Today we finally got to play a league game seeing us travel away to Tow Law Ladies.

The game started shaky for us seeing us unsettled slightly and falling into Tow Laws playing style. The ball was being lifted constantly and we were playing too deep which was inviting them at us. When the girls got the ball down on the ground and played their own game they were superb and really started panicking our oppositions who in turn began bickering.

The girls began creating chances at goal but the Tow Law keeper done brilliant getting to everything we put at her. It wasn't until the last minute of the first half that our chances finally paid off. Mel received the ball and made a great run in to the left corner of the pitch, she was closed down so quickly played the ball through to striking partner Crid. Crid picked out Robyn hovering on the edge of the box who controlled the ball and sent it crashing past the Tow Law keeper with a superb bottom right hand corner finish. This was a brilliant team goal and should have ended the half there but the referees whistle never went. Moving past the 45 minute mark Tow Law won the ball in midfield and played a long ball into the box, players Jo & Robyn both went to clear the ball but unfortunately collided seeing Robyn fall to the floor and land on the ball.... completely accidental and no Tow Law player in site but to our disbelief as well as our opponents the referee awarded a penalty for a handball ball. This was a tragedy for the team, completely unfair and changed all the dynamics of the game as we entered the half time break.

The second half was a good battle between the two sides but still much like the first seeing too much lifting of the ball and not enough football being played. In the 65th minute of play Robyn made a good challenge in midfield but the referee deemed this a freekick. The player went for goal but keeper Charlie made a great save tipping it just over the cross bar. A corner was awarded and Tow Law managed to score after a scuffle in the box giving them the lead.

Finally, the team as a whole lifted their game. They were hungry for the equaliser and created an array of chances, we hit the crossbar after a brilliant effort from Mel as well as numerous saves from the Tow Law keeper and a few harsh wide misses. Time was running out, our oppositions decided to defend the last 20 minutes knowing we were a constant threat. Unfortunately and unfairly the game finished 2-1 to Tow Law. A draw at the very least would of been a fair result given the penalty which even our opponents didn't agree with but unfortunately that's football.

The girls will use this game as a learning curve and come back stronger.

Huge well done to player of the match Jo who was equally as great in positions full back and wing today. She never stopped for the full time of the pitch and was a constant headache for our opponents.

Well done girls... roll on next week ❤

Rutherford AFC

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