Sunday 5th March 2023
Squad
Megan, Daisy-May, Jasmine, Sophie F, Amelia, Macey, Caitlin, Louise, Poppy, Ronniee, Izzy, Erin
Sponsors: Oxygen Graphics, Big Wave Campers, Ados, Eclipse Clean, Kelsy Living, Life Investments Estate Agency
An early start for the Rugby parents to get to Leicester for 09:55 on Sunday morning. The previously requested warm and sunny weather failed to make an appearance but at least there was a small amount of shelter in the stand at the side of the excellent 3G pitch. The ground at Aylestone also had excellent catering facilities which were used by some of the players and parents.
Rugby started with Jasmine in goal and she was soon called into action after a Leicester corner. Leicester then hit the post with a good shot after a good attacking move. It was a sign of things to come with Leicester attacking and Rugby trying to play catch up. After a good cross from the Leicester winger the ball fell to their forward for an easy tap in to make it 1-0.
Rugby started to make substitutions with Megan coming on to take her normal place in goal after a slight delay at kick off. Megan then made a good, strong save when faced by a Leicester forward bearing down on goal.
Leicester then attacked down the middle and made it 2-0 with a good finish into the bottom corner. Leicester attacked again and came close to making it 3. Rugby had been making regular changes to try and change the pattern of the game but Leicester kept attacking in waves, another cross resulting in a shot that was well saved by Megan.
Half time 2-0
Rugby tried to get back into the game with a monster goal kick from Megan that resulted in an attack for Rugby which unfortunately came to nothing. Louise continued to do some great tackles to try to win the ball back to get Rugby back into the game.
Leicester then went down the other end of the pitch and were unlucky, a shot going into the side netting. Another dangerous corner from Leicester was well defended by Rugby. The Leicester corners were excellent throughout the game always causing problems within the Rugby area.
Izzy then had a shot that just went wide followed by another good forward run from Leicester that resulted in another corner. Just after the corner Megan made a great save but the second ball went out to a Leicester forward who hit a first time shot that went over Megan into the empty net to make it 3-0.
Rugby finally woke up at 3-0 down and a great run from Erin resulted in a penalty for Rugby. Izzy stepped up with a great finish to make it 3-1.
Another good run from the Leicester winger right at the end of the game resulted in another cross that was defended well by Rugby.
Full time 3-1 to Leicester City, a disappointing performance for Rugby who didn’t really get going until late in the second half. Rugby will be looking to bring the energy from the last part of the match to the start of the next match. Leicester are a very strong side with a good forward line and goalkeeper who came off her line extremely well.
Coaches player of the match – Louise who is playing in a year above her age and still taking players down, winning the ball and battling well.
Thanks to Dave and Dave for all their support during the match, to Leicester City for a competitive game, the referee and the two linesmen especially Michael, who was excellent, and to all the parents for their enthusiastic encouragement from the stand today.
