Rugby Town Women v Droitwich Spa

Rugby Town Women v Droitwich Spa

West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – League Game

Sunday 10^th November    

Squad:  Katie (Captain) Leah, Caitlin, Nicole, Kelly, Grace, Kelsey, Amber, Robyn, Amy, Kirsty

Substitutes: Ellie, Millie D, Ava, Sara, Millie G

Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd

First Half

Rugby hosted Droitwich Spa today.  Having lost 4-1 away earlier in the season, they were looking to improve on that performance and take advantage of their recent good form.  Due to the miserable weather over the last few days, the game was played on the Astro at Butlin Road.

Rugby started again in their favoured formation of 4-3-3 and it was a bright and energetic opening for the hosts.

An early free kick for a foul on Kelsey saw Nicole step up to take, delivered well but collected by the keeper.  Rugby continued to press well and were not allowing the visitors to settle into the game.   A useful ball was delivered up the wing by Katie to Kelsey.  Kelsey then worked her way around the defender before squaring to Nicole who made no mistake in finding the net.

6’  GOAL Rugby Town 1-0  – Nicole (Kelsey)

A great start for the home side continued as Rugby maintained the tempo and pace of the game, looking comfortable on the ball.  The front 3 of Kelly, Kelsey and Nicole were certainly looking dangerous in the first 20 minutes with several opportunities.    The ball was well played by the 3 forwards, allowing Kelly a shot from the left, just wide of the post.

When Droitwich did drift into the Rugby defensive third, the back four of Grace, Amber, Robyn and Katie were ready to manage the threat.  Caitlin, Amy, and Kirsty were working well in midfield to control their area and feed the forwards.

Another nice play by Nicole, Kelsey and Kelly again provided another shooting opportunity for Kelly, frustratingly, just wide again. Rugby kept their heads, won back possession and Kelsey was provided the change to put in a great solo run and shot, held well by the Droitwich keeper.

Still the Rugby forwards pushed for the second, with the Droitwich keeper called into action and providing an impressive double save, first denying Kelly, then Kelsey.   The ball was cleared down field as far as Katie who spotted a great opportunity and delivered and great ball up to Kelsey who stayed calm, beat the defender, and slotted past the keeper.

14’ GOAL Rugby Town 2 – 0 – Kelsey (Katie)

Droitwich were slowly building into the game and were now starting to reduce Rugby’s dominance.   Their long ball style of football was frustrating the home side who were having to work hard to reduce the risk posed by the quick Droitwich wingers and forwards.    A Droitwich long ball caught the Rugby defence totally on the back foot, leaving the Droitwich forward 1 v 1 with keeper Leah and perhaps inevitably, Droitwich reduced the deficit.

22’ GOAL Droitwich – 2 -1

Rugby were still looking to push on the Droitwich defence and a bright run by Nicole saw her shot saved by the keeper.

Back down the other end of the pitch and Droitwich were awarded a freekick right on the edge of the box.  The Rugby wall was set and Leah ready. The resulting, very powerful,  shot was cannoned off the crossbar.

29’ Amy <-> Ava

Rugby’s turn for a freekick, delivered by Katie, well worked by Nicole into the box, but disappointment as her shot is saved by the keeper.

31’ Caitlin is brought off after picking up a painful ankle knock and is replaced by Millie G.

Another Rugby freekick, taken by Katie but well cleared by the visitors.

The next 10 minutes was an even affair with neither team posing much threat to one another with possession swapping between the two sides in midfield.   Finally, the deadlock was broken in favour of Droitwich who won a free kick. The ball was delivered in well and was cleared by an alert Kirsty, but put straight back in and swifty collected by Leah who was well aware of the threat.

44’ Kelsey <-> Millie D

We welcome Millie D as she makes her debut for Rugby Town Women.

Rugby win a corner, Kelly gets her foot on but it is blocked and a bit of a goalmouth scramble and bobbly ball is finally cleared by the visitors, proving to be the last action of the first half.

Second Half

46’ Millie G <-> Amy

Almost from the off, Rugby win a freekick, Katie taking and finding Nicole who is playing the space well, another wide shot though means the Droitwich continue to snap at the heels of the hosts.  Droitwich and then awarded a free kick, well cleared by Amy.

56’ Millie D <-> Kelsey

Droitwich have a run, but their speculative long range shot sails over the Rugby crossbar.

Shortly after a lot of shouts can be heard around the pitch as Droitwich are dramatically awarded a penalty for an alleged handball in the area.   Maybe a questionably decision, but without the benefit of VAR, the Rugby pleas fall of deaf ears and the penalty stands.  Droitwich do not let the opportunity go to waste and level the scoreline.

58’ GOAL Droitwich 2 – 2

Rugby continued to struggle with the Droitwich long balls and seem to have lost the spark shown in the first 20 minutes.

65’ Amy <-> Ellie

A promising bit of play as Rugby with a throw-in and Nicole’s delivery to Kelsey, who plays round the defender before laying the ball off to Kelly,  who strikes, only to see the shot saved by the keeper.

Both sides seem to revert to kicking the ball back and forth to each other across the midfield area with neither side creating any real opportunities or changes.

78’ Ava <-> Millie G

81’ Kelsey <-> Sara

Droitwich win 2 corners in back-to-back.   Nothing came from either chance and Rugby cleared both well.

90’ Kirsty <-> Millie D

93’ Sarah <-> Kelsey

Summary

After a difficult second half, and a game littered with stoppages, Rugby need to be content with a hard-fought point.

Rugby Town Women 2 – 2 Droitwich Spa

The draw sees Rugby unbeaten in their last 5 games and maintaining 5^th place in the league table.

Thank you to Referee Laura, Linesman James and for the support at Butlin Road today.  The team really appreciate it.

Next week we host Coventry City at home in the BCFA Vase Quarter Final – we would love as much support as possible at Butlin Road to help cheer on the team in what promises to be an exciting local derby.