Great To Be In Next Round - Nicholls
Last updated : 12 October 2014 By Matty Roper
Coventry City Ladies manager Craig Nicholls was delighted with his side's 2-0 League Cup victory at Gillingham.
Nicholls said to Matty Roper: "It was a solid performance today, we perhaps weren't at our best but we constantly looked a threat going forward. Defensively we were superb too so there is plenty of positives again. Obviously it's great to have our top scorers getting on the scoresheet again as it will only increase confidence. It's just great to be in the hat for the next round!"
Scorer of City's second goal, Maz Gauntlett, also said: "in the early stages we struggled to open up play, but once we started doing that we were by far the better team. It's great to get on the scoresheet again and it's another win under our belt to signal nine consecutive games without defeat in all competitions, credit must go to the girls."
Report
The Sky Blues made the journey South to face Gillingham LFC in the FA Women's Premier League Cup. Coventry saw off Liverpool Marshall Feds in the previous round and were looking to advance further in the competition.
The game started fairly evenly as both teams looked to stamp their authority on the tie. Both teams played some decent football in the opening exchanges but chances were limited, the first coming for the away side on 12 minutes. A long ball was pumped forward which Maz Gauntlett then controlled sublimely before laying in to Kate Lowder's path, the striker's effort flashing wide.
A minute later and City came close again, Samantha Quayle broke free down the right and drove in to the area, Gills 'Keeper Courtney Shanly denying her with a smart low save. She was beaten with the next move though as Coventry took a 1-0 lead. Centre Back Natasha Lynch played a superb through ball to Katie Lowder, she then finished potently with a strike in to the far corner to reward City's pressure.
The game remained fairly even after the opener, both teams battling hard with the midfield duel forming nicely. The physical side of the game was shown by Maz Gauntlett as she was at the centre of the next real chance on 31 minutes. She used great strength to muscle off her opponent before playing a delightful cross-field pass to Karen Clough which allowed the winger to break clear, she then let fly but the goalkeeper denied her at full stretch. Clough did put the ball in to the net just 3 minutes later, but it was disallowed by the referee.
Coventry continued to pressurise for the remainder of the half and had a couple of chances to double their lead, the Gillingham defence stood firm though to keep the score 1-0 at the interval.
Half Time: Gillingham LFC 0-1 Coventry City LFC
The second period began virtually the same as the first, with both teams again vying to gain a foothold. It was the home team who had the first chances of the half though, the first a long range effort from Ashlee Hincks which City 'Keeper Sue Wood saved comfortably, the second from a corner which bounced off a Coventry defender's back before dropping narrowly over the bar.
Gillingham began to show their threat on the counter attack, but Coventry's defence stood firm and looked fairly comfortable. This solidity allowed The Sky Blues to recycle possession and create chances of their own, the next one coming just after a Gillingham attack was thwarted by a Natasha Lynch tackle. A swift counter attack allowed Destiney Toussaint to whip in a dangerous ball from the left, substitute Ashley Neville then flicked the ball on with her head to find Maz Gauntlett who drilled a low first time strike past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to Coventry.
The home side pressed after falling two goals behind but failed to create any real clear cut chances which was credit to the City defence's capabilities. Another chance was passed by for Coventry before the final whistle sounded to signal a 2-0 victory and progression in the FA Women's Premier League Cup..
