Sunday 26th March
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GK – Immie
DF – Elsie
DF – Esme
DF – Annabelle
CM – Ruby
LM – Erin
RM – Emily
CAM – Liv
ST – Sophia
Sub – Chloe
DF – Elsie
DF – Esme
DF – Annabelle
CM – Ruby
LM – Erin
RM – Emily
CAM – Liv
ST – Sophia
Sub – Chloe
In a week where the majority of the U12 Yellow league fixtures were hit by the weather and postponed, Rugby Town were able to welcome the Bosworth Belles to Butlin Road thanks to the terrific all-weather pitch facilities and all of the parents were incredibly grateful for having their daughters raincoats. The Bosworth Belles have a very impressive league form this year, which has shown them to be the strongest team in the league, being unbeaten and having won all of their previous 11 matches this season. This led to some pre-match nerves and over-excitement that the Director of Football and the coaching team managed to channel into a fast tempo start.
The defensive unit made the first of many telling challenges and all three were called upon to tackle hard and be more physical, with Esme showing her improved timing in connecting with the ball and making effective clearances. Elsie continues to be so much stronger than her size would suggest, particularly when playing against another much taller opponent. Annabelle has relished the move into defence and had plenty of opportunities to get stuck into tackles with the Bosworth wide players. Ruby and Liv combined well in midfield to set Sophia free for her first run at goal in the match, and was unlucky to be fouled as she broke free towards goal. Having scored a remarkable free-kick in the previous week’s impressive 4-1 win over Quorn, Erin was full of confidence in taking the set piece and was unlucky to see her effort go just wide.
From the resulting goal kick, Bosworth showed just why they are the best team in the league with some terrific passing and movement which resulted in a close range poachers effort that Immie was powerless to stop going into the net to make the score 0:1. This galvanised the girls into more effort and energy, with Emily and Liv combining well and creating space for Sophia to make another direct run towards goal that was unlucky to go wide. Esme was again strong in the centre of defence, linking with Ruby who showed her quality of passing by releasing Emily into the area with her shot going just wide of the post.
Another quick Bosworth attack was halted by the offside flag, but the pressure was starting to build. A succession of well-drilled corner routines brought out some last ditch tackling and an unbelievable point-blank range save from Immie kept the score to 0:1 at half-time.
The second half continued to be an even encounter, with the rain easing up but getting increasingly colder. The parents temperatures always get raised when the Town girls try their goal-kick routines and those nursing a hangover started to find the tension just a bit too much. The midfield of Erin, Emily and Liv started to create more chances with committed running and hard work and Chloe’s movement out wide started to create more space for Sophia to make her attacking runs. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the area with Ruby taking responsibility this time, and was unlucky to see her shot go just wide.
The rainy conditions had made the playing surface really slick and a long range shot from the impressive Bosworth striker skidded off of the surface and Immie was unlucky to be unable prevent it finding its way into the net and make the score 0:2. The score was soon 0:3 with a well worked corner kick routine that somehow saw the ball squeeze inside the post.
What was particularly pleasing to see was how the Bosworth girls didn’t over-celebrate but also that the Rugby girls didn’t get despondent or let their heads drop. Clearly annoyed, Immie responded in the best way a goalkeeper can by pulling off a string of fine saves that showed her bravery and skill that started to frustrate the Bosworth forwards.
The last 15 minutes saw a succession of Rugby attacks. A terrific pass from Annabelle saw Ruby make a terrific run on goal and force a corner. Sophia made a terrific cross which created a huge goalmouth scramble for Chloe to shoot, Erin to shoot, Liv to shoot, every parent on the bank shouting “shoot”, but the Bosworth defenders were able to clear the chances. In the final few moments, another of Liv’s trademark long throws found Ruby who played another terrific pass to Chloe who’s shot was blocked. Sophia made one last run at goal and then played a sensational pass to Chloe who’s shot from the edge of the area went just wide of the post.
At the final whistle the score maybe didn’t reflect the tremendous performance and all of the girls should be pleased with the comments from the opposition manager on how impressed he was with the closing down and commitment shown.
Parents Player of the Match: Esme
Coaches Player of the Match: Ruby
Coaches Player of the Match: Ruby
A huge thank you to the officials for today, great refereeing and linesman work from both sides.