Coventry United Ladies Boss Michael Foy was pleased with his side's 5-0 win over West Ham United this afternoon.
Manager, Michael Foy told Matty Roper: "It was a very professional performance today and I am very pleased. We kept the ball well, pressed in the right areas and pulled out a great score line to open up the season. All the hard work throughout pre-season has paid off! We go again next week."
United's Player Of The Match, Libby Piggott said: "It was a brilliant start to the season on both a personal level and as a group. I felt we all worked hard to break them down and finished it off with some quality goals! It was great to have such good support for the team too, they can provide an extra boost for us."
Report
Coventry United Ladies were back in league action on Sunday after a positive pre-season campaign. After being moved to the FA Women's Premier League Southern division, Michael Foy's side hosted West Ham United at The Oval and they would be looking to get off to the best possible start.
The game got off to a fairly fast-paced start as both teams tussled it out for possession, it was Coventry who enjoyed more of the ball early on however. Max Gauntlett had the first chance of the game on 6 minutes but her fierce strike was deflected wide of the target. It didn't take much longer to open the scoring however as Coventry took a deserved lead. A superb cross from Helen Dermody found Nikki Miles at the back post and the defender headed emphatically in to the far corner.
West Ham did settle down a little after conceding and they enjoyed some neat interchange in the midfield, Coventry's defence were organised however to thwart the away side to no chances. This platform allowed the home side to probe forward and Amber Hughes struck narrowly over on 14 minutes following a short corner routine.
The game was shaping in to a very well contested affair, both teams were knocking the ball around with real composure and the midfield battle was very physical. Chances were coming at a slow rate however but it was the home side who looked more threatening going forward, West Ham's defence looked strong though as they coped with any danger competently.
The next half-chance did fall to Coventry on 35 minutes after good work from Iggy Rageh allowed her to pick off Maz Gauntlett, the striker then showed great feet before volleying a dipping effort narrowly over the bar. As for the rest of the half, it petered out a little as both sides struggled to break each other down. Helen Dermody went the closest on 44 minutes as her powerful effort stung the palms of Aditi Chauhan, the referee's whistle was soon blown though to signal the end of a competitive opening period.
Half-Time: Coventry United Ladies 1-0 West Ham United Ladies
West Ham started the second half very brightly and after a defensive error, Georgia Miller latched on to the opportunity with just seconds played but she blazed over from inside the box. The away side looked very confident and they were playing some very neat football, Coventry's back line looked fairly comfortable though and Sue Wood had very little to do in the home goal. April Bowers did have a long range strike sail way over the bar on 53 minutes but that was as close as the away side came early on.
With 56 minutes on the clock, Coventry began to come back in to the game and Amber Hughes won a free kick right on the edge of the area. The initial delivery came to nothing but Maz Gauntlett fired wide from long range after possession was recycled. A positive spell from the home side wasn't rewarded as the final ball was lacking, West Ham then began to have more influence going forward but they failed to create any clear-but chances.
As Coventry started to look more promising going forward in a topsy-turvy affair, Libby Piggott saw an effort sail over the bar on 65 minutes following neat play from Helen Dermody and Amber Hughes. They did manage to double the lead on 68 minutes though as Maz Gauntlett fired emphatically in to the bottom corner after Helen Dermody saw her initial effort well saved.
With West Ham now trailing by two, the away side looked for a route back in to the game. April Bowers let fly from the edge of the area but Sue Wood held on well, Coventry then countered and won a corner which was delivered sublimely by Helen Dermody for Nikki Miles to head in at the back post. Confidence rocketed and West Ham completely collapsed, it was 4-0 on 75 minutes as Callan Barber's great ball allowed Helen Dermody space to finish with aplomb,
As Coventry were fully in control of the game the away side were on the back foot, Stacey Little did go close on 78 minutes but this is as good as it got for the Hammers. With 81 minutes played the home side increased their lead further after debutant, Amanda Whalley stole the ball in midfield and produced an exquisite lob over the 'keeper from 30 yards.
The final few minutes of the tie saw the home side continue to press forward, Amber Hughes' effort dropped just over on 85 minutes but that proved to be the last real chance in the game. West Ham did venture forward on a couple of occasions and they struck the bar on the stroke of full-time but Coventry's game management was well executed and an emphatic opening day victory was sealed.
Full-Time: Coventry United Ladies 5-0 West Ham United Ladies