COVENTRY CITY LADIES 0-0 LINCOLN CITY BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City Ladies moved out of the WPL Northern Division relegation zone with a 0-0 draw with Lincoln City.
In front of a healthy crowd at Nuneaton Borough,City boss Mark Phillips defender Kelly Mulhall sent to hospital with a sixth minute knee injury as the visitors had the early pressure.
Chances were limited but after keeper Kelly Cartwright had dealt with two Lincoln corners, Anna McLeod almost put City ahead with a long range effort that just missed the far post.
Lincoln always looked dangerous going forward and in the 21st minute,Sara Priestly out paced the City defence only hit a shot across the face of the goal.
Debutant Michelle Hickmott who joined the Sky Blues from Fulham fitted straightaway into the midfield and in the 23rd minute,she broke down the left flank and squared the ball back for Amanda Whalley to fire into the side netting from eight yards.
Five minutes later, Hickmott was involved again as she linked up with Sarah Marshall to tee up Katy Box who shot wide from ten yards.
On the stroke of half-time, A Lena Baseley free kick fell for City skipper Laura Healy but Imps keeper Nicola Hobbs was equal to it making a fine save.
Phillips had to make his second change at the interval with Emma Lipman who was watched by an England scout, limped off with a foot injury and was replaced by Maria Cartwright.
Glen Smith's side raised their game in the second period and in the 55th minute, Priestly broke through only to see her low drive rebound off the foot of the post and Natasha Lynch scramble the ball away for a corner.
City goalkeeper Kelly Cartwright was having a fine game and in the 64th minute, she palmed a twenty yard rocket from Steph Spence over the crossbar for a corner.
Lincoln continued to press until the end and Cartwright denied the visitors with three saves to earn City who are running a coach to their game at Sheffield Wednesday and the Masters Final on Sunday, a share of the spoils.
Mark Phillips was happy with the point saying "This was a hard earned point. "They had chances,we had chances and a bit of finishing from both sides could have seen the game finish two all. "The positives I take out of it are a clean sheet,we have battled well and defended very well. "I think Michelle Hickmott made a difference and although the second half was not great, I'll take a point from a good side who have been in the league for a fair time now. To take a point off Lincoln is no disgrace in our first home game.
TEAM
K.Cartwright,Mulhall (Bryerton 6),Lipman (M.Cartwright 46),Healy,Lynch,Baseley, Whalley,Hickmott,Box,Marshall (Lockyer 61), McLeod SNU Perry,McKenna
City Reserves warmed up for their opening WPL Reserve Section North Division 2 game with a 5-1 victory at Leamington. Kath Hartley and Jade Newbold netted twice with Kerry Williamson sealing a good win for the Sky Blues.