Coventry City Girls FC Offical Website

Coventry City Girls 2 - 1 Leafield Athletic
County Cup 18/4/10

In a thrilling Tesco County Cup Final held at Birmingham County Headquarters on Saturday 17th April, Coventry City Girls emerged as 2-1 winners against Leafield Athletic. This is the first time in the club's history they have won the Girls County Cup. The result means that Coventry City Girls under 16 progress to the next stage of the Tesco Cup competition, the Central Regional Final, to be held at Perry Bar on Sunday 25 April 2010.

For the 2^nd year in succession we find ourselves outside the Jaguar club in glorious sunshine, waiting to board the coach taking us to another cup final, this year being for the County cup against our close league rivals and very accomplished Leafield team, with the intent to once again add silverware to the clubs trophy shelf.

On a virtually perfect pitch, splendid sunshine and a mass of supporters, Coventry get the first half under way and immediately the pace of play is set predominantly by Leafield who make the initial frenzied attack against a Coventry side seemingly suffering from a touch of big match nerves and within a couple of minutes Coventry find themselves a goal down following a Leafield corner which lands amongst a crowd of bodies and emerges past an unsighted Abby to cross the goal line. Coventry battle hard to suppress a now confident Leafield side which had obviously done their homework to staunch Coventry’s attacking force and within minutes Abby is called on to pull off a fantastic block to keep us in the game. With a struggling central midfield Helena comes on for Deanna and it’s not too long before Coventry begin to get into their stride and the balance of play is restored, pushing their opponents back and creating opportunities which has Rachel scream a free kick just over the bar and several corners cleared. With Coventry now menacingly probing for the equalizer and piling on the pressure Leafield breathe a sigh of relief when the first half whistle blows.

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

Leafield kick off the second half and whatever was said in Coventry’s changing room at half time seemed to do the trick as in response to the first half within the first two minutes Coventry equalize as a well stuck shot from the right is parried down by Leafield’s keeper for KP to pounce and get an outstretched toe to before the keeper is able to smother it. With the deficit restored and the Coventry supporters in fine vocal and stomping form, Coventry continue to press forward against an ever threatening Leafield who are refrained from targeting the goal by an unyielding Coventry defence. With the sun high in the sky and the frantic pace, fresh legs are needed bringing a flurry substitutions from both sides. From a move down the right Coventry are awarded a freekick just outside the corner of the 18yrd box, Rachel steps up and fires a piercing shot which slipped straight through the keeper’s hands and into the far top corner of the net to put Coventry into a precious lead. With the clock ticking away Leafield throw players forward in an attempt to keep hopes alive and in doing so are awarded a penalty when the ball strikes Kelsey’s hand within the box but Leafield are unable to capitalise from it as the shot is sent over the cross bar. With a sigh of relief Coventry now take control of the last few minutes of the game forcing Leafield to defend several corners of which Emmo narrowly misses with a header.

The final whistle brings elation to players, manager, coaches and supporters in not only winning the County Cup but also as being the first team to win it in club history. As anticipated, a very close, competitive, good spirited and entertaining game with tremendous performance and effort from both teams.

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. With the game over the players and supporters collected around the trophy table to receive their individual awards and with rapturous cheers and applause, Coventry's captain, Kelsey raises the Birmingham County Cup. After a brief break for photo's the girls board the coach for the return trip back to the Jaguar Club to celebrate.

SQUAD:- Abby, H, Deanna, Kelsey, Pav, Beth, Pezza, Clewsey, KP, Rachel, Loz, Emmo, Finny, Fuzzy, Helina, Hanna, Alex, Olivia.

To read the Leafield match report click here.  To read the Birmingham County FA match report click here.