Carrying over their stellar league form into the county cup, Coventry City Ladies gave National Premier outfit Birmingham City a real scare on their own patch at Stratford Town FC. The Sky Blues twice came from behind with goals from Katie Ward and top scorer Robyn James before eventually succumbing to a hotly disputed winner from Katy Green. Republic of Ireland international Jemma Connor-Iommi had twice given the Blues the lead as Coventry looked more than a match for their hosts.
The Sky Blues were certainly fastest out of the traps, Helen Dermody and Emily Hanson tested former Coventry keeper Adele Rogers who did well to keep the scores level until the half. Birmingham, who've struggled in the Premier this season sitting just two points above the relegation zone, started to become frustrated as the opening period went on, resorting to lumping aimless long balls forward as the match became increasingly niggly.
Coventry's line up included no fewer than four players that have previously worn the darker blue of their neighbours, and with former Sky Blues Manager Stuart Wilson at the helm of the top flight club, tensions were understandably high. Connor-Iommi notched her first two minutes into the second period. Sarah Morgan got down to save a direct free kick but the Irish midfielder was on hand to stab home the rebound.
Robyn James worked tirelessly up front on her own for City and got her reward when she was on hand to pull the Sky Blues level in the 58th minute. Jade Formaston's left footed volley from the edge of the area cannoned back off the bar to where James had positioned herself to drive in a deserved equaliser. Birmingham restored their lead almost immediately when Connor-Iommi picked up a scuffed clearance on the edge of Coventry's area and slotted through a crowded box into the net.
As the game began to ebb and flow Hanson and Nicole Evans linked up to lay on City's second goal. Hanson released Evans down the right flank and burst forward to get onto Evans' pull back on the edge of Birmingham's box. A floated cross to the back post saw Ward rise, arch her back and power a header over Rogers and inside the far post.
It wasn't to be Coventry's day though, and after some stout defensive work from their back line they were breached with just four minutes remaining. There was more than a hint of offside as Katy Green was slid through to finish coolly. The Sky Blues didn't give up though and went in search of yet another equaliser, Dermody's cross shot coming closest, hitting the roof of the net with virtually the final kick of the game.
Manager Paul Cudby was immensely pleased with his side's performance "I'm incredibly proud of the players, they gave absolutely everything. They ran them very close tonight and to come to Birmingham's place and score twice was excellent, they have a lot to be proud of". Cudby and his team will now focus on Sunday's trip to Stoke City as they look to bounce back to winning ways. The Sky Blues require 12 points from their final six games to guarantee promotion.
Team: - Morgan; Wilcox, Lynch (c), Clarke, Newnes (Ward 62); Formaston, Hanson, McKenna, Dermody, Evans; James.
Subs Not Used: - Manca, N. Miles, Whitfield, Christie.
Goals: - James (58), Ward (70).
Booked: - None.
Sent Off: - None.