Coventry City Ladies are through to the second round of the FA Tesco Premier League Cup following a dramatic late 3-2 victory away from home against Cardiff City.
The Sky Blues took an early lead, but the hosts drew level before the interval and Terri Beddows put Cardiff ahead mid-way through the second half, but Coventry refused to throw in the towel. Jade Formaston levelled proceedings before Katy Ward sealed the victory a 90th minute effort.
First Team Coach Paul Cudby was understandably delighted to have progressed to the second round and he hopes his side can continue their impressive start to the season next week at home the Preston.
"it was smash & grab victory for us in some ways. We showed great character when we were under pressure and we were determined throughout. Sometimes you get your reward sometimes you don't, but we stuck at it and got a result.
On the balance of play we didn't deserve to win but the fight we showed and team effort was really pleasing. We made some changes, went more attacking and in the end it paid off.”
He added: "It's good we go into next week against Preston with a win which we know is going to be a tough game, but hopefully we can keep this running going.”
After drawing their two previous group games, Coventry City knew that a win away at Cardiff would send them through to the next stage of the League Cup and the visitors made the perfect start when Helen Dermody fired Paul Cuby's side ahead in the eighth minute of play.
Coventry continued to press and twice could have double their lead. Firstly Callan Barber fired just over the bar and then Helen Dermody almost grabbed her brace after some neat interplay with Callan Barber, but her effort was off target.
As the first-half progressed Cardiff began to grab foothold in the match and got themselves on level terms in the 30th minute. A long ball from deep deceived the Coventry defence and left Cardiff striker Kerry Meadows through on goal and the striker made no mistake by firing the equaliser.
The home side began to dominate proceedings and took a deserved lead mid-way through the second half when a corner from the right was met by an unstoppable Lisa Bird header which flew into the Coventry City net.
Coventry responded well after falling behind for the first time in the match and got back on level terms thanks to Jade Formaston, who was well picked out by Katy Ward on the left and the 19-year-old made no mistake in firing home the equaliser.
With time ticking away, it looked as though Coventry City's time in the League Cup had come to an end, but Katy Ward hadn't read the script and somehow scored the match-winning goal in the final minute of play direct from a corner to secure Paul Cudby's side a place in round two.