3rd November 2024
Team Sponsor Kelsey Living and Life Investment Estate Agents
After a 2-week hiatus, the Rugby Town U9 girls had an early start heading up to south Leicester to face Blaby & Whetstone. This is a team the girls are very familiar with having played them in matches and tournaments over the last few seasons.
Again, the squad turnout was strong with Sophie, Imogen, Phoebe, Ada, Floss, Aaliyah, Primrose, Heidi, Maisie F, and Maisie B – all excited to put their training into practice. Team spirit was high and even the warmup was energised and vocal.
This buoyancy from warm-up was carried through at the first whistle. To start were Aaliyah, Primrose, Lorna, Heidi, Floss, Maisie F with Imogen was in goal. It was a dynamic start to the game with the girls opening up the space straight away. Lorna made a couple of nice runs down the left wing whilst Primrose used her speed to cover all areas of defence. Aliyah and Maisie F were pairing up so well up-front, Aaliyah making a beautiful cross to Maisie as she was running forward. A great example of how well the girls were reading the game and anticipating the next best movements.
Heidi was showing some great footwork on the ball. Her first-touch is a master class on how to control a high, incoming pass and she demonstrated it multiple times.
Burbage weren’t about to be pushed aside though. Their passing and tackling were on par with that of Rugby and from the outset, it was clear this was going to be a close and exciting game. The possession went back and forth with both teams pressing their attacks effectively. Imogen did great work in goal, doing well to get to the ball despite the pace of the incoming attackers. Burbage’s keeper was also extremely capable.
Phoebe, Sophie and Ada came on in place of Maisie, Aaliyah and Floss. Phoebe took up her usual right-wing position and made some nice runs and tackles from the outset, working hide to pace back and forth with the tides of the possession. Ada mirrored this on the left, again sticking with her mark and making some good tackles. Sophie slotted right into her favoured centre forward position, but did well to track back to midfield as the game dictated. She did particularly well by being strong on the ball and holding her own when the tough tousles were happening.
The teamwork from the girls culminated in an excellent press on the opposition goal, which was immediately returned in kind by Blaby. The ball was stuck in Rugby’s box for a nail-biting spell, with Rugby trying to clear it but surrounded by the Blaby forwards on the attack.
Into the second half and Floss went into goal with Aaliyah, Maisie B, Maisie F, Phoebe, Imogen and Ada also on. Both of the Maisie’s made a solid defence, especially Maisie B with her knack of reading the incoming long balls and pouncing on them. Rather than just hitting them back, she controlled well, using drag backs to avoid the tackles and then playing nice passes out to midfield. This kept the possession in Rugby’s favour. When under attack, Floss did a great job of coming out to collect the ball and keep it safe.
Heidi and Primrose were swapped back in for Phoebe and Imogen. There was some nice link up play between Aaliyah and Maisie F, whilst Heidi continued her fantastic presses forward with exceptional ball skills. After a series of connecting passes between 4 of Rugby’s players, the pressure was really on and the Blaby keeper had to work hard. Rugby won a few corners and kept the pressure up.
Maisie F was tripped in the opposition box, so she had the chance to take a penalty. A rare sight on the U9s pitch.
Overall, it was a hard-fought battle with both teams giving their all, but neither racing ahead in the match. The girls left the pitch covered in mud but happy with their performance. They should be really proud of the teamwork on display today.
Players of the match:
Coaches – Primrose for never stopping running
Parents – Aaliyah for her skills upfront
Players – Maisie F for her passion and team spirit