Droitwich Spa Ladies v Rugby Town Women
West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – LeagueGame
Sunday 24th September
Squad: Katie(Captain) Leah, Amber, Hannah, Caitlin, Grace, Loren, Amy, Laura C, Kirsty,Robyn
Substitutes: Ava, Milly, Ellie,
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASGPrecision, Gripper Differentials and Life Investments Estate Agents
Our Women had their first away game of the season and took atrip north to Droitwich Spa to play today’s league game in very blustery conditions.
First Half
Rugby won a very early free kick thanks to an opposition handball with Droitwich showing some fast football.
Katie, Robyn and Amber worked well in defense in the opening minutes of the game. And Kirsty was also making herself available in support. 8 minutes in and Loren played a great ball through to Hannah who made some good ground but was finally stopped and cut off by the last Droitwich defender.
9 mins – Droitwich won a corner, but the wind was on Rugby’sside as the ball was blown over the back of the goal causing no concern for Leah.
11 mins and another good run from Hannah who saw her shot saved for a Rugby corner, played clear by Droitwich.
12 mins and Droitwich ran through pretty much unchallenged for the opening goal of the game.
16 mins free kick for Rugby. Katie stepped up to deliver but the balls is collected without too much fuss by the Droitwich keeper.
Katie continued to provide some pretty solid defending and stopped a number of Droitwich runs. Rugby was working to get into the game and a good push-up by Grace released the ball to Loren who was unceremoniously brought down by the keeper. No foul or card. Droitwich is quick on the counter and Rugby was relieved to see the ball first strike the crossbar and the second shot fired over the top of the Rugby goal.
20 mins Grace <-> Ava
23 mins saw Droitwich continue to pressure the Rugby midfield and defence with some effective passing. A well-taken strike the lead was extended to2
33 mins Amy <-> Grace
Hannah, Loren and Ava put together a bit more free-flowing football and it looked like Rugby might open their scoresheet, but Droitwich defended well to neutralise the threat.
35 mins Rugby won a free kick, again taken by Katie and again collected by the keeper.
40 mins Droitwich was awarded a free kick for the Rugby keeperhandling the ball outside of the area. No card was given.
40 Loren <-> Ellie
43 Free kick forRugby and the visitors are pushing now with Hannah, Ava, Ellie and Grace working to find that one opportunity they need. However, the halftime whistle was blown and Rugby went into the break trailing by 2 goals.
Second Half
47 mins and Droitwich begin the half passing the ball around the Rugby players. Rugby seemed a little at a loss and maybe it wasn’t a surprise to see Droitwich score their 3rdgoal.
49 mins with Rugby taking a throw-in, ball to Grace who was trying her level best to convert for Rugby, but her shot was saved by the keeper.
Both teams win corners in the next few minutes but neither can take advantage as the wind was causing havoc with any aerial balls.
55 Kirsty <-> Millie
59 Laura <-> Amy
Rugby conceded a couple of free kicks due to mistimed tackles but Katie took charge from left back, started an impressive run forward, and got herself into a scoring position, and she must have been frustrated to see her shot lift over the crossbar.
62 minutes of play stopped for an injury
70 mins Amy played a nice ball from midfield to Ellie’sfeet. Ellie turns and whacks the ball, catching the keeper on the hop and clawing a goal back for the visitors.
Rugby was having a decent spell and Hannah and Ava teamed up and were looking like a threat, only to see Ava’s show wide of the mark.
75 mins Droitwich awarded a penalty after a player was brought down in the box.
80 mins Droitwich keeper left the pitch after the earlier injury
85 min Ava and Loren again push on the Droitwich defencewith Caitlin and Katie also getting into the mix with the substitute Droitwichkeeper making a good save from Katie.
Summary
Droitwich Spa 4 – 1 Rugby Town
A frustrating afternoon for Rugby who did not really manage to get into the game. The team returns to training a Butlin Road on Tuesday with some areas to work on ready to prepare for their next fixture which is on 8th October away at Worcester.