Sunday 18th April 2021
Squad: Ellie, Evie, Ava (Captain), Ella, Hannah, Izzy, Cara, Robyn, Sophie, Sophia W, Kelsey, Tash, Lucy
Sponsor: Lisa Collins Hair Design
Rugby Town arrived at Beaumont Park in glorious weather to play for the first points of the season on a lovely pitch.
1st Half
The first half started brightly for Rugby with positive play and clear determination to win the ball. The Rugby defenders had some quick Beaumont attackers to keep in check and a competent Beaumont midfield who were providing some very productive through balls forward.
10 minutes in and a Beaumont throw in saw Rugby unable to clear their lines and Beaumont opened their score tally. Happily, Rugby’s response did not take long and a fantastic ball by Ellie, in from the left wing, over the heads on the Beaumont players to Kelsey who flicked the ball into the right hand side on the net.
Lucy and Hannah were working well in defense with both readying each other play well to cover each other and make some very important clearances. Sophie, over on the right, had a slightly quieter time but have to keep her wits about her when play switched and Beaumont broke down their left wing.
Ellie continued to provide some well weighted overhead balls forwards and Tash was now finding her stride up front. A throw in by Ellie found Tash who battled well against 2 Beaumont defenders to find space, only to be denied a goal by the Beaumont keeper.
In goal, Sophia was having a very good game. The goal kicks were excellent today and certainly helped to Rugby team to press the hosts. Robyn was having a good go in midfield as well with some impressive defensive headers.
Towards the end of the first half, a great link up play saw Evie win the ball after a bit of a tussle in midfield. She then played a clever ball up to Tash who made further ground before providing Kelsey with ball allowing her to score her second of the game.
2nd Half
4 players swapped out in defence and midfield and Rugby were determined to hold onto and extend their lead in the second half.
Cara, left wing, was excellent with determined challenges and intelligent movement off the ball. Cara had hood support behind from Izzy, who was keeping pace well with the sprightly Beaumont attack. Ava and Robyn, we in midfield and trying to work on clearing the ball from central press out to the Rugby wings. And Ava, in particular, managed to deliver some productive through balls.
Ella was a rock in defence again and made sure she was in the right place at the right time to either clear, or to provide cover at the back when the other defenders were occupied. Hannah and Ella had team up to mark the main attacking threat from the single Beaumont striker.
Halfway through the second half and Rugby were caught napping, allowing Beaumont to carve their way through the Rugby midfield and defense with little challenge, and releasing a screaming ball into the back of the Rugby net to bring the score line level at 2-2
Rugby were clearly disappointed to relinquish their lead, but credit to all the team, instead of allowing the disappointment to negatively affect their play, they used it to galvanism themselves to push again.
Ellie swapped back in for Tash as a need to long balls up to the Beaumont goal was clearly needed. Rugby were now spending a significant amount of time in the Beaumont final third but were just missing the last touch or two to convert.
Rugby were so focused on pressing Beaumont, they missed a space opening and allowing Beaumont a cheeky little counter attack. The Beaumont attached shot straight through the Rugby defense which forced Sophia into make a (thankfully) superb stretch clearance out for a corner.
Rugby again pushed back, and Beaumont’s frustration showed when a over enthusiastic tackle brought Kelsey down and Rugby were awarded a free kick. Ellie ran up to take kick and expectations were high. A beautiful free kick was delivered which saw the Beaumont keeper scrambling to parry the shot. Robyn and Ava were both in the box and in the melee managed to scramble the ball to Ava’s feet to score Rugby’s third and winning goal.
The final minutes of the game were tense as Rugby really wanted to claim the 3 points. In one of the last periods of play of the game saw an ungainly assault on the Rugby goal with 15 players in a very small space either desperately trying to score or desperately trying to clear. Finally with a couple of touchline clearances from Izzy, a ball to the back of the head (Hannah) and generally a decent level of carnage, the Rugby lines were cleared and the win was in the bag.
Summary
Beaumont Park 2 – 3 Rugby Town
A confidence boosting win for the team today, especially when having to come from behind.
Still a few rusty moves that need work on but a much more positive attitude being seen.
A very well spirited game from both sides with only one foul in the game despite both teams happy to be quite physical in play.
Coaches player: Cara, who gave a very strong, determined, and impressive performance who displayed great vision off the ball as well as providing some crucial blocks to the opposition attack.
Parents player: Robyn, for working hard in midfield against some very determined Beaumont players.
Thank you to the U14 parents for your support and Andrew for running the line.
