Coventry City Ladies escaped the East Midlands with 3 points as they came from behind to defeat Radcliffe Olympic 3-2. Jade Formaston opened the scoring for the Sky Blues before being forced off with a thigh strain. A controversial double from Sarah Green fired the home side ahead before Helen Dermody replied with 2 goals of her own to secure the win and keep Coventry ahead of Derby in the title race.
In a game played in boggy conditions, Dermody bounced back well to net twice in the final 20 minutes after missing an open goal from 6 yards when the game was poised at one apiece. Emily Hanson had won the ball off the otherwise assured Rania Ramadan and, with 'keeper Sophie Turner coming out to narrow the angle, played a ball to the unmarked Dermody on the edge of the 6 yard box. The prolific left winger, who's scored 18 goals in 23 appearances this season, inexplicably fired over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
Much to her credit, Dermody bounced back and took her two goals well. It was Hanson's hustle that again presented an opportunity. The combative forward rode a challenge and played a through ball that, as Sarah Burnham hesitated, Dermody burst onto and slid past Turner into the bottom right corner. The finish for the winner was almost identical. 2nd half substitute Katie Singleton used her pace to devastating effect along the left touchline before pulling the ball back to Jade Ogle on the edge of the Radcliffe area. Ogle's shot on goal was wayward but Dermody reacted quickest and stretched out her right leg finish into the same corner of the net.
Whilst Dermody's winner looked suspiciously offside Coventry will feel that justice was done as controversy surrounded both of Radcliffe's goals. After receiving treatment Olympic's Emma Clarke was ordered from the field. Having not heeded the referee's instructions Clarke quickly became involved in play from the restart, her tussle in midfield released Joanne Campbell who subsequently fired in a right wing cross for Green to force past Adele Rogers in the City goal.
Green's 27th minute equaliser was added to on the hour mark as the striker converted a penalty that had been awarded for a handball against Jenni Lowe. The hard working full back had attempted to control the ball with her thigh only to see it bounce up unintentionally onto her arm. The decision was met with cries of derision from the Sky Blues' players and bench as a game that they had dominated for long periods appeared to be on the verge of getting away from them. Green's spot kick cannoned off the left upright before nestling just inside the net on other side of the goal.
Manager Paul Cudby was pleased with the way his team responded "We showed great character fighting back that hard in those conditions, things weren't easy out there and after going behind to the penalty you could see everyone really dig deep and work tirelessly for each other. In the end that hard work allowed our quality to shine through and it means we keep up the pressure on Derby, setting up a great match next week against Wolves, who are themselves still very much in this title race".
Formaston, who joins Danni Saulter on an increasingly lengthy injury list, had showed great poise to fire the Sky Blues ahead after good work from front pairing Nicole Tinto and Cherelle Archibald had seen her collect the ball wide on the right hand side. The in form winger took her time to slot home her ninth goal of the season and third in five games.
Derby County enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win over Leafield Athletic and now also have a 2 goal advantage in terms of goal difference which could prove vital come the end of the season. The Sky Blues know they can't afford to slip up at home to Wolves next Sunday and will be looking for a similar result to their recent County Cup Semi Final in which they romped to a 3-0 victory. Kick off is 14:00 at Coventry University's Westwood Heath Sports Grounds.
Team: - Rogers, Cockayne, Lowe, Henson, Lynch, Forbes, Formaston (Ogle 22), Hanson, Archibald (Singleton 68), Tinto, Dermody.
Subs Not Used: - Robery, Bryenton.
Goals: - Formaston (11), Dermody (70 & 80).
Booked: - None
Sent Off: - None