Rugby Town Women v Skegness Town Women – Womens FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Sunday 10th September
Squad: Katie (Captain) Leah, Amber, Hannah, Caitlin, Grace, Kirsty, Nicole, Loren, Laura B, Amy
Substitutes: Robyn, Laura C, Milly, Ava, Ellie, Naomi
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASGPrecision, Gripper Differentials, and Life Investments Estate Agents
Sunday saw our Women’s team host Skegness Town Women at ButlinRoad for their opening match of the season which was a 1st Qualifying Round for the women’s FA Cup.
First Half
Rugby starts brightly and puts early pressure on the visitor’s defense. Rugby wins an early free kick, taken by Amy, but Skegness cleared their lines well. A push forward from Skegness sees Amber coming in to clear any danger.
Skegness win two corners in a row; the first corner is cleared first by Leah and then by a goal line header by Amy. The second corner is also cleared with no issues.
Another free kick for Rugby, again taken by Amy, collected calmly by the Skegness keeper. Shortly followed by Katie having a long-range shot to test the keeper.
Skegness up the pressure, forcing Rugby to up their defensive game, a strong shot is well saved by a diving Leah in goal, the ball falls to a Skegness forward who then shoots wide.
Skegness back on the attack, again Amber thwarts the run and clears for a corner which causes no issues for Rugby. Nicole has a great run up the left, but her strong strike is caught in the side netting.
After a short drink break, play continues and remains pretty evenly matched between both sides.
Towards the end of the first half, Grace takes a shot from the right which is again collected by the Skegness keeper. Nicole wins Rugby another corner, but they cannot capitalize on it. Both teams are awarded a free kick each, but neither team can break the deadlock and the half-finished 0-0.
Second Half
Again, Rugby starts brightly and pushes Skegness from the whistle. Rugby win a corner and a good delivery is well saved by the keeper.
Emotions run high as Skegness is awarded a soft penalty and the nerves show in the dugout as the Skegness players take their run up, Fortunately for Rugby the ball clatters the bar.
Play continues and it is a bit back and forth as both teams press each other hard and are looking for their opening goal.
Rugby is awarded another free kick as Hannah is dragged to the floor by a high arm. Hannah takes the free kick but sees her effort saved by the keeper.
Skegness wins a corner and two free kicks in quick succession; again, good defending sees Rugby managing both threats well.
Rugby are awarded another free kick, which is well put in toward the goal by Hannah, but no Rugby players manage to position themselves to make it useful.
With 75 minutes on the clock, Skegness find a chink in the rugby defense and doesn’t need to ask twice, firing a low ball in from the left to open their scoring.
Rugby is looking for a quick reply and come changes are made with Amy making way for Laura C. Skegnesswin 2 corners one after the other. The second Rugby keeper Leah down with a bloody nose and play is stopped for treatment.
Kirsty makes way for Ava and play continues.
Rugby are working hard but Skegness are determined to defend their slender lead and despite a couple of Rugby corners, the clock runs down, and Skegness Town Women take the win.
Summary
Rugby Town 0 – 1 Skegness Town Women
We exit the cup by the narrowest of margins which is disappointing after a strong team performance. Attention now turns to next week as we open our league season with a home game against Alvechurch.
Player of the Match: Leah
Thank you to our excellent mascots and for all the support at Butlin Road today. The team really appreciate it.