Sunday 12th March 2023
Second Round League Cup
Squad: Ellie, Olivia, Millie, Poppy, Gracie, Sophie, Norah, Bella,
Sponsor: Purely Mortgages and Life Investments Estate Agents
The u10s took on Ambleside in the next round of the league cup. There was no sign of snow and by recent weeks standards conditions were quite mild.
Rugby lined up with Norah in goal, Poppy and Olivia in defence, Sophie, Bella and Ellie in midfield and Millie starting upfront.
Ambleside made a blistering start and scored with their first attack. Rugby were in for a tough battle but managed to work their way in to the game. A through ball from Ellie found Millie who took the ball forward and saw her effort go narrowly wide. Ambleside scored a second but then the same passing combination saw Millie through on goal again and this time the net bulged. With only one sub, Rugby made regular switches to keep the team fresh. Gracie moved into midfield and Sophie and Millie swapped positions. The last 10 minutes of the first half belonged to the hosts who created a host of fantastic opportunities. Despite feeling unwell, Norah did her best to shut out the opposition and was diving on lose balls well. Unfortunately though several of these chances were calmly converted giving the hosts a healthy lead at half time.
Changes at half time saw Sophie move in to goal. Poppy and Bella played in defence. Olivia played in a defensive midfield role allowing Ellie to get closer to Millie and Gracie and Bella supporting from either wing.
Rugby enjoyed their best spell of the match. Ellie and Olivia were finding passes through to Millie and only some last ditch defending was keeping the scoreline constant. Eventually the pressure told and Millie found the net. Shortly later Ellie fired the ball into the corner of the net and some parents became very excited at the prospect of a comeback.
Rugby continued to push. Gracie was doing really well to win position and then drive at the opposition but the final pass just didn’t come. Bella and Poppy were defending well and Sophie claimed the ball well and made some good saves to help keep Rugby in the game. Sadly as Rugby tired, Ambleside were able to add to their advantage using their slick footwork and fast passing. Ambleside saw out the game and deservedly advance to the next round.
POM: Norah was feeling unwell but didn’t want to let her team down and persevered in goal and covered for injured players during the second half allowing us to have a substitute option.
PPOM: Millie showed good positioning upfront which lead to some great runs at goal and down the wings earning her 2 goals. She was a constant threat to the defence.