West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – League Game
Sunday 18th February
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Caitlin, Kelly, Amber, Kelsey, Bex, Robyn, Nicole, Grace, Ava
Substitutes: Ellie, Amy, Laura C, Laura M
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd
First Half
For the fourth Sunday in a row, Rugby Town Women were on the road, this time to play Redditch United. But, just for fun, the venue was in Droitwich. Luckily all players, coaching staff, and supporters arrived at the correct location for the 2.30 pm KO.
An early chance for Rugby as they were awarded a corner within the opening 5 minutes of the game. Bex delivered a nice ball, but Redditch dealt with it well and cleared. United were looking very sprightly and were pretty quick on the counterattack. Redditch won a corner pretty much straight away and after delivery and a hubbub in the goal mouth, the ball found its way into the back of the net for United’s first goal.
Rugby were looking to answer quickly and had a good spell with another corner delivered by Nicole and cleared by United. A free kick, delivered by Katie just wide of the post and a decent shot from Bex from a distance which clattered the crossbar.
Caitlin continue the pressure with another good shot from distance, parried by the keeper, her second shot also rattling the crossbar. Another couple of free kick for Rugby, the first delivered by Nicole was cleared by United, the second delivered by Bex, again cleared well by United.
United were looking to capitalise on any errors or slow decision making by Rugby and did not need a second invitation to pass the ball out to their wingers to capitalise on their speed and were often threatening the Rugby defensive 3rd. 30 minutes in an United win a corner, this time an unmarked player used their space to their advantage and headed home United’s second goal.
The game restarts and Rugby soon win another corner, Nicole delivers but again United clear well. There is then a break in play as a United player receives treatment for an injury. Another Rugby corner soon after the restart, delivered by Nicole, and again cleared by United, who are very proficient in defending corners, much to Rugby’s chagrin.
Grace <-> Laura M
United win a free kick not far out from the Rugby 18 yard box, the Rugby wall is formed and they do a great job of preventing the shot advancing to the goal. Rugby then work the ball up the pitch with some nice combination of passing between Nicole, Kelly and Kelsey, with Kelly’s final shot saved by the United keeper. United are back down the pitch and win a free kick, well saved by Leah.
Kelsey <-> Ellie
HT Redditch United 2 – 0 Rugby Town
Second Half
Robyn <-> Ava
Rugby had a bit of an uphill challenge now and needed to work to get themselves back into the game. Nicole and Bex team up for a promising attack, only to be thwarted by the keeper. Possession changes hands several times in midfield until United managed to break on the left and the very strong shot flew across goal an into the right-hand side of the net, extending their lead to 3-0. Rugby were now staring down the barrel of a significant loss, could they pull in back with 40 minutes still to play?
Caitlin was on hand with another great shot from distance, and with the United keeper spilling the shot, a brief glimpse of hope for Rugby was snuffed out as no player was close enough for the follow up. Another delay in the game for a United player injury.
Kelly <-> Grace
Laura M <-> Laura C
Rugby are awarded a free kick, outside and to the right of the United 18 yard box. Bex delivered a lovely curving ball in which the United keeper could do little about and Rugby pull a goal back.
Ellie picks the ball up and muscles past a United defended to get a shot away, just wide of the right hand side upright. United back down to Rugby’s goal and win a corner, well cleared by the visitors. 25 minutes of the game remaining and Rugby win a corner, great delivery again by Bex, and this time, a leaping Caitlin meets the ball perfectly with her head to score Rugby’s second and the comeback is now most definitely on!
Grace and Nicole team up with some great attacking play, Nicole’s shot is fired across goal, leaving Rugby frustrated at having no players at the far post to convert. Rugby win another corner which is cleared and then another few throw ins in quick succession to allow them to make up ground. Nicole again is causing issue for United and another nice period of play forced the United keeper into another save.
Ellie <-> Kelsey
Bex take a great shot from the right, again forcing the United keeper into a save. Rugby win the corner, Bex takes and plays shot to Nicole, United see the danger though and quickly snuff out the threat.
United break and their attacker finds themselves 1 on 1 with Leah in goal. Leah weighs up her options, stands her ground and make a fantastic save to ensure Rugby only remain 1 goal adrift.
Into the final 5 and Rugby are desperate to find the equaliser, Nicoles shot is again parried by the keeper but this time, Kelsey is on hand to slot in the ball from the rebound, the ball rippling the back of the United goal and drawing Rugby level.
Amy <-> Kelly
Summary
Redditch United 3 – 3 Rugby Town Women
Goals from Bex, Caitlin (a. Bex) and Kelsey (a. Nicole)
Certainly, a stressful game for the hardy supporters, but Rugby Town secure a point away from home after an early scare and did very well to turn around a 3-goal deficit and maintain 5th position in the league table.
Thank you to the supporters and Linesman James.