Sunday 5th February 2023
Sponsor: FORD Bros building & Electrical, The Trade Centre UK and Life Investments Estate Agency
Squad:
Aga, Amelia, Beth, El, Elisa, Jess, Katie, Lena, Lola, Maddie, Matilda, Poppy, Ruby, Tanisha.
Rugby Town u13 Lionesses travelled to Nuneaton Blues, on the back of a 2-0 win against the same team, in the first round of the cup the previous Sunday.
Tanisha continued in goal, and had another strong game, commanding her area well, and keeping another clean sheet.
Ruby, Lena, Maddie and Beth rotated in defence, and yet again worked really well as a unit. Their work rate was great to see, and they all dealt well with some strong Nuneaton attackers. They have really developed a good understanding of working together, to make Rugby really difficult to score against.
The Rugby midfield also saw some rotation during the game, due to a very heavy pitch which was definitely helping the home team.
However El and Katie shared the defensive midfield role today, which allowed them to rest their legs and maintain their high tempo. Both girls have really complimented each other this season, being able to rotate with each other seamlessly.
Matilda, Elisa and Poppy played on the wings today, and all had a great game. Rugby were using the flanks well, and getting the ball forward into some dangerous positions. The Rugby wingers really can beat a player and deliver a nice ball.
Jess, Aga, Amelia and Lola all rotated in the Rugby centre. They also had good games. They were all involved in nice attacking moves and got into positions to receive the ball from wide areas, and had several opportunities to score.
Jess in the lone striker role was unlucky not to score today, but her high work rate, really makes space for her teammates when the opposition focus on marking her.
Lola who had previously played on the wing was asked to play centrally and her competitive play really added a spark when she came on.
During the first half both teams battled in the tough conditions, but Nuneaton were clearly more used to the surface and using this to their advantage. However Rugby did not let their efforts drop and slowly started to adjust to the slower pitch.
Rugby’s efforts were rewarded, with a lovely run up the right wing by Rugby, and the ball was delivered into the Nuneaton box. Aga reacted well to slot the ball home….however this goal was ruled offside.
During the first half, Nuneaton also did manage to get the ball into the back of the Rugby net, when a Nuneaton striker escaped her marker. This was to the big Nuneaton celebrations; however this was ruled offside.
Rugby have found teams really keen to beat us this season, and on the back of our comfortable win last week, Nuneaton were relieved to have scored.
Half time 0-0.
Rugby came out in the second half and were now definitely playing better, as they got used to passing the ball on the slow surface. Both teams had some chances on goal, and were working hard.
However it was Rugby who eventually broke the deadlock when the ball fell to Amelia who was on the edge of the Nuneaton box, she used her speed to burst forward and put the ball in the net from close range.
0-1 Rugby
Nuneaton were however not beaten and continued to put the pressure on Rugby. It was Nuneaton who now had the momentum. Rugby who have been playing with confidence this season did not panic and kept their shape, and continued to play the ball down the flanks with some more nice runs by Elisa, Poppy and Matilda.
With just under 10 minutes left, Rugby decided to play slightly more defensive, and use their teamwork to see the game out. A number of substitutions were made to achieve this and tighten up the middle of the pitch.
Beth came on as an additional defensive midfielder alongside Katie, and in front of the Rugby back 3, achieved this well. Nuneaton were now struggling to break Rugby down. However Rugby were still able make several good counter attacking moves.
Despite the formation change. The scoring was not over. Rugby were awarded a free kick in a central area of the pitch. Beth took this free kick to use her power to strike the ball. The ball was struck well and delivered into the Nuneaton box. The Nuneaton defence failed to deal with the ball, and Matilda reacted well to pounce on the ball and score, and put the result beyond doubt.
This was a great game to watch, and Rugby really worked hard to get the result. Rugby took 14 girls to the game, and 14 girls contributed to the win!
Final score 0-2 Rugby.
Parents player: Tanisha for another strong performance, and another clean sheet.
Managers player: Elisa for a very strong game. She made some strong runs and beating several players.
Thank you to Pete for assisting and running the line, and thanks to the parents for their fantastic support of the girls.