Sunday 29th September
West Midlands Regional Womens Football League – Division 1 League Cup
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Caitlin, Izzy, Robyn, Kirsty, Amber, Ellie, Kelsey, Milly, Bonnie, Nicole, Zoe, Laura B, Emily, Laura C, Jess
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd
Our women hosted Hereford Pegasus at Butlin Road, playing the first round of the Division 1 league cup.
First Half
Pitch inspection done and the team were ready for their 1st round tie and a very chilly Butlin Road.
An early Hereford corner is cleared well by Rugby, and immediately Caitlin, Katie, Kelsey and Nicole linking up for a great period of play, the resulting shot from Nicole just wide of the post.
Rugby maintain their positive start and Caitlin and Kelsey then work a nice move, allowing Kelsey a shot which just ricochets off the post. Hereford use the opportunity to mount a counter attack down the left of the pitch and a smart shot from wide angle hits the back of the Rugby net, opening the score line.
7’ Rugby 0-1 Hereford
Rugby win a free kick just of the edge of the 18yd box, Nicole steps up and fires just wide. Shortly after another free kick, a little further out, is taken by Katie, this time just over the bar. Keeping with the theme, Rugby win another free kick a few minutes later, with Leah also shooting a little high.
Rugby press again and a Bonnie / Nicole combination allows another shot from Nicole, just over the bar. Rugby maintain the pressure and Bonnie and Nicole combine again, this time Nicole converts to level the score.
25’ Rugby 1-1 Hereford
From the restart, Rugby push hard again and sound link up between Leah, Bonnie, Kelsey and Nicole leads to Nicole’s second of the game.
26’ Rugby 2-1 Hereford
33’ Laura B <-> Kirsty
Rugby win another free kick, wide from Caitlin, shortly followed by a corner, delivered by Nicole and cleared well by Hereford.
Another free kick in Rugby’s favour, Leah delivers, Katie’s launches herself high and connects well with her head, but the ball is just wide of the Hereford goal.
43’ Kelsey <-> Ellie
Amber is having a good game in goal, controlling her box well, gathering up speculative shots from Hereford and making a couple of strong saves.
Rugby win another free kick for a foul of Katie, Leah delivers and the ball is cleared for a corner. Nicole delivers, Bonnie, and Ellie are involved but the shot is over the bar.
Second Half
50’ Leah <-> Emily
Rugby were moving the ball well throughout the early part of the second half, but opportunities to finish were slim due to an organised Hereford defence.
63’ Ellie <-Leah
With added pressure from Hereford, Rugby had to work to clear their lines and also Amber was called into action to make a couple of big saves.
65’ Laura C <-> Kelsey
Millie made a really sharp run down the left wing, playing through to Kelsey who took her chance, the Hereford keeper making a strong save. Rugby continued to test Hereford with and Nicole / Katie combination allowing for a shot, Katie’s ball just over. Katie was again involved in the play, threading the ball through to Kelsey who just shot wide from the right.
72’ Bonnie <-> Izzy
A small error from Rugby’s goal keeper and defence and a wildly rebounding ball allowed Hereford to draw level.
80’ Rugby Town 2-2 Hereford
Hereford were turning up the heat and despite a Rugby corner, which saw Katie’s shot go wide, Hereford were gaining the upper hand around the pitch.
Hereford round the room they were looking for to increase their lead going into injury time.
90+3 Rugby 2-3 Hereford
Despite it looking like a early cup exit for Rugby, the game had a final twist with Nicole and Kelsey working together in a last ditch attempt, finally seeing Kelsey 1 on 1 with the keeper and somehow bundling the ball over the line.
90+4 Rugby 3-3 Hereford
As there is no extra time in the league cup, Rugby faced their nemesis, the penalty shootout! To add even more drama, after 5 penalties apiece, it was still level so sudden death came into play.
The final penalty tally:
Rugby Town 5 (Leah, Kelsey, Nicole, Izzy, Caitlin)
Hereford 4
And Rugby Town Women go into the hat for the 2nd round of the Division 1 Cup
Many thanks to referee Simon, linesman James and the supporters today and a big thanks to Zoe and Jess for being team players today and supporting the squad.
We also bid a (partial) farewell to Laura B, who has moved house to pastures new. We wish Laura, Cam and Gus all the very best.
Rugby Town Women are back in action on 13th October when they host Tamworth at Butlin Road for their next league game.