Sunday 8th September
West Midlands Regional Womens Football League – D1N
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Amber, Kelsey, Robyn, Ava, Ellie, Laura C, Amy, Millie, Emily, Zoe, Laura M, Grace.
Congratulations to Emily, making her league debut for Rugby Town.
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials, LH Services Ltd
The opening league game of the 2024/25 season for our Women saw them take a trek up the M6 to Eccleshall. Eccleshall have a lovely ground, which we didn’t see at its best due to the torrential rain both teams had to contend with during the afternoon.
First Half
A very bright start by Eccleshall who being the game by pushing the Rugby defence hard. Rugby were scrambling to settle into the game and to get hold of the ball. Eccleshall won 2 early corners and Rugby failed to organise themselves and were punished by the hosts, finding themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline within the opening 10 minutes.
Grace and Katie on the wings were finding their stride and the game was starting to open up. Grace plays Katie on who fires a shot hard in from the left, the ball just wide of the right hand upright.
13 minutes in and the wingers continue their runs and Grace works great space down the right wing, firing across to Katie who meets the ball, finds the goal well and reduces the deficit to 2-1.
Rugby enjoy a decent period of play with Grace and Kelsey now working we together. Rugby win a corner on 16 minutes, the ball is put in by Grace but Eccleshall clear well.
19 minutes in and the Eccleshall keeper is dismissed with a straight red card for handling outside the box, Eccleshall make their changes and face the following 70 minutes with 10 players.
Rugby then set to take the free kick, Katie steps up and fires the ball into the bottom left of the net, bring the score level to 2-2.
Eccleshall are not daunted and continue pushing Rugby for any opportunities. The Rugby midfield of Amy, Ava and Millie do well to hold them, and the Rugby back four of Emilly, Robyn, Laura M and Amber are being kept busy ensuring Leah is not put under unnecessary pressure.
The game remains competitive but pretty even until 36 minutes when Eccleshall find a space on the right and are uncontested by Rugby to extend their lead to 3-2. Eccleshall have the bit between their teeth and are causing Rugby a significant headache, their perseverance paying off with a 4 goal on 39 minutes.
42’ Amy <-> Laura C
48’ Millie <-> Ellie
Second Half
50’ Kelsey <-> Zoe
Back and forth between the teams as both battle to make some headway. Eccleshall break the deadlock in midfield on 67 minutes as they slice though the visitors to make it 4-2.
68’ Ava <-> Kelsey
70’ Ellie taken on to treat an injury, replaced by Amy
A free kick is awarded to Rugby after a clumsy tackle on Katie. Katie steps up to take the kick, which is positioned a short distance out from the box. A strong strike which is unfortunately too high and is over the crossbar.
80’ Emily <-> Millie
81’ Grace receives a 10 minute sin bin for dissent.
87’ Zoe <-> Ava
88’ Amy <-> Ellie
The final main action of the game sees Kelsey set up Katie for her hat trick.
Rugby hope they can continue to push in injury time to claw something from the game and the clock ticks down, the game ends and Rugby is left to reflect on their slow start to the game.
Rugby now turn to next Sunday and their first home game of the season as they host Walsall Wood at Butlin Road.
Many thanks to our supporters who travelled today and to James for running the line.