COVENTRY CITY LADIES 4-1 STAFFORD RANGERS BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City ended their pre-season campaign with a 4-1 victory over Stafford Rangers at Nuneaton Borough FC.
Due to the heat on a very warm day at Manor Park,City boss Mark Phillips, his counter part Stacey Boreham and the three match officials all agreed to a game of three thirty minute periods, so that drinks breaks could be taken.
With all the injuries having cleared up from the defeat against National Division Bristol Rovers,bar Yvette Dolphin who has a left media ligament injury.
The Sky Blues attacked early with a low Sarah Marshall shot being pushed round the post by Rangers keeper Rachel Scarrisbrook for a sixth minute corner.
Marshall's partner attack in attack,Anna McLeod went close with a header,Natalie Justice had a ten yard drive saved by Scarrisbrook before City went ahead in the 16th minute, thanks to a through ball from Emma Lipman beating the visitors defence and falling for Heidi Lockyer to run on and score for close range.
The Midland Combination side who have been very active in the transfer market,recruiting most of the Stoke City side won a 20th minute corner. Karen Weston initially cleared the danger but the ball fell to Stacey Arrowsmith to curl the ball just past Gemma Smith's far post.
City's approach play looked promising and they went further ahead in the 24th minute when Sarah Marshall capitalised on a panicky defence to nip in and slot the ball home from close range.
With the game in the second period,City continued to press and Emma Lipman,Karen Weston,Leona Baseley and Kelly Mullhall all gave the visitors food for thought with efforts on goal.
City keeper Gemma Smith had relatively little to do in goal but in the 47th minute,she could only watch as Natalie Price curled the ball onto the far past and rebounded out for Baseley to clear.
With Stafford not having enough players available to fulfil a reserve fixture,Mark Phillips started to experiment with his line-up giving run-outs to Lynsey Bryington,Nat Wilcox,Katy Box,Kerry Williamson,Leona McCook and Jade Newbold.
It was one of the substitutes that increased City's lead in the 64th minute when Anna McLeod tore down the left flank and crossed for Katy Box to hammer home at the far post.
Stafford replied immediately with player/manager Stacey Boreham giving Smith no chance from a 25 yarder which flew into the roof of the net.
City continued to press and finished off their preparation for the opening WPL Northern Division fixture at Tranmere Rovers,four minutes from time when Heidi Lockyer picked up on a poor clearance and kept her cool to score from five yards.
City Manager Mark Phillips said "This was a good work out for us. "It was nice to score some goals. "At times,we played some really nice stuff and we are getting near to what we want. "We gave away a sloppy goal which I think was due to a bit of tiredness. All in all,a pretty good performance and nice to get a win under our belts."
Players used
Smith,Mulhall,Baseley,Weston,Lipman,Justice, Julia Marshall,Cartwright,Sarah Marshall, Lockyer,McLeod,Wilcox,Box,McCook,
Lockwood,Newbold,Bryington