Sunday 10th April 2022
Squad: Ellie, Tasha, Kelsey, Ella, Cara, Evie, Lucy, Hannah, Priya (Captain), Ava, Sophia W, Sophia K, Izzy, Rosie, Zoe
Sponsor – Lisa Collins Hair Design
The U15s hosted Blaby at Butlin Road for their league cup quarter final game. Blaby are one of the strongest teams in the league so the U15s were under no illusion that this would be a testing game.
First Half
Rugby looked quite perky at kick off with some good pressing forward and some testing of the Blaby defence. However, it does not take long for Blaby to settle and take charge of the game. A push down to the Rugby final third sees the ball cleared for a corner. Blaby take and Rugby were not quite switched on to clear their lines, allowing Blaby to open their tally with an early goal.
The game proved well-mannered but quite competitive with several free kicks for both sides due to some mistimed tackles. Rugby are a little flustered with the pace of the game and an error in the Rugby goal sees a penalty awarded for a hand ball. Sophia dives well to the right, the ball hits the upright and Sophia pushed clear.
Rugby back 4 of Ella, Ellie, Zoe and Cara generally have a very good first half, with the back line being managed well. Ella, in particular, making some excellent defensive tackles and showing real fighting spirit. Sophia K in defensive midfield is working well on holding position across the width of the pitch.
Evie, Ava, Priya and Kelsey have a lot to do in the midfield area. They were really working to try and link up, but they had to fight against some very good players in the Blaby midfield who were not shy in winning the ball. Tash, as the lone striker, did a great job holding her position on the defence, she also dropped to support the team in midfield and was reading the game well today.
Blaby maintain pressure and a high press, they take every opportunity presented to them and Rugby are making it a bit harder for themselves with some misplaced passes and clearances straight to the opposition. Rugby displaying great energy but need to slow the game down to gain some control. Blaby push forward again and Rugby fail to clear their lines, allowing Blaby’s second goal.
Rugby win another couple of free kicks. Kelsey picks up one in midfield and make a great run into the right of the Blaby goal. Kelsey was brought down but the referee waves away the call for a penalty.
Blaby win a fair number of corners throughout the first half and Rugby generally do a fair job of clearing danger from the goal area, just need a bit more focus to ensure these cleared balls are picked up by our midfield and moved forward.
2nd Half
Sophia K, Ella, Tash and Cara off for Lucy and Izzy in defence, Evie dropping from left wing to defensive midfield. Rosie in on left wing and Hannah in for Tash up front.
Blaby are quick out of the blocks and keen to harass Rugby again. Sophia pulls of a strong save and her increasing confidence in goal draws praise from the opposition manager. The resulting corner cleared only as far as the second third, allowing Blaby to regain possession, and come back to Rugby. A gap in the defence leads Sophia with too much to do this time and Blaby increase their lead to 3
Rugby, to their credit, are still battling hard with Lucy showing some great speed to try and prevent any crosses coming in from the Blaby right wing. Hannah also teaming up well with the Rugby midfield and was certainly defending from the front.
Evie, still working like a trooper, plays a clever ball our to Kelsey on the right. Kelsey beats her mark and picks out Hannah who rightly takes a shot. Saved by the Blaby keeper.
Blaby #21, who has been showing fantastic strength and ball skills all game, is really starting to cause an issue. A great run through by her sees Blaby’s 4th. A short while later Blaby again beat the Rugby defence for their 5th.
The final 15 minutes of the game were action packed for various reasons. Ellie comes off after a few kicks in the ankle start causing her some issues, Ella steps into central defence. Hannah, Priya and Kelsey again string some nice passes and play together, unlucky to see Kelsey’s shot saved.
Blaby push back and a goal mouth scramble sees a free kick awarded for interference on the Rugby keeper. Unfortunately, during the melee, Sophia received a swift kick in the ribs. Although desperate to stay on, she is brought off for a breather and Ellie comes back on donning her gloves.
Blaby win another corner, and Ellie producing a great save at the near post, goes over on her ankle, leaving no doubt her game was over. The manager and Tash rush on to gather up Ellie, Tash willing so step into goal, as Sophia comes roaring over insisting on going back in goal. Its unusual for the U15s to fight over who is going in goal…….
An final Blaby corner, and another save and clearance by Sophia, leads to the final whistle with the referee (quite rightly) deciding not to play any injury time.
Summary
RTGWFC U15 exit the league cup after a tough game. The effort and determination the team showed was fantastic, but they were well beaten by a very good opposition.
Rugby Town 0 – 5 Blaby and Whetstone
POM: Evie – seasons best performance by Evie who had her work cut out in several positions today. Kept a cool head and worked very hard to support her team.
Captain’s POM: Ella – fantastic performance by Ella. Grit, determination, and strength. A very impressive run out.
Thanks to Brian for running the line, Dave for refereeing and parents for your support.
Also, thank you to Kelly from the Womens 1st team for coming to watch, support and provide feedback to the girls.