Sunday 8th January 2023
Squad
Megan, Daisy-May, Jasmine, Sophie F, Amelia, Macey, Caitlin, Louise, Poppy, Bianca , Ronniee, Izzy, Erin
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An early morning kick off at Butlin Road after the Christmas break, also with a game being called off on the 11th December the girls hadn’t played for almost a month. The disappointment of England going out of the World Cup a distant memory. Also somebody had forgotten to book the sunny weather for the top tier of the supporters stand this morning as it was freezing cold in the wind.
Albert Village kicked off and started well but after a couple of minutes Erin played a great ball through to Jasmine who beat the offside trap, ran down the middle of the pitch and finished well to make it 1-0. The early goal settled Rugby down and they started to pass the ball around confidently. One move resulted in a shot for Ronniee that went just wide.
The defensive unit of Caitlin, Daisy-May and Amelia were called into action shortly after as Albert Village attacked but they were up to the challenge with Daisy-May clearing well. The three of them, with Ronniee patrolling the midfield and also with Megan back in goal are a formidable obstacle for opposing teams, only conceding one goal in the last 4 games.
Rugby then attacked again with Bianca hitting a shot against the post. Albert Village then had a series of corners that caused problems in the Rugby area but each time Rugby cleared well to keep their clean sheet intact. Good pressure from Erin, who was industrious throughout the whole game, resulted in a corner for Rugby. Just after Jasmine had a shot that went just wide. It was then time for some substitutions with Macey coming on and immediately having a cross that was well held by the Albert Village keeper.
Sophie had a great run forward, beating the full back and getting a good cross in that was well defended by Albert Village. Shortly afterwards Sophie had another run at the Albert Village defence and finished well to make it 2-0 to Rugby. Another cross from Sophie was well held by the Albert Village keeper.
Half time 2-0
Into the second half and more substitutions for Rugby to keep it fresh up front. Rugby had an early corner which was well cleared by Albert Village.
It didn’t take long for Rugby to score again though, a ball over the top put Bianca through and she finished well to make it 3-0. After a huge kick from Megan that went three quarters of the pitch Ronniee had a shot that was well saved by the keeper.
Erin then came close with a shot that went just wide and just ran out of room a few minutes later after another forward run. Rugby had to stay switched on though as Albert Village didn’t give up and Megan had to be alert to save well. Another big kick from Megan and Macey had a shot that went wide. Poppy then had a shot which went just wide. Rugby were building the pressure and a corner from Jasmine resulted in a scramble in the box. Izzy then came close with a shot that went wide.
Another corner from Jasmine caused problems in the Albert Village area, the ball wasn’t cleared and it fell to Ronniee who hit a great shot to make it 4-0. The practice down the park on corners clearly paying off today.
Megan had clearly had her weetabix today as another big kick reached Jasmine who went round her defender and then put in a cross that nobody was able to get on the end of. Louise came on to play up front and had a shot after battling well to win the ball back.
Full time 4-0 to Rugby, a great performance after not playing for 4 weeks, another clean sheet and 4 different goalscorers.
Coaches player of the match – Erin for her grit, determination and controlling her area so well.
Thanks to Dave and Dave for all their encouragement during the match, to Albert Village for a great game, the referee and the two linesmen and to all the parents for their support today.