West Midlands Regional Women’s Football League (Div 1 South)
Sunday 26th February
Squad: Kelly W, Katie, Caitlin, Millie, Ellie, Amber, Laura C, Sara, Kelly R, Leah, Grace, Hannah (C), Marie-Claire
Team Sponsors: LH Services Building and Installation, ASG Precision Ltd, Gripper Differentials, Jamesway Travel, Melbos Building Supplies, Keller UK
Lovely conditions prevailed at Butlin Road for our home fixture hosting Droitwich. The Rugby women looking to build on last weeks win and secure another 3 league points.
First Half
Rugby put Droitwich under early pressure courtesy of MC who capitalises on a bit of a wayward back pass from the Droitwich defender, the keeper scrambling to get to the ball to kick clear.
Rugby continue working their plan and do well, consistently keeping possession and the ball in the opposition half. Droitwich look to use the counter attacked to their advantage and favour their left wing. However, Amber (RB) is there with some great runs and well-timed tackles to effectively neutralise any threat.
A Droitwich corner is cleared well and the home side, playing the ball over to Grace on the right wing for the first of many great runs from her during the game, her pace causing the visitors defence a real headache.
A delay in play as Laura C (CB) is down injured, and is unfortunately unable to take further part in the game
Laura C <-> Ellie
Kelly W and Hannah build some nice play and are up again, putting pressure on the Droitwich defence who do well to clear with a long ball over to their left. Grace put in an impressive defensive run back to stop Droitwich from making much of their efforts. However, Droitwich have a decent spell of possession and win a corner, fantastically and probably painfully, blocked by Caitlin, the ball falling to a Droitwich forward who shoots well wide.
A smart Caitlin/Hannah/Grace combo sees Rugby back on the attack with Grace working the space to get a shot away, unfortunately well wide of the left upright. Rugby win a free kick due to a foul on Kelly W. Hannah steps up to take as it is a good distance for a shot on goal, but the keeper collects an easy save.
Caitlin and Grace combine again and Grace takes the ball right down to the corner flag on the right and whips in a great cross, Rugby haven’t managed to get anyone on the far post for the tap in though so the ball flies harmlessly across the front of the Droitwich goal.
A free kick is awarded to Droitwich due to a foul conceded by MC but it’s a pretty tame take, and Leah easily scoops it up with no issue. Amber (RB) and Katie (LB) switch sides to give Amber a break as most of the Droitwich action has been focussed on their left wing.
Rugby mount a period of sustained pressure with the midfield and forwards working as a well oiled machine. A Rugby through ball in finds Kelly W, free for a shot on goal, saved by the keeper. Caitlin feeds to Grace for another shot, again just wide. Rugby then win a corner, Hannah delivers and it is initially cleared from the goal mouth but only as far as Caitlin who takes another shot, but over the bar.
Droitwich organise a quick counter attacked and play well down the pitch, however, the Rugby defence cause enough of an issue to take the sting out of the attack and the result is a soft shot easily gathered by Leah.
Another free kick for Rugby from a dangerous position, Hannah steps up looking confident and is frustrated to clatter the crossbar.
Katie (RB) is delivering another great performance and is doing a great job in opening up play by pegging back the quick and skilful Droitwich left winger. Katie is also putting some sublime balls up the right-wing touchline for Grace to run on to. Caitlin (CM) has been in the mix throughout this half and the visitors are finding her to be pretty much unplayable. Great performance from Caitlin.
Rugby keep pushing for the first goal, which surely couldn’t be far away. Another Rugby corner delivered by Hannah, initially cleared but straight back into Rugby possession with Grace and another wide shot.
MC <-> Sara
Grace/ Caitlin/Grace pair up again and skip past the visitors with their pacy passing. Grace takes a long range shot but it is collected for a goal kick. Rugby continue to enjoy the majority of possession as the remainder of the half plays out, but are probably justified in being disappointed to be going into the break goal less after creating a number of good chances
Second Half
Rugby come out confident, ready to build on their positive first half and secure their elusive first goal. Droitwich were also obviously keen to get something from the game and started strongly. An early attached by the visitors didn’t amount to much as they couldn’t find much clear space with Katie, Ellie and Amber doing a great job as a back three team.
Rugby win another free kick from a foul on Sara. The kick is to be taken from a perfect position for Kelly R to come in with one of her trademark “floaters” and drop the ball into the box for someone to get their head on. Droitwich manage to clear the free kick but the ball is quickly picked up again by Grace again teaming up with Caitlin playing back to Grace who takes her chance, again wide. Grace probably wondering what she has to do to find the net with an impressive yell of frustration.
Another free kick for Rugby, this time for a foul on Millie, who has been quietly going about her business in midfield with a great contribution throughout the game. As the free kick is inside the Rugby half, Katie steps up to send the ball sailing up field and out of harm’s way.
Caitlin and Hannah now team up, having pretty much rampaged through the Droitwich defence and Hannah takes her chance with a shot, which ends up being well saved by the keeper. Time now for a Droitwich free kick, which was so uneventful, recollections are hazy but it didn’t result in a goal so all is good.
Continuing the theme, Rugby win another free kick, again in a perfect place for a Kelly R special, and she delivers it with deadly accuracy. Finally, Grace connects and finds the net to open Rugby’s tally and no doubt hears a chorus of Angels singing in celebration of her well-deserved goal.
A short period of back and forth sees Hannah attempting a very audacious shot / cross from the tightest of angles, ending with the ball in the side netting, and a charge and rare shot by Droitwich which Leah collects well.
Shortly afterwards, Droitwich earn a corner, resulting in a bit of a goal mouth ping pong. Amid the confusion, Ellie (CB) pulls off a great goal line clearance and Rugby see off the danger.
Sara <-> MC
Kelly W and Grace have swapped wings to provide the opportunity for Kelly W to see a bit of the action and to give Grace’s legs a break. The proves very effective as Kelly W quickly set off at pace, playing across to MC who takes her chance, saved by the Droitwich keeper.
Rugby win another free kick, and the Gods are clearly smiling down on Butlin Road as again, it’s in a perfect position for Kelly R, who does not disappoint. A perfect delivery, this time finding Kelly W to convert to extend the home sides advantage.
The game restarts and Droitwich, to their credit, are really working to reduce the deficit. Their winger makes a very strong run down the right and plays a nice cross in. There is a Droitwich forward on the edge of the box, anticipating this move, but Leah has already noticed the threat, adjusted her position and makes a very fine save.
The ball is back in play and Grace makes a blistering run right down to the corner flag, with the Droitwich defence in hot pursuit, the perfectly timed cross and perfectly timed run by Kelly W leads to Rugby’s third goal of the game and surely secures the 3 points.
Both teams have worked hard throughout the game and as they entered the final 10 minutes, some tired legs are becoming apparent. Droitwich work a nice play, resulting in a very effective shot on goal. Leah, arguably forced into her first challenging save of the game, does a sterling job keeping a clean sheet.
Amber is down injured and has to be helped off the field
Amber <-> Sara
Caitlin drops into defence to take Amber’s place and Sara slots into the attacking midfield role.
A long delay as Hannah is down in the Droitwich goalmouth after a robust challenge during a Droitwich corner.
Rugby are looking to maintain possession and run the clock down now. They restrict Droitwich well and generally control the game. Final action is a Hannah and Grace pair up, which sees Grace finishing the game as she started with a shot on target saved by the keeper.
Summary
Rugby Town 3 (Grace and Kelly W (2) – 0 Droitwich Spa
Another great team performance with the defensive practice in training really paying off on the pitch. Teamwork, positivity, and effort shining through.
Rugby have picked up a very well deserved 7 points from the last 3 games. They now focus on next week’s game – a local derby no less – as they travel to Rugby Borough
Many thanks to referee Emma and assistant referees / coaches Jason and Lee
