BIRMINGHAM CITY 3-1 AET COVENTRY CITY LADIES BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City Ladies fought all the way in their first ever Birmingham County Women's FA Cup Final before succumbing to an extra time defeat by cup holders Birmingham City at Ray Hall Lane.
Having arrived on the official Coventry City team coach, Mark Phillips side knew they were in for a very tough game against a high flying National Division side who have won the competition for the last four seasons.
Star of the show for the Sky Blues was keeper Kelly Cartwright and in the tenth minute, she dived to save from a Ellen Maggs shot.
In a first half of few clear chances,thanks to some back to the wall defending from Maria Cartwright, Natasha Lynch,Lynsey Bryenton and Emma Lipman. The Coventry keeper dealt with a 26th minute corner,saving from a Jo Potter shot before diving to gather a shot from England international Karen Carney two minutes before the break.
Birmingham managed by QPR defender Marcus Bignot came straight at City in the second half and were ahead after only 46 seconds when Ellen Maggs broke through and squeezed the ball past the advancing Cartwright's in to the net.
City stuck to their task after a Haazzana Parnell shot had rattled the crossbar and in their first chance of the match, they equalised in the 79th minute when Laura Healy sent Michelle Hickmott down the left flank. The England U21 international cut inside before drilling home a shot into the far corner.
Now being urged on by a large Coventry contingent in a crowd of 203, City almost snatched a win when Blues keeper Jo Fletcher made a superb save from the feet of Amanda Whalley following a Hickmott cross with six minutes left.
Having given their all for ninety minutes,the City players started to tire as the game went into the extra time. In the 94th minute, Birmingham regained their lead thanks to a powerful close range header from Sally Lacey following a corner.
Cartwright continued to perform heroics in the City goal but was helpless as a 113th minute Heather Scheuber effort from the edge of the area looped high into the net and wrapped up a five consecutive County Cup Final win for the Blues.
Making another brave save at the feet of Helen Maggs with seconds left, Cartwright received a blow to her ribs and back causing her to be carried off and doubtful for City's trip to Lincoln City on Easter Sunday.
HT BCFC 0-0 CCFC FT BCFC 1-1 CCFC
AET BCFC 3-1 CCFC
ATT 203
TEAM
K.Cartwright, Lynch,Lipman,Smith,Bryenton, M.Cartwright (Stephenson 117),Whalley, Healy, S.Marshall (McLeod 77),J.Marshall (McKenna 89),Hickmott SNU Perry,Byrne