Sunday 10th March
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“Together Everyone Achieves More #team”
One of my favourite quotes which I may have used before is this “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go further, go together.”
With Hollie and Katie coming along to support their team mates the feeling was that this was a game the girls could win, so long as they played as a team and stuck at the task together.
Our hosts Narborough are sitting at the top of the league after a fantastic season which has until today seen them take maximum points in every game. You will recall our previous meeting saw us narrowly lose 5-6 to a controversial goal, and so with all the work we’ve done since then, it was set up for a 1st Vs 2nd cracker! Although overturning the points difference was massively unlikely (due to our two draws against Coalville and Market Bosworth), the girls knew that a win in any of our last 3 league games would guarantee a 2nd placed finish and promotion…
The girls took to the pitch in all Sky Blue to avoid any colour clash and started as brightly. From the opening exchanges it was clear that Narborough would play very direct, either through the middle with long balls, or getting their fast and skilful wide players down the flanks and cause problems with crosses in the box. On the other hand, Rugby were very much trying to pass the ball through the thirds, before releasing the pace and power of Cara and Adi.
The first 10 minutes were well contested, with the girls edging it due to the nature of their more possession based football. Narborough did indeed look dangerous in wide areas but Ria and Macy were limiting them to crosses rather than shots, and this allowed Jaz and Ruby to mop up any real danger when the ball came into the area.
With Rugby on top Adi was played in, running away from goal she was ready to turn in when their star player and leagues top scorer bundled into the back of her. Having been caught the wrong side there was no way (in my opinion) she could have made any tackle without fouling Adi, but the ref waved away the penalty appeals citing a shoulder to shoulder challenge. A big decision had not gone our way…
To compound the injustice and rub salt in the wounds, just moments later Narborough were 1-0 ahead. A good ball across the goal somehow evaded Ruby, Jaz and Fifi and left the striker with a simple finish into an open net.
Ellie immediately set about rallying her team mates and gave words of encouragement which were echoed by all, it was great to see them not let their heads drop and have the self belief that this game was far from over.
The game now settled into a pattern and was more even. Narborough were effective in wide areas and had a number of shots from distance, meanwhile Rugby were playing some lovely football. Adi shot over from a narrow angle, and then saw her shot parried wide with Cara inches from getting the rebound.
The girls then had Fifi to thank when a rare lapse in concentration saw the midfield too high, and the defence allowing the ball to bounce on a skiddy surface. There was nothing the outfield players could do as the Narborough striker went through 1v1…but Fifi, who has come on leaps and bounds this season, made herself big for as long as possible before making an incredible save with an outstretched leg to divert the ball past the post.
Rugby were giving away corners by the bucket load and this looked like Narboroughs best chance to add a second, though the girls defended them well…Jaz making a superb block with a timely slide tackle to prevent us going two goals behind.
Rugby looked a real threat in transition. As Narborough attacked they left a lot of space between the lines on a big pitch, and Sophie and Grace were really able to drive forwards and exploit this gap to our advantage. As the half went on both Bailey and Ellie grew in confidence and both had good shots that could have reduced the arrears, but the half ended 1-0.
HT Narborough 1-0 Rugby Town
At half time Pauline, Sofia and Chloe came on and instantly got about affecting the game. Pauline added some more aggression and attacking runs, Sofia picked up a lovely position in the pocket between attack and midfield, and Chloe (on the wing) set about her typical penetrating dribbles.
The first half was much the same as the first, Narborough looking to get the ball into shooting areas quickly, whilst Rugby played through and around. Our only EBI for the whole game was just the timing & choice of final pass…the girls worked the ball into the final 3rd well and were just too often thwarted when the final pass didn’t quite make it through to the right player.
With the game a pulsating and enthralling contest by two well matched teams, it was great to watch as each side attacked each other like two heavy weight boxers. There were no holds barred and all the girls were giving absolutely every ounce of energy in an epic battle.
Games change on small moments, perhaps the penalty decision in the early stages, maybe Fifi’s save in the first half, but almost certainly Fifi’s save in the last 15 minutes…with the score still 1-0 she reacted to a shot from inside the box with brilliant reflexes that saw her get fingertips to the ball and tip it on the bar…with the forward rushing in she reacted first to catch the ball and stop what would have likely been a winning goal.
This was the cue to change the shape and pose Narborough a different set of questions…we moved from a 4-4-2 to a 3-1-4-2 with Ruby in the CDM role in order to gain control of midfield and exert more sustained pressure on our opponents goal.
Sofia got on the ball and played a lovely through ball for Cara but the covering defender got to it just as it looked like she might get in behind. Adi then got played through by Cara but couldn’t find the target under pressure as she shot. Pauline was foraying forward and linking well with Chloe down the left and the chances started to come…
With 10 minutes left Sophie at last found the composure and accuracy to slide an awesome through pass inside the full back for Bailey. She had timed her run brilliantly to stay on side and took her time to move in on goal, with just the keeper to beat she struck the ball and hit the post 🫣…it rolled across the line and into the far corner of the net as the travelling fans in the stand erupted into joyous celebration!!! 1-1…
Rugby were now throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at Narborough as they looked for the knockout punch…
Ruby picked the ball up and went on a run deep into the Narborough half, the ball was worked well into their area before a cross was deflected out to the edge of the box…Grace had been brave and stayed high, and then showed immense courage to take on the shot 1st time…she made good contact and the ball curled away from the keeper leaving her no chance as it nestled into the back of the net for a 1-2 lead!!! Everyone was jumping up and down and Fifi ran the length of the pitch to celebrate with her teammates!
The clock wound down slowly for the last 3 or 4 minutes but the final whistle did eventually come and the girls had ended the leaders unbeaten run whilst stretching their own to the reverse fixture in October. The run has seen 2 draws and 8 wins, 54 goals scored and just 4 conceded. It was great to test ourselves against such a good team today, and to keep the league’s top scorer (she has 69 goals by herself) from getting on the score sheet for the first time in any game (league or cup) this season, was very pleasing as it shows what a determined performance it was by all the girls as they came together to go further!
FT Narborough 1-2 Rugby Town
Goals; Bailey ⚽, Grace ⚽.
We really couldn’t award a single player the PotM award today, partly because they all played so well it is impossible to pick out one, but also because this really was one of those examples of where the team is the sum total of individuals playing as one cohesive unit striving towards the same agreed goal.
Well done to everyone today, what an amazing performance and result 💪🏼👊🏼👏🏼. Thank you also to the coaches for continuing to support the girls 3 times a week and the parents for being part of the journey 🩵.
With promotion guaranteed it is important we don’t stop developing, we still have at least one cup game, two league games…our last league game at HOME to Loughborough will be a celebration/photo opportunity with food on after in the clubhouse, and we’ll then move into friendlies, tournaments (where possible) and our summer training to prepare for next season!
Apologies I didn’t get any photo’s from today, I didn’t have a moment where I wasn’t analysing or thinking about how to best help the girls get over the line…so I’ll simply attach the league table and results which makes for very smiley faces 😊 #proud