Birmingham Country FA Women’s Vase – 1st Round
Sunday 15th October
Squad: Katie(Captain) Leah, Amber, Hannah, Caitlin, Grace, Kirsty, Robyn, Ellie, Sara, Kelsey, Millie, Amy
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASGPrecision, Gripper Differentials, and Life Investments Estate Agents
Sunday saw the start of our Women’s BCFA Vase campaign on a beautiful October afternoon at the Valley Stadium in Redditch.
First Half
Playing with a 4-4-2 formation for a change, the women started brightly with the play focusing on Rugby right wing. Kirsty made some great tackles, playing the ball to Hannah for a layoff back to Kirsty to open the scoreline for the visitors.
Redditch United 0-1 Rugby Town
Redditch was displeased to be a goal adrift so early and mounted an impressive attack, working the ball well and forcing 2 great saves from Rugbygoalkeeper Leah.
Robyn, center back, released a great ball up field to Kelsey, whose quick run was slightly mistimed, and saw the linesman’s flag waving for her efforts.
Amy in midfield was working hard to contain the Redditchnumber 23, who was clearly the home side’s “playmaker”. Amy had a great strike, and the Redditchkeeper had no option but to palm the ball out for a corner. Delivered in by Hannah, as Ellie rises well, and connects with her head, but lacks a bit of direction and the Redditch keeper controls.
Both teams win a couple of free kicks apiece but cannot capitalize.
Katie works well in left back, focusing not only on defending any running Redditch wingers but also providing support and advice for the backline of the Rugby defense. Working alongside Katie in the back four provides some great defensive tackles throughout the game. Katie played a smart ball up to Kelsey who timed her to run much better this time but shot wide.
Redditch wins a corner, which goes totally unmarked by rugby. Redditch takes the free header and levels the score.
Redditch United 1 – 1 Rugby Town.
Rugby looks for an immediate reply and Kirsty, Kelsey, and Hannah team up with some excellent play, with Hannah finishing with a shot just wide of the post.
Rugby maintains the pressure and Kirsty is again involved in the play as she provides the assist for Caitlin to absolutely fire the ball into the Redditch net.
Redditch United 1-2 Rugby Town
Redditch win a couple of corners in a row, but nothing comes from them, and Rugby maintains their dominant spell until, completely against the flow of the game, Redditch uses a moment of lack of concentration by Rugby and screams down the middle of the pitch, again drawing the score level.
Redditch United 2-2 Rugby Town
Still, only 30 minutes have been played and both teams are playing with impressive energy levels. Rugby continues to move the ball up into the Redditch defensive third and is playing a high press. They win a couple of throw-ins in quick succession which allows them to gain more ground.
Caitlin then unleashed a random but excellent lob from a distance that delighted the visitor’s bench and once again Rugby took the lead.
Redditch United 2-3 Rugby Town
The game restarts with 5 minutes to play and immediately Redditch is rapidly mobile, catches Rugby well out of shape, and again, brings the score level.
Redditch United 3-3 Rugby Town
Rugby wins a corner that is well cleared by the home side then wins a free kick a short distance outside of the box. Hannah delivered and the frustration is clear as the ball clattered the crossbar.
Second Half
Ellie <-> Millie
Rugby again starts brightly and wins an early free kick. Hannah again delivers but the keeper saves. Rugby are working to maintain their positions and not leave the midfield open. Katie again plays a great ball up to Kelsey who runs on but doesn’t get enough power on the shot and the keeper saves.
Katie <-> Ellie
Hannah finds a space, but her thumping shot smacks the post as she is again denied by the woodwork.
Millie in midfield plays a nice through ball to Caitlin who converts convincingly for her hat trick and Rugby again takes the lead.
Redditch United 3-4 Rugby Town
Both teams are starting to look a little tired as play moves back and forth at a high pace. Amy and Hannah evolve the play to allow Hannah another shot on goal, this one poses a threat to the Redditch keeper as it flies over the crossbar. Redditch comes back to Rugby, but Leah collects with little drama.
Time is ticking down but still, there is plenty of action coming up, not all to Rugby’s liking. Redditch has a resurgence and their attacking play proved fruitful with them awarded a free kick which they converted.
Redditch United 4-4 Rugby Town
Rugby wants this game and has a strong attacking spell, Caitlin forces the Redditch keeper into a save, and Hannah and Kelsey play some football with Kelsey having two shots saved in as many minutes. Caitlin heads on a lovely ball to Kelsey who again sees her shot saved by the keeper.
Amy <-> Sara
The game is in the final minutes and Rugby wins another free-kick; this time cleared for a corner. Grace delivers a lovely ball to the near post and Sara provides a beautiful header, playing the ball in the far side of the net, well away from the home side keeper’s hands.
Redditch United 4-5 Rugby Town
The last action of the game includes a very ambitious long-range shot from Grace which is saved. Rugby needs to organize and hold their positions to see out the game. Redditch wins a corner which provokes a few seconds as Redditch looks to take the game to penalties, which Rugby determined to avoid. A final Redditchfree kick which Leah collects, pretty much sees out the game.
Summary
Redditch United Women 4– 5 Rugby Town
Goals – Kirsty x 1
Caitlinx 3
Sara x 1
POM – Caitlin, for a strong performance and being the hat trick hero.
A thrilling and action-packed game of football with every player displaying effort and determination. A strong team performance.
We welcome Redditch United to Butlin Road next Sunday as we turn to league action.
