Coventry City Ladies Coach Craig Nicholls was delighted after the cup success which saw the Sky Blues lift the Birmingham County FA Women's Cup for the fourth year in a row with a 1-0 win over Sporting Club Albion.
Nicholls told Matty Roper: "It was a fantastic performance after a tough week. Probably the hardest thing I've had to do as a manager was to get players motivated for tonight, or so I thought as they were all immense."
"We showed great character and togetherness along with an enormous amount of quality. We could have scored more with a more clinical edge but we were never in any real trouble. Credit has to go to West Brom and Graham who had them working and committed all through but I always felt we had another gear. I couldn't be more proud of the players and staff we have here."
Scorer of the winning goal Maz Gauntlett also said: "It was a great team performance from the girls after a very disheartening week for the club and as players we needed to bounce back and we did that tonight."
"It's a credit to the girls and it ls always nice to get on the scoresheet and contribute to the team winning the County Cup for the fourth successive season."
Player of the match, Annabel Johnson, was also delighted: "It felt like we were in control of the game from the off which was important after the difficult week the club has had. In the first half we created chances and didn't let them get a look in."
"The second half was more of the battle but all of the girls worked for each other and saw the game out. It's a shame we couldn't get more goals but its a great feeling to win a cup with this magnificent group of players."
Report:
The Sky Blues took on Sporting Club Albion at Nuneaton Town FC in the County Cup final on Thursday evening. Coventry defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous round, whilst Albion registered a 2-1 victory over Copsewood Coventry to progress to the final. City would be hoping to retain their title after last season's success.
City started very brightly as they knocked the ball around well on a bobbly surface but Albion looked lively too as they pressed high. The good start was rewarded though as City took the lead with just 5 minutes on the clock, a brilliant Amber Hughes cross found Maz Gauntlett and she sweetly struck home.
Both teams were enjoying some good spells of possession after the deadlock was broken with the game remaining fairly even. The midfield battle was beginning to take shape as Jade Formaston's physical attributes were tested by Trina Greaves. A scrappy nature was evident in some parts and chances were hard to come by early on in the tie. With 16 minutes on the clock Annabel Johnson played a beautiful ball forward which caused havoc in the area, Ashleigh Neville then went close as she couldn't quite contact with the ball cleanly on the side. Just a few minutes later and Neville went close again as she headed a Gauntlett corner straight at the Albion keeper.
With 30 minutes on the clock neither team had fashioned any more chances to note. Both sides were giving the ball away sloppily on occasions but the Sky Blues still looked the better of the sides. West Brom had some periods of possession but their final ball was lacking as the City defence looked untroubled, and wasteful efforts such as Stephanie Smith's long range strike on 34 minutes. The next chance came on 42 minutes as young midfielder Libby Piggott stung the hands of the Albion goalkeeper with a superb long range drive that showed brilliant technique. This was the last effort of the half and the Sky Blues went in at the break with a lead.
Half-Time: Coventry City LFC 1-0 Sporting Club Albion LFC
The second period started as the first left off, in a scrappy manner. With 52 minutes played the Baggies had the first chance of the half after Kirsty Allen received the ball on the edge of the box, Sue Wood was down to save though as the effort didn't trouble her. West Brom continued to knock the ball around well in periods but the Sky Blues defence still looked comfortable in dealing with any threat that they posed.
A shocking challenge with 65 minutes played from Albion defender Kelly Darry saw Jade Formaston pick up a knock, but the midfielder was able to carry on with the West Brom skipper somehow avoiding a caution. Just a few minutes later and the next chance of the affair was carved out as Ashleigh Neville found Maz Gauntlett, the strikers effort then curled wide of the far post with Vanessa James untroubled. The post then turned saviour for the Baggies with 69 minutes played as Helen Dermody struck the woodwork with a low drive after a luxurious through ball from Amber Hughes. City did then find the back of the net with the next move but the linesman's flag was raised on the far side to keep it at 1-0.
The final 15 minutes of the tie turned in to a real battle as both teams battled hard for any loose balls, Coventry City were probing forward looking for a second goal and they went mightily close on 79 minutes. Helen Dermody sprayed a pinpoint pass out wide to Amber Hughes, the winger then showed great feet to cut inside before wrapping her effort just wide of the far post. Unfortunately Maz Gauntlett was then forced to leave the field on the next move as she fell awkwardly on her shoulder.
Albion were trying to force a way back in to the game but the Sky Blues defended admirably and they continued to create chances on the counter. With just minutes remaining Helen Dermody drove narrowly over from 18 yards as the West Brom defence looked troubled. The fourth official then signalled 4 minutes additional time but it wasn't enough for the Baggies as Coventry prevailed after seeing out the last few attacks, the whistle then sounded and the Sky Blues were crowned County Cup champions for the fourth season in a row!