Rugby Town U15 v GNG
Sunday 1st October
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“It’s a marathon not a sprint”
The girls continued their excellent form to take 10 points from a possible 12 and remain unbeaten so far this season.
GNG had a big win two weeks ago as well as an impressive 3-2 victory over Coalville, who were the team we drew with away 1-1. This fixture then was going to be another challenging and well matched affair.
Already missing Fifi and Jaz we had made the necessary changes at the back, only to see Ria limp off in the warm up after rolling her ankle. We hope she is ok and makes a speedy recovery.
Ellie then volunteered to do the first half in goal and Jess slotted in at centre back alongside Ruby to ensure maximum protection in front of goal.
We kept the 4-4-2 formation that had worked well last time out, and after a frantic first 5 minutes or so the girls settled and began to control the game.
Soapy was again immense in both breaking up play and getting us up the pitch, and she like many of the girls was full of cold! Still, they all new the importance of matching a very energetic and hard working GNG, and all stuck the task brilliantly!
Our chance creation has been very good of late, and credit to our opponents for keeping the score at 0-0 for so long. Bailey saw a volley saved from close range, Chloe had a long shot turned behind and Cara was unfortunate not to pick out a striker when she beat 3 players down the right wing.
15 minutes in the deadlock was eventually broken, Chole ran through to turn the defender, before smashing the ball past the keeper.
Chloe then took one of a number of corners, it was initially cleared but fell invitingly for Jess who showed excellent control to carefully side foot volley the ball from 18 yards into the far corner, a very good finish.
Chloe, who was instrumental as she dropped into pockets of space then hit the bar from long range when seeing the keeper off her line.
GNG’s top striker had scored 8 goals, but she was well marshalled by Jess, Pauline, Ruby and Macy, who limited her chances to get on the ball or indeed get shots away. GNG had one shot which Ellie saved well before, very much against the run of play, aĀ clever dribble down their right saw GNG’s second attempt on or off target and it unfortunately found it’s way through Ellie to give them a way back into the game.
The girls actually laughed it off which showed to me that they were not being affected by the pressure, were enjoying their footbal, were in it together, and had the confidence in their cumulative ability that if they continued to do the right things they’d run out winners. It didn’t take long to regain the 2 goal buffer, another corner was swung in, and after GNG failed to clear Soapy person was quickest to react and prod home from close range.
Half-Time 3-1
After a pretty jam packed first 40 minutes the second half had a lot to live up to. Cara went in goal and Ellie moved into midfield as we began to rotate players to keep energy levels high.
Sofia was demonstrating how she’s adapting her game, some lovely link up play to keep the ball for us in attack, and with several good lay offs to her team mates we were unlucky not to go further ahead.
Grace R raced through only to see her shot go wide, Chloe had two good chances, Bailey hit the bar, Sofia saw her curling effort saved…the girls just couldn’t quite find the moment of quality when it mattered to put the game out of sight. What was pleasing was their hunger and desire to keep creating chances, and as the game ptogressed, keep possession to deny GNG the ball.
Cara was called upon twice to make good saves, but it would have been harsh on Rugby to have conceded, such was their dominance.
Hollie put in another fantastic shift, playing in 3 different positions today, her attitude is a shining example to all. The girls are really coming together as a unit, understanding how to cover for and support each other is one thing, but having the fitness, integrity, and ability to do it is driven by desire to work hard for your teammates, both in and out of possession.
When the final whistle went Rugby had done enough to win the points, and again impressed with a professional performance full of quality.
FT 3-1
Goals: Chloe ā½, Jess ā½, Soapy ā½.
Coaches Player of the Match: Bailey š
Parents Player of the Match: Ruby š
Players Player of the Match: Ruby, Jess, Soapy š (equal votes).
Well done to all the girls another splendiferous display…a great start to the season. Remember there will be no ‘easy’ games this season, it really is a marathon not a sprint. So keep putting the hard work and graft into training, the hard yards done here is what makes it possible to perform so well on a game day.
Thanks to Bob for running the line and to all the parents for your continued support!
All the best,
The Coaches
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