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Immie – GK, Elsie -DF, Esme – DF, Annabelle- DF, Ruby – CM, Sophia – RM, Erin – LM, Leila – ST, Chloe – ST, Subs – Olivia, Ava
Butlin Road provided a cold and wet start for the players of both teams and the traveling Green Army who’d made the journey down the A5 from Hinckley. Despite Town’s manager Simon nursing a strained Achilles, he urged the girls to make a fast quick start to the match in their new formation of 3-3-2.
From the kick-off, Rugby pushed forward and created some great opportunities straight away. From a throw-in, Ruby played the ball through Erin who held the ball up beautifully before laying it off for Chloe to run on to and a great finish into the bottom corner of the net made it 1:0.
With continued pressure going forwards, Town dominated the chances with more shots being taken from Erin and Annabelle that tested the goalkeeper. On a rare attack from the opposition, the defenders were able to manage their opponents with Elsie continuing her fine form and Esme demonstrating great awareness with a flicked header back to Immie in goal when under pressure.
This seemed to start Panto season both on and off the pitch, with shouts of ‘behind you’ ringing out and even the Assistant Manager joining in with a pass of genuine comedy from the sidelines to replace a lost ball. Hinckley even brought their own Window Twankey along, to provide some vocal feedback to their team with shouts of “tek er out” and “gerrintoem”.
Great interplay between Annabelle and Ava created opportunities for Leila, who showed her great pace in getting on the end of the pass and was unlucky to see her shot go wide. A long-range free kick to Inckley provided their first opportunity and Immie was unlucky to not be able to reach it and the score at halftime was 1:1.
In the second half, Sophia started making her run and dribble skills show, with Ruby continuing to control the midfield and Esme keeping a strong presence in the center of defence. More shots were being taken than in previous matches, with Erin and Annabelle both having opportunities from long-range. Ava was having a great game on the wing and was regularly taking on her defender and linking up with the forwards, resulting in her being pushed over and fouled. From the resulting free kick, Ruby’s effort was well saved.
The confidence in the team was growing and a fantastic corner kick routine created havoc in the Hinckley defence with Erin having a close-range effort well saved and Leila unlucky to not be able to reach the rebound. With a high-pressing line, the defenders were working hard to keep their opponents in check, with Olivia showing real quality and tenacity in tackling her larger and more physical opponent.
On the rare occasion when Inckley broke through, a great flag from the linesman for offside caused shouts of concern from the away fans that were unwarranted. This filtered onto the pitch, with verbal exchanges between both sets of players that the girls found quite entertaining.
As the 2nd half continued, Ava started to show her skills with her close control, dribbling, and shooting. A fabulous move started by Ava, through to Sophia and a precise pass to Chloe found her on the edge of the clearly defined and well-marked-out goalkeepers area and a fierce shot into the net for 2:1.
The final moments found Hinckley being urged forwards and strong defending from Esme resulted in a free kick that Immie tipped onto the bar with a great save. With more continued great defending, Inckley had the final effort which landed in the car park.
A 2:1 victory will be great for the girl’s confidence for the tough matches to come, and the sense of a new rivalry between these two sides being born.
Coaches Player of the Match: Esme
Parents Player of the Match: Ava
A big thank you to Tony for his excellent refereeing, the linesmen for some great decisions, and the parents for their enthusiastic and respectful support