Coventry City Ladies had to dig deep to secure passage to the third round of the Women's FA Cup on a cold & blustery afternoon in Shropshire. The Sky Blues bounced back from a disastrous first half, in which they fell behind 2-0 to hosts TNS & Shrewsbury. Second half goals from Nicole Tinto & Jade Ogle secured a 2-2 scoreline at the end of 90 minutes.
Both teams had chances to win it in the extra period, Natasha Lynch, Lyndsey Bryenton & Cherelle Archibald all failed to force the ball home in a goalmouth scramble in the 94th minute. TNS wasted a great chance when Abi Cottam was through on goal, the pacey midfielder had caused problems with strong runs all afternoon but on this occasion when baring down on goal she kicked the ground & the ball ran harmlessly into touch.
Jade Formaston had the last meaningful chance when a defensive clearance hit her in the back. The sprightly winger maintained possession but shot across the face of goal after being forced wide. When penalties arrived Captain Lynch stepped up to take the first confidently slotting her spot-kick past Sarah Martin in the TNS goal.
Sian Skelton stepped up first for TNS & responded in kind to make it 1 each. Jade Ogle, whose 25 yard rocket had hauled the Sky Blues level, accurately dispatched the second for City to edge them back in front. Adele Rodgers took her place on the line in the Sky Blues goal outstretching her arms to make herself big. The 16 year-old goalie had already enjoyed a tremendous afternoon controlling her area & acting as a makeshift sweeper as Coventry played with an increasingly high line.
Rodger's guessed right & got enough on Cottam's penalty to keep it from crossing the line. Archibald lined up to take City's third and hit it with enough venom that it broke through the moorings of the net & continued way off the pitch. Rodgers saved her best for last, after a string of fine saves & well timed challenges, the young keeper got down well to tip Sally Jones' penalty onto the post. Emily Hanson, whose entrance as a second half substitute marked her first senior team appearance stepped forward knowing her penalty could win the tie.
The diminutive central midfielder powered her effort past Martin & wheeled off to celebrate with the heroine Rodgers. It could have been so very different with the Sky Blues seemingly in disarray in the first half. After a decent period of early pressure for Coventry, the game became bogged down in midfield in increasingly difficult conditions.
TNS were creating the better of the opportunities with long balls that were wreaking havoc in the Sky Blues defense. It was a deep ball that led to the first goal. In the 24th minute both Natalie Wilcox & Lynch misjudged the ball eventually allowing Skelton to blast home from close range.
Just 5 minutes later Rodgers made a stunning save from a thunderous strike but was unfortunate to see the ball drop at the feet of Emily Ridge who was able to drive the ball home. Coventry were unable to mount much of a challenge in what remained of the first half but would turn it on from the restart.
Natalie Wilcox battled hard to steal possession & picked out Ogle who quickly moved the ball onto Formaston. A typical run skipping out of challenges saw Formaston reach the touchline & deliver a cross to the near post. Archibald got up well to challenge Martin & won possession with her back to goal but could only shoot wide on the turn.
Ogle's 70th minute free kick led to a powerful effort from Helen Dermody only to see Martin make a good diving save. However, Martin could do nothing a minute later when Formaston's through ball led to a chase which was won by Nicole Tinto whose chip fell into the vacated net to give Coventry a lifeline.
Hanson looked assured in midfield after entering the fray in the 71st minute and it was her layoff to fellow Centre of Excellence graduate, Jade Ogle, that led to the equaliser. Ogle picked up the ball 30 yards out, took one touch and unleashed a pinpoint drive that would eventually see the game move on to it's dramatic climax.
The Sky Blues now look forward to the third round draw which will feature clubs form the Premier North & South Divisions. Meanwhile, next Sunday sees the Sky Blues return to league action & they'll spend this week preparing for a top of the table clash when they entertain the high-flying Derby County. Coventry have won the last 4 meetings between the two clubs including both league games last season & an FA Cup second round tie.
Team: - Rodgers, Wilcox, Lowe, Henson, Lynch (c), Bryenton, Formaston, Saulter (Ogle 45), Archibald, Tinto, Dermody (Hanson 72).
Subs Not Used: - Forbes.
Goals: - Tinto (71), Ogle (81).
Bookings: - None
Sent Off: - None