Worcester Coty Dev v Rugby Town Women
West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – LeagueGame
Sunday 8th October
Squad: Katie(Captain) Leah, Amber, Hannah, Caitlin, Grace, Laura C, Kirsty, Robyn, Laura B,Ellie, Ava, Naomi, Kelsey, Millie.
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASGPrecision, Gripper Differentials and Life Investments Estate Agents
After a week’s break, our Women were back in league actionaway at Worcester City Women. The matchwas late to KO thanks to the M40 and a hot afternoon was in store at NunneryWood Sports Complex
First Half
Rugby had not real time to warm up so it was important forthem to try and settle down early in the game. The opening minutes were good for the visitors as they manufactured somegood presses forward.
The Rugby pressure provided several opportunities which sawCaitlin shoot over the bar and Kelsey shot collected by the Worcester keeper.
Worcester then started taking control of the game and won afree kick and corner in quick succession. Although Rugby managed these challenges well, they were certainlyfeeling the Worcester pressure. A run unchallengedthrough the middle of the pitch saw Leah save the first shot but the reboundwas tapped in to open the score line for the hosts.
Worcester continued to pick up the pace and quickly forced theRugby keeper into another save.
Amber <-> Millie
Worcester again pushed Rugby, forcing Leah into another save. From the goal kick Rugby worked theball back up the pitch finding Kelsey up on the right who lays the ball off toHannah for her shot which sees Rugby level the score.
Back in play and Hannah, Kelsey and Kirsty team up and winRugby a corner, Hannah delivered and the ball is cleared for another Rugbycorner. Hannah and Grace play the shortcorner but the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Kirsty <-> Ava
Worcester press again and catch the Rugby defence disorganised,allowing Worcester to again take the lead.
Millie <-> Amber
Ellie <-> Laura C
Robyn <-> Kirsty
Caitlin and Ava team up for a good run forward, Ava’s shotjust wide of the post.
Rugby win a free kick for a foul on Grace. Taken by Hannah, the ball hitting thecrossbar. Kelsey follows up but the ballis out for a Rugby corner. The corneris delivered by Hannah, cleared as far as Laura C who shoots wide.
Worcester are playing some strong football, especially intheir midfield which pays off as they extend their lead to 3-1
Grace <-> Naomi
Second Half
The second half does not start well for the visitors as a Worcesterplayer has a great run, beating 3 players and finishing to extend their lead to4-1, giving Rugby a hill to climb in the second half.
Rugby win a free kick, delivered upfield by Katie to findLaura C. Laura C provides to Kelsey whofinds space for a shot, only to see the keeper collect.
Katie is doing some sterling work in defence with well timedtackles, preventing Worcester from getting the crosses in.
Kelsey <-> Millie
Caitlin is starting to cause the Worcester defence someproblems, her first shot just wide of the post,
Hannah and Ava team up and again Rugby get the chance topull a goal back but Ava’s shot is collected by the Worcester keeper.
Naomi <-> Ellie
Kirsty <-> Grace
Ava <-> Robyn
Rugby are still trying hard to create space and chances butare not managing to create any active play and are being forced to react to theWorcester pressure.
Laura B <-> Kelsey
Caitlin, having recently been brought down by a slightly cynicaltackle now had the bit between her teeth and pulled out side techy moves past twoof the Worcester defenders and sticks the ball in the net to pull a goal back.
Rugby continue to look for another breakthrough, win another free kick and Hannah takes andis unfortunate to see the ball again just over the crossbar.
Rugby win back the ball and Caitlin, with some greatindividual effort and strength has another great run and scores her second ofthe game.
Rugby are not enjoying probably their best spell of thegame. Hannah plays a great ball throughto Caitlin, this time her shot is just wide.
Kirsty <-> Ava
Caitlin is off again, but this time her shot is stopped by a strong save by the keeper who pushesthe ball out for a corner. Hannahdelivers but there is no one ready to get their head on the ball and it iscleared as far as Laura C who slams the ball towards the Worcester goal andagonisingly it is just wide.
In the closing minutes the game become quite frenetic as Rugbylook to get a point from the game. Leah plays a long ball from a free kick toCaitlin who again pushes at the Worcester defence, again a shot just wide.
Worcester break on the counter, straight down the middle ofthe pitch and punt the ball over the head of Leah for their 5thgoal.
Although Rugby try valiantly in the time left, the game isout of reach and the final whistle blows.
Summary
Worcester City Dev 5 – 3 Rugby Town
Goals – Hannah x 1 and Caitlin x 2
POM – Robyn, for committed play in a number of positions.
Despite the late resurgence from Rugby, they were unable to pull the result in their favour.
Next week sees the team travel to Redditch United to play in the Women’s Challenge Vase