MATCH REPORT
Rugby Borough Women v Hashtag United Women
19th September 2023
- Date: 17th Sept 2023
- League: The FA Women's National League, South Division
- Venue: Nationwide Windows Arena, Rugby
- Player of the match: Mia Malone
- Next match: 24th Sept v Plymouth Argyle FC (Home)
Lee Burch made one change for this early top-of-the-table clash against Hashtag United. Mia Malone came back into the defensive line, replacing Liv Milner who reverted to the bench.
The game started cautiously, with neither team really getting a foothold and the first shot on target wasn’t until the 25th minute. It was Hashtag United to have it, but their looping header didn’t trouble Foley.
10 minutes later and we were ahead! Borough won a free-kick, which wasn’t cleared by the Hashtag defence. It fell to Malone, who brought it down and hit it on the half-volley!! It took a slight deflection on its way past the goalkeeper, but Mia certainly deserved the credit.
What followed really flipped the game on its head. Following a Hashtag corner and a header on target, Nixon appeared to handle the ball on the line. The referee was quick to award a penalty and dismiss Nixon, before Hashtag levelled from the spot.
Shortly after, we found ourselves behind. On 44 minutes, a shot from distance flew into the bottom corner – catching everyone by surprise. An uphill task for Borough, made even more difficult by the timing of the goals.
Borough battled on in the second-half, but fell to a 1-3 deficit as Hashtag doubled their lead after 56 minutes.
Wiseman had two opportunities to pull one back (on 60 and 62 minutes) and would certainly be disappointed with the first, as she dragged a volley wide of the far post.
As the half went on, Borough continued to try and create but were up against some resolute defending from a confident Hashtag side. The match finished 1-3, with the sending off really having an impact on our chances to get anything from the game.
A difficult way to lose, but this group will go again!
Rugby Borough: Foley, Mann, Malone, Nixon, Wiseman, Walker (Milner 75), Potts (Brooks 90+2), Whipp (Cassidy 75), K. Morris, Curwood-Wagner (S. Morris 59), Essam.
Our next match is at 2pm on Sunday (24th) against Plymouth Argyle at home and we’d love to see your support again! Book your tickets online here.
