Squad: Ruby H, Pauline, Soapy, Cara, Ellie, Emily, Macey, Bailey, Sophie
Sponsor: Pawprints Dog Rescue – Dogs Available
“Away day blues”
Our visit to Loughborough meant ditching our usual blue and a change into our white tops, but it didn’t seem to make any difference in the early exchanges. In fact I feel we deserved to lead at half time on the balance of good chances. Rugby scored first when Ellies deflected effort found its way in. Several good moments came and went, Bailey causing all sorts of problems down the right wing and crossing but we couldn’t force any of them home.
Em took a short corner and Bailey’s effort went wide and Sophie C was unlucky to see her shot well saved. Cara was running everywhere in midfield and Pauline was immense at the back alongside Soapy. Unfortunately two goals in quick successsion for the hosts just before half time turned the game, both of which came when they were allowed too much time in our box leaving Ruby H with little chance.
At half time we swapped keepers and with Em going in and Ruby H adopting a defensive midfield role to try and stop the counter attacks, but after a few minutes an injury picked up earlier left Ruby struggling to stay mobile and so she was forced to drop deeper. This meant that we effectively lost control of the midfield and invited too much pressure from Loughborough who were clinical in their exploitation of this, putting us to the sword 3 more times despite some great saves from Em.
Sophie C had a good chance to reduce the arrears but her shot was narrowly wide. The girls huffed and puffed but eventually ran out of steam. We will work on better retention and composure on the ball this week. I thought Macey had an excellent first game and will get better with time, and both Pauline and Soapy shared player of the match for their really deternined and dogged defending. The girls will be better again moving forwards for a full match of competitive game time and we can look forward to their next game.
Thanks to all for your amazing support of the girls today.