Sunday 12th March 2023
Squad: Ellie, Izzy, Kelsey (Captain), Sophia W, Sophia K, Robyn, Millie, Lucy, Zoe, Hannah , Priya, Ella, Ava, Evie, Rosie, Tasha
Sponsor: Lisa Collins Hair Design and Life Investments Estate Agents
After 5 weeks without a game, the U16s were glad to get back on the pitch for their final league game of the 2022/23 campaign. All players were available, so Rugby had the full 16 squad to play.
First Half
Rugby had to keep aware as the visitors moved the ball well and were clever with their decision making in possession. Rugby worked well as a unit, especially the back 4 who were proving very difficult to play against.
Rugby gained momentum during the half and did have some strong moves forward, using the space on the wings well. Coalville’s defence worked hard to push the Rugby forwards out to the wings to limit threats on their goal.
Around half an hour in, the deadlock was broken when Zoe showed tenacity in a goal mouth scramble to tap in the opening goal of the game.
Second Half
Early in the second half Rugby failed to clear their lines effectively and provided a clear goal for Coalville to capitalise on to draw level.
The rest of the half was very evenly match with both teams searching for another goal to extend their lead. The clock was ticking down, but it was the home side who took the lead courtesy of Rosie.
The final minutes of the game were tense as Coalville were fighting hard for the equalisers whilst Rugby tried to slow the game and run down the clock.
Summary
Rugby Town 2 (Zoe & Rosie) – 1 Coalville
Not the prettiest football played by the home side but the stuck it out and executed the plan to collect the 3 points.
Captains’ player of the match: Ava: effort 100%
Managers player of the match: Tasha, fantastic performance in centre back, which she has never been ask to play in before.
Thank you to Jason for refereeing and Darren for running the line.
Rugby Town Girls U16 finished their 2022/23 Season of 14 games with 11 win, 2 draws and 1 loss which the team should be proud of and are currently top of the U16 Yellow League. They now await several games to be played throughout the league to learn their final league position.
Many of the players have been teammates for 7+ season so today was a bit of a bittersweet day as some players are moving clubs and some are moving house to different areas so the curtain closes on their junior football experience. The remaining players will now work towards transitioning to open age football in the 2023/24 season.
On a personal note, it has been a pleasure to coach this team for 6 years and seeing the players grow from children in U10s to young women in the U16s. They have been tears and tantrums but also so, so many laughs. I am immensely proud of all the players, and I count myself very lucky to have been able to be even a small part of this teams’ lives.
Thank you to all the parents for the support you offered your daughter (the travelling miles add up) the team and myself. The players and I see you.
