Coventry City Ladies maintained their lead at the top of the Midland Women's Combination League courtesy of a nervy 4-3 victory at home to promotion rivals the Wolverhampton Wanderers Women. Danni Saulter was again at the heart of everything for Coventry, scoring twice and applying heavy pressure to force an own goal for what turned out to be the winner.
With the game barely a minute old Helen Dermody took a quick throw-in deep in Wolves' territory, finding Saulter just inside the penalty area, her hopeful lobbed cross sailed towards goal where Wolverhampton keeper Becky Thomas fumbled the ball across the line to gift the Sky Blues an early lead and the perfect start.
After seeing off some early pressure from a buoyant Sky Blue side Wolves finally got into the game and settled their nerves when a punt from the halfway line was misjudged by City captain Natasha Lynch. The usually rock solid centre half allowed the ball to bounce opening the door to stand-in forward Anne Johnson, a left back by trade Johnson lifted a deft lob over the stranded Kerry Williamson and into the net to pull her side level in the 11th minute.
The first half was dominated by the Sky Blues carving out several chances with Saulter denied twice by Thomas who'd managed to put her earlier mistake behind her. Wolves did manage to create a couple of decent changes themselves, once denied by the post and once by a tremendous one handed save from Williamson who stood tall as Nicole Ledgister bared down and unleashed a stinging effort.
Wolves started the second half much the brighter and were unlucky not be awarded a penalty as Natalie Wilcox slid in and tripped Heather Clarkson just seven minutes in. with Coventry coming under increasing pressure Manager Stuart Wilson made his first change on the hour mark, bringing on Jade Formaston for Dermody. The change provided an instant lift as Kirsty O'Sullivan found Saulter from the halfway line. The free scoring midfielder, deployed today just behind lone striker Kelly-Ann Willis, made a superb run from wide left to collect the ball and run one-on-one with Thomas sliding the ball into the net low to the keeper's right.
Quarter of an hour later Coventry seemingly put the game out of reach. Formaston swung in a wicked corner picking out Lynch in the centre of the box, her effort was deflected before dropping back to her off of the referee. The fleet footed centre half danced around two challenges before picking out the bottom left corner. With just over 10 minutes to play Coventry added a 4th. Another Formaston corner was the catalyst as Wolves failed to clear and a goalmouth melee saw Saulter's close range effort take a wicked deflection before nestling in the bottom left corner again.
Refusing to lie down and roll over Wolves mounted a siege on the City goal for the final 10 minutes. Williamson was caught out playing for time as the terrier-like Ledgister was rewarded for her days endeavour, snatching the ball off the toes of the City keeper and tucking it into the empty net to give Wolverhampton hope of a stunning comeback.
Coventry feverishly defended their goal until deep into injury time and were perhaps unlucky to concede a penalty when left back Jenni Lowe slid in appearing to win the ball. The assistant, however, raised his flag across his chest and Clarkson blasted home the spot kick making for a frantic final 5 minutes of stoppage time.
The Sky Blues clung on and stay top of the pile. Leicester City Women and WBA also won to keep the pressure on. Coventry's next opponents are Alfreton Town whom they beat 6-0 in the away fixture back in November. The match is again scheduled for a 2pm kick off at Coventry Universtiy Sports Ground on Westwood Heath Road, entrance is free.
Team: -
Williamson, Wilcox, Lowe, O'Sullivan, Lynch, Pinner, Dermody (Formaston 60), Sharad (Forbes 90), Willis (Packer 79), Saulter, Brace.