Coventry City Ladies continued their impressive pre-season form by holding Southern Premier outfit West Ham United to a goalless draw. The Sky Blues have now gone 3 matches without conceding after their 2 previous victories a fortnight ago. Management duo Paul Cudby & Matt Whitehouse were boosted by the return of Kelly Pinner, Natalie Wilcox & Kelly-Ann Willis as the team returned to near full strength before their season kicks off at home to Leafield Athletic on the 7th of September.
In a thoroughly entertaining end-to-end match, the Hammers fielded a strong line up including recent signings Sam Pittock & Jade Dempster from National Premier Division sides Charlton Athletic & Chelsea respectively. It was the two new captures that caught the eye most for the home side. The versatile Dempster began the game at centre half & almost single-handedly blunted the Sky Blues attacking threat.
As the second half began Dempster shifted to join Pittock in attack & again proved to be a constant thorn for the Sky Blues. It was Pittock though that had the games best chance. With just 5 minutes remaining Coventry came close to breaking the deadlock when Ali Forbes narrowly missed out on connecting with Jade Formaston's corner. As the ball sailed past everyone it hit off both posts before being knocked to safety.
Pittock latched onto the clearance and raced through to lob the on-rushing Kerry Williamson in the City goal. As the lively striker collected her own ball she was presented with an open goal but could only strike her effort against the crossbar. Just moments later the luckless forward did have the ball in the net only to see what surely would've been the winner ruled out for offside.
Cudby was again delighted with the progress that his young side had shown against a well organised opponent. "Against very strong opposition it was pleasing to see everyone take up the challenge & work so hard to impress. At times throughout the match we very definitely had the upper hand & created some good chances. They also created a few decent chances so it was pleasing to get another clean sheet".
"The defence were strong 'Kez' in goal looked superb too. Both Jade Ogle & Nicole Tinto had a good run out & neither looked out of place, both myself & Matt are sure that this is just the beginning for the pair of them & that it's the first of a few appearances for them. On the whole it's another stepping stone to being ready for Leafield & the players should now be full of confidence".
Next up for the City Ladies is a run in with local rivals & a reunion with former manager Stuart Wilson as they travel to take on Birmingham City Ladies of the National Premier Division on Sunday the 10th of August.
Line Up: - Williamson, Wilcox (Ogle 30), Lowe, Pinner (Saulter 30), Forbes (Bryenton 30), Lynch, Formaston, Moran, Willis, Wade (Tinto 30), Henson (Richards 30).