Birmingham County FA – Challenge Vase Second Round
Sunday 19th November
Squad: Leah. Katie (Captain), Amber, Robyn, Laura M, Kelsey, Kelly, Caitlin, Ava, Ellie, Millie
Substitutes: Loren, Laura C, Kirsty, Claire, Amy
Sponsor: Melbros, Jamesway Travel, Keller, ASG Precision, Gripper Differentials and Life Investments Estate Agents
First Half
Coundon Court Devs (CCD) get off to a sprightly start with a push on the Rugby goal and a shot over the crossbar inside the first minute of the game.
Rugby started to settle make progress up the pitch, but CCD are keen to get the ball out from their own half. Amber, who was part of the back four alongside Laura M, Robyn and Katies, makes the first of several excellent defensive tackles.
11 minutes and CCD played a great through ball to their pacy forward and force a save from the Rugby keeper, Leah. Rugby back in possession, utilise Kelsey’s speed and good play sees Kelsey working hard to create opportunities for the team.
Ellie <-> Millie
Amy <-> Kirsty
24 minutes in and another quick run in by Kelsey, work past the defenders, sees Kelly running in and provides a lovely cross to meet Kelly who bangs the ball into the top corner of the net for Rugby’s opening goal.
Ava continued from last week, maintaining excellent energy levels, work rate and performance in midfield and had a very strong game with thoughtful positioning and some good 1v1 battles. A free kick for Rugby was taken by Amy but well cleared by CCD.
CCD then had a good spell of football and were making the Rugby midfield work hard. They had a couple of chances and shots on the Rugby goal, but they were easy enough for Leah to manage. CCD kept their momentum which allowed for another good shot wide of the post.
Robyn <-> Loren
28 minutes and another good build up play from Rugby with Kelsey again involved in the assist, this time for Katie who swung in a fantastic ball from wide left, looping over the keeper into the top right of the CCD goal. Despite heavy speculation, Katie maintains it was a shot, and not a sliced cross. Regardless, Rugby 2-0 to the better.
Kirsty was back in the squad after a few weeks absence and was supporting some good play. A nice run put Kirsty in the driving seat and she was unlucky to see her shot go wide. This move signalled the start of a good period of pressure by Rugby with a Kelsey / Loren play that ended with Kelsey’s shot saved and a Kelsey / Ava play, ending with Ava’s shot wide.
Kelsey <-> Claire
Kelsey comes off for a period of recovery after all her work and we welcome Claire to her first game for Rugby Town Women.
Rugby win a free kick, delivered by Amy. There is a bit of bobbling in the goal mouth before CCD clear, but only as far as Caitlin who sticks her laces through the ball, unfortunately shooting wide.
Second Half
The start of the second half doesn’t go quite as planned, with Rugby gifting CCD a free header from a really nice cross and CCD rightly punishing Rugby for their poor defending, reducing the deficit by one.
Claire <-> Kelsey
The game becomes a little back and forth between both teams, Caitlin has dropped back into centre defence to add a bit of hight and strength to the back four, and is kept quite busy for a time, with some very speedy tracking and well times tackles to prevent Leah being called into action.
CCD win a few corners over the space of 5 minutes or so, Rugby defend well with no particular concerns. Loren and Kelly join forces and the resulting shot is fired over the bar by Kelly.
Kelsey again is back in the thick of the action – with a great individual effort to beat the CCD defence and finding herself 1v1 with the keeper. The CCD keeper made the correct decision, coming out early and making an excellent block to prevent Kelsey claiming a goal.
Amy <-> Laura C
Loren <-> Millie
CCD win a free kick and a corner in quick succession and although working hard, they just couldn’t summon the final ball to finish their play. Ava wins the ball in midfield and showing smart play, plays the ball through space to Kelsey, who flagged offside.
Laura C <-> Amy
Kelsey, Kelly and Ava again caused problems for the CCD defenders, Kelsey finally winning a corner. Kelly fired the ball in and Avas shot was saved. The ball back in play, and Kelsey again takses another run up the left, past the CCD right back and squared up to the keeper, her shot across the goalmouth just the wrong side of the upright.
CCD push back at Rugby and again some excellent defending by Amber prevents pressure on the Rugby goal. The ball is back in the attacking third, and as per the theme of the day, Kelsey is again off on a run, again the keeper comes out well, preventing Rugby’s 3rd.
Kelly, Kelsey and Kirsty link up and some great play is rewarded as Kirsty scores Rugby’s third goal of the afternoon.
Kirsty <-> Ellie
Ellie, Kelsey and Kelly now link up, but this phase of play is stopped in its tracks by a foul of Kelsey and a free kick for Rugby. Nothing comes of the free kick but Rugby are in possession and running down the clock and Ellie and Kelly do a great job of corralling the ball into the top right corner of the pitch and huddling to see out the game.
Summary
A great team performance for Rugby Town Women who now progress to the next round of the Challenge Vase.
A big thank you to Coundon Court Devs for a great game. It was a pleasure to host them at Butlin Road.
Rugby Town 3 – 1 Coundon Court Development
Goals from Kelly, Katie and Kirsty
Rugby Town Women are back in league action next week as we plat Worcester City Devs at Butlin Road. KO 2pm, please come along to support.
Thank you to Referee Joseph, Linesman James and for the support at Butlin Road today. The team really appreciate it.