Sunday 12th February
Squad: Chloe (C), Abby, Kelly W, Katy, Caitlin, Charlie, Charlotte, Millie, Ellie, Amber, Laura, Sara, Kelly R, Leah, Grace, Hannah, Marie-Claire
Team Sponsors: LH Services Building and Installation, ASG Precision Ltd, Gripper Differentials, Jamesway Travel, Melbos Building Supplies, Keller UK
A short drive for Rugby Town Women this week as they travelled to Leamington for their West Midlands Regional Womens Football League (Div 1 South) game against Leamington Ladies. Great to see a large squad available.
First Half
A quick start by both teams as they settled into the game. An early foray forwards by Chloe, passing wide to Kelly W who was charging up the left wing, beating a defender and shooting just wide into the side of the net. A promising start by the visitors.
Back into play and Laura was on hard to prevent a run by Leamington, receiving a heavy foul in the process, sending her sprawling into touch but winning a free kick for Rugby. The free kick taken by Abby and well defended by the home side, who were immediately on the counterattack. However, a soft shot from distance was easily collected by Leah.
Leamington were having an effective period and were making quick, strong runs forward. The Rugby defence were ready wans waiting to deal with any issue and the wall was cleared wide for a Leamington throw. Throw taken and another soft shot gathered by Leah.
Leamington continued to try and attack the Rugby goal but were finding it hard to get close enough for a deadly strike and were choosing to shoot from distance, this time the shot was well wide of the upright.
Katy was playing a great game in defence with some fantastic positioning and strong play. She was showing her versatility as a player by providing some well-timed balls forward. One such ball found Chloe, who juggled around a couple of the home sides defenders to clear space to shoot, only to see her shot slightly wide of the post.
Rugby continued their pressing game, and Kelly W, clearly having had her Weetabix before the game, brought the ball forward at pace, finding Chloe again who blasted off her shot, forcing the home keeper into a diving save who did just enough push the ball wide of the goal.
Katy decided on a change of scenery and having won the ball, hot footed it up the entire left wing, into the far left of the 18-yard box and forced another save from the Leamington keeper. The goal kick allowed the home side to formulate an attack but Rugby keeper Leah was ready and made saving the shot on goal look easy.
Rugby conceded a free kick in the middle of the pitch and several players seems to be voicing their differing views which needed a word from the ref to defuse the situation and get the game underway again.
The free kick was played long, and Amber was on the end of it, providing the first of many excellent defensive headers she played throughout the game allowing an easy pick up for Leah. Goal kick up found Caitlin, having a monster of a game in midfield, using her strength and skill to find the gap to play on Grace, again on a rampage up the wing, forcing the keeper into a very good save.
Leamington were still quick on the counter, so Rugby had to keep their wits about them. Their through ball placement was also good and they capitalised well on the space they found, but could not find the target and drove the ball wide of the Rugby goal.
Another free kick awarded to Leamington for a bit of a shirt tug in midfield. Abby cleared the initial kick very well, but Leamington quickly seized possession and forced goalkeeper Leah into executing a very strong save.
The first half continued with both teams being pretty even, Rugby looking for that magic touch to open the game up. Hannah, MC and Chloe developed great movement and between then forced another save by the Leamington keeper.
A Leamington player went down with an injury, after a short delay the referee restarts with a dropped ball for Rugby. Grace continued to provide some great runs up the wing which develops forward play, but also always seems to be in the right place when needed to strongly defend.
Marie-Claire <-> Charlotte
Hannah plays a beautiful switch over to Grace, who drives forward and finds Chloe with initial space. The Leamington defence do well to close Chloe down enough for Chloe’s shot to be a hairsbreadth wide. Another Leamington player goes down and this time there is a lengthy delay in play before a substitution is finally made.
Back in play and a Rugby foul concedes another free kick. Amber, again, is in a perfect position to defend the thread with a strong clearance into midfield where Leamington do well to win back possession. Leah saves the resulting shot well but catches the Leamington player for another long injury delay again.
Rugby continued to play strong football but are looking for that last ball, they entered a period of sustained pressure and possession with most of the action in the Leamington half. Caitlin sets the groundwork with some impressive midfield work, laying off to an in-flight Grace who belts the ball in, and leaving Leamington with no option other than to boot the ball clear. Rugby gain back possession and teamwork between Charlotte, Grace and Chloe allows Chloe to shoot from distance and finally open the scoring for Rugby Town.
The game is now in stoppage time and Rugby maintain the pressure and have momentum of the game with a frenetic last 10 mins. A Leamington corner is easily cleared, allowing for another counter from Rugby. A great ball from Katy up to Chloe and out to Grace who finds the side of the net again.
Further play from Rugby sees Katy proving another great ball to Caitlin who calls the Leamington keeper into action again. Rugby press again and a Charlotte, Grace, Charlotte combination gives Charlotte a great opportunity for a cheeky little chip to beat the keeper and extend the Rugby lead to two.
Rugby keep playing to the end of the half and were still looking strong with energy enough to create another change from Chloe to shoot, saved by the keeper. The referee calls time on the half and Rugby go into the break with a 2-goal lead.
Second Half
A bright start by Rugby with an early attack by Chloe and Charlotte to keep the Leamington keeper, who was having a very good game, on her toes with another save. Rugby were in full flow with Katy again making some great forward runs. Rugby won several throw ins in a row, keeping possession well and making ground up field.
Another game delay due to a Leamington injury. Game restarted and smart play by Kelly, with some nice control and speed up the wing providing a through ball to Katy, out to Charlotte and crossed back to Katy who shoots wide, lovely link up play by the visitors.
Leamington formulated an attack, but the Rugby defence created enough of a problem to deny a clear shot on goal allowing Leah to collect an easy ball. Rugby maintained their great work rate and limit any significant opportunities for Leamington. Leamington start to rely on long, high balls, but Amber is there to block or clear.
Leamington resort to continued clearing into touch which awards Rugby repeated throw ins in the attacking third. A mistimed tackle by Rugby gives a free kick to Leamington who again play a good aerial ball forward, only for Amber to step up again and clear for a Leamington corner. Rugby clear and immediately counter, Grace, Kelly, and Chloe play the ball well up field and Chloe tries another chip on the keeper, this time saved.
Rugby win back the ball and this time a combination of Kelly, Chloe and Charlotte finishes with a shot from Charlotte, saved by the keeper. A short delay in the game whilst the referee asks players to remove earrings and watches.
Leamington attack but the strong defensive teamwork of Kelly and Amber proved impenetrable and the Leamington’s only option is a speculative strike from distance which sails harmlessly over the crossbar. Leamington continue to have a period of possession but they were not managing to find much space to work and only manage one very good shot on goal, Leah producing an excellent save and a big clearance by Katy.
Charlotte <-> MC
Leamington continue their press and win 2 corners in quick succession, both ably cleared by Rugby. The visitors continue to absorb any Leamington pressure and are keeping cool heads and making sensible off and on ball decisions.
Into the final 10 (ish) minutes and Rugby clearly try to slow the game down to retain possession and control of the game. Both teams are also showing signs of slowing down after a very energetic game so far. Play starts to become slightly scrappy as passing mistakes are creeping in.
Rugby are still trying to dominate in the final third. Rugby win a corner, delivered by Grace and cleared by won straight back by Rugby. Abby finds Grace who works the ball well on the right and in for MC, who shoots wide.
Abby <-> Millie
Leamington win a free kick and play another long ball which has good pace and direction. An attentive Leah makes another great save to maintain the visitor’s clean sheet. Rugby back on the charge and a great combination play between Hannah, Chloe, Millie and Grace sees another shot wide, seemingly the theme of the day.
Lots of activity for Rugby in the closing minutes with Chloe and Grace combining to release Grace for a shot in from the right, the ball unfortunately hitting MC before a bit of confusion and eventually being ruled offside.
Finally, Caitlin with a great individual effort works herself forward for a shot on target, saved by the Leamington keeper who has had a very strong game indeed.
Leamington Ladies 0 – 2 Rugby Town Women
Rugby take the 3 points and maintain a clean sheet. A very impressive performance with positivity and teamwork all around the pitch.
If you’ve made it to the end of the match report, congratulations. You deserve a medal!