The u9s travelled to Asfordby on a wet and windy morning looking to build on a positive team performance last week. The girls had another big squad and, with the opposition wanting to play four quarters, there was lots of opportunities for changes with all the girls rotating well and showing a great attitude in what turned out to be a nine-goal thriller!
Captain Beth started in goal and Rugby had the best of the early exchanges with the attacking trio of Poppy, Aurora and Sofia terrorising the Asfordby defence. Our strong regular defensive partnership of Isobel and Connie looked assured but, against the run of play, Rugby went behind.
The girls showed great spirit, didn’t let their heads drop and continued to play with confidence going forward. Their determination was rewarded in quick succession with clinical finishing first from Poppy and then Sofia turning things quickly around to give Rugby the lead. Once in front Rugby never looked back with Aurora and Poppy showing great skill on the ball.
Katie and Izzy put in determined performances in midfield, didn’t stop running and broke down the Asfordby attack without giving them time on the ball. By now Sofia and Poppy seemed to be taking it in turns to test the goalkeeper, shooting from all angles, and both girls were rewarded with well taken goals to extend Rugby’s lead. Asfordby managed to sneak two back before the break but the result never appeared to be in doubt.
Half time saw more changes with Anya slotting effortlessly into the U9’s defence from the U8’s and looking comfortable against the older girls. The rotating defence of Connie, Isobel and Anya made some brave tackles to ensure that Rugby didn’t concede further and Ria bravely stepped into goal, keeping a clean sheet in the second half and showing great handling and distribution.
Aurora and Izzy looked dangerous going forward in the third quarter, always finding space for each other and were unlucky not to score. Katie’s huge long throws were always a threat and Beth covered the whole pitch in midfield to ensure Rugby emerged victorious. The game was rounded off perfectly with two more devastating finishes from Sofia for a resounding win.
This was an incredible team performance and the girls thoroughly deserved the victory – every single one of them performed exceptionally and it’s a pleasure to see them playing with such confidence and determination, in the right spirit and at the right level, getting the results they deserve. Well done girls!
Parents Player of the Match: Connie put in a great performance with brave, intelligent defending throughout
Managers Player of the Match: Clinical finishing and four goals from Rugby’s star striker Sofia
