West Midlands Regional Women Division 1 South – LeagueGame
Sunday 12th November
Squad: Katie(Captain) Leah, Kelly, Grace, Kelsey, Millie, Ellie, Robyn, Ava, Chloe, Amber
Substitutes: Sara
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASGPrecision, Gripper Differentials, and Life Investments Estate Agents
First Half
A wet and heavy pitch slowed the game down for both teams this afternoon. Rugby started brightly and an Ellie, Chloe, and Grace combination made great progress allowing for a nearly Rugby shot with Grace just wide of the target. Rugby managed the opening period of the game and there was little action in the Ruby defensive third.
As last week proved, Long Itchington is quick on the break, so it was essential that the Rugby players were focused on their positional play. The host won a corner, and the ball was blasted across the front of the goal, with no players from either side getting their foot on it. From the goal kick, Kelsey made a strong run forward and applied a significant threat to the home goal, the ball finally being scrambled clear.
Long Itchington then had a period of good pressure on the visitors, culminating in a strong shot across the goal mouth. Both teams continued the hard work in midfield to develop the play. The home side won another corner, initially cleared, back in, and then saved by Leah.
Long Itchington won a free kick in a dangerous area just outside the 18-yard area, the risk was managed and cleared by Rugby but soon, the home side was back on Rugby, cutting through the Rugby defence to open the scoreline.
Two free kicks (of many, many free kicks) to Long Itchington in quick succession, both managed well by Leah followed by a free kick for Rugby. Neither team could take advantage of the free kicks. LongItchington then pressed Rugby well and the forward found themselves 1 on 1 with the Rugby keeper. Leah kept her cool and provided a great stop.
The ball was back in play and Chloe and Kelsey had a positive run forward with Kelsey’s shot wide of the post. Straight after, some strong play by Kelsey, Kelly, and Chloe allowed Chloe a shot on target, collected by the Long Itchington keeper.
Ellie <-> Sara
Kelly plays a fine ball on the diagonal to Chloe who pushes forward and slots the ball past the keeper to level the score. Four minutes later it is Kelsey’s turn to provide an assist as Chloe finds the net again and Rugby takes the lead.
The half ends with another free kick for the hosts, culminating in a shot wide of the Rugby post.
Second Half
Early action as a Long Itchington free kick results in a goal, that is then disallowed in favor of a penalty that was awarded apparently before the goal was scored. Nevertheless, once the confusion is sorted, Long Itchington calmly converts from the penalty spot and level the scoreline.
Sara worked really well in midfield, a position she doesn’t usually play in, but was tireless in her committee to get stuck into the tackles and distribute the ball forward.
What seems like several dozen free kicks were not awarded in a period of 10-minute madness, really it was only about 6. Again, all freekicks were dealt with well by the respective defensive teams so no advantage to either side.
Halfway through the second half Kelsey, Grace, and Chloe again worked the ball well around the home defence and were rewarded by taking the lead again with Chloe achieving her hat trick.
Sara <-> Ellie
More free kicks, some seemingly for fun, and still, neither team could utilise it to their advantage. The game took on a fiery and feisty edge, with some disagreements occurring around the Rugby goalmouth. A pause in play for forLeah to receive treatment and then yellow cards are awarded to the Long Itchingtonnumber 9 and Rugby’s Katie.
Some great performances by Ava and Millie in midfield meant that the Rugby forwards were getting plenty of supply. The Rugby back 4 of Grace, Amber, Katie and Robyn also had a very strong game and were generally very quick to nip any threats to the Rugby goal. Ellie provided a much stronger performance in the second half was shoring up the defence as well as getting her foot to the ball to play it forward to the awaiting threat of Kelsey and Chloe.
Rugby kept pressing and saw both Kelly and Ava both have shots, both being slightly wide. Rugbywin a corner, delivered in by Grace into the back of the net. Discussion on whether this was on own goal, having seemingly been helped in by a Long Itchington player, or whether Grace could claim. And Grace gets the claim, mainly for the excellent knee slide celebration.
The final fifteen minutes were an action packet with multiple free kicks, another shot just wide from Chloe, some great defensive work by Robyn and Amber, a fine strike by Kelsey, forcing the keeping into a decent save as well as Ava also forcing the keeper into a save.
Most notably, an excellent double save by Leah kept Rugby well in front, and despite a couple of late corners for the home side, they could not reduce the scoreline and Rugby celebrated and excellent performance at the final whistle.
Summary
The team was tasked to improve on last week’s home draw against Long Itchington, and they more than achieved it. A great whole team performance which was justifiably rewarded with the 3 points.
The team was also thrilled to see the return of Chloe for the game. Especially as she kindly stuck in a hat trick!
Long Itchington 2 – 4 Rugby Town
Chloe x 3
Grace x 1
Thank you to Referee Molly, Linesman James, and the traveling supporters. The team really appreciate it.
