Coventry City Girls FC Under 15 A Team 2008/2009 Match Reports
By Pino

Coventry City Girls 4 - 2 Fordhouse Ladies
Open Cup 18/4/09

AHaving already secured league champions title, Coventry City Girls Under 15's, with eager anticipation, headed off to Solihull, Birmingham to face Fordhouse Ladies and hopefully achieve the double, adding the Open Cup to this seasons silverware. With Fordhouse finishing second in the league and also being the only team this season to have taken points from Coventry, the stage was set for a clash of the Titans.

Fordhouse get the first half under way and immediately the pace of play is set with Fordhouse making the initial frenzied push and soon the game develops into an attacking and counter attacking pattern of play. The first ten minutes passes with both teams pressing hard to gain the early advantage. Fordhouse are awarded a free kick just outside the 18yd box and set up for a practiced set piece which Abby comfortably cradles in her arms. Coventry soon get into their stride and start to create more of the chances which sees the ball scrambled off Fordhouse goal line and a header from Pezza scraping over the cross bar. With 30 minutes gone Coventry breathe the first sigh of relief and score from a corner which comes off KP's shin pad and drops just out of reach and behind the keeper. Fordhouse, anxious not to end the first half behind, drive menacingly forward through the centre of the park and into Coventry's domain, but find it difficult to penetrate Coventry's stern defence in order to get any clean shots at goal.

Half Time Score :- Coventry City Girls 1 - 0 Fordhouse Ladies

Coventry kick off the second half and as with the first half, the game continues with relentless nail biting entertainment. In the tenth minute of the second half Coventry extend their lead when the keeper is unable to hang onto Pezza's shot, and agonisingly watches it skip over her body and give Coventry a 2 - 0 lead. Again the game restarts and with purpose, Fordhouse step up the tempo and fiercely contest every challenge which concludes with a pay off when Abby has a rare lapse in concentration as she spills the ball from a cross for a prowling forward to tuck away into the far corner of the net to put Fordhouse back in contention. Fordhouse's elation is short lived following some superb quick one touch passing from Coventry that presents KP with the opportunity to fire past the keeper and re-instate the 2 goal difference. Coventry not resigned to sitting back and defending their lead, persist to threaten and as throughout the game Rachel continues to be a thorn in Fordhouse's side with her swift pace down the left flank, skipping over challenges and delivering probing crosses. With the clock ticking away, Fordhouse throw bodies and long balls forward making Coventry's defence work harder than ever and testing their tenacity, when from range, an unexpected explosive shot catches Abby off her line and on target to keep Fordhouse in touch and with refreshed optimism. With a slender lead, Coventry defend it by driving forward with conviction and are rewarded with the last goal of the match courtesy of Pezza who manages to get an outstretched toe to the ball before the keeper is able to smother it.

The final whistle releases the emotions of a team and supporters befitting an FA Cup final. As anticipated, a very competitive, good spirited and entertaining game with tremendous performances by both teams. Without doubt, the final score line being a true representation of the balance of the game which by no means a one sided affair.

After both teams sporting hand shakes, Coventry's girls and management faced the army of followers, raised their hands in a show of their appreciation for their support, then down on all fours and in a single line leave the pitch in an unconventional manner. With the game over the players and supporters collected around the trophy table to receive their awards being presented by League Secretary Les Barrett. First Fordhouse received runners up awards followed by Coventry's girls to collect their winners awards. Finally, with rapturous cheers and applause, Coventry's captain, Kelsey, made her way forward to receive and raise the Central Warwickshire Girls Football League Open Cup. After a brief break for photo's the girls board the coach for the return trip, needless to say the coach ride back to the Jaguar Club to celebrate was somewhat vocal.