|
Coventry City Girls FC Under 14 Sky Blues Match Reports 2004/05 Lichfield Diamonds 0 - 0 Coventry City Sky Blues The Sky Blues fought a battle to earn themselves a point from second place Lichfield. The referee was informed about the challenges before Christmas such as elbowing and two footed tackles. This quickly turned into a grudge match and Lichfield tried to ‘rough up’ the visiting Sky Blues. However the Sky Blues were well up for this game as they had knocked Lichfield out of the League Shield in December. We were entertained with end-to-end action, with few shots on goal. Well into the first half the Lichfield striker attempted a two-footed challenge on City’s Sinead Byrne, luckily she missed but banged her head off the floor and was awarded a free kick!!!! From the free kick Selina Lampett made a superb save pushing the shot wide, Selina also made some important saves to keep us in the game. City’s defence Sinead, Jessica Lea, Adele Kenny and Abigail Fitzgerald were solid at the back, and worked hard to deny many Lichfield attacks. The dynamic duo, Danielle Browne and Lianna Mudd were again fantastic in midfield. Sarah Gould and Stacey Tipper worked hard helping sky blues strikers Kayleigh Steele and Nana Bigirimana attacking the nervous Lichfield defence. After 45 minutes of football the teams went into the break evenly matched. Half Time: Lichfield Diamonds 0 - 0 Coventry City Sky Blues. The second half continued with much of the same, Kayleigh stole the ball from their kick off only to be wiped out from behind, the game came close to being abandoned but the girls wanted to play on, despite a number of dodgy challenges and decisions. Sky Blue substitutes Josie Moloney (S Gould), Mandeep Sembi (D Browne) and Paris Donohue (S Byrne) all came on and played some fantastic football in their positions, all working hard as part of the large squad. City had much more possession in the second half, a neat pass from midfield let Kayleigh break through the defence and the powerful shot was pushed into the side netting, we all thought it was a goal but it just went wide, the keeper got to her feet, shaking her stung hands. Charlotte McDowall (A Fitzgerald) came on and played a great game in her important role at the back. The Sky Blues were awarded a number of corners but failed to find the net after a couple of goalmouth scrambles! We were unlucky not to steal the three important league points, after 90 minutes of football, but once again the girls showed us some fantastic football, if we continue to play with the same passion and commitment we will get the results the girls deserve, and find ourselves in the top half of the table. Well-done girls. A superb performance. You are now getting the results Craig and I knew you could get. Thank you to ALL of the girls for their kind, positive comments after the game, it was much appreciated. In these difficult times. Jace Steele Manager U14 Sky Blues. Team: Selina Lampett, Sinead Byrne, Jessica Lea, Adele Kenny, Abigail Fitzgerald Danielle Browne, Kayleigh Steele(C), Lianna Mudd, Stacey Tipper, Sarah Gould, Nana Bigrimana. Subs: Josie Moloney, Mandeep Sembi, Paris Donohue, Charlotte McDowall. Managers Player of the week: Sinead Byrne; the Mouse came a close second!!! Belgrave Bullet 0 - 5 Coventry City Sky Blues The Sky Blues were soon on the score sheet, after 5 minutes Jess Lea impressed all with her skill and ability, turning the Belgrave defence inside out, before blasting into the net. Two minutes later saw Sarah Gould take a corner kick, which was returned back to her by Mandeep Sembi, Sarah's incoming cross was met by Stacey Tipper, who pushed an angled shot past the Belgrave keeper. City's defence Sinead Byrne, Paris Donohue, Adele Kenny and Abigail Fitzgerald all worked hard and looked solid at the back. Not letting much past them meant Sky Blue keeper Selina Lampett had little to do in the first half. Laura Summers (A Fitzgerald) came on and played well at the back. Midfielders Mandeep Sembi and Danielle Browne played some impressive football, which helped the Sky Blues dominate much of the first half. With an excellent display of teamwork by everyone, after 25 minutes, Kayleigh Steele's cross found Stacey who pushed a neat pass through to an unmarked Jess to blast in for her 2nd. City had many chances, but we must give credit to the Belgrave keeper who had an excellent game. Half time: Belgrave Bullet 0 - 3 Coventry City Sky Blues City's shape looked great which they managed to keep throughout the game with no instruction. Substitutes Lianna Mudd (M Sembi), Josie Moloney (J Lea) played well in their positions and soon adjusted to the tempo of the game. In the second half City were awarded a free kick within yards of the centre circle, we were astonished when Belgrave put 10 players on the half way line, Sinead chipped the ball over, and Kayleigh out paced everyone and passed to unmarked Josie who fired wide. We had 2 similar free kicks with Kayleigh taking advantage of 1on1 with the keeper, she blasted one over the cross bar and fired one straight at the keeper. Charlotte McDowall (L Summers) came on and played well at the back. The Sky Blues had a number of chances and Josie made some fine runs and was often unmarked, she just needed the ball to be passed to her, as she deserved to be on the score sheet. After 20 minutes the management were considering to use their final substitution, when up pops Sarah with a spectacular 20 yard Beckham like goal. A serious contender for, 'goal of the season'. Well done Sarah. With 5 minutes remaining Kayleigh once again broke free and was 1on1 with the keeper, this time she had time to look up before scoring a well taken goal. Well done girls. A superb performance. See what you can achieve by HELPING each other. Team: Selina Lampett, Sinead Byrne, Paris Donohue, Abigail Fitzgerald, Adele Kenny, Danielle Browne, Kayleigh Steele(C), Mandeep Sembi, Stacey Tipper, Sarah Gould, Jessica Lea. Subs: Josie Moloney, Lianna Mudd, Laura Summers, Charlotte McDowall. Scorers: Jessica Lea x2, Stacey Tipper, Sarah Gould, Kayleigh Steele. Managers Player of the week: Adele Kenny; Sinead Byrne came a close second. Tamworth Ladies 2 - 7 Coventry City Sky Blues This week the girls entertained us with a fantastic display of their abilities, playing with pride and passion for a change, and playing, as a team should, helping each other. But once again the Sky Blues were trailing by a goal after only three minutes. This is obviously an area of the game that we need to work on girls. The team talk before the game had the desired effect as City then took the game to Tamworth. Manager Jace Steele's decision to make changes at the back, worked well for the Sky Blue defence. As Sinead Byrne, Paris Donohue, Kirstie Holt and Adele Kenny all worked hard and helped each other, clearing the Tamworth attacks. Sky Blue keeper Selina Lampett had an excellent game and made a number of important saves. Danielle Browne pushed a neat pass through for Stacey Tipper to break free and blast her shot past the Tamworth keeper. Stacey's 2nd was a well-taken chip over the advancing keeper. Sarah Gould who was on excellent form, showed us a display of her abilities, delivering crosses with both feet with deadly accuracy, as well as scoring in each top corner of the Tamworth goal with 2 powerful shots. Mandeep Sembi played well in midfield with a number of fine runs. Jess Lea played well and ran her socks off! Thwarting the Tamworth attacks. Half time: Tamworth Ladies 1 - 4 Coventry City Sky Blues After the break City substitutes Lianna Mudd (M Sembi), Laura Summers (A Kenny) and Abigail Fitzgerald (K Holt) played well in their positions and soon adjusted to the tempo of the game. But an early Sky Blue error gifted Tamworth with a penalty. Selina dived the right way but had no chance of reaching a well placed spot kick. This just made the Sky Blues more determined and persistent pressure forced a Tamworth own goal from a long 'trade mark' throw in from Kayleigh Steele. We then began to dominate and much of the game was played in the Tamworth half. Kayleigh delivered a fine corner kick for Lianna to push the ball in past the keeper. Skipper Kayleigh then went on a solo run, weaving in and out of the Tamworth defence, before blasting her shot past the Tamworth keeper. It's been a long time coming but she deserved a goal after the tireless work rate we see every week. A special mention for Charlotte McDowall who was not selected to play this week, but still travelled away with the Sky Blue Army to support the squad. Also Abi Fitzgerald for deciding to play on her birthday. Well done girls. A superb performance. See what you can achieve by HELPING each other. Team: Selina Lampett, Sinead Byrne, Paris Donohue, Kirstie Holt, Adele Kenny, Danielle Browne, Kayleigh Steele(C), Mandeep Sembi, Stacey Tipper, Sarah Gould, Jessica Lea Subs: Lianna Mudd, Laura Summers, Abigail Fitzgerald. Scorers: Stacey Tipper x2, Sarah Gould x2, Lianna Mudd, Kayleigh Steele, Tamworth own goal. Managers Player of the week: Sarah Gould. Coventry City Sky Blues 0 - 1 Solihull Borough The Sky Blues never gave up trying in this entertaining cup clash with Solihull Borough. The teams were evenly matched, but after just twenty minutes Lianna Mudd was suffering with the effects of a cold and was replaced by Mandeep Sembi. Who paired up well with Danielle Browne, both had an excellent game in centre midfield. The Sky Blue defence Paris Donohue, Sinead Byrne, Adele Kenny and Abigail Fitzgerald looked solid at the back. But one lapse of concentration enabled Louise Liddiard to break through and net one for the visitors. Sky Blue wingbacks Josie Moloney and Ayesha Kalyan both worked hard and played well supplying forwards, Stacey Tipper and Kayleigh Steele both playing well but struggling to find the visitors net after many chances. Half time: Coventry City Sky Blues 0 - 1 Solihull Borough After the break, the Sky Blues stepped up their work rate and played some great football, often catching Solihull on the back foot. Substitute Sarah Gould (J Moloney), took a number of corner kicks, but we lacked the finishing touch. Midway and Solihull found a gap and Sky Blues keeper Selina Lampett made an excellent save to keep us in with a chance. Charlotte McDowall (A Fitzgerald) made some good tackles and clearances from the back. In the last minutes of the game, skipper Kayleigh, put a lovely ball through to Stacey, who whipped the ball across the goalmouth, and Sarah just failed to connect with it and take us into extra time. Player of the week goes to dedicated Danielle Browne, who gave up her birthday celebrations to play football. As well as, performing brilliantly on the pitch. Mandeep Sembi came a close second. Hard luck girls. You are definitely improving, keep it up. All we ask for, is seventy minutes of hard work every week! Team: Selina Lampett, Abigail Fitzgerald, Adele Kenny, Sinead Byrne, Paris Donohue, Danielle Browne, Kayleigh Steele(C), Lianna Mudd, Ayesha Kalyan, Josie Moloney, Stacey Tipper. Subs: Charlotte McDowall, Sarah Gould, Mandeep Sembi. Managers Player of the week, Danielle Browne. Walsall 1 - 1 Coventry City Sky Blues A bad start for the Sky Blues, as Walsall caught us completely unawares, we hadn't even found our formation when Walsall had found the back of our net, with not 90 seconds of the game played. This kick started us into action and we then began to play football. If Sky Blues keeper Selina Lampett hadn't been on excellent form, we could have easily found ourselves trailing by at least three goals by half time. The defence of, Sinead Byrne, Adele Kenny and Abigail Fitzgerald, worked hard and Paris Donohue made a number of fantastic covering runs. The dynamic duo! Danielle Browne and Lianna Mudd, now back together in midfield, both worked hard to supply balls to wingers Jessica Lea and Ayesha Kalyan. Twenty minutes into the game and skipper Kayleigh Steele sent a neat pass through for Stacey Tipper to smash into the Walsall net. Stacey now two goals, in two games. Keep scoring them Stacey. Half time: Walsall 1 - 1 Coventry City Sky Blues After the break we now had the wind advantage, and Walsall playing with the sun in their eyes. It was end to end football. We had a number of chances but failed to finish. The Sky Blue defence again worked hard and Paris saved us from any last minute blushes. After fifteen minutes on came substitutes Josie Maloney (J Lea), Mandeep Sembi (D Browne) and Charlotte McDowall (A Kalyan) who all worked hard and played well. Josie made a fine solo run down the left side only to push her shot wide. Later Stacey broke free and side footed her shot straight at the keeper. It was a game we should have won, but ended by sharing the points. A better report girls, for a better performance. Team: Selina Lampett, Abigail Fitzgerald, Adele Kenny, Sinead Byrne, Paris Donohue, Danielle Browne, Kayleigh Steele(C), Lianna Mudd, Ayesha Kalyan, Jessica Lea, Stacey Tipper. Subs: Charlotte McDowall, Josie Moloney, Mandeep Sembi. Scorer: Stacey Tipper. Managers Player of the week, Paris Donohue. Coventry City Sky Blues 1 - 4 Lichfield Diamonds A poor performance by the Sky Blues, played with a lack of passion or desire, threw the game away. As we slip further down the league table, the girls must learn to listen to the management and play to their best abilities in whatever position they are required to play and not sulk and do their own thing, if playing out of their preferred playing position. As in effect it it's like playing with a player short. Lichfield were soon into attacking the large gap in the middle and were leading 2-0 going into the break. Half time: Coventry City Sky Blues 0 - 2 Lichfield Diamonds After The half time team talk, a now fired up Sky Blues squad came to life for ten minutes and debutant Stacey Tipper blasted one in from close range. Then once again we went off the boil and lack of closing down, meant we could watch Katie Rose score her hat-trick for Lichfield. Skipper Kayleigh Steele lead from the front, but often found herself having to cover at the back. Another mention must go to Danielle Browne who had covered most of the pitch by half time. We have talented players waiting in the wings girls and we still need to have our first home win. Team: Selina Lampett, Abigail Fitzgerald, Adele Kenny, Sinead Byrne, Jessica Lea, Danielle Browne, Kayleigh Steele(C), Sarah Gould, Ayesha Kalyan, Stacey Tipper, Paris Donohue. Subs: Charlotte Mc Dowall, Josie Moloney, Mandeep Sembi. Scorer: Stacey Tipper. Assistant Managers Player of the week Kayleigh Steele. Coventry City Sky Blues 2 - 4 FC Phoenix A tough first home game against 3rd place Phoenix, the Sky Blues struggled with the size and pace of a more physical team. But we never gave up trying to get even with the visitors. It was an end to end game, played in good spirit. Phoenix very quick on the attack soon found themselves with a 2-0 lead. The Sky Blues battled on and Danielle Browne scored a much needed goal just before the break, Dan scoring her third goal in three games, please keep scoring Dan! Half time: Coventry City Sky Blues 1 - 2 FC Phoenix. After the break, Phoenix were again on the attack, out pacing our midfield and defence, and soon found themselves with a 3-1 lead. The Sky Blues battled on and looked to have pulled one back, when the ball, which appeared to have trickled over the line, was scooped from over the line, by the Phoenix keeper. An error of judgement by the manager, yes we do make them, not very often, but we do! Having replaced both centre midfielders, the Sky Blues lost their shape, leaving gaps in the middle for the visitors to attack. Mid way through the second half, Skipper Sarah Gould found the visitors net, the game now 2-3. At one stage we looked as if we were going to equalise and share the points. But a quick strike down the left side and Phoenix scored again. In the last minutes of the game, Josie Moloney was brought down in the box, but we were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Skipper Sarah with a trade mark right foot, stepped up and fired an excellent shot on goal, only for a superb cleared header off the Phoenix goal line, to deny us a last minute goal. That's how to head a ball girls! Hard luck girls. Great header Phoenix. You are all playing well girls, keep it up and keep battling on. Team: Selina Lampett, Charlotte Mc Dowall, Adele Kenny, Sinead Byrne, Jessica Lea, Danielle Browne, Lianna Mudd, Ayesha Kalyan, Sarah Gould(C), Kayleigh Steele, Paris Donohue. Subs: Abigail Fitzgerald, Josie Moloney, Mandeep Sembi. Scorers: Danielle Browne, Sarah Gould. Managers player of the week: Ayesha Kalyan. Redditch United 0 - 2 Coventry City Sky Blues After inspecting the pitch at Redditch, I refused to play on a deeply pot holed playing surface. The goal mouth represented a pond and the penalty spot a wishing well! Health and safety for the girls welfare is paramount even at this level. So, after a hurried change of venue and a few laps of Redditch later, we kicked off over an hour late. The Sky Blues kicked off and had a slight downhill advantage. The girls had most of the possession in the first half, but struggled to find the net. A solid performance from midfielders Danielle Browne and Lianna Mudd kept pushing the ball wide to wingers Sarah Gould and Ayesha Kalyan, supplying balls to forwards Paris Donohue and Kayleigh Steele. Three minutes into the first half Kayleigh had a shot on goal which went straight through the keepers arms and trickled over the line to give us a one nil lead going into the break. After the break Josie Moloney, replacement for Lianna, had an instant impact on the game with an excellent solo run, only to send a net buster soaring over the cross bar. The Sky Blues defence Charlotte Mc Dowall , Adele Kenny, Sinead Byrne and Jessica Lea had a great game and helped goal keeper Selina Lampett who protected her area well when called upon, to keep a clean sheet. Jess made a number of impressive runs from deep within the Sky Blues box, turning Redditch midfielders and defenders inside out, we just lacked the finishing touch. Abigail Fitzgerald, replacement for Charlotte, made a number of clearances which helped the Sky Blues counter attack. Midway through the second period, the Sky Blues had a corner kick which skipper Sarah Gould floated into the box for Danielle to smash into the net, giving us a two nil lead. Redditch, who were instructed to be physical, tried to penetrate the Sky Blue defence to no avail, we looked the better team on the day, but failed to finish after many attempts on goal. A scrappy performance but we still came away with the 3 points. Well done girls. Team: Selina Lampett, Charlotte Mc Dowall, Adele Kenny, Sinead Byrne, Jessica Lea, Danielle Browne, Lianna Mudd, Sarah Gould (C), Ayesha Kalyan, Kayleigh Steele,Paris Donohue. Subs: Josie Moloney, Abigail Fitzgerald, Laura Summers. Scorers: Kayleigh Steele, Danielle Browne. Managers player of the week: Jessica Lea. Brixworth Juniors 7 - 1 Coventry City Sky Blues Our first home league match had to be rescheduled, due to a bouncy castle being on the pitch! So we travelled away to Ravensthorpe against Brixworth Juniors. We had some fun, Sunday driving through the countryside on a hot sunny day. The Sky Blues kicked off and from then on, it was end to end football. We looked nervous, as the girls still hadn't enough match experience playing together as a team. Selina Lampett made a number of great saves denying the endless Brixworth attacks. Both teams had a number of chances but Lianna Mudd broke the deadlock sending us into the break with a one nil lead. After the break Brixworth came at us with both barrels blazing! A combination of the very hot weather, injuries, lack of match fitness and experience, only having one substitute, took its toll. As Brixworth ripped through our midfield and defence scoring six goals. A Sky Blues error gifted them an own goal. The final score was 1-7. Well played girls. Well played Brixworth. It's early days yet girls. It will come. Believe me & believe in yourselves. Team: Selina Lampett, Charlotte Mc Dowall, Adele Kenny, Sinead Byrne, Laura Summers, Danielle Browne, Lianna Mudd, Ayesha Kalyan, Sarah Gould, Kayleigh Steele(C), Paris Donohue. Sub: Sharon Sodhi. Scorer: Lianna Mudd. Managers Player of the week Selina Lampett. |