Sunday, 17th March 2024 KO 9:30
Cup Quarter Final
Squad: Sienna M, Emilia, Esme, Alexis, Emy-Mae, Eve, Sienna W, Izzy, Annalise
Sponsors: Hamilton Medical and Life Investments Estate Agency
Quarter finals day with a home fixture against Allexton and New Parks. The match kicked off in bright sunshine and as expected this was going to be a tough and hard fought match. From the opening minutes Rugby Town pushed forward and made good advances against the Allexton defensive lines and opened the scoring with an excellent cross and clinical well taken finish. This seemed to change the dynamic of the match, combined with an injury to a key Rugby player the play quickly switched to Allexton as they sought an equaliser with several good attacking moves. During this intense period the Town midfield and defensive lines held out with some excellent 121 tackles and 50/50 challenges. Each time clearing the lines but with little rest bite. This pressure of attack was also stopped by some excellent point blank goal keeping and safe hands. Most notably from a hard hitting free kick on the edge of the area that was firmly caught despite its force and power!!!
As the half ended Rugby managed somehow to hold its slight advantage of one goal from the opening minutes.
The second half for whatever reason seemed a completely different affair with the Rugby girls digging deep to produce some brilliant free flowing, edge of your seat exciting football. Moving the ball from the back to the front with ease and composure. With some brilliant passing and positional play.
The pressure on the Allexton defence eventually opened up a window near the end for the second goal. With a nicely chipped through ball and some excellent fast paced wide play to deliver a clear margin and allow Rugby Town into the Semi finals of the cup.
This game had real cup magic and something different with excellent depth of play on display during the first half and fast flowing attacking football in the second. This was a hard fought match in a competitive game and full credit to both teams who made it an enjoyable watch.
PPOM: Sienna W., for excellent attacking football and play throughout the game
POM: Alexis and Esme, for keeping a clean sheet during such a competitive and hard fought match. With some excellent goal keeping throughout.