Sunday 28th January
“Grit and Determination”
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Go back to October, and the girls last game against GNG saw Rugby win 3-1 at home. We knew travelling to GNG would be a tricky test, they will always work hard, not stop running and scrap for every ball. It was no surprise then that the girls were forced to show some grit and determination to see off today’s opponents.
The first half was a cagey and frantic affair, with neither team managing to exert any dominance over the other, and the game at times probably resembling more pinball than football. Most of the match was contested in the middle third, with nobody afforded or able to create any time on the ball it was difficult to get the ball down and find team mates with quality passing. As such Rugby found it tough to settle into their usual rhythm, credit to GNG for providing such a stern challenge and resting the girls resolve and mental fortitude.
With chances for both teams at a premium the highlight of the first half probably came when Pauline prevented an almost certain goal with a last ditch siding tackle with the GNG striker shooting from 7 Yards out and in the middle of the goal. Goals change games, and this was a critical moment, has GNG gone in front, we may well have found a mountain to climb. As it was, it stayed at 0-0 and at half time the mountain was fortunately more like a small hill that we needed to climb together.
HT 0-0
During the break we made a few tactical adjustments; asking Jaz to be brave and play slightly higher to prevent the dangerous striker receiving the ball in space and turning with it, asking Bailey and Chloe to have the courage to run in behind and take on the full backs when 1v2, and asking Sofia to drop deeper to receive whilst Cara stayed on the shoulder of the last defender. We believed that with these adaptations in our game play, along with believing in ourselves and being confident to get the ball down and play football, that we’d soon show our qualities as a team.
It didn’t take long as after perhaps 6 or 7 minutes the girls opened up GNG with much more composed and well thought through build up play resulted in Chloe grabbing her first of the game.
This goal served to quiet down the GNG home support (a little at least!), but more importantly relaxed the girls so that they could get down to business of showing how running hard alone doesn’t win football matches, and that you must look after the ball when that hard work has won you possession. I have a saying that I recite to the girls to remind them of this…
“Fire in the belly, ice in the veins, work your socks off, and use your brains!”
With this hopefully in some way in their minds, we could all see a vastly improved showing. Jaz, Macy, Ruby and Pauline were more assertive, and on the GNG players before they had time to get their head up and dribble or pass. Fifi, had probably her best ever game, although she didn’t have a lot of difficult saves to make, what she did have to deal with she made look easy. On top of this, her command of the area and communication with her teammates was really impressive to see. Grace and Sophie were now playing around the the GNG press, bringing both the wide players in Bailey and Chloe, and the front two of Sofia and Cara were much closer and linking up well.
Sofia helped herself to another 2 well taken goals, and Cara finished well after a fantastic run.
The goal of the game after a lovely sweeping move down the right involving Pauline, Sophie, Bailey and Grace resulted in a perfect cross for Chloe to volley home.
Ellie did brilliantly to beat her opponent and cut inside from the left, finding Chloe with just enough time to stab the ball past the keeper for her fourth of the match!
In all honesty, Rugby peppered the GNG goal in the second half as the hosts ran out of steam chasing the ball and a runaway scoreline, the post and some last ditch defending preventing more goals for the girls in sky blue.
FT GNG 0-7 Rugby Town
Goals: Chloe ⚽⚽⚽⚽, Sofia ⚽⚽, Cara ⚽.
Coaches PotM: Fifi 🏆
Parents PotM: Sophie 🏆
Players PotM: Sophie & Macy 🏆
A really resilient performance from the girls this afternoon and another excellent 3 points! Well done everyone 👏🏼.
Thanks to James and Bob for running the line and to a really big away following, great to see so many parents in attendance…cherish every time you get the opportunity to watch your daughter(s) and this group of girls, they are creating special moments and memories that will be with them and us for a long time to come.
See you all at training #wegoagain 🩵⚽👊🏼