West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – League Game
Sunday 21st January
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Caitlin, Kelly, Grace, Amber, Ava, Abby, Robyn, Kelsey, Kirsty
Substitutes: Ellie, Laura C, Laura M, Milly, Amy
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd
First Half
An early corner for Rugby, delivered by Kelly but cleared out well by the visitors. Caitlin, Grace and Kelsey work well to create a break forward with Kelsey’s shot wide of the mark. This was shortly followed by an attacking play involving Grace and Kelsey whose shot was parried by the S&G keeper. The ball falls back to Kesley for a second bite of the cake, this time the S&G keeper gets hands to the ball.
Caitlin has a marauding run right through the Sedgley midfield and unleashed an audacious rocket of a shot from an impressive distance, the ball proves too difficult for the keeper and the ball drops sweetly under the crossbar for Rugby’s opening goal.
Katy has a jaunt up field from left back, but her resulting shot lands on top of the Sedgley net. Rugby are settling into the game and some strong defending by Grace allows Rugby to win back possession. Abby and Kelsey team up for another attacking run, with another shot wide of the mark. Back into play and Kelsey again attacks the Sedgley goal, skipping by the last defender but the Sedgley keeper deals with the pressure of the 1v1 encounter and does well to collect the ball.
30’ Kirsty <-> Amy
Kelsey and Kelly are running up the wings on opposite sides of the pitch, Kelsey provides the ball across the front of the Sedgley goal hoping to find Kelly, but a slight deflection removed the opportunity for Rugby.
Kelsey and Ava are in the thick of the action and a well placed shot by Ava just lacks a bit of pace which allows the Sedgely keeper to save the shot. A Kelsey / Kelly / Caitlin combo comes into play, with Caitlins shot just wide of the post.
Although Rugby are creating chances, there are maybe reflecting on a number of missed opportunities at this point of the game.
Abby provides a blazing defensive rub which thwarts a promising Sedgley attack. Kelly and Katie work to seek a second goal but Katies long shot is denied by the visiting keeper. Another long and powerful shot from Caitlin is well saved by the keeper.
The first half closed with final action from Amy and Grace, with Grace’s shot saved the keeper and Kelsey, Grace and Caitlin with the keeper called into action again to stop Caitlins shot.
Second Half
Kelsey, Ava, Robyn, Kelly <-> Laura M, Laura C, Ellie, Kirsty
Rugby make 4 changes at half time and move to a 3-5-2 from the first half 4-3-3 to try and convert a few of the chances that a being made and to strengthen the Rugby midfield.
Ellie, Katie and Grace work well with Grace finding the next which is quickly ruled offside.
Caitlin and Katie press which Katies ball flying across the front of the Sedgley goal. Katie and Grace continue to work hard and communicate well, which pays off with Grace increasing the Rugby lead to 2.
59’ Amy <-> Milly
After a couple of Rugby corners which they couldn’t convert, Sedgley win a free kick in a dangerous place. The kick was extremely well taken and only a fine save from Leah, kept the scoreline 2-0.
Again, Grace and Katie are the dangerous duo, with perseverance and effort paying off with a goal from Katie.
Rugby are pretty much in total control of the game now and are generating waves of penetrating and efficient attacking plays which much better movement on and off the ball. Grace, Ellie and Caitlin achieve the space they needed, but again the Sedgley keeper does well and stops Caitlins shot.
Undetrred, Rugby are back on the attack and Caitlin finds Grace who score her second and Rugbys 4th of the game.
69’ Amber / Kirsty <-> Kelly / Kelsey
Katie plays a useful ball to Kelsey who has some work to do as she needed to beat 2 defenders and the goalkeeper. Her pace allowed her to run past the defenders and a flick around the goalkeeper allows a tidy slot in of the ball.
Rugby win 3 corner in quick successtion but again, still cannot convert from these opportunities. Kelsey and Ellie continue to cause the Sedgely defence a headache, and a nice layoff from Kelsey provides Ellie the opportunity to power the ball in past the Sedgely keeper, who despite the scoreline, has had a good game and has been kept very busy.
77’ Abby <-> Ava
Rugby continue their attacks, and Ellie again is presenting with a great shooting opportunity, the Sedgley keeper performs and excellent dive, denying Ellie with probably the save of the game.
Rugby maintain their pressure on a somewhat beleaguered Sedgley side, a Rugby free kick finds Ava who gets her shot off, but needing more power, it is an easy collect for the keeper. Ellie provides Caitlin with a useful ball, but her shot is also saved.
85’ Caitlin <-> Robyn
In the closing minutes of the game, there is no let up in Rugby’s attacking desire which sees them move the ball very well around the pitch, the final action sees a Rugby corner, from Grace, to Kelly, to Kelsey which is wide of the post.
Summary
Rugby Town Women 6 – 0 Sedgely and Gornal
No less than 5 players on the scoresheet today:
Ø Caitlin
Ø Grace (a. Katie)
Ø Grace (a. Caitlin)
Ø Katie (a. Grace)
Ø Kelsey (a. Katie)
Ø Ellie (a. Kelsey)
A strong and dominant second half secured the win and sees Rugby climb back up to 4th place in the league.
Thank you to the supporters, Linesman James and Referee Emma. The team really appreciate you.
Next week is an away game with our Warwickshire neighbours, Leamington, for our first meeting with them this season.