West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – League Game
Sunday 5th November
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Caitlin, Laura M, Loren, Nicole, Kelly, Amy, Grace, Kelsey, Millie
Substitutes: Ellie, Sara, Robyn, Laura C
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials and Life Investments Estate Agents
First Half
Both teams started brightly with high energy and quick ball movement. Katie was called into early action with a great defensive run back and tackle to prevent pressure on the Rugby goal. Millie started in midfield as was kept busy as the visitors were working to move the ball out to their quick players on the wings.
Rugby won an early FK and Katie stepped up to take, there was some hustle and bustle in the penalty area but the attack was brought to a close with a Rugby offside.
Nicole, Kelsey and Loren joined forces with some productive moves, allowing Loren to take a shot on target, the Long Itchington keeper clearing for a corner. Nicole delivered in a good ball, but Long Itchington defended well and cleared to develop a strong counter attack, finding Rugby a little slow in their recovery, the visitors dinked the ball over Leah to open the scoreline.
Their opening goal galvanised Long Itchington and they enjoyed a period of strong play which Rugby had to work hard to control. Another strong press allowed the visitors a shot and Leah had to pull out a great save to ensure Rugby did not concede a second.
Rugby settled again and began to play calmer and more controlled football. Some great play between Katie, Loren, Grace and Kelsey provided the opportunity for Kelsey to really press the keeper and capitalise on an uncoordinated response from the keeper and defence to level the scoreline.
Rugby maintained the pressure and again, Kelsey and Loren team up for another push on the Long Itchington goal, this time Kelsey’s shot was saved. Nicole was them sent to ground by a foul, which turned out to be one of many times she became acquainted with the Astro. The subsequently awarded free kick was delivered by Amy but was well managed by the Long Itchington defence.
Play continued and a very good goal kick from Leah, found Kelsey on a run, she negotiated the Long Itchington right back, and took her shot, just shooting wide. Back on the press, and the visitors won a corner, but the delivery drifted over the back of the Rugby goal.
Another foul on Nicole and another Rugby free kick. Katie delivered but Rugby could not gain the necessary momentum to make the most of the opportunity. Long Itchington were straight on the counter attack and finished the move with a strong strike and another great save from Leah to keep the score line level but providing the visitors with a corner. Again, Leah dealt with the treat with a no-nonsense punching clearance.
Long Itchington then won a free kick after a player’s heels were caught and they were brought down. The free kick was in a dangerous area just outside the box. Rugby set their wall and prepared, but the threat was ended as the ball flew over the Rugby crossbar.
Rugby awarded another free kick for another foul on Nicole, Amy takes and the ball finds Loren, who works some tekky magic to supply Kelsey who make another great run forward and lays off to Nicole. The Long Itchington defence are ready though and step in to stop the Rugby flow.
Amy <-> Laura C
Rugby are still putting together some good play and are not relying on long balls down the pitch, they maintain possession much better when their communication and passing are used. Some nice play between Laura M, Kelsey and Nicole provides another scoring opportunity, but Nicole’s shot is just wide.
Second Half
Laura M <-> Robyn
Both teams step up the physicality and the game becomes less pretty with more 1 v 1 battles. Kelly has now warmed up and is marauding up and down the wing, and generally proving to be a bit of a thorn in Long Itchington’s side.
Robyn puts in a good performance throughout the second half, in her less favoured position of right back. Robyn moved well and worked effectively with Katie and Grace to limit the opportunities Long Itchington were trying to create down their left wing.
Rugby are slightly edging ahead with possession and pressing, with Nicole on hand to provide a spectacularly strong run, gaining a huge amount of ground and strike, the keeper fumbles and Kelsey is lurking to take a little hop over the keeper and dink the ball into the back of the net to take the lead.
Rugby are awarded another free kick for a foul on Nicole (notice a pattern yet?), Katie takes but Long Itchington again defend very effectively. Kelly and Loren now decide to have a run at the visitors defence, Kelly playing a lovely ball diagonally to Loren who takes the opportunity to shoot, but the keeper collects.
Long Itchington then have a bit of a resurgence and a great counterattack ends with their shot wide of the Rugby goal. Shortly thereafter, the visitors win a corner and absolutely banged the ball in, which Leah handled well, tipping the ball over the crossbar for another corner, which was dealt with by the Rugby defence.
However, Long Itchington worked their play well, regained the possession and cut rutherlessly through the Rugby defence to draw the game level.
Kelsey <-> Sara
Millie <-> Ellie
Sara is on to cause Long Itchington more irritation by getting in their way and generally harassing any defender who had the misfortune of being in possession of the ball. Ellie comes on to add some physicality to the game, and does her job maybe a little too effectively in her first crunching tackle, lucky to get away without a caution.
As the game progresses towards the end, it developed into a very feisty affair, with combination of tired legs, with both teams desperate for the 3 points, there were collisions, shouts, disagreements and some healthy “banter” all over the pitch.
Another Rugby free kick – this time NOT due to a foul on Nicole, delivered by Laura C putting the ball into the visitors defensive 3rd. No issues for their defence to won possession and were back in control.
Laura C <-> Laura M
The game was now a really tough and scrappy affair, a nervy 5 minutes as Long Itchington were awarded a penalty kick after an apparent handball in the area. Both teams settled, Leah was ready and the Long Itchington player stepped up to take. Much to Rugby’s delight, the ball was hammered against the crossbar and Rugby were safe.
Sara <-> Kelsey
Kelsey back on to see if she could generate any further opportunities but both teams had to settle with sharing the points.
Summary
The team were thrilled to welcome back Kelly into the team after a long-term injury for her first game of the season, which turned out to be a very long 5 minutes!
It was a very competitive game against 2nd in the table and maybe with both teams reflecting on some missed changes. Rugby played some very nice football to more than hold their own against a strong team.
Rugby Town 2 – 2 Long Itchington
Rugby Town Women travel to Long Itchington next week to play the reverse fixture and aim to improve on this draw.
Thank you to Referee Alison, Linesman James and for the support at Butlin Road today. The team really appreciate it.