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“Simply the best”
Our last encounter with Oadby was a narrow 2-1 home win, in which we were comfortable despite the tight scoreline…it was really pleasing then to go away to today’s opponents and have a result and performance both of which were testament to the level of control the girls had over the proceedings. To paraphrase the late Tina Turner, the girls were simply the better team in every aspect.
The game followed a similar pattern to last week with a start that wasn’t electric but did demonstrate excellent basic principles from which we could build on and develop as the half continued. There was good controlled aggression, very good team shape and structure and nice composure on the ball, despite what was a very tricky playing surface.
After 20 minutes and a few chances spurned or well saved by a very good Oadby & Wigston keeper, the deadlock was broken when Sophie played a delightful angled ball for Bailey who cut it back for Sofia. Sofia took on the shot and whipped a curling and dipping shot over the keeper and into the far corner.
I thought the interplay at this points was brilliant as the girl’s attacked with pace and purpose, and a real variation that makes it difficult for a defence to plan for and adapt to. In once instance Hollie and Bailey are beating players on the outside crossing, then they chop in and find good forward passes; Sophie and Grace are one minute dribbling and driving from deep and the next producing pin point through balls over, through and round; and when none of the above was quite working the opposition were having to deal with either great link up play from Cara and Sofia with some fantastically intricate partnership understanding, or some longer and more direct balls from Ruby at center back that bypassed everyone.
Sophie scored the teams second when her shot found its’ way passed a host of bodies to find the bottom corner, and then Cara added a superb 3rd when her first touch saw her drift effortlessly past the defender, with a lot to do from a tightening angle she struck a beautiful low driven shot into the far inside netting.
The only negative of the first 40 minutes was an injury to Hollie, who was having a storming match. The injury saw her withdrawal mid way through the first half. It came after some typically ferocious tackling saw her damage her knee and unable to continue. We all hope that it is only small sprain and not a serious injury and that she can be available for our season run in. Ellie replaced Hollie on the left wing and got straight to dribbling past her opposite number before shooting from distance straight at the keeper.
HT Oadby & Wigston 0-3 Rugby Town
At half time we swapped volunteer keeper Jaz, who had had little to do other than to stop what turned out to be the only shot on target from the hosts in the entire game, with Macy (massive thanks to both for stepping in 👊🏼👏🏼). Cara and Sofia also made way for Adelaide and Chloe.
After putting in a fine performance at left back, Macy was somewhat of a spectator in the second half as the team worked tirelessly to protect their team mate and clean sheet. Oadby & Wigston kept trying hard to find a weaknesses, changing shape several times to test our adaptability, but were unable to penetrate our defence. Every time it looked threatening, one of the girls would step up and recover or cover for a teammate. Pauline, Ruby, Jaz, Ria and Macy were again outstanding.
Adelaide was quick to make an impact, another lovely assist from Bailey left her 1v1 and she cooly slotted home. Chloe was harassing the defence and playing some amazing passes across the box for her teammates who on more than one occasion were millimetres from connecting. Ellie took a corner which was initially cleared, only to find its way straight back to her, the second attempt at a cross was much better and Adelaide headed just wide.
Grace scored a wonderful solo effort, weaving her way through the defence before curling the ball past the helpless goalkeeper, and Adelaide benefitted from a ruthless team press that saw Sophie, Grace, Sofia, Cara & Chloe all close down the opposition until there was no way out but to ricochet a clearance off of Adelaide and into the net.
Rugby had one chalked off after the keeper was incredibly brave when 1v1 with Adelaide, the ball bounced free and was prodded into the net but the referee adjudged there to have been a foul.
Sofia rounded off the scoring with a goal not dissimilar to that of Grace, picking the ball she turned and initially looked for a killer ball, with a feint she was gone and then placed a well timed shot into the bottom corner for her 2nd and the teams 7th.
FT Oadby & Wigston 0-7 Rugby Town
Goals: Sofia ⚽⚽, Adelaide ⚽⚽, Cara ⚽, Sophie ⚽ & Grace ⚽.
Coaches PotM: Sofia 🏆