Rugby Town U16 v GNG

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Sunday 8th September

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“Complete Performance”

After last weeks postponement we were able to start the season at home against a team we knew well from our time in the Leicestershire League. GNG finished last year in 4th but were promoted after last seasons league 2 winners, Narborough, folded during a turbulent summer.

Over the past 2 seasons we have seen the girls gradually pull away from GNG, and despite our visitors missing 2 or 3 players, demonstrates the gap that now exists, due in the most part to the hours of training that has gone into the team.

We opted to start with a 4-5-1 formation (out of possession) and 4-3-3 (in possession), deploying Ruby in the CDM role and giving debutant Izzy the freedom to support Chloe in attack. Bailey and Cara were given instructions to come in off the wing so that they could offer a genuine goal threat. This would hopefully allow us to control the game before we switched to a more attacking shape.

GNG started well, but within 5-10 minutes Rugby had started to exert their dominance in midfield, and this gave everyone confidence to not only retain possession but to play positive forward passes.

The girls were quickly creating chances from all areas of the pitch…1v1 dribbles, one-twos, through passes, crosses from wide areas, long shots…all were peppering the GNG goal, and it was only a matter of time before the resolute defence was penetrated.

The pick of the first half goals both involved Bailey, a smart turn inside the box and lay off saw Ruby smash home from 19 yards. Bailey then got on the score sheet herself when Sophie played the ball into her feet and she sent a first time return over the top of the CB. Sophie showed a great turn of pace and clever run in behind to latch on to it…Bailey had span off and made a superb run to the back post, Sophie got her head up and zipped it across the box for Bailey to tap him from close range.

As the half drew to a close Fifi had to be alert to the occasional counter and long range effort, and she was switched on, holding a high start position to sweep up any real threat.

Rugby went on to miss several chances and strike the bar, before ending the first 40mins with an 8-0 scoreline.

HT 8-0

During the break in play we talked about keeping our game intensity high through moving the ball more quickly and not letting standards drop. We also changed took the opportunity to change to a 3-1-4-2. Maintaining our width, but giving the GNG backline a bit more to consider in and around the edge of their area.

What was really pleasing today was that all the substitutions and rotations didn’t have any negative affect on the fluidity of our play, and girls seemlessly switched positions. It was also great to see the natural dynamic rotations and movement which made the girls so hard to defend against.

Rugby were utterly dominant in the second period and starved GNG of much of the ball. On the occasions we did give it away, we quickly turned it back over. It was from a moment like this that my favourite goal of the second half came…after a Rugby corner was cleared Chloe stole it back high preventing a potentially dangerous break, and with our players still loaded in the box she swung a quick ball back in…and Jaz redirected the pace from the cross with a lovely side foot volley to the far corner.

The girls were executing an almost perfect game plan, inviting their opponents on, going back when needed to stretch the game and then dropping into pocket between to the lines to play through into the space created.

There were, as can only be expected, one or two moments of concern, but Ria, Jess, Jaz, Katie, Macy and Fifi all played their part on keeping a clean sheet.

Sophie, Grace, Izzy, Ellie and Ruby worked their socks of both attack and defence and controlled the tempo.

All three strikers offered a different threat and managed to bag goals which will know doubt give them confidence.

The referee spoke with both managers and we agreed to end the game some 16 minutes early so as not to inflict any unnecessary pain on GNG, who by now had almost given up. Had the game continued (and had we been slightly more clinical), I think we could have hit 20+.

To be clear, that should never happen, and the league and FA need to protect teams from these scorelines so as not to lose girls from the game, and to that end I fully supported stopping when we did.

A great start then, with much sterner tests to come…our challenge is to compete in every game and try to stop in the top division, but performance is always a priority over the result.

FT Rugby 14-0 GNG

Coaches PotM: Ellie 🏆
Parents PotM: Ruby 🏆
Players PotM: Sophie 🏆
Goals: Izzy ⚽⚽⚽, Cara ⚽⚽⚽, Bailey ⚽⚽, Grace ⚽, Chloe ⚽, Sofia ⚽, Ruby ⚽, Jaz ⚽, Sophie ⚽.

Well done to all the girls for a top effort today 👏🏼. Thanks to the parents for your support and to Bob & Tristan for helping on the sidelines this week 👍🏼.