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This was the under 9s first competitive match and from the kick off it was clear to see they meant business.
Sophia was first to have a shot at goal, narrowly missing the bottom left corner, Thurlaston responded by breaking through Rugby’s defense only to find Megan stand up and produce a fine save in what was beginning to be an end to end game. Chloe then broke through on goal only to have her shot saved by the keeper, again Thurlaston came back but Louise snuffed out the threat and passed upfield to Ava who shot hit the post.
Rugby began to take control of the match, giving Thurlaston no time to think, Chloe took a throw in to Sophia who made sure this time she would score by smashing the ball past the keeper into the back of the net. The goals began to come thick and fast. Poppy ran down the wing and crossed the ball to Chloe who slotted it past the keeper.
Thurlaston tried again to break the Rugby defense but Louise made a great tackle and passed upfield to Ava who took her time and shaped up to shoot into the top corner leaving the Thurlaston keeper with no chance. Each time Thurlaston had the ball Rugby attacked them, Poppy tackling player after player until the ball popped out to Sophia in front of goal where again her powerful kick lead to her second.
Poppy’s turn to shoot now but the keeper kept hold of it, Sophia could smell a hat trick and after shooting across the face of goal she made a diagonal run and then smashed the ball back across the goal into the bottom left corner. Ava was twisting and turning showing some great skill on the ball hitting the woodwork again with a stinging drive, the half time whistle couldn’t come soon enough for Thurlaston.
Megan was replaced in goal by Sophia and the second half kicked off with more of the same as Rugby had a taste for goals and wanted more. Ava ran through to score her second and after the restart she crossed to Chloe who hit the back of the net for her second. Thurlaston managed to find a way through only to be stopped by a fantastic save by Sophia, showing that her skills stopping goals was as good as scoring them.
Back up to the other end a throw in by Louise found Chloe who calmly took it to seal her hat trick. Another attack by Rugby led to a corner quickly taken by Megan which fell to Louise who tried dragging it back and turning only for the ball to roll too far from her and Thurlaston cleared.
With all the attacking intent Rugby we’re leaving themselves exposed at the back and Thurlaston began to counter attack, Thurlaston found themselves 1v1 with Sophia and they shot hard at goal but Sophia produced the save of the match which fell to Emelia who countered by running up the pitch passing to Louise whose shot at goal went wide.
Louise was pulled back into defence to help Poppy protect the clean sheet and Emelia began pushing upfield slotting a through ball to Megan who scored. Thurlaston were not giving up and looking for a consolation goal again found themselves with just the keeper to beat, somehow Louise, determined not to let Thurlaston score, managed to catch up and nick the ball away just in time.
From start to finish the girls showed team spirit & determination, passing well and creating chances for each other. Onwards to the quarter finals!
