West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – League Game
Sunday 17th September
Squad: Katie(Captain) Leah, Amber, Hannah, Caitlin, Grace, Nicole, Loren, Laura B, Amy, LauraC
Substitutes: Robyn, Milly, Kelsey, Ellie, Kirsty
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASGPrecision, Gripper Differentials, and Life Investments Estate Agents
Sunday saw our Women’s team host Alvechurch at Butlin Road for their first game of the season. We were thrilled to have Jim, from shirt sponsor, Jamesway Travel, join us for the game.
First Half
There was a slight delay in KO due to some paperwork issues, and once the game started it was quickly clear that the visitors were up for a competitive game, winning an early corner.
Alvechurch certainly controlled the early part of the game and was pressing high, being caught offside a couple of times before their first chance to open the scoring, which was well saved by Lead with a good dive to the right,
Alvechurch won 3 corners in a row, the 3rd being cleared by Rugby to a waiting Alvechurch player who played a great long-range shot to open their scoring within what had turned out to be a very frenetic opening minutes of the game.
The game continued at a quick pace with both teams winning a number of throw-ins on the side-line nearest the stand which was where a lot of the action was taking place.
Alvechurch was playing some quick attacking football, ensuring Rugby had to maintain discipline in defense. Another shot from Alvechurch was saved by Leah.
Rugby was starting to settle into the game and find their stride and a good solo run by Nicole earned the home side a corner. Delivered short by Hannah to Nicole and cleaned by the visitors. Alvechurch off on a blistering counterattack resulted in a shot that smashed against the Rugby crossbar.
Alvechurch continued to pressure Rugby and was looking for any opportunity to pass the ball through the Rugby lines. Alvechurch won a free kick from Katie and their resulting shot saw Leah dive to the left to prevent them from increasing their lead.
Another corner and a bit of a kerfuffle in the box saw Hannahawarded a yellow card. The corner was taken and landed harmlessly on the roof of the net. Rugby pushes back and wins a corner for themselves, Hannah’s deliveries and a bit of a goal-mouth scramble finally see the ball cleared for another Alvechurch counter – Leah coming off her line to easily collect.
27 mins Amy <-> Kirsty
Alvechurch has another, somewhat speculative, shot on target, scooped up by Leah, and shortly win another corner. Again, well cleared by Leah.
33 mins – Nicole decided to have a bit of a charge at the Alvechurch defense, beating the keeper who was well off her lines, and tapping in the ball for Rugby’s equalizer.
Still, the game continued at a fast pace, Alvechurch drawing another foul from Rugby as they continued to push for another goal.
36 mins – some great teamwork between Loren and Nicole out high on the left wing provides Nicole the opportunity to lay the ball off to Hannah for a thunderous strike, Rugby takes the lead!
38 mins – Clearly frustrated at conceding the lead, Alvechuchrampage through the Rugby defense, leaving Leah with too much to do and stick the ball into Rugby’s net, leveling the score again.
Nicole, Loren, and Katie team up well to dive forward, resulting in a handball by Alvechurch and a penalty to Rugby.
40 min – Nicole steps up and calmly despatched the penalty, Rugby again takes the lead 3-2
Effort from both teams shows no sign of slowing down with action all over the pitch. Alvechurch are awarded a free kick after an enthusiastic tackle by Kirsty.
43 mins Laura C<-> Ellie
Hannah, Grace and Caitlin now work the ball through midfield, Caitlin releasing a powerful shot, that rockets over the top of the crossbar. Shortly after Caitlin gets another chance on goal, this time forcing the keeper into a save.
Second Half
Off we go again, and Alvechurch again set their stall early with a goalscoring opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half with Leah called into action to deal with it. Alvechurch won 2 successive corners, both well-managed and cleared by Rugby.
53 mins Ellie <-> Kelsey
Alvechuch seemed to get stronger as the game continued but Rugby remained calm and responded to the additional pressure well. Nicole and Kelsey team up to see if they can find the space, they need through the Alvechurch defense as Rugbystart to push back against the visitors and apply the pressure themselves.
58 mins – a great delivery by Grace from the wing to Nicole leads to Rugby’s fourth goal of the game.
Rugby are having a great period of attacking play and are clearly causing issues for the visitors. A well worked play between Nicole, Grace and Kelsey sees Kelsey shoot, but she is denied by the Alvechurch keeper.
64 mins – strong play from Alvechurch results in a deserved goal as they reduce their deficit, the score now 4-3
64 mins Kirsty <-> Robyn
66 mins – Alvechurch exploits a rare gap in the Rugby defence and level the score at 4-4
68 mins Grace <-> Millie
Rugby win 3 successive throw-ins allowing them to make up a lot of ground into the defensive third of Alvechurch.
72 mins Amy <-> Laura C
Game continues and still all to play for and both teams fight for the 3 points. A yellow card is awarded to Leah, Alvechurchwin a corner and then Rugby win a free kick on a foul on Kelsey. Hannah takes but there is no thread to theAlvechurch goal and the balls flies past the left upright.
Rugby is still searching for the winner and are passing the ball well. Kelsey has a good run forward, skipping past the defense, only to be denied by the keeper.
85 mins – Another strong run through by Kelsey who finally gets her well-deserved goal 5-4 to Rugby.
86 mins Kirsty <-> Robyn
Alvechurch win a free kick outside of the box, a very nice ball is floated in, proving just a tad too high for Leah and Alvechurch once again draw level.
87 mins A short break in play as Amber picks up a knock after battling hard all game and needs a little treatment.
Both sides are still going hard to see if they can get that final winning goal, but after a full on and very exciting game of football, Rugby and Alvechurch must be content to share the points.
Summary
Rugby Town 5 – 5 Alvechurch Women
A full blooded and competitive game which turned out to be a 10-goal thriller with both teams sharing the points and placing Rugby Town 9th placed in the table.
Player of the Match: Nicole
Thank you to Michal, the referee, James, the linesman and for all the support at Butlin Road today. The team really appreciate it.