Sunday 4th December
Squad: Ellie, Izzy, Kelsey (Captain), Sophia W, Sophia K, Robyn, Millie, Lucy, Zoe, Hannah P, Tasha, Priya, Ella, Ava, Evie
Sponsor: Lisa Collins Hair Design
Rugby Town U16 welcomed last week’s opponents, Dunton and Broughton, to a very cold Butlin Road.
The team were thrilled to welcome Evie back into the team after a long-term injury, to play her first game this season.
First Half
The visitors had the better opening minutes to the game and passed round Rugby well. Rugby started getting into their stride and Kelsey started an early run to test the Dunton defence and keeper.
Rugby stayed high and won back possession in midfield, a long ball up to Tasha who played a beautiful flick that fell to Kelsey’s feet who ran and converted for Rugby’s opening goal.
Rugby kept pushing from the restart and soon won a corner, which was cleared well by Dunton. Some nice link up play from Zoe, Kelsey and Tasha saw Tasha’s effort saved.
Zoe, right back, had a strong opening period, and was going a great job of pegging back and frustrating the Dunton winger.
Rugby were a little “handsy” in the game gave a couple of free kicks away during the game. The first from a 2 handed shove from the Rugby left back saw Dunton taking the free kick from just outside the 18yd box which was cleared for a Dunton corner, easily dealt with by the Rugby defence.
Tash <-> Ava
Evie <-> Hannah P
Zoe <-> Izzy
Kelsey and Ava were now picking up the pace up front and a Kelsey run and shot was just wide of the target. Rugby won the ball back in midfield, collected by Kelsey, with a great run forward, layoff to Ava to increase Rugby’s lead.
Ella, usually a LB or LW, had been asked to step into a defensive midfield role, despite it being an unfamiliar positions, Ella executed well and was using Millie, attacking midfield, to generate forward play for the home side.
The chocolate Lucy had for breakfast seem to do the trick today as she was moving forward really well from the LB position, but also putting on some blistering track back runs to ensure the Dunton RW could not get any clear crosses into their forward players.
Sophia K and Ellie were a dominate presence in the CB positions, always happy to confront any attacks with Sophia K using her pace to run balls clear and Ellie using her strong left foot to clear to the Rugby attackers.
From the restart Rugby were pushing hard, a nicely worked sequency that started with Hannah P though to Ava to make ground up, through ball to Kelsey to complete the play with Rugby’s third.
Seemingly, being 3-0 up, Rugby decided to take a bit of a break and were sitting off the ball a bit, Kelsey managed to create space for another run at the Dunton back four, with a shot over the crossbar. However, Dunton capitalised on Rugby’s “rest” period, and finding only 1 Rugby centre back in position, player round her well and reduced the deficit.
Rugby were struggling to clear from midfield and the game got a little scrappy in midfield with some ping ponging of the ball with neither team managing to hold possession for more than a couple of seconds.
Ellie (CB) and Ella (DM) swapped positions to create some longer ball chance and to open up the pitch a bit. A good ball from Ellie up to Kelsey, across to Ava for Rugby’s fourth showed how important it is for player to recognise the challenges on the pitch and made needed in game changes when required.
Hannah P was impressing with some good game play and some nice balls forward Sophia K was having a good game in goal. Although there was little to trouble her, Sophia’s game management was strong and her communication and control of her defence, effective.
Ellie continued to shine in the midfield position with lots of energy and well-placed balls. Another longer ball to Kelsey using pace to evade the defence, though to Ava who saw her shot saved by the Dunton keeper.
Second Half
The second half started a bit end to end, with both teams being awarded corners, neither amounting to a goal.
Rugby were tasked with maintaining high field positions to force the visitors past them. Priya, right wing, made a great call to dip into centre midfield, collecting the ball and bring wide and play a perfectly timed through ball to Kelsey for Rugby’s 5th
Izzy <-> Zoe
Hannah P <-> Evie
Ava <- > Tash
Another well constructive Rugby attack, starting with RB Zoe, through to Kelsey, across to Tasha for Rugby 6th goal showed perfectly what can be achieved when they pass the ball well and with controlled purpose.
Rugby continued the high press and Kelsey, Tasha and Priya combined resulting in a wide shot from Priya. Shortly after, Rugby were awarded a free tick in the opposition half, a good kick turned out to be a little heavy as the ball beat the running Rugby forwards and was saved by the keeper.
Rugby again found themselves to be a bit stuck in the middle of the pitch and were looking for a way through. Frustration got the better of them and the conceded another free kick. Struck well by Dunton which needed Ellie to execute a good defensive header.
Sophia K / Izzy
Kelsey and Tasha linked well and worked to get the ball forward, Tasha needed a little more pace on the ball as she saw her shot saved.
Rugby dominated the closing minutes of the game, but few opportunities presented themselves and Rugby were happy to hear the final whistle and claim another 3 points.
Summary
Rugby Town 6 (Kelsey 3, Ava 2, Tasha 1) – 1 Dunton and Broughton
A bit of a scrappy game today with the home side struggling to play the free-flowing football we have seen lately. However, some great breaks and improved comms allowed the Rugby Town U16 to dominate the score line. They maintain their unbeaten season and remain top of the table.
Captains’ player of the match: Evie. 2 great periods on the pitch in her first game back with her team
Managers player of the match: Kelsey. Tenacious activity including some great physical 1 on 1 duels with the opposition left back.
Thank you to Dave for refereeing, Manesh for running the line and all the U16 parents for your support.