Only A Point For Ladies In Big Game

Dreams of promotion became a little more distant for Coventry City Ladies on Sunday as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with table toppers Rotherham.

The game was an ill tempered affair, including a penalty, a sending off and
a talking to for the Millers manager Paul Durrand.

The mood for the game was set 10 minutes in when Sky Blues' right back
Natalie Wilcox was booked for her third foul of the game. The vistors were
then awarded a penalty after 19 minutes when Coventry captain Natasha Lynch brought down Helen Lynskey in the box, but Kerry Longstone failed to score when goalie Kerry Williamson dived the right way.

With Coventry City Academy players Cameron Belford and Lee Hildreth, cheering on the Ladies from the sidelines,this seemed to strengthen the home side, as just four minutes later Coventry's Jodie White, making her senior debut, had her shot blocked near the far post with Kelly-Anne Willis smashing the rebound over the bar. It was just before the half hour mark when Coventry made the breakthrough with a neat outside of the foot shot from Emma Lipman that dribbled into the bottom right hand corner.

Coventry had several more chances to add to their tally at the end of the
first half, the best falling to Sinead Wade who saw her effort saved by
keeper Rose Nash's shins, but the home side failed to score and they went
into the break 1-0 up.

Quarter of an hour following the restart, Rotherham were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after a tackle from behind by Kelly Henson. Helen
Lynskey blasted a pile driver through the wall with Williamson being forced
into pushing the ball over the bar to keep Coventry in the lead.

This was only to last until the 74th minute though when Suzanne Davies was
left unmarked and let rip a long range effort which sailed into the bottom
right hand corner, which resulted in what the referee considered to be
overexuberent celebrations that led to Millers manager Paul Durrand geting a talking to from referee Chris Lamb.

Lamb's next major involvement in the match came just three minutes later
when he sent off Coventry right back Natalie Wilcox for her second bookable
offence after raising an elbow.

Despite this setback Coventry continued pushing for the winner. In the last
few minutes, Lynch sent a long ball through to Wade, but the striker could
not bring the ball under control. Emma Lipman then saw her powerful shot
just tipped round the post by Nash.

The final whistle resulted in celebration for Rotherham, who now believe
they have clinched the only promotion spot. Coventry manager Stuart Wilson wasn't quite so pessimistic "It's not over. It's still a point. We could've
done with beating them today, but there are still six games to play. As long
as we keep winning, we can only look after ourselves".

Coventry City: Kerry Williamson, Natalie Wilcox (sent off 77), Jenny Lowe,
Kelly Henson (Helen Dermody, 81), Natasha Lynch, Maria Cartwright, Kirsty
Robson (Natalie Brace, 73), Emma Lipman, Jodie White (Sarah Marshall, 89),
Sinead Wade, Kelly-Anne Willis.Subs not used: Katie George, Alison Forbes