MATCH PREVIEW
“Be braver”: Burch challenges his team to bounce back
6th December 2025
Rugby Borough Women manager Lee Burch has called on his side to show bravery and sharpness on the ball as they prepare for their final league fixture of the calendar year against Derby County this Sunday.
In the reverse fixture, Borough beat Derby 6–0 after a dominant second-half display featuring goals from captain Ebony Wiseman.
Rugby sit third in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division, five points behind Wolves and six off leaders Burnley.
Their last league outing ended in a narrow defeat to Burnley, despite a competitive performance.
Speaking ahead of the match, Burch reflected on the positives and lessons taken from the weekend’s narrow loss.
“There were positives on both an individual and team perspective but sometimes in losses you do need to really reflect and focus on the parts you didn’t get right. We have to be honest as a team and understand where we didn’t get things right and why we didn’t get the outcome we wanted. They always respond well to be honest. It was a blow to our aims this year, they know that but the quality, mentality and togetherness is as good as I’ve known and that will help us.”
Attention now turns to improvements on the training pitch, with Rugby looking to sharpen key areas ahead of the away trip to Derby.
Burch highlighted the qualities he wants to see more consistently from his players.
“Being a bit braver and staying on the ball a bit longer as individuals. It’s a key element and if you are just pushing the ball elsewhere and passing on responsibility that won’t get the outcomes we want. As always being better in both 18-yard boxes.”
With Rugby having beaten Derby convincingly in August, Burch stressed the need to avoid complacency and recognise the improvement in Sunday’s opponents.
Derby currently sit in ninth place but have shown clear progress since the opening day.
“The importance of the scout report and planning is key to this (avoiding complacency) and showing the players how much Derby have improved already. They have good staff and team, we went there last season after a comfortable home win and drew 1-1 so the proof is there from last season. They have some good pace in wide areas and are clearly in a better place as a group than beginning of the season. I expect them to be one of the few teams that probably really respect what we can do and really try to make it hard for us to play our game. We really have to ignore the 6-0 game.”
Borough will make the trip with a near-full squad, gaining a key international return ahead of the final fixture of 2025.
Burch provided the latest on player availability.
“Poppy Soper returns after missing last week due to international duty. Katy Morris is very close and will return after this game. Hopefully the rest of the week stays injury free.”
Sunday’s fixture gets underway at 2pm, with Rugby aiming to close out the calendar year on a high.
