U11 Girls continue to excel

After a week of thinking there was no match the team found out on Saturday that Nuneaton Borough U12’s would kindly step in to give us a game on the Sunday.  This was to be a good test of where the girls are against an opposition one age group older.

The team had a large squad of 11 including Essy who has been training with the team for a few weeks now.  This meant 4 subs and plenty of rotation.  The girls started off on the front foot against the older team with Megan, Ruby & Anna combining well to work the ball down the park & create opportunities. 

The age gap meant that this was the first time most of the girls played opposition as physical as Nuneaton however Rugby more than matched their opponents with Lyra, Peyton and Sophia defending strongly to limit any chances.

Most of the first half was spent in the opposition half with Ava, Essy & Amber all contributing well in the wide area’s to help the team create several chances.   Emily took a turn as striker and was unlucky not to score with a low shot saved by the keeper.   Chloe remained on high alert in the Rugby goal for the odd occasion that Nuneaton did manage to break through.

Rugby got their reward towards the end of the first half through a deflected cross.  it was no more than the girls deserved for a dominant 1st half display.

Into the second half and the girls were encouraged to turn their dominance into goals as they did the previous week & they came out all guns blazing demonstrating their excellent attacking skills to create multiple chances,  the pressure paying off as Ava then Amber’s shots crossed the line.  As the game wore on Megan added another in between hitting the woodwork.

Now it was relentless attacking from Rugby with Anna, Ruby & Emily all going close to extending the lead.   The defenders had to remain strong as the opposition’s main threat of a long kick was putting them to the test however Sophia, Lyra & Peyton coped well with all of these showing great determination to make sure no one could get past them.   

Chloe was called into action midway through the 2^nd half and made an excellent save to ensure the clean sheet.

It was amazing to see all the girls step up in the face of older opposition to not only match them for strength but also to impose their own style of football on the game.

Player of the match was Lyra for excellent pressing & covering in defence.