MATCH REPORT

Balls to Cancer vs Rugby Borough Women FC

16th September 2020

Birmingham County Women’s Football League Premier Division

13 September 2020

Hadley Stadium, Smethwick

Rugby’s first game of the league season started with an away game to Balls to Cancer. Rugby played again with the same formation following their FA Cup defeat the previous week.

Squad: Beth, Bailey, Hannah, Hannah, Sam, Lexi, Em, Cammie, Nat, Molly, Sarah, Charlotte, Sarah, Maxwell, Suzzie.

The game started very scrappy with Balls to Cancer having a few half chances on goal. Rugby then started to pass the ball around better, leading to some really good chances which could have been scored on a different day.

With only one sub on the bench and one player being too injured to carry on, Balls to Cancer switched their keeper. Their keeper threw the ball out straight to their defender who had to quickly pass across goal as Charlotte closed them down quickly, Sarah then snatched the loose pass and placed the ball in the bottom corner of the net, making it 1-0 to Rugby.

About 10 minutes later the same problem happened again to Balls to Cancer with Charlotte pressing the ball down and Sarah getting onto a loose pass making it 2-0 to Rugby. Being in the lead gave Rugby more confidence but the team were becoming tired before half time due to the heat. Balls to Cancer had a long range effort and scored to make it 2-1 just before half time.

Half time score: Balls to Cancer 1-2 Rugby Borough

Rugby kicked off the second half again trying to play the ball around. Again, the half started a bit scrappy in parts and improvements were needed. Getting into more of a rhythm, Rugby began to press a tired Balls to Cancer team, with Suzzie running down the line and crossing the ball in to Maxwell, who finished well making it 1-3 to Rugby.

Some tired Rugby legs on the pitch helped Balls to Cancer score their second goal which was a questionable offside making it 2-3. The last 10 minutes of the game was very tense with Balls to Cancer pushing on but Rugby were keeping strong. In the last couple of seconds of the game Rugby had a counter attack and again Maxwell finished the game for Rugby making it 2-4.

Overall a good team effort but scrappy at times so improvements are needed and will be worked on. Well done to Sam on getting player of the match.

Full time result:
Balls to Cancer 2-4 Rugby Borough

Next fixture: 20/09/20

Rugby Borough v Leamington Hibs –  2pm kick off at Kilsby Lane.