decision in flagging for offside that showed that he at least will not be needing to visit the opticians….
The Anstey girls started to create more chances and a rare lapse in concentration led to a close-range effort that Immie was powerless to stop going in for the equaliser and the score was 1:1. Naturally disappointed in conceding, but determined to make amends, Immie and her defenders continued to play out from the back. Esme showed genuine class and composure with in being strong in the tackle and Elsie was keeping her energy levels high. This allowed for more interplay between the midfield and more chances were being created with Olivia linking up with Ava, who was particularly unlucky not to score with some sensational long-range shots.
Sophia continued to terrorise her defender and after dribbling, turning and crossing from the by-line Leila made an outstanding half volley that blasted into the roof of the net and gave the goalkeeper no chance. This was a great reward for her running and attacking intent. Annabelle made an excellent late run into the box; Sophia had a superb long shot and both brought outstanding saves from the Anstey goalkeeper.
In the final moments another excellent cross was met superbly on the half-volley by Chloe and she was unlucky to see it go agonisingly wide of the post. Over the last few seasons, games against Anstey have been very evenly matched and today was no exception with a very entertaining match and a well-earned 2:1 victory.
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Parents Player of the Match – Sophia
Coaches player of the Match – Elsie