West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – League Game
Sunday 14thth January
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Caitlin, Kelly, Grace, Amber, Ava, Amy, Robyn, Laura M, Kelsey
Substitutes: Ellie, Abby, Laura C
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd
First Half
Rugby made the long old drive over to Hereford, sampling the delights of the M42 and M5, for this weeks away fixture against Hereford Pegasus. This was the first time the two teams have met this season so Rugby were entering the unknown.
It was clear from the whistle that Hereford were a very attacking team and liked playing a high line and utilising counterattack threats. This was proven with Herford winning two corners within the opening 5 minutes.
Hereford were also not shy in having a shot from distance and the first one at 3 minutes soared over the Rugby crossbar.
Rugby found the space to get the ball to Kelsey up front who lit the afterburners and moved well up field and was able to get a shot off, sadly just wide.
Despite all the action, the game was only 8 minutes old, when Hereford again let loose with a shot from an impressive distance, this time achieving their aim and opening the scoreline.
The game was already developing into a tough match, proving quite physical and with lots of changes of possession, especially in midfield.
Ava, Kelsey and Grace linked up, and some nice ball work allowed Grace to shoot, just over the Hereford bar.
Amy and Grace also played well with a nicely placed forward ball by Amy and Grace, using her turn of speed, got another shot off, which zipped across the mouth of the goal and just wide of the far post.
Rugby were having to work very hard to create chances as Hereford were always ready to capitalise on any errors. Grace, Kelly and Kelsey got in on the action, but Kelsey shot wide.
22’ Amy <-> Abby
The team were thrilled to welcome Abby back into the fold after an absence of several months.
Hereford win another corner and in the goalmouth melee, Leah and Amber both performed heroics, throwing their bodies between the ball and the goal until Rugby managed to clear.
A fine longball up to Kelsey and another of display of Kelsey speed and movement ended in a goal for Rugby which was subsequently denied after the referee deemed Kelsey had brought down a Hereford player within the play.
Hereford again on the attack but Robyn was there with an excellent display of defending, chasing her opponent down and holding her in the corner to deny the chance of a dangerous cross.
31’ Abby <-> Laura C – a huge disappointment for Abby who came off with a minor injury 10 minutes into her first game back. We wish Abby a quick recovery.
Hereford won a free kick in a potential goal scoring area, but they shot wide. Rugby were not quite connecting with the game at this point and were having to scramble to get Hereford out of the Rugby defensive third.
Hereford have another of their favoured long shots, again just over the bar. After which Rugby mounted an attack which saw great involvement from Katie, Kelsey, and Grace which saw Kelsey convert to level the scoreline.
Hereford win two corners in quick succession from their attacking play, both cleared by Rugby. Hereford continued to apply the pressure and kept Rugby very much on their toe as the teams saw out the final minutes of the first half.
Second Half
Kelsey <-> Ellie
Ava <-> Amy
A couple of half-time changes were made by Rugby to see if they could get some more productive balls forward.
Straight away Ellie made an impact as she received, controlled, shielded a great ball and fed up forward up the right wing to Grace who was already in full flight who got a shot on target which was collected by the Hereford keeper. This signalled the start of a better period of play for Rugby who looked much more attacking minded.
Rugby win 2 corners in quick succession. All corners throughout the game were fiercely contested by both teams. Despite their efforts, Rugby couldn’t manage to convert.
Hereford were awarded a contentious penalty for an apparent foul in the box which they made short work of converted, extending their lead once again.
A clearly unhappy Rugby side lost their heads a bit a had to work to get the game momentum back.
Rugby were awarded a free kick, delivered by Katie and saved by the Hereford keeper. Katie was again involved in the action when Hereford push back, forcing Katie to deploy and committed and determined clearance.
65’ Kelly <-> Kelsey
Once again, Ellie and Grace team up and this positive partnership between the two players proved very successful with Ellie winning the ball, holding off some very determined challenges by the Hereford defence, and playing the ball outside to a running Grace, who blasted the ball past the keeper to level the scoreline.
73’ Amy <-> Ava
Caitlin, who had been kept busy all game in midfield worked her way forward into a shooting position and was unlucky to see her shot go wide.
Hereford win a corner and despite there being what was thought of as a clear handball, the goal was awarded despite some loud protestations from the visiting bench.
With Rugby feeling, perhaps justified, somewhat hard done by from the on-field decisions there continued to work to level the score once again. It was clear that the visitors were frustrated, and the game was taking a somewhat “spicy” turn.
92’ Amber <-> Amy
Amber was substituted after a committee defensive effort saw her take a heavy fall and crash into the side barriers.
Hereford win a final corner, cleared by Rugby who were disappointed to see the clock run out and the opportunity to get something from the game disappear.
Summary
Hereford Pegasus 3 – 2 Rugby Town Women
Goals from Kelsey (a. Grace) and Grace (a. Ellie)
The loss sees Rugby end their unbeaten league run. Despite a second half resurgence, a challenging game and challenging on pitch decisions proved too much for the visiting side.
Thank you to the travelling supporters for coming such a long way and to Linesman James. The team really appreciate you.
Rugby move on to next week’s home game where they host Sedgley and Gornal in the first meeting of the two teams this season.
