Sunday 22nd January 2023
Squad: Ellie, Izzy, Kelsey (Captain), Sophia W, Sophia K, Robyn, Millie, Lucy, Zoe, Hannah P, Priya, Ella, Ava, Evie, Rosie
Sponsor: Lisa Collins Hair Design and Life Investments Estate Agents
After a break last week, the U16s were keen to get back to winning ways as they hosted Mountsorrel at a frosty Butlin Road.
First Half
Nice strong start for the home side with Rosie, Evie, Kelsey all seeing some good action on the ball. Rugby kept a high line and were running well into space, just lacking a few touches in the opposition 18 yard box to get the final shot away that they were looking for.
2 early chances saw Ava’s shot saved and Rosie shoot wide.
A Rugby corner was well taken, and after a bit of a scrabble, cleared by the visitors.
Ella, with a strong run up the left wing and well played ball round Rosie again, who forced a save by the keeper.
The defensive 4 of Ella, Sophia K, Ellie and Izzy were working well, ensuring a high line and keeping the opposition wide of the Rugby goal.
Robyn, defensive midfield, was having a good game with excellent off ball movement to support the team and ensuring there were no gaps in midfield for the opposition to exploit. With Millie just in front of Robyn as attacking midfield to push the play forward. Evie, right wing, was working hard to maintain possession and play useful balls into the Rugby forwards.
Ava, Robyn, Rosie and Kelsey then played some lovely passing and link up play, with the keeper again forced into a save by Kelsey.
Ava <-> Hannah P
Izzy <-> Lucy
Rosie <-> Zoe
Evie <-> Priya
Better passing play from Rugby today allowed them to control more of the game in the first half and they were executing the game instructions well as a team.
Hannah P, left wing, was working hard and finding impressive space to set some nice layoffs for Zoe and Millie with Lucy, left back, there to mop up any balls that made it through the Rugby midfield.
Sophia W in goal was a great motivation throughout the game with great communication, calm and confident gathers and kicks and enthusiasm that the whole team appreciated.
Second Half
Sophia K <-> Rosie
Rosie, Priya, Kelsey and Zoe had a great period of attaching football and kept the pressure on Mountsorrel really well and were unfortunate not to capitalise with a few shots wide or over the crossbar.
Hannah P <-> Ava
Millie <-> Evie
Lucy <-> Izzy
The theme today seems to be wide shots, with balls from both Evie and Priya just off target.
Finally a breakthrough for the home side, with a bit of ping pong football in the goalmouth with touches from players from both sides, saw Priya get her tow on the ball just enough to make it count.
Mountsorrel pushed back in the final 10, causing Rugby to work a little harder in defence which also saw their counter attack neutralised a little, but the home side held on to collect a very welcome 3 points.
Summary
Rugby Town 1 (Priya) – 0 Mountsorrel
Rugby were a little frustrated with the number of missed chances in the final third, but they did the job that was needed and collected the 3 points.
Captains’ player of the match: Ava: another solid and committed performance
Managers player of the match: Robyn: great game awareness and team support throughout the game
Thank you to Leah for a great job refereeing, Grace for kindly offering to run the line, and all the U16 parents for your support.