Rugby Town U15s Vs. Nuneaton Borough U15s -

Sunday 1st September 2024

Sponsored by Big Wave Campers, Kelsy Living and Life Investment Estate Agency

Squad: GK – Immie, DF – Annabelle, DF – Ruby, DF – Elsie, CM – Ruby, CM – El, CM – Tills (captain), LW – Chloe, RW – Macy, CF – Sophia, ST – Japjeevan, Subs – Masie, Sukhmani, Emily

Today is going to be the day where we bring it all back to you, with the other much anticipated reunion of the weekend as Rugby Town U13’s and U’14’s combine for the start of the new season at U15 level. Nuneaton council had thoughtfully laid on a diversion that took us all around the world and enabled us to see more of the town center as we arrived at the ground for the first match of the season.

Having made the master plan to play up an age group, some might say that the girls were all a little nervous before kick-off for their first competitive match of 11-a-side, on a full size pitch with full sized goals and 40 minutes (ish) per half.

Those nerves were quick to slide away as Rugby made an impressive start to the match, and the Summer of fitness training and extra practice was clear to see in the passing and movement that the girls were demonstrating.

Great tackling and intercepting from Tills and Ruby in the center of midfield were to set the pattern for the rest of the match, finding El with some terrific close control and passing to the wingers out wide. Chloe and Macy were able to move into space and draw the defenders out with them, which was creating space in the center for Sophia to run into. This led to the first goal of the season, with Sophia hitting an absolute champagne supernova of a shot from outside the area that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot as it hit the back of the net.

The control of the midfield continued through the first half, with El demonstrating tremendous tenacity in winning the ball back and then showing her touch and skill on the ball in playing in teammates into space. Macy showed her talent for her long shots and troubled the keeper from distance. A superb cross from the right was just missed at the back post by Chloe and she was unlucky to not connect with her header. Japjeevan was pressuring the goal kicks and the team were able to press high up the pitch with the defenders spending most of their time on the halfway line.

The manager made some tactical substitutions with Maisie and Emily coming on to keep the energy levels high and this continued to allow the girls to take the game to Nuneaton. El and Ruby were dominating the midfield allowing Tills to press higher up the pitch. The referee blew the whistle for halftime, but was enjoying the match so much he decided to play another five minutes before blowing for half time again. The extended half time break gave the players an opportunity to recognise the importance of being idle whilst the parents had time for tea, coffee, cigarettes and alcohol.

The 2^nd half began with Sukhmani making her debut for her new team playing up front and created a different challenge for the defenders to deal with. Some tremendous passing found Macy taking a supersonic long shot from out wide that narrowly went over and she was clearly enjoying herself and the space she was creating for herself.

Some terrific passing between the girls was a joy to watch and the defenders were playing their part in linking up the play. Elsie, Ruby and Annabelle were providing a tough wonderwall that the Nuneaton forwards were struggling to break through. Elsie showed her renowned positional play in covering her winger and Ruby was marking her forward all over the pitch and even off of it..! On a rare Nuneaton attack, their striker went to run through on goal but Immie made one of those shakermaker goalkeeper clearances from outside the area and the danger was averted. A cross from Macy was up in the sky and Sukhmani was being challenged by three defenders as she tried to turn the ball into the net but was denied by an excellent save.

El showed her touch and control in finding Sophia in the centre of the pitch and rather than looking back in anger she made a decisive run to the edge of the area and hit an absolute thunderbolt of a shot for her second goal of the match and 2:0. Soon after, Japjeevan had a shot hit the outside of the post and from the resulting corner Emily and Chloe were scrambling in the box but the ball was cleared out and the Nuneaton striker had an opportunity to break from halfway. Annabelle was able to challenge and cover and pressured the striker to roll with it over to the byline for a goalkick.

As the match went into the last 20 minutes, the girls remained in control and showed some tremendous play with Till and El working so well together in creating space for Macy and Emily out wide. Maisie was able to play some neat touches to win the ball back, and then a superb passage of play with Ruby passing to Till, passing to Ruby and Japjeevan taking a shot that was well defended.

With the players from both sides beginning to tire, Sophia played a delightful through ball for Japjeevan show that she’s electric when given the opportunity to run at the goalkeeper and this time she took the shot on early and finished with tremendous power to make the score 3:0. In the final few moments, a long ball over the top from Nuneaton found their striker through on goal and Immie cast no shadow in standing up and intimidating her opponent with the resulting shot being half a world away from going in and maintaining her clean sheet at the final whistle.

A tremendous first game and the type of performance that might not live forever but is hopefully an indication of what we can see for the rest of the season.

Parents Rock N’ Roll Star of the Match – El

Coaches Rock N’ Roll Star of the Match – Sophia

A great atmosphere for the first game of the season, a big thank you to the referee and officials and a special mention for Tills as captain taking control of the warm-up before kick off and guiding her teammates throughout the match.

Brought to you by Rugby Town (former) Sportswriter of the Year