Birmingham County FA Challenge Vase 1st Round
Sunday 20th October
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Robyn, Amber, Ellie, Kelsey, Milly, Bonnie, Nicole, Laura B, Ava, Amy, Loren, Caitlin, Kirsty,
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd
Due to the recent wet weather, the game was transferred to the astro pitch as both teams were glad to see the rain clearing and sun coming out.
First Half
The hosts were straight on the attack and an early Grace, Nicole, Kelsey combination sees Kelsey open the Rugby Town tally.
2’ GOAL – Kelsey (Nicole)
Rugby maintain the pressure on Estone and Ava hits the bar. Nicole is working hard in midfield to deny Estone time on the ball and is using her pace to drive to the touchline and cut in for crossed into the Estone box.
Estone win a throw in, and a good delivery allows for a shot outside the 18-yard box. It was a good strike, but the upright denies Estone an equaliser and Amber collects. Leah, Grace and Nicole mount a count attack, with Grace’s ball hitting the side netting.
Rugby continue attacking the Estone goal, with Caitlin shooting wide. Caitlin then wins the ball back, lays off to Kelsey who’s left footed shot is gathered up by the Estone keeper. A Rugby corner follow shortly after. Grace and Nicoel work the ball into the box, Estone clear a short distance and Rugby again win possession. The hugely congested box does not allow for a clear shot and after a bit of a scuffle, Estone clear.
A frantic few minutes ensures with Rugby showing some excellent passing play, using the space well, allowing Grace to feed Kelsey for her second of the game.
19’ GOAL – Kelsey (Grace)
19’ Amy <-> Bonnie
Bonnie is straight in on the action, a smart ball through to Kelsey for her hattrick and Rugby’s 3rd goal.
20’ GOAL – Kelsey (Bonnie)
Caitlin in providing a great work rate in midfield, winning the ball and striking the ball only to see it parried by the keeper for another shot, just wide of the post.
25’ Kelsey <-> Loren
Loren proves to be the second of our impactful subs as one of her first touches is a shot from a ball provided by Bonnie, just over the crossbar. Caitlin, Nicole and Loren continue hunting down the next goal, this time Loren’s shot is wide of the mark.
Estone are awarded to free kicks in quick succession, the second forces Amber into a very good save. Rugby counter and are immediately pressing the Estone goal again. Ava’s shot is saved by the keeper – Ava protesting loudly that the ball crossed the line before being scooped away. Caitlin then has another chance but unfortunately shoots wide.
33’ Ellie <-> Milly
Estone work the ball well and utilised the space on the left wing. A good attempt is made but Amber is ready to disarm the shot. Rugby are back on the attack, with Nicole, Grace and Loren using their speed and skill to create another scoring opportunity, Grace’s shot over the crossbar. The Estone GK plays a poor ball, Nicole is there to intercept, laying off to Bonnie who shoots wide.
39’ Ava <-> Kirsty
The final minutes of the half sees Rugby win two successive corners. The first delivered by Nicole and haphazardly cleared by Estone. The second delivered by Grace, the resulting shot sailing over the bar.
Second Half
No let up as we start the second half with Caitlin, Loren and Nicole teaming up and Nicole finishing the move.
46’ GOAL – Nicole (Caitlin)
Rugby win the ball from kick off, Bonnie has 2 shots, both pushed away by the keeper. The second falls to Nicole who takes full advantage and secures Rugby’s 5th of the game.
48’ GOAL – Nicole
Still Rugby push and Estone are struggling to absorb the pressure. Grace, Nicole and Katie are on a charge and Rugby’s 6th goal is awarded.
51’ GOAL – Katie (Nicole)
Rugby are completely dominant now and Estone are looking a little shellshocked. Bonnie has another shot, only to hit the side netting. Rugby continue to work the ball to the outside and back in again, leaving Estone little choice but to chase around. Grace and Nicole pair up with Nicole releasing a screaming ball across the front of the Estone goal, but wide of the post. The Estone GK makes an error with their kick, the ball falling straight to Caitlin to thumps it into the back of the net.
54’ GOAL – Caitlin
The next ten minutes sees wave after wave of attack by the hosts. Grace shoots wide twice, Bonnie shoots wide and Caitlin plays an audacious ball from distance which looks certain to go in. Only a phenomenal save from the Estone keeper, just tipping the ball over the crossbar with her fingers, keeps the score at 7-0. Rugby win 3 corners in quick succession, all dealt with well by Estone.
66’ Leah <-> Kelsey
66’ Loren <-> Ava
Another 2 corners in quick succession for Rugby, lots of movement and action but no final touch that can increase the scoreline.
71’ Robyn <-> Ellie
Katie decides to stretch her legs and marauds up field, Bonnie spots the run and positions herself well to receive.
72’ GOAL – Bonnie (Katie)
Still Rugby maintain their high tempo, quick ball movement and desire to score. Grace, Bonnie and Kelsey work a smart play, Kelsey’s shot cleared wide by the Estone keeper. The resultant corner is also well cleared by Estone.
75’ Grace <-> Amy
Estone win their first corner of the game. Amber leaps high on the near post, calling her claim and collecting with no problems.
80’ Bonnie <-> Leah
Ava and Kelsey are skill energetically pursuing another goal, their teamwork allowing Kelsey a shot, denied by the post. The ball falls to Nicole who shoots wide.
82’ Milly <-> Loren
The final 8 minutes of the game continue with the same pace and hunger from the hosts. There are 9 Rugby players pretty much camped in the Estone half, leaving Ellie (CB) and Amber (GK) to hold the fort.
85’ GOAL – Kelsey (Nicole)
Rugby quickly win a corner from the restart Loren delivers, Nicole launches a great cross, that turns into a goal, which Nicole stresses it was always a shot…..
87’ GOAL – Nicole (Loren)
Rugby see out the game in the same fashion in which they started. Feisty. Katie, Loren and Kelsey look to be on a certain scoring opportunity, only for Kelsey to be flagged offside.
Rugby win a corner, and with pretty much 20 players in the 6-yard box, seeing what was happening was hard, but it was noted that Kelsey, Leah, Amy, Caitlin and Loren all were taking potshots in a crazy 20 seconds. The sheer number of ankles in the box prevented a goal.
The final action of the game saw Rugby winning a free kick, Leah delivered, the Estone keeper batted the ball away, but the resulting scramble to clear saw Caitlin take the opportunity to deliver the final blow.
91’ GOAL – Caitlin
Final Score Rugby Town 11 – 0 Estone Ladies
Many thanks to referee Amanda, linesman James and the supporters today.
Rugby Town Women travel to Redditch next week to compete in the second round of the WMRWL League Cup.