Rugby Town Girls u14s v Leicester City Ladies FC u14s

A very big test today for the players as they faced a Leicester side going for the title. The team were focused before the game and not fearful of a talented Leicester side as they went out determined to show what they could do.

The game was very hotly contested and very even with Leicester taking the lead in the first half and it staying that way until half time. The players had done very well to contain the opposition and pose threats themselves and had given a huge amount of effort and were unlucky to be behind.

The second half had the same intensity as the first. Determination, skill and competitive spirit all on show as the team fought back to equalise and the way they celebrated their goal showed the togetherness in the squad. The better of the chances were Rugby’s and on another day a winner may have come but the players had all played their hearts out
and put on a great show against very good opposition and they should only be proud of that performance.

Amber grew in confidence in goal claiming the ball a number of times and making some good clearances and a great reaction save with her legs in the second half. The defence was strong with Erin and Lexy winning a lot of tackles and competing determinedly time and again and Ella calmly dealing with threats with excellent positioning and making assured passes forwards.

In midfield Molly and Kayla provided steel and creativity to provide both a platform for attacks and chances on goal whilst also covering so much ground to deny Leicester players time and space on the ball. Cesca frequently made dangerous runs with and off the ball from out wide and was a real threat to the opposition and Jodie showed her strengths as striker in competing, holding up the ball and getting vital touches and scoring the goal. Mims, returning from injury, played a variety of positions and made her presence felt with good pressure on the opposition players and intelligence to adapt quickly to different roles.

Unfortunately Savannah had to leave the pitch with an injury but had competed well and looked to make runs forward when she had the chance to stretch the opposition and Megan played well both as striker and out wide, frequently getting the better of Leicester players and holding them off and passing well.