Rugby Town Girls U15 v Asfordby Amateurs

“Winning Mentality”

Rugby hosted Asfordby today, a team very much in the ascendancy having taken 7 points from a possible 9 since Christmas, with wins over GNG and Coalville and a very good draw against Bosworth. This said, it was clear from the attitude of the girls that winning is now something they not only believe in, but think is possible every time they play, regardless of our opponents.

With a few injuries and absences it was good to see Hav take a place on the bench, something her attitude and recent performances in training have very much warranted, and Fifi’s return in goal was always an important addition to the starting XI. Ellie was asked to drop in at Right back with both Jess and Hollie unavailable, but it was lovely to see them sat with the ‘Ultras’ on the hill supporting their team mates. Not only does this help their team mates, it also provided them both with the chance to analyse and improve their game understanding from a good vantage point.

With the girls now a target for other teams to test themselves against, it is increasingly important to start quickly and not allow our opponents to gain a foothold or confidence from which to be build on.

Some very good possession and passing in the first few minutes looked to have set the stage for an excellent game as Jazmin and Ruby looked particularly calm and relaxed on the ball as they passed around at the back. When after just 6 minutes Sofia smashed home a now trademark thunderbolt from 16 yards after, the signs were ominous for the visitors.

The second came not long afterwards, Chloe reacting quickly and instinctively with her weaker left foot to drill home from 10 yards out.

With eyes on the horizon for storm Isha rolling in the spectators were hoping to see it raining…raining goals that is!

However, credit to Asfordby who had adopted 4-5-1 in an attempt to contain and counter attack, and this deep lying block limited the space in behind and made it difficult for us to create clear cut chances.

Midway through the first half Chloe came off to be replaced by Hav and Cara moved out to the left wing.

The girls kept trying to look for that penetrating pass and eventually the ball worked it’s way to Sofia She used her silky footwork to make just enough time to let fly and bang, the ball was past the outstretched keeper and into the net.

Asfordby looked a real threat on the counter, but yet again, even when they got the better of us in 1v1 situations, they soon found another sky blue wall closing them down. Macy, Ellie, Jazmin and Ruby were working incredibly hard to snuff out any danger and protect Fifi from having to make any real saves of note.

At the other end Bailey struck a fantastic curling effort from the edge of the box that was destined for the top corner, only to find an inspired keeper who matched the effort with an equally fantastic finger tip save to push it over.

Sofia was then thwarted in similar fashion by another worldy save, diving full stretch to her right the Asfordby keeper somehow turned it behind for a corner.

HT Rugby 3-0 Asfordby

In the second half we asked for more speed and better timing of our passes to reduce the number of turnovers and increase the amount of times we made more than 3 or 4 pass strings.

As the game went on the girls definitely tired, but Sophie and Grace continued to look for positive forward passes.

Bailey was being played in well down the right, on one occasion she cut in before shooting across goal, it hit the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly across the goaline.

Chloe put the game to bed when she was fouled 25 yards out from goal. She stepped up and placed her free kick into the far corner.

Chloe then secured a hat-trick, when she snuck inside from the left and whipped her shot into the near corner.

Bailey was a constant threat and deserved to score when she hit both the bar and then post with a good long range effort.

Hav was unlucky not to add to the scoreline when her effort was deflected narrowly wide, and the

Keeper made what was at least her 3rd incredible stop from a Chloe strike after a brilliant team move.

With only a few minutes left Fifi did really well after recovering from a misplaced pass to get a strong hand on an Asfordby shot and maintain her own and the teams now proud goals against record. We have not conceded a goal since Narborough on 22nd October.

FT Rugby 5-0 Asfordby

Goals: Sofia ⚽⚽, Chloe ⚽⚽⚽

Coaches PotM: Macy 🏆

Parents PotM: Bailey 🏆

Players PotM: Macy 🏆

Well done to all the girls, keep the motivation and effort levels high for these next couple of months and see just how many points we can achieve, whilst remembering that our performances (as a result of hard work, practice, decision making and confidence) are what make winning possible.

Thanks to Bob for running the line and James for taking the team so I could watch with the hardcore spectators, whose support was superb once more! 👊🏼👏🏼

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