Rugby Town Women v Redditch Borough Women
West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – LeagueGame
Sunday 29th October
Squad: Katie(Captain) Leah, Amber, Hannah, Caitlin, Laura M, Loren, Abby, Kirsty, Robyn,Nicole
Substitutes: Ellie, Laura C, Kelsey, Ava, Millie
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASGPrecision, Gripper Differentials and Life Investments Estate Agents
First Half
An early scare for Rugby galvanised the home side into playingbetter football in the opening ten minutes with positional play andcommunication good.
Rugby won a corner which Hannah delivered well, boundingaround the box a bit before Borough could clear. Borough were quick on the counter attack andfavoured playing long balls for their forwards and wingers to run onto.
A strong push by Borough was neutralised by an excellentsliding tackle from Amber. Shortly aftera Borough corner was delivered over the back of the Rugby goal. The game was proving a stern test for Rugby withthem constantly under pressure and aware that any mistakes could prove costly.
Kirsty played a nice ball through to Hannah who struck theball well and worried the keeper enough to scramble across the goal mouth, butthe ball just went wide. Rugby were aiming to speed up as Borough were winningtoo many first balls for their liking.
Borough won a free kick from a foul, but the good deliverywas very well saved by Leah. Borough built play again and a shot was wide ofthe Rugby goal.
Borough won 2 free kicks in quick succession thanks to a Rugbyhand ball. Nothing came of the free kickand the home side then won a free kick, delivered by Hannah and bringing Kirstyand Nicole into the play, but Nicole’s shot was wide.
Borough were immediately on the counter with a lightning runby their winger into their midfield player who also shot wide. Borough were playing some tough, physicalfootball and got the better of the Rugby defence, again forcing Rugby keeperLeah, into a save.
Rugby found some space and worked the ball upfield withCaitlin putting some decent pressure on the Borough keeper before they managedto collect.
Abby <-> Laura C
A free kick for Rigby was delivered by Katie, lofting theball over the Borough defence but the keeper collected. This then prompted another quick counter bythe visitors and with a couple of touches the ball was cannoned into the bottomright of the Rugby net, just evading Leah’s dive.
The game is restarted and Caitlin and Nicole had a good runbit a Borough defender was ready and defended well. Rugby were keeping the high press and werelooking for another shooting opportunity, Borough cleared with a long range overhead pass to their number 11 whoprovided a goof run down their right wing, resulting in a wide shot.
The half was seen out with 2 Borough corners but the halffinished with Rugby trailing by 1 goal.
Second Half
Kirsty <-> Kelsey
Rugby need to concentrate on the job in hand and Kelsey, Nicoleand Cailin play some nice football with the ball coming out to Caitlin to offerthe opportunity to level the score, unfortunately the powerful shot flies overthe crossbar.
Borough are now pushing again and not allowing Rugby anytime on the ball which is frustrating the home side. Ava, Nicole and Kelsey now team up but thelong ball runs slightly to quickly for Kelsey. Shortly after, the Borough number 12 picks upa yellow card for a foul.
A couple of Borough corners are dealt with well by Rugby. Nicole,Hannah and Kelsey are really trying to find the Rugby equaliser and despatchthe Borough defence and put pressure on the keeper, who does very well to keep calm and hold theball as she is clattered to the floor.
Borough are looking for their second and they produce anintense period of play. They overloadthe Rugby defence, their first shot hits the side netting but they work quicklyand effectively to win the ball back from the goal kick and find the space andopportunity to extend their lead.
Loren <-> Ava
A shot goal kick from Rugby is intercepted by Borough andwith a lack of control by the Rugby defence allows Borough to extend their leadto 3. Borough continue to plague Rugbyand seem to be in any and all space available on the pitch.
Robyn <-> Millie
Laura C <-> Ellie
Ellie is straight into the game with two crunching but perfectlyfine tackles to prevent another Borough press. Borough then switch play to theleft and another very strong run and finish is dealt with by a fine save fromLeah.
Borough win a corner, and in the goal mouth melee, Elliemanages to clash heads with a Borough player, earning herself and impressiveegg on her forehead.
Ellie <-> Abby
Rugby are still trying to get something from the game, the effort is there, but a apparent lack ofteam cohesion today is causing issues.
Red card for Borough number 12 for a second yellow card andRugby work to see if they can take advantage of the visitors being a player down. Alas, it was not to be, and although Rugby managed a couple of shots, one was save by the Borough keeper and onewas wide.
Summary
Rugby Town 0 – 3 Redditch Borough
Thank you to Referee Michael, Linesman James and for thesupport at Butlin Road today. The teamreally appreciate it.
