Sunday 26th November 2023
Sponsors: Oxygen Graphics, Big Wave Campers, Ados, Eclipse Clean, Kelsy Living, Life Investments Estate Agency
Squad: Megan, Daisy-May, Izzy, Poppy, Sophie F, Amelia, Jasmine, Erin, Louise, Ronniee,Leila, Bianca, Macey
Rugby continued their excellent season with a trip to Lutterworth for a 2pm kick off. For this fixture last season the pitch was described as rather uneven. We expected the same for this season however the match was played on a different pitch which was much better although it did have a definite slope.
The match kicked off a couple of minutes late as the referee had not materialised so one of the Lutterworth coaches had to step in at the last minute for the match to go ahead. Hopefully he hadn’t been watching any of the Aberdeen v Rangers match that was on in the clubhouse for refereeing tips.
Rugby started the match well and had an early corner, Leila crossing well with the ball going right across the box, it just needed any touch and it would have been an early goal. It was clear that getting the ball to the Lutterworth striker as early as possible was a clear tactic but with Daisy-May, Ronnie and Amelia as a back three they were more than a match for her and kept her quiet all match. By the end of the game she was probably asking when she would be allowed out from Ronniees pocket.
Lutterworth started to come into the game and Megan and Ronniee had to be alert to clear well and then after a giant kick from their keeper they hit the bar with a good shot. The Lutterworth goalkeeper was very good, she used her area well and her goal kicks easily went to the halfway line each time. This is something Rugby will have to watch for the home fixture with the bounce being different on astro to grass.
Sophie started to get some success down the left wing taking on and beating her player on a regular basis, she had a shot that was well saved and then after a cross from Leila she had another shot. Rugby were then rewarded with a goal, Leila continuing her great form with a good finish.
The rest of the first half was a familiar pattern, Sophie regularly beating her player and being unlucky on a number of occasions with shots being saved or just going wide. It wasn’t all one way traffic and the Rugby defence had to be alert to keep the lead intact.
Half time 1-0
Into the second half and Rugby started to make some substitutions, the referee did seem to have a slight issue hearing Dave when he was calling for subs (sub ref, ref, ref, ref, in the end shouting Josh did work) but after the game he did say it was his first time refereeing and he did a good job for both teams.
Poppy started to get more success down the right wing with some excellent runs and crosses that Rugby failed to capitalise on. Macey also had a great run through the centre but just failed to score at the end. It was really pleasing to see the confidence of the Rugby players to take on another player. For those that are familiar with Italia 90 there was a definite plan for the match today, “There’s only one way to beat them,
Get ’round the back”
At 1-0 Lutterworth were still in the game and they had a free kick which was defended well by Rugby, the no nonsense defending was on show today, if in doubt kick it out. Just after the free kick Izzy had a shot that went wide, Rugby went looking for the important second goal and shortly afterwards they found it. After a Lutterworth goal kick which was picked up in midfield Leila scored her second with a run through and good finish.
Rugby now went looking for a third goal and after a quick throw the Lutterworth goalkeeper had to save smartly to keep it to 2-0. Poppy and Macey both had good crosses and Rugby were building the pressure by keeping the ball in the Lutterworth half.
Full Time 2-0
Another clean sheet for Rugby and an excellent performance from the team on a cold day. All the players contributed and the team spirit is really excellent, especially after the match when they sang happy birthday.
Coaches Player Ronnie, she listened well and battled incredibly hard against a tough opponent.
Thanks to Dave and Dave for giving up their time for training and for their support during the match, thanks to Lutterworth for hosting, Josh the referee for stepping in at the last minute, the linesmen (particularly Dean, he would have definitely spotted that the ball had gone out on Tuesday evening just before Cov scored) and to the parents for their continued encouragement.