Sunday 20th March 2022
Squad: Ellie, Tasha, Rosie, Kelsey, Izzy, Ella, Cara, Evie, Lucy, Hannah, Priya (Captain), Robyn, Elle, Ava, Zoe, Sophia.
Sponsor – Lisa Collins Hair Design
The U15s played their final league game for the 2021/22 at home at Butlin Road on a sunny and warm Sunday afternoon.
Anstey are a strong and capable team who play some very nice football, and Rugby Town had suffered a seriously heavy defeat when playing them earlier on in the season. Match instruction today was to do better than we did before by focusing on individual responsibilities, communication, and strong defending.
First Half
Rugby started very brightly and with a visible determination and team attitude. If Anstey were expecting a walk over, it was clear today would be a different story. Rugby pressed hard and high early on, enabling Kelsey to get a shot away, just wide but a positive start.
Anstey mounted their first attack of the game which resulted in a corner, easily saved by Sophia. Lucy was tasks with marking one of the strongest Anstey players, which needed quick thinking and reactions, and did well throughout the half, and did well to limit the danger on Rugby’s left wing.
Rugby linked some good balls and teamwork together for another assault on the Anstey goal, the attached was well thwarted by the opposition defence and the counter attached proved fruitful with in from the right and great placement saw Anstey take the lead.
Upon the restart Anstey were pushing very hard, causing the Rugby defence of Lucy, Hannah and Izzy and the defensive midfield of Ellie and Robyn to put some serious work in. Finally cleared out and up to Kelsey who used her blistering pace, frustrating the Anstey defence resulting in a penalty for Rugby. Tash stepped up to the spot, good pace on the ball was undermined by placement, and the Anstey keeper had no issues in keeping the ball out of the net and providing a corner for Rugby.
Tash delivered well and there were a few scuffles as Rugby battled to score and Anstey battled to clear. Ultimately, the enthusiastic defending resulted in a free kick for Rugby on the edge of the 18yd box. Ellie took the kick but was unable to convert.
A bit of up and down the pitch occurred over the next 5 mins with an Anstey corner and a Rugby offside before the drama of a handball in the Rugby box and a penalty for Anstey. A fine save by Sophia kept the Rugby deficit to 1.
Anstey now took it up a notch and Rugby were struggling to keep then at bay. Anstey pressed very well as a team and Rugby were caught out a few times, totally overloaded, which resulted in them conceding 3 goals in the next 10 mins.
In the dying minutes of the half, Rugby dug deep and started to pull themselves up. Rosie doing some great work breaking up play in the middle of the pitch, allowing Tasha, Kelsey and Priya to play some pretty (and clever) football. Rugby were unlucky to see two shots go wide. Rugby were getting balls up front really well thanks to the work of the defence and midfield players, but the strong and quick Anstey backs were efficient in neutralising any threatening possession by Rugby.
2nd Half
The second half saw a bit of a change in team with Ella, Elle, Zoe, Evie and Cara all coming on after the half time break.
Anstey won an early corner, easily dealt with by Rugby, who proceeded to play the ball out from the back. Lovely football from Elle, Tash and Kelsey was seen throughout the second half. Anstey were very sharp on the counter attached and again were forcing Rugby to clear for corners. 1 well saved by Sophia and 1 cleared well by the defence.
Rugby were still, at times, not coping well with the coordinated press of the Anstey side, so it was not a huge surprise that 2 more goals were conceded before Rugby, who were not dropping their heads at all, turned the tables a bit.
Proper passing, considered football, and good options resulted in a final play from Kelsey and Tasha. Tasha’s initial shot parried by the keeper, falling again to Tasha, who didn’t miss on the second attempt. The Rugby side clearly delighted to score against this very string Anstey team.
Zoe switched from the middle to the left allowing her to play in the opening space. Zoe provided several fine through balls to the Rugby forwards, freeing up some nice runs up the pitch. Evie was also quietly getting on with the job in hand in midfield, limiting Anstey counter attacks and holding up the ball in possession to allow the Rugby forwards to fine any space they could to continue to press.
Rugby managed more positive forward momentum as we closed out the match, most notably with Ava, who had provided a fantastic individual performance all game, to just shoot to the left of the Blaby goal.
Becoming tired, and probably a little warm, Rugby succumbed again to a good Anstey counter which ended up as the final goal.
Summary
The Rugby team was asked to deliver a much-improved performance compared the previous encounter, which they certainly achieved. Rugby played some very nice football at times and were resolute in their determination to continue to play and push even after conceding goals. Still a little work to do on defending and pressing as a team, but overall, a very pleasing performance.
Rugby Town 1 – 7 Anstey
Scorer: Tasha
POM: Kelsey, for another huge performance, which we take for granted but should shout about more
Captain’s POM: Ava, monstrous, and vital, individual performance
Thanks to Manesh for running the line, Tony for refereeing and parents for your support.