Wolves Edge Lacklustre Sky Blues
Coventry City Ladies' spluttering start to the season continued today with a 1-0 defeat away to Wolves. A first minute Sophie Richards goal was enough to win the game as the home side consistently found a way to keep the Sky Blues out. Natasha Lynch & Katy Moran were both booked for dissent in a full blooded contest that saw 3 City players substituted with injuries.
Wolverhampton took advantage of an early opportunity as Lyndsey Bryenton's defensive header fell to Nicole Ledgister. The battling winger's deflected effort dropped at the feet of Richards who was all alone as she appeared at least 3 yards offside. Richards steadied herself before shooting low past the outstretched hand of Adele Rodgers. The hosts dominated first half possession had chances to increase their lead before the Sky Blues began to themselves back into the match.
Danni Saulter looked the most likely source for an equaliser as full back Jenni Lowe slid a ball in behind the Wolverhampton defence for the nippy forward to run onto. Saulter's effort was deflected wide as Wolves defended desperately throwing bodies in the way of every Coventry effort. After struggling to find a way to goal for the opening half an hour the Sky Blues began to create a glut of opportunities. Moran surged out of defence and slotted a ball through to Saulter who found herself one on one with Naomi Bruton in the Wolves goal. Bruton stood up well and forced Saulter's thunderous effort just over the bar.
The resulting corner saw yet more committed defending as first Lynch's effort was deflected wide before Saulter saw yet another shot on goal blocked. The Sky Blues began the second half with yet more pressure. Cherelle Archibald linked well with Saulter as the forward partners played a nice one-two, Archibald's strike was foiled by another good save from the impressive Bruton.
Michelle Thomas bravely put her head in the way of a 51st minute Helen Dermody strike after Lowe had again unlocked the Wolverhampton defence releasing her left sided partner who cut inside to shoot. Once more Coventry looked dangerous from the resulting corner. Saulter picked up the ball and played it across the box to Moran. The hard working midfielder shot on target only to see yet another defender get something in the way of a goal-bound strike.
Wolverhampton were unlucky not to add to their lead when they crashed two efforts off Coventry's bar in the 66th minute. The second strike caused much consternation on the Wolves bench as they claimed the ball had crossed the line before Rodgers gathered it. Coventry had seen their best chances to pull level go by the wayside as the game drew to a frustrating conclusion, with both Archibald and Moran blazing efforts over the bar in stoppage time.
Manager Paul Cudby was frank in his assessment of the performance. "The game could've been dead & buried for us by half time, we simply didn't play well. Wolves started very well and except for a great save & a spell of pressure before the break, 1-0 probably flattered us. Second half we competed much better & had we gotten on level terms, which some of our play merited, we would've gone on to win the game I'm sure".
Cudby continued "we didn't get the goal, so now we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves & realise we need to earn the right to win a game by playing as a team for 90 minutes & start achieving some consistency. It takes a lot of commitment for the players & I have a great deal of faith in them to work hard & improve". Coventry's next fixture will see them travel to Crewe Alexandra to face the club relegated from the Northern Premier last season.
Team: - Rodgers, Pinner, Lowe (Coley 63), Ogle, Lynch (c), Bryenton, Formaston (Forbes 83), Moran, Archibald, Saulter, Dermody (Willis 63).
Subs Not Used: - Henson, Wilcox.
Goals: - None.
Booked: - Lynch, Moran.
Sent Off: - None.