Sunday 5th February 2023
Squad: Chloe (C), Leah, Grace, Millie, Kelly W, Kelly R, Hannah, Amber, Laura B, Sara, Katie, Abby, Marie-Claire, Ellie
Team Sponsors: LH Services Building and Installation, ASG Precision Ltd, Gripper Differentials, Jamesway Travel, Melbos Building Supplies, Keller UK
Rugby Town Women had a trip around the M6/M5 for their away game against Sedgley & Gornal (S&G) on Sunday at the Dell Stadium A squad of 14 gave coaches Jason and Lee plenty of options.
First Half
The visitors, playing in their purple away strip, started the first half strongly with good team movement and possession with Kelly W making some strong runs up the left wing and crossing some useful balls into the 18yd box. S&G defenders worked well to clear.
S&G were making good use of space they were finding down their left wing and a good ball in was converted to open the scoring.
Abby had her work cut out in midfield and did very well to slow the play down, hold up the ball and supply the Rugby forwards with well-placed balls throughout the game. Rugby kept the pressure on the home side and some nice footwork from Chloe allowed her to find the space to release Grace who blasted the ball past the S&G keeper to level the score.
Rugby continued with some very good teamwork and communication, allowing for a high press, and attacking football. Chloe with another shot, just wide of the post. S&G were always looking to shut down the Rugby play and did look dangerous on the counterattack with some good placement ad quick ball movement.
Katie, in left back, was having a strong half with some great defensive work. A S&G corner was kicked out for a Rugby goal kick. Play continued at pace and there was a lot of end-to-end activity. S&G were awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, but Rugby keeper Leah made the save look easy.
Back in play and a Rugby throw in from Kelly W found Sara who flicked nicely on to Chloe, her shot just a little short and the S&G keeper easily collected. Rugby continued to press and Ellie, in her first start for the team, won the ball well in midfield, delivering a nice through ball to a charging Grace, crossed over to Chloe for another shot on goal, just over the crossbar.
Both teams were working to break the deadlock and a dangerous S&G corner was cleared well by Katie and Amber.
Sara <-> Marie-Claire (team debut)
A good distance kick from Leah in goal was moved well in the attacking third by Chloe and Grace with some quick passing finally onto Marie-Claire who was extremely close in putting the ball past the home keeper with her first touch of the ball.
S&G were back on the charge and some very committed defending by Laura B in the RB position was causing them issues and denying the home side with the clear sight of goal that they were looking for. Abby, Chloe, and Grace continued to drive the play in midfield and were making good movements forward on many occasions, only to encounter the very quick S&G CB who was denying the Rugby forwards the opportunities they were looking for.
S&G were a constant threat and Rugby had to stay alert whenever they were in possession. Another S&G corner saw a player connect well with their head, but a quick reacting Leah prevented the home side from taking the lead.
Millie, Ellie and Abby in midfield were working well as a team to ensure Rugby maintained consistent positions and were all absorbing the S&G pressure well with some committed football.
Millie <-> Hannah
As the half progressed, Rugby were looking for the second goal and playing high, a clever counter by the home side forced a defensive error and the ball was played across the goal, an opportunity that S&G were not going to pass up, 2-1.
There was still plenty of action left in the first half. Seeing another shot from Grace and another free kick for S&G, both saved well by the respective keepers.
Ellie <-> Kelly R
S&G clearly fancied a third goal, much to the consternation of the Rugby defence of Laura B, Amber and Katie, who were having to pull off some tight marking and quick sprints to fend off the speedy S&G forwards. A collected ball by Leah, sailing up pitch, delivered to Chloe’s feet who pushed forward, again using Grace as the release, and another clattering of the crossbar as a result.
Final frenetic action of the half saw Leah delivered a smart double save and Rugby again on the attack, a S&G handball was played as an advantage (rather than a foul) and the Rugby strike went wide of the upright.
Second Half
Having come from behind once, Rugby were determined to do so again, and approached the second half with dogged determination. Very quickly Rugby built the momentum and some nice link up play with Grace and Chloe allowed a shot by Chloe, parried by the keeper to Marie-Claire who was in an excellent position on the far post, popping the ball past the keeper for her first goal on her Rugby Town debut!
Kelly R was the steady anchor in midfield, spraying the ball out to the wingers to establish the Rugby press. Hannah had great movement in midfield and was frustrating the S&G midfield who were repeatedly denied a clear run down the wings.
A sharp run by S&G saw their player brought down and were awarded a penalty. A thunderous strike again put them into the lead 3-2
Back into play and some great work by Abby allowed the ball through to Chloe who ran half the length of the pitch and was close to taking her shot when the opposition CB nudged the ball out for a Rugby corner, subsequently cleared for an undramatic throw in.
Rugby’s work rate continued well, but due to the energetic game so far, some fatigue was creeping in to both teams, allowing gaps to open up around the pitch. Laura B again provided some nice defending against some speculative S&G attacks. Kelly W and Chloe developed a nice play, feeding to Abby who has unlucky to just shoot wide. The resulting S&G counter was very effective with some very nice overlaps, allowing S&G a strong attempt on goal, again Leah denied them and kept Rugby within 1 goal. Leah was again called into action when a handball from Rugby gifted the home side with a free kick just outside the D. Although initially cleared, the ball was blasted back in, forcing Leah into a well-executed save.
Marie-Claire <-> Millie
Rugby were still looking for the equaliser opportunity with a nice period of passing and possession. Grace and Kelly were both still marauding up the wings looking to create a channel for a Rugby press. Again, the teamwork of Abby, Kelly W and Chloe resulted in a shot that saw the upright denying Rugby yet again.
Sara was sat on the last defender and looking to team up with Chloe on an overlap. The presence of Sara seemed to distract the S&G defence who were starting to leave large gaps on the wings which Rugby were looking to exploit.
Rugby did seem to be dominating the play now and Katie played a great aerial ball to Chloe who made no mistake this time to level the score. From the restart, Rugby went again, with Chloe and Grace again causing the S&G a few worrying moments with another wide shot.
Sara <-> Ellie
Rugby enjoyed several more chances with a shot wide from Kelly W and a Grace, Chloe, Millie combination forcing the S&G keeper into a save. Rugby clearly frustrated not to be in the lead at this point. Rugby maintained control in the final minutes of the game, defending a corner well, and continually pushing the home side. However, time had run out for the visitors, and they had to console themselves with a point away from home from a pleasing game.