A beautiful sunny morning was the setting for a really good game of football between two old adversaries.
Rugby started the stronger and were soon making chances to open the scoring. Melissa was too fast for the Coalville defenders and on a number of occasions found herself free to let fly a shot at goal. Coalville were finding it difficult to put passes together and also having trouble finding their players from their goal kicks which led to sustained pressure from the midfield of Rosie, Lila and Jasmine to carve out openings.
Quite a few corners were being conceded and from one of these the ball fell eventually to Rosie who scored her first goal since anyone can remember. The goal certainly had an effect on Coalville who started to ease their way back into the game and their attacking play brought out some good saves from Jenna.
Marley and Katie were having to work hard at the back to keep the Coalville forwards in check but Rugby still looked the likelier of the two to score when Jasmine’s shot hit the post. Coalvilles goal keeper was having a good game but could do nothing to stop a rising shot from Jasmine which hit the underside of the bar before hitting the back of the net.
Back came Coalville and it was end to end stuff as the half time whistle approached and with seconds remaining, Coalville took advantage of a loose ball in the Rugby penalty area to fire home and reduce the lead.
The second half started with Coalville slightly on top but Rugby gradually began to get more into the game. Holly, who had come on in the first half was having a good game on the right hand side of midfield and showing the Coalville defenders a clean pair of heels on a number of occasions.
Rugby were now in full swing and Jasmine again came close but her shot came off the post and to safety. Coalville’s keeper was stopping virtually everything and it looked like Rugby could rue their chances if they did not make this pressure pay.
Then from a corner, Lila rose highest and headed a wonderful goal into the net. The goal deflated the Coalville players and Rugby were now making more and more chances which were either saved or missed until Jasmine again broke free and this time their keeper was eventually beaten. Rugby continued to dominate the play but that would be the last goal of the day.
It is worth noting that the game was refereed by Megan, one of our young leaders, who was doing this for the first time. Although a little nervous, Megan controlled the game very well, so congratulations on a job well done.
Supporters Player: Joint between Rosie and Lila
Coaches Player: Holly