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Coventry City Girls FC Under 16A Match Reports 2005/06 Coventry City Ladies 2 - 0 Aston Villa Coventry City Girls put in a superb second half effort to secure their semi final place here today. With the pitch already slippy and wet, continuous snow meant that the girls had to battle hard on a day when playing good football was almost impossible. In the first half the sky blues had a lot of possession but lacked the killer instinct. The game wasn’t helped by too many stoppages, which ensured little rhythm to the game. Laura Dunlop and Sian Jenkinson both had half chances, which they would have converted if not for the Christmas break. Indeed the Sky Blues could have found themselves behind at half time, as Kate Rowells had to pull off two great saves on 40 minutes to deny the Villa centre forward who escaped the City defence for the first time. This would have been harsh considering that The Sky Blues had most of the play. The Sky Blues were denied a penalty when Claire Hume was clearly brought down after twenty-five minutes but other than that there was little goalmouth action during the first period. After a half time talking to and a re-shuffle the girls came out for the second half with 5 in midfield with Lauren Mochrie and Kate Steven’s given the role of getting wide and behind the Villa full backs. Right from the start it provided the momentum that was needed as Villa were penned back in they’re half for long periods. With Paige Newell pushing forward and Stacey Rowley and Sanj Jaspal winning every loose ball in midfield it was only a matter of time before the first goal. When it came the goal was worth waiting for as Sanj Jaspal picked the ball up on the edge of the Villa box before looking up and shooting over the advanced Villa keeper. Villa was now struggling to hold Kate Steven’s and Lauren Mochrie as both wingers tormented the Villa backs. Laura Dunlop found herself free in the box and the Villa keeper superbly turned her low shot round the post. At the other end Kate Rowell and her defenders were struggling to see through the snow blizzard. City secured the win when Paige Newell scored an almost identical goal to Sanj Jaspal’s earlier effort, picking the ball up on the edge of the box and coolly shooting past the stranded keeper. Great second half by the Sky Blues to see them into another semi-final. Well done. Santiago Colts 0 - 4 Coventry City Ladies The chances of a good game of football were not good here today on a pitch that resembled the English Channel at the top of a hill that was frozen in parts with a chilling wind blasting straight down the pitch. However, the Sky Blues got off to a flyer when a Sammy Gerrard cross was handled after three minutes. Kate Steven’s smashed home the penalty to continue her impressive goal scoring run. The difference of two leagues clearly had the Sky Blues at an advantage with Santiago rarely getting out of there own half of the field. When they did they found an in-form Sam Smythe who never put a foot wrong throughout the game. Missed chances from Stacey Rowley, Laura Dunlop, Sian Jenkinson and Sammy Gerrard kept the game alive with the best chance falling to Laura Dunlop who failed to connect after the keeper could only parry a Mia Charnley 25 yard effort. At half-time Coventry went 3-5-2 allowing Claire Hume and Kate Steven’s a little width whilst Paige Newell the opportunity to be playmaker. Santiago had a little more room to attack but when they did breach the back 3 Kate Rowells collected well without Santiago really having a shot throughout. Mid way through the second period Claire Hume collected a Sammy Gerrard through ball wide on the left, taking the ball past a defender Clair smashed the ball home from just inside the box. 5 minutes later Claire Hume picked the ball up on the left and tried a similar shot only for the keeper to knock the ball skyward and Laura Dunlop managed to head home the rebound. Late into the game Clair Hume again picked the ball up on the edge of the box and in an almost action replay smashed the ball home to make it 4-0. Not the best of performances in poor conditions but a semi-final place for the Sky Blues. M-O-M was captain Sam Smythe although Claire Hume’s second half performance almost pinched it for her. WBA 1 - 1 Coventry City Ladies The Sky Blues came up against an on form WBA today determined to overturn an early season 8-1 result. In a well fought first half producing counter attacks from both sides it was clear that the cold conditions and poor pitch would result in a close game. Kate Rowells was the busier of the two keeper’s coming out to thwart the WBA attack on more than one occasion although Sky Blues probably had the best chance of the half. At half time Sky Blues changed to 4-4-2 and looked a bit more comfortable although WBA seemed to be getting more and more space in midfield. WBA clearly favouring attacking football kept the two wide midfielders forward causing the Sky Blues positional problems. Against the run of play Laura Dunlop popped up to score from 6 yards out continuing her recent run of good form. This only spurred the WBA team on and soon after poor marking from a corner resulted in an unmarked WBA player slotting home from the edge of the box. Extra time was nail biting and the tie could have gone both ways, a strange decision by the referee to allow a clearly off side player continue her run on goal nearly cost the Sky Blues the game. Fortunately Mia Charnley was on hand to clear off the line when the ball rebounded off the post. Into Penalties and the Sky Blues missed the first two kicks although a save by Kate Rowells left it at 1-0 to WBA. WBA netted and so did Stacey Rowley 2-1, then Sanj Jaspal netted and Kate Rowells again saved 2-2. WBA missed their last kick and so it was down to Kate Stevens who coolly fired home the winning penalty. To be honest we didn’t deserve to win or should I say WBA didn’t deserve to lose. The difference on the day was Kate Rowells who kept superbly winning the M-O-M award and high praise from the WBA manager. WBA showed great sporting behaviour and were a credit to the management. Coventry City Ladies 4 - 0 Solihull Borough A straight forward win here for the Sky Blues dominating much of the play and allowing Solihull little time or space on the ball. Goals from Laura Dunlop (2), Kate Stevens and Claire Hume proved too much for Solihull despite the fact that they never gave up hope. Claire Hume’s goal was the pick of the bunch when an inch perfect through pass from Kate Stevens found Tinks on the edge of the box she took the ball in her stride and smashed it past the stranded keeper. Joint players of the match Sam Gerrard and Mia Charnley earned there accolade for attacking displays from both full back positions. Well done to all the girls. Walsall B 1 - 5 Coventry City Ladies An Early Firework display from the Sky Blues “A” at Walsall today made sure of a quarterfinal tie against Kingshurst or Santiago Colts. In the first Coventry attack of the game Kate Steven’s beat her defender before being crudely brought down from behind earning a penalty within three minutes of the start. Paige Newell gave the keeper no chance when firing high and wide of the diving goalie. Then followed a twenty-minute period of possession football by the Sky Blues broken by the odd break away from the Walsall team who looked completely out of their depth. Desperate tackling, often late and clumsy, broke up the play and despite efforts from Lauren Mochrie, Kate Steven’s, Paige Newell and Abbie Gibson the Sky Blues struggled to find the killer touch. Then in the last fifteen minutes of the first half the Sky Blues put together a firework display of attacking football that ended all hopes of a Walsall surprise victory. Firstly Abbie Gibson held off her marker when receiving an inch perfect pass from Mochrie before coolly BANGED the ball past the advancing keeper. Minutes later a Paige Newell corner found the head of the diminutive Gibson who popped up un-marked at the near post to FLASH her header into the roof of the net. Minutes before half time lovely interplay between Mia Charnley and Lauren Mochrie saw Paige Newell squeeze an unstoppable FIRECRACKER into the bottom corner of the net for her second. The second half fizzled but never really came alight. Sky Blue dominance was broken when Abby Strong miss-timed a tackle giving Walsall the only clear shot at goal throughout the match. Kate Rowells outstretched arm was not enough to stop the goal. The Sky Blues then had three goals disallowed. Kate Steven’s corner kick was judged by the Walsall linesman to have gone in and out before Gibson netted although the linesman admitted five minutes later he had made a mistake the goal never stood. Then Gibson was denied her hat-trick when chipping the keeper only for the referee to stop play as the ball was in the air for a Walsall injury. The third goal came from another corner when the ball looked to have clearly entered the net before being cleared. Despite these frustrations the Sky Blues finally added to the score sheet when Kate Steven’s finished another fine move with a clinical finish, her 5th in three games. Excellent performances from Kate Steven’s, Lauren Mochrie and player of the match Abby Gibson is rewarded with an away quarter final in December. Coventry City Ladies 1 - 0 F.C. Phoenix The Sky Blue Girls moved up to 2nd Place with a victory at Wheelwright Lane on another sunny autumn day. Starting where they left off last week when thrashing WBA the Sky Blues immediately put pressure on their Hereford visitors. Lauren Mochrie made a fine run down the right putting in a great cross only to see the ball drift wide of the far post. Shots from Paige Newell and Kate Stevens were too high and Sian Jenkinson headed a corner wide when in a good position. After 15 minutes another cross from Mochrie found Laura Dunlop who tucked the ball into the corner of the net for the only goal of the game. FC Phoenix suddenly became aware that they had to get into the game or be steamrolled and two sharp breaks down the right flank by the impressive No. 11 gave Sky Blues their first taste of defending. The second break saw Kate Rowells charging out of goal to save from the Phoenix winger. The game was now a tight affair with the Sky Blues struggling to pick up the midfield runners of Phoenix who seemed intent on staying up field instead of tracking the City players when defending. During the half time break Sky Blues changed the system to cater for the lively midfield of Phoenix and Stacey Rowley and Sanj Jaspal restricted the movement of Phoenix so much so that the only danger of an equaliser came from a scramble following a corner in which Paige Newell cleared superbly off the City goal line. The Sky Blues dominated most of the game whilst rarely looking like extending the lead despite both Lauren Mochrie and Claire Hume hitting the Phoenix post. The Sky Blues were guilty of poor finishing and on another day may have had three or four. To give credit, Phoenix tried to play football at every opportunity and there was not a hint of poor gamesmanship. The return fixture could be a tricky one unless the Sky Blues get their shooting boots on. Coventry City Ladies 8 - 1 West Bromwich Albion The City Girls turned in their best performance for two years today and the unfortunate Baggies were made to suffer. Straight from the kick off the Sky Blues took the Baggies on and looked dangerous down the wings where Lauren Mochrie and Claire Hume ran at the away defence. After Ten Minutes a Hume Corner was controlled by Sian Jenkinson and a neat turn and shot made it 1-0 to the City. The pressure at this stage was non stop and the WBA keeper was the busiest player on the pitch, no surprise then when Jenkinson ran on to a cross from Mochrie to smash the ball home from the edge of the box. Minutes later the best move of the match resulted in Jenkinson’s hat-trick. Neat work between Mochrie and Mia Charnley who found Paige Newell on the edge of the box, Newell’s first time chip found Jenkinson who looped a first time effort over the keeper for 3-0. City were having a field day now and a clever dribble by Newell followed by a neat pass to Kate Stevens who smashed the ball home from just outside the area. Half Time Coventry City Ladies 4 - 0 West Bromwich Albion The second half saw two changes with Sanj Jaspal and Abby Gibson coming on. City Girls continued to put the pressure on the baggies who changed their keeper at half time. Neat work down the right hand side resulted in the ball falling to the feet of Lauren Mochrie who’s cool finish left the baggies keeper clawing the ground. Stacey Rowley and Jess Wilson then came on for the City with a re-shuffle of the players. Kate Steven’s moving out to the left wing pounced on to a Mochrie cross and half volleyed home from just inside the area, a superb finish by Kate. City’s defence had little to do but the impressive back four snuffed out every WBA attack. Total dominance by the City saw many missed chances during the game and stout defending by WBA kept the score down. However, in the 70th minute a free kick 25 yards out was curled over the keeper by Kate Steven’s for her Hat-trick. Shortly after, West Brom got a consolation goal, when WBA’s player of the match, Anita Barnes picked up a throw in, beat two City defenders before guiding the ball past Kate Rowell in the City Goal. But City hadn’t finished and a superb Mochrie cross fell to Laura Dunlop who skilfully controlled the ball before finding the inside of the side netting giving the baggies keeper no chance. Sian Jenkinson and Kate Steven’s were superb today but Sian edged the player of the match down to her unselfish running off the ball and a well taken hat-trick. The City girls have now set their standards and have proved they can play great football. Nothing less will be acceptable when they take on FC Phoenix at Wheelwright Lane next Saturday 10.30 KO. Coventry City Ladies 4 - 0 Worcester City The Sky Blues were looking to hit back after the league defeat at Leicester last week. Down to just eleven fit players this was always going to be a difficult task to get through 80 minutes without further injury, the last thing required with no subs would be extra time. However, it was clear from the start that the Sky Blues had the bit between the teeth and whilst Paige Newell and Kate Stevens started to dominate the centre of midfield, Lauren Mochrie and Claire Hulme began to run wild down the flanks. Clair and Lauren found time and space to get crosses into the box and cause major problems for the Worcester defence. The Sky Blues were looking strong from the back to the front and Mia Charnley pushing on from right back put in a lovely cross which when cleared fell to Laura Dunlop who’s shot was too strong for the keeper to get near. More pressure from the Sky Blues resulted in a great cross from Tinks (Claire Hulme) only for Lauren Mochrie to be denied by the outstretched foot of the Worcester keeper. Sian Jenkinson then found herself free with only the keeper to beat and from 6 six yards found the keepers arms instead of the gaping net. Close to half time Claire Hulme found space on the left, cut inside beating her marker and smashed the ball home from the edge of the box for the goal of the game. The second half started the same as the first with the Sky Blues dominant in all departments although the Worcester players fought hard and made it difficult for the Sky Blues to convert the numerous chances that came their way. Laura Dunlop enjoyed her best game for a long time and was a continuous threat to the Worcester defence. Kate Stevens found room on the left and a pinpoint cross fell to the feet of Mia Charnley only for her to miss control when a first time shot was required. Kate Stevens then found herself on the right where she looked up and spotted the keeper off her line. A clever chip looked to have gone over the bar only for the superb effort to drop below the bar for a great goal, her first for the Sky Blues. Laura Dunlop went close on a number of occasions before a mistake by the Worcester keeper allowed one of her shots to cross the line. Disappointing for Worcester but well deserved for Laura’s overall man of the match performance. Mia Charnley, Lauren Mochrie and Kate Stevens all enjoyed their best games this season and helped the Sky Blues to a comfortable 4-0 win. Leicester City 3 - 1 Coventry City Ladies Coventry started this match where they left off two weeks earlier when beating Leicester in the cup. Raids down both wings from Claire Hulme and Kate Stevens resulted in half chances for Laura Dunlop and Sian Jenkinson who found the Leicester Keeper in good form. Towards the end of the first half Claire Hulme was taken down inside the box when the Leicester full back took both Claire’s legs from under her. Unfortunately the referee was looking the other way and claimed he didn’t see a foul at all. Starting the second half the Sky Blues looked well on top despite Coventry’s play maker Paige Newell being man marked. Leicester couldn’t get out of their half for a twenty minute spell and it looked like only a matter of time before the Sky Blues took the lead. Mia Charnley who had a fine game at left back had to be replaced because of injury and almost immediately the Leicester captain found herself in space for the first time, her cross caused confusion and the ball bounced to a Leicester player who slotted home for an undeserved lead. The goal resulted in a period of Leicester pressure and amazingly the referee was looking away again when a Leicester player took a clear foul throw into the area which was neatly tucked away to make it 2-0, a devastating blow, but I guess we are not the first team to have decisions go against us when we were clearly the better side for most of the match. The Sky Blues gritted their teeth and from a Claire Hulme corner Sian Jenkinson glanced a header past the Leicester keeper to make it 2-1. Coventry, playing with only ten players due to injuries, continued to apply pressure looking for an equaliser only for Leicester to break again and score in the last minute. With a full and fit side and with the benefit of correct decisions at the critical moments The Sky Blues would have been comfortable winners on another day. Man of the match, Lauren Mochrie. Coventry City Ladies 1 - 0 Aston Villa The Sky Blues made a few changes for this match against Villa which always has an edge to it. Coventry got off to a flying start and forced Villa on to the back foot for most of the first half. Sanj Jaspal and Paige Newell looked to have got the better of their midfield opponents and started creating flowing Sky Blue moves. Efforts from Laura Dunlop and Abbie Gibson tested the Villa keeper who was uncomfortable under the pressure being exerted by the Sky Blues. A corner from Claire Hume found it's way through to Kate Stevens who couldn't get her shot away. Then in the 30th Minute Claire Hume found space on the edge of the box, turned and hit a ferocious shot into the top left hand corner of the net leaving the Villa keeper clawing fresh air. The lead was no more than City deserved but an injury to Abbie Gibson changed the game as she was looking very lively and creating mayhem in the Villa defence. Substitute Sian Jenkinson nearly wrapped the game up shortly after coming on but saw the Villa Keeper stretch out an arm to push the ball just wide of the post. In the dying minutes of the first half another Hume Corner found Sammy Gerrard who's shot crossed the goal line but sadly for the Sky Blues the ref was unsighted and play continued. The second half saw Villa make a number of changes which evened the game up. Despite chances occurring at both ends Villa never really looked like scoring and the Sky Blues failed to capitalise on the fewer chances that came their way. Lauren Mochrie had the best chance of the second half racing on to a through ball from Mia Charnley her shot cannoned off the keeper and away for a corner. Kate Stevens had a couple of half chances and her man of the match performance deserved a goal. The game was played in great spirit by both teams and credit should be given to both teams for the physical but fair performances. These are the first points for the Sky Blues but on the first half performance they shouldn't be the last. Coventry City Ladies 3 - 1 Leicester City A fantastic morning to play football with the sun shining and the pitch nearly as good as the Ricoh. Leicester girls started the match brighter despite the Coventry manager's words of warning following the slow start the Sky Blues made two weeks ago against Leafield. The Leicester No. 9 playing in the centre of midfield looked dangerous from the outset and tried hard to find holes in the Sky Blues defence. The main target for Leicester was the 6' 2" centre forward who showed her intentions with a couple of early challenges on centre half Sam Smyth. With the Sky Blues struggling to get to grips with the flying Leicester start it was essential that the back four kept calm and good challenges from Mia Charnley and Sam Gerrard down the flanks stopped further Leicester pressure. Sam Smyth made a couple of crunching tackles on the Leicester centre forward who seemed to be looking over her shoulder for the next challenge. When Leicester did get through they met an on-form Kate Rowells in goal who looked comfortable with the ball making one exceptionally brave save at the feet of the imposing Leicester striker.. The Sky Blues started to find some space and Paige Newell in the heart of the midfield began to get into the game. Spraying balls wide for Sian Jenkinson and Lauren Mochrie on the wings Paige looked like she could have a big say in this one. Indeed, with 20 minutes gone, the ball broke loose on the edge of the Leicester box and Paige fired home from 20 yards under the diving Leicester keeper. Similar to the Leafield game the Sky Blues looked dangerous on the counter attack whilst not dominating enough of the general game. Almost identical to the Leafield game the Sky Blues let in an equaliser minutes from the end of the half. The ever dangerous Leicester N0. 9 went unchallenged from the half way line and crossed a dangerous back post ball which Kate Rowells could only push back into play for the bustling Centre forward to scramble home. The second half started fairly even, but more and more the central duo of Paige Newell and Stacey Rowley looked to be edging the battle. The introduction of Claire Hume on the left gave the Sky Blues the advantage of great crosses and steadily the pressure on Leicester increased. After fine work involving Jess Wilson and Abbie Gibson the ball broke in the box to Laura Dunlop who seemed to have too much time and too big a goal to shoot at, Laura stroked the ball into the keepers arms when it seemed the goal was at her mercy. The Sky Blues had now taken hold of the Game and debutant Kate Stevens made an explosive 30 yard dash before losing the ball to a well timed Leicester tackle. The resulting corner from Claire Hulme bounced up at the keeper who dropped the ball at the feet of Paige Newell who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The Sky Blues missed numerous chances from then on with Stacey Rowley coming close with a header and Paige Newell forcing the keeper to tip over following a thirty yard free kick. With 10 minutes to go the Sky Blues wrapped up the game when Abbie Gibson made the most of a loose ball by hooking the ball over the keepers head to make it 3-1. Manager Dave Charnley was happy with the result after a fine second half performance and picked out the strength of Sam Smyth and the vision of Paige Newell as the main reason for the win. The Sky Blues face Walsall "B" or Leamington Lions away in the next round. Coventry City Ladies 1 - 2 Leafield Athletic Coventry City Sky Blues "A" kicked off the season against last years Champions Leafield Athletic in a very tight game here at Wheelwright Lane. Leafield had the best of the opening exchanges and looked hungrier than the Sky Blues, However the first real chance of the game come from a Sky Blue corner. Paige Newell floated in a lovely back post corner and when the Leafield defender turned her back on the ball Laura Dunlop should have scored but failed to get a touch. Leafield continued to win the mid-field battle whilst the Sky Blues relied on counter attacks. Sky Blues Keeper Kate Rowells had to be alert on a number of occasions denying the lively Leafield attack. After a good run from Sanj Jaspal the resulting corner from Newell this time found the head of Stacey Rowley who smashed the ball home from 3 yards. The lead was to last for only a few minutes, Rowell spilling a shot which fell to a Leafield attacker who despite the attention of two Sky Blues defenders managed to knock the ball home. After the break the Sky Blues had a spell of 15 minutes completely dominating the play where the lead should have been restored. Newell shot wide from a free kick and consecutive corners from Claire Hume just failed to find a Sky Blue head. Mid way through the second half Sanj Jaspal was harshly adjudged to have handled a 30 yard shot from a Leafield player. The resulting penalty was saved Rowell and justice seemed to have been done. Leafield looked the most likely to score now and with 15 minutes to go a lapse in the Sky Blues concentration led to a Leafield player nipping between defender and keeper to score the winning goal. Spoiling tactics from Leafield made it difficult for the Sky Blues to get back into the game and the home fans showed their frustration when the Leafield players continually wasted time by kicking the ball away. A tough start for the Sky Blues who need to learn that football alone will not win the league this year, a lesson drilled into the teams from Birmingham. |