Sedgley and Gornal v Rugby Town Women
West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – League Game
Sunday 11th February
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Caitlin, Kelly, Amber, Kelsey, Bex, Robyn, Nicole, Kirsty, Laura M
Substitutes: Ellie, Amy, Ava
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd
First Half
Its fair to say that the opening 15 minutes was not the best performance from the visitors as they made hard work of keeping Sedgely out of the Rugby half. There was an early chance for Rugby created by Bex and Coley leading to a good shot by Coley and a good save from the Sedgley keeper.
Rugby were given a warning after a miscommunication at the back lead to an open goal for Sedgley who mercifully (for Rugby) show wide of the mark. Sedgley were keen to secure an early lead and kept the pressure on Rugby, with another shot wide of the Rugby goal.
Rugby won a few free kicks in the first half but nothing that particularly troubled the hosts. A number of corners were also won, with good deliveries by Bex but no conversion by Rugby.
Sedgley challenged again and it was only a very strong save from Leah that kept the score at 0-0. Shortly after, a very nice combination play between Robyn, Kelsey, Kirsty, Kelly and Coley saw Coley find the next and open the scoreline for Rugby.
The goal seem to wake Rugby up, and so began the waves of pressure that became a feature of not only the rest of the half, but also the rest of the game. Caitlin had distance shot just go wide. Bex, Kelly and Coley again linked up with the final ball from Kelsey wide of the posts.
Bex continued to search for her first goal in a Rugby Town shirt, another effort saved by the keeper. Rugby were then awarded a free kick for a foul against Coley. Katie stepped up to take as it was just outside the box in a promising area, the Sedgley keeper doing well to collect. The ball was won back in midfield, allowing Bex another shot, sadly again just wide.
Rugby continued to work the play really well throughout the rest of the first half. Kelsey, Kelly and Coley were on the charge again, Coley’s shot over the bar. Katie, Kelsey and Coley maintained the pressure and won a corner for Rugby with Bex and Coley trying a short corner option. The keeper collected but soon after during another press by the visitors another corner was won. Bex delivered and Katie found some great space to get her head on the ball, nodding just wide. Another break and Coley and Kelly worked the ball forward ending with Kelly’s shot just over the bar.
38’ Kirsty <-> Ava
A Sedgley player is shown a straight red for a deliberate and petulant kick out at Katie well after the ball had been played. Rugby were playing some nice football down the left wing with Robyn, Katie, Coley and Kelly seeing a lot of action.
Second Half
The second half started with a early corner. Bex delivered another short ball to Coley who worked round the defenders well to get the ball to Caitlin who shot wide.
53’ Amber <-> Kirsty
56’ Kirsty <-> Ellie
Ellie and Katie teamed up for a shot, Katie’s ball ricocheting of the post.
70’ Amy <-> Kirsty
72’ Laura <-> Amber
Bex, Coley and Ellie was still causing issues for the Sedgley defence and were fighting to create the space they wanted to shoot. After some great teamwork, Ellie got her shot away, just hitting the left upright.
80’ Kirsty <-> Kelsey
Coley, Kelsey, Ellie and Ava were then on the charge, Ava’s shot easily collected by the keeper.
A Sedgley play was sin binned for dissent. Although they continued to work well with some good opportunities, the Rugby goal in the first half proved to be the only goal in an energetic game.
Summary
Sedgley and Gornal 0 – 1 Rugby Town Women
Goal from Nicole (a. Kelly)
Rugby Town secure the 3 points away from home for only the 3rd time this season. A good result from a game where there were a few missed opportunities.
Thank you to the supporters and Linesman James. A special mention to Referee Chloe who had a fantastic game.