An interesting home match was in prospect against a Loughborough team who had seen an improving set of results over the previous few weeks. Despite having last week’s game cancelled due to weather, Rugby were keen to build on an impressive performance in the 4-0 win in their last outing.
A strong start from both teams led to a tense first 10 minutes of action – Rugby having the best of the chances with the Loughborough keeper pulling off a string of saves to keep it at 0-0. The central midfield was turning into a cauldron, with Izzy and Maia, who was making her debut for the team, both tenacious in the tackles and composed on the ball when needed. Maia slotted in smoothly to the starting side, with the two of them looking like they had been a central midfield partnership for years.
Lougborough looked dangerous on the break, but some solid defending from Rugby, typified by some bone-crunching challenges from Dee. Bella, playing in her usual sweeper position, dealt calmly with danger, culminating in her taking the ball off the feet of the attacker on the edge of her own box and going on a mazy run down the left wing and winning a thrown by the edge of the opposition penalty box.
On 12 minutes, Rugby were awarded a free kick around 5 yards outside their opponent’s box. Up stepped Jamie to hit a thunderbolt into the top corner to settle the nerves, giving the previously impenetrable Loughborough keeper absolutely no chance.
What happened in the next 10 minutes before half time was Roy of the Rovers stuff – Jamie scored another 3 goals to give Rugby a bit of breathing space on the scoreboard to send the girls in at half time 4-0 to the good. Some great team goals in there with some clinical finishing from Jamie.
Loughborough started the second half with real fire in their bellies, and grabbed a quick goal back to let Rugby know that there was still a game to be won. However a quick reply from Rugby in the guise of a beautiful curling shot from Willow re-established the 4 goal margin.
Rugby’s quality began to shine through in the rest of the match. Following a Loughborough corner, Izzy broke with the ball from the edge of the box, before getting to the half way line and sliding the ball through for Sophie to go through on the keeper. A great save saw her first effort stopped, but quick awareness allowed her to knock home the rebound for a deserved personal goal.
With some of the girls tiring some tactical substitutions were made to keep the side fresh. Rose, following a cameo up front, slotted into the sweeper role to allow Bella to get further forward. She was the epitome of calmness at the back, making some great clearances when required coupled with great distribution. The defensive backbone looked solid throughout, with Abbie taking over from Dee and being the strong tenacious tackler we know she is, even throwing in a few great headers as well for good measure.
A great individual strike from Dee gave the keeper absolutely no chance, as she continued her scoring streak in front of goal. For a player who plays predominantly in defence, she is nearly in double figures for the season. Bella finished an excellent team move, following some great interplay between Maia and Maddie.
Lara in goal had an excellent game, making important saves just when we needed. She also started several attacks with decisive and effective distribution – an area of her game which has come on leaps and bounds this season. Mimi completed the solid defensive unit, with some great tight marking and quick movement of the ball to ensure quick transitions from defence to attack.
Special shout out to Mia, who played in three different positions throughout the game. She was part of the defensive team from the start, before moving out to the right wing to allow her creative talents to shine. She then finished the game in centre midfield!
Maddie also showed her versatility by playing in three positions – starting on her familiar right hand side, before dabbling with a forward position and centre midfield. A constant threat from set pieces as we know she always is, several chances were created as Rugby looked dangerous from her corners and throw ins. She took her well deserved goal clinically, before Sophie scored her second of the game to finish off the scoring.
Loughborough did get a consolation goal late on, but the game was out of sight at that point. Everything clicked into place for Rugby in a well tempered and friendly game, thank you to referee Alan.