Rugby Town U15’s vs Oadby & Wigston Sunday 24th September
Rugby Town 2-1 Oadby & Wigston
Sponsored by ‘Shaw Haul Clearz All’ &’ SCR Doors’ & Life Investments Estate Agents
“Simply The Best”
Rugby went into their first home game of the season on the back of two good performances and even the late withdrawal of Goalkeeper Fifi due to illness wouldn’t stop the girls from playing some of the best football we’ve ever seen them manage to produce.
Oadby had played 3 and won 3, sitting atop the table. With Oadby spending last season in the top league, you have to go back to November 2021 for our last home league game against them, a 0-1 loss. That season also included a home cup loss after penalties, and a 3-2 away loss to today’s visitors.
The coaches have been eagerly awaiting the chance to see the girls apply what they’ve been learning on our large home astro turf pitch. The way we have developed their style is in part down to the fact that we have such a good pitch that is conducive of a passing style of play. However, it is one thing to do it in training and another to do it under the pressure that comes with a competitive match.
It could be said then that we were about due a win against a one of our bogey sides!
Without Fifi, Hollie deputised in goal for the first half and what a fantastic job she did. She showed great understanding of her role to snuff out some potentially dangerous situations and even had the calmness in possession (as the parents heart rates found new highs!) to dribble past the attacker before finding a pass when she dealt well with a through ball.
Aside from the occasional ball over the top, Oadby offered little threat, again the back 4 of Ria, Jazmin, Ruby and Jess were incredible, and they were well protected by Cara, Ellie, Soapy and Grace R who ran the show in midfield.
Bailey and Chloe started up front and were again demonstrating good chemistry and intelligence to hold the ball up and bring others into the game. The quality of our build up play and passing through the lines today really was a joy to watch. I don’t think Tony Dand has since the back end of last season and I’m sure he couldn’t believe his eyes from his vantage point of referee, as the girls strung pass after pass together.
The possession and dominance was resulting in Rugby creating some very good chances in and around visitors box, Bailey was denied twice by the outstanding Oadby keeper after good build saw Chloe play her in on both occasions.
Soapy was on fire in the centre of the pitch and was able to not only win possession but turned that into amazing attacking play with penetrating dribbles into the final third. She played Bailey through again, but again the keeper came to the rescue with a good save.
The girls were not only playing attractive football, they were earning the right to do so with some brilliant controlled aggression to compete for every ball, this was epitomised by Ellie’s crunching slide tackle to win the ball.
A pattern was now emerging as wave after wave of Rugby attack was met with the same frustrating result,
Grace R this time sliding Bailey through only to see her shot saved…again!
Perhaps in the past this would have led the girls to lose faith, or panic and start to play longer. However, they trust the process and believe that if they continue to play in this manner they will eventually come good. When they are also able to play so well as a defensive unit it means we are always in the game.
Midway through the half the deadlock was eventually broken as Soapy played a lovely through ball that allowed Bailey to take a good first touch, steady herself, and even though the keeper got a strong hand on it, she could not stop it from finding the right corner of the net.
With Rugby well on top it was important that they made their good work pay, and moments later it was Chloe who ran onto a pass from Ellie to slam home a cool finish to the delight of the home fans on the embankment!
Oadby posed a threat on the counter with that long through ball and managed to give themselves some hope before half time. Hollie once again dealt with the initial danger but unfortunately her kick ended up up at the feet of the Oadby midfielder who finished really well from 30 yards into the empty net.
HT 2-1
Oadby came out with a bit more fight second half and had changed to a 3-5-2, opting to put another player into midfield in the hope of containing Soapy and now Chloe who had been asked to drop a little deeper. Ruby switched with Hollie between the sticks and Sofia, Macy and Pauline came on and began to make an immediate impact. Pauline with one of a number of superb attacking runs down the right.
The game was now a bit more even, but Rugby were still playing the more attractive football. Some of the play at times was just beautiful to watch.
Everytime Oadby did get in behind the Rugby defence recovered through hard work and determination, and a real spirit to back each other up.
At the other chances were still being fashioned, Sofia had an excellent shot well saved, a good effort from Grace was tipped over, Bailey went close a couple more times, Cara was thwarted from close range and the girls were again just agonisingly short of sealing the win.
With 15 minutes left, a handball saw a golden opportunity to give Rugby some breathing space, captain Soapy on her birthday stepped up, but couldn’t hit the target. A reprieve for Oadby and hopefully not a costly miss…
The last 10 minutes was back and forth, but unlike last week Rugby maintained much more control and although there were some nervous moments, the girls deservedly saw it out to cheers at the final whistle.
FT 2-1
Goals: Bailey ⚽, Chloe ⚽
Coaches Player of the Match: Soapy 🏆
Parents Player of the Match: Hollie 🏆
Players Player of the Match: Soapy 🏆
Today was the best we’ve seen the girls play, the confidence, technical ability and tactical understanding on display was incredible. The played with energy, poise, the will to win, trust in each other, and the quality to make things happen. It was a delight to witness and I hope this is a sign of things to come.
We are not going to get carried away though, it is a hard league, there are some top teams to play, and we’ve got to perform consistently to these high levels. We will therefore refocus this week in training on the next game and go again next week!
Thanks to Pierrick and James for running the line, Tony for officiating and to all the parents/carers for supporting the girls and coaches.
See you all on Tuesday!!! 💙⚽😁💪🏽
The Coaches
