Sunday 8th March
Sponsor: Lisa Collins Hair Design
Rugby Town Squad: Ellie, Tash, Evie, Robyn, Sophia, Kelsey (C), Ava, Lucy, Sophie, Priya, Izzy, Ella, Sophia K, Cara
Rugby Town welcomed Leicester City to Butlin Road today. Leicester are second in the league and, as they are likely to be the only team who can stop Rugby Town from winning the league for the second year in row, the game promised to be a serious affair.
1st Half
LC were out of their blocks from the whistle with a clear game plan to snatch an early goal. They dominated play during the first 10 minutes, forcing Rugby to defend deep and limiting counterattack potential. LC won to corners in quick succession that although were dealt with well initially by RT, lacked the necessary distance on the clearances allowing an attacking LC midfield to win and play back in. 2 shots of goal were luckily quick soft, allowing Sophia comfortable collections.
RT finally found some space and pushed back against LC, finding their defence a little more manageable than their midfield. A good cross in front on the LC goal had just a little too much pace for Ellie to get her foot to it.
LC were lively on the counter, but RT stopped them abruptly and took the ball back up to the LC goal. LC cleared for a RT corner, delivered by Ellie and cleared for another corner, again cleared by a very alert LC defence. LC took the opportunity to charge downfield and attempt to lay siege to the RT goal, Lucy, Sophie and Ella were working hard and putting on some impressive speed to track back, covering each other, and despatch the ball for a LC corner.
Cara, on the right wing, played deeper than our wingers usually do, but with the pressure from LC constant, it allowed a little more resistance in the RT half. Robyn did a great job in CM, pulling out slightly to the right to cover the space on the wing. Robyn delivered some great defensive headers throughout the game, stopping several speculative forward balls from LC. Ellie was out on the LW today struggling with a niggling leg injury, working to release through balls to Tash and Kelsey up front.
LC had spotted the “Kelsey threat” early on and, to their credit, pinned her practically out of play the entire half which saw Kelsey struggle to find the space to turn and accelerate away. LC kept the pressure on RT, jumping on any missed passes and generally preventing RT from getting into any flowing football that they like to play. RT had another couple of corners, but LC were not troubled and clearance were effective. Robyn gathered the ball in midfield and turn on a blistering pace form the half way line, took the ball out on the right, taking on and beating the LC left back, crossed in from a tight angle, forcing the LC keeper to save by the near post.
This threat to the LC goal seemed galvanise RT, who had a strong period of attack, giving the RT defence a period of respite. Another two corners were won by RT, delivered by Ellie and Tash respectively, both great deliveries, showing training is paying off. Much to the Rugby players chagrin, LC were a practiced in defending corners as RT was in delivering them. The first half was coming to a close, and it is fair to say it had been a fast and frantic 30 mins. The half closed out with some good ground made by RT on the back of two successive throw ins by Robyn. A final RT corner from Tash, was once again cleared well by LC.
2nd Half
A few pairs of fresh legs and playing with the wind behind then gave RT a new lease of life for the second half. Sophia K, straight into the mix, tackling, tracking back and playing some great passes was causing LC a few issues in midfield. Evie, up front, was making good headway into the LC defence and starting to open up some much-needed gaps.
Priya, fresh to the right wing, showed some great speed today and was also putting in some thumping tackles, she was not letting the LC players passed her without a fight. The RT team as a whole were playing higher and LC were certainly not getting the opportunities that they had in the first half. Ella, Izzy and Ellie were holding the defensive line well and their communication between the three of them and Sophia in goal was clear and effective. Ella played a full game today in both left and right back positions. Her overlaps and support for her fellow defenders was great. Another confident performance by Ella.
LC won a corner, but their delivery was well cleared by a very useful header by Ellie. LC won the ball back in midfield and pushed forward but their speculative long range shot lacked any power and Sophia gathered with ease. Sophia’s subsequent goal kick was executed perfectly to a well-timed run by Kelsey who just ran out of space to cross to the right of the goal.
Ava was getting a bit bashed around on the left wing by the very physical LC midfield. Although not very impressed and with her face becoming more familiar with the astro than perhaps she would have liked, she kept her head and delivered another very strong performance.
Always keen to drop back to support, but also really pushing forward today to assist Kelsey and Evie up front. Good positional play from Ava as well today. Kelsey and Evie were constantly on the move, trying to prise our that one small space they needed to break through, LC were resolute in their defence and although RT were playing some strong attacking football, they just couldn’t find that final touch they needed.
The RT players were giving 100%, their coaches could not ask for more commitment. LC make a break and found space down their left wing, cutting in it looked to be a 1 on 1 situation between the LC striker and Sophia, but at the last minute, Izzy shot in from the left and put in one of the tackles of the game to thwart LC and clear the ball. The RT players continued with their efforts right to the full-time whistle. A determined and physical Leicester City certainly demanded that Rugby play a more defensive game than they would have liked, but overall, Rugby more than rose to the challenge.
Summary
Rugby Town 0 – 0 Leicester City
A very competitive game and a fair score line with both teams sharing the points. Rugby Town players were impressive in their commitment to defend from the front and win back lost balls. 100% effort and commitment today from all the Rugby Town players means they maintain their unbeaten home record and position at the top of the table.
Coaches Player of the Match: for a confident performance against a strong team, and delivering exactly what was asked of her; Cara
Parents Player of the Match: another excellent performance with massive strength, passion and effort on display; Sophia K
The team and coaches would like to thank:
- Parents for your continuing support
- Bert for linesman duty
- Dave for refereeing