A resilient display by Derby County saw the Rams twice come from behind to defeat the Coventry City Ladies 3-2. A Jade Formaston header and an Emily Hanson penalty weren't enough for the Sky Blues as Derby vaulted them to take control of the Midland Women's Combination League. Amy Pashley twice hauled the Rams level before Emily Jeffrey's disputed winner pushed Derby 2 points clear with a game in hand.
With midfield maestro Danni Saulter falling ill prior to kick off, Paul Cudby was forced into an eleventh hour reshuffle with in form striker Hanson dropping into an attacking midfield role. Lyndsey Bryenton was however fit to start a match for the first time in almost 3 months and filled in for ailing right back Natalie Wilcox.
In a game of such magnitude the opening exchanges were predictably cagey with neither team able to make any progress towards their opponent's goal. Coventry were the beneficiaries of several early free kicks and corners, Natasha Lynch came closest to opening the scoring with a near post header on 17 minutes. Derby found success all afternoon with fast paced counter attacks and Jemma Douglas almost headed the hosts into the lead from a Maria Wayne cross.
Douglas tested Adele Rogers in the City goal on 22 minutes when she found space to turn and fire in a low shot that the Sky Blues young stopper got down well to save tremendously. Rogers was again the hero making an acrobatic save to deny Pashley direct from a free kick after Lynch had been adjudged to have brought the forward down on the edge of the box.
Derby continued to apply the pressure and created the better chances, Rogers this time making a flying save to her right, denying Wayne's strike from 20 yards out. Somewhat against the run of play, Coventry opened the scoring through Formaston's diving header. Nicole Tinto held the ball up well on the touchline before laying back to Helen Dermody. Coming in off the wing, Dermody shifted the ball and skilfully stepped away from Derby Captain Leanne Beet before delivering a cross that looked out of the reach of last season's top scorer. Formaston wouldn't be denied however and her looping header had Jenny Simpson well beaten.
Coventry only held the lead for five minutes as on the stroke of half time Lynch was caught in possession on the edge of her own box. Wayne nipped in stealing the ball off the defender's toes and squaring to the wide open Jeffrey. Rogers got off her line to make the chance difficult and goalscorer Formaston stepped in to block the eventual effort. Pashley collected the ball on the edge of City's area and placed a beautiful lob into the far side of Rogers' goal leaving the keeper no chance.
The visitors stole momentum early in the second half. Cherelle Archibald fired a ball forward that Tinto controlled well, shifted feet and nudged inside for Formaston to create space for her shot. Lorna Abbey, however, did well to limit the danger but was guilty of bringing down Archibald in the process. Dermody stepped up to take the resulting free kick but crashed her effort against the crossbar before Formaston volleyed the rebound wide.
On the hour mark Coventry were the beneficiaries of what looked a soft penalty. Lynch's clearance from the halfway line fell kindly for Archibald to chase, rounding Simpson before apparently being brought down by the keeper. Emily Hanson, a scorer in the past five matches, stepped up to convert the spot kick and keep her impressive streak alive.
Again the Sky Blues couldn't hold the lead for long. Five minutes after regaining their advantage Dermody was harshly penalised as she fell on the edge of her own box before Lauren Steadman tumbled over her earning a free kick. Pashley drove her powerful effort through the wall and past Rogers restoring parity on the scoresheet.
A further five minutes passed before the Rams took a 69th minute lead that they wouldn't surrender. Second half substitute Phallon Barker dragged the ball back from the byline, chipping into the box where Jeffrey looked to have controlled the ball with her arm before firing inside the near post. The Sky Blue's protestations were fruitless and short-lived.
Coventry poured forward in droves searching in vain for an equaliser. City's best chances fell to Formaston whose 81st minute header flew narrowly wide. Pashley, a constant threat for the Rams, was carried from the pitch with a severe injury just 5 minutes from time, taking the gloss off an otherwise excellent performance and causing a lengthy delay.
Deep into injury time Hanson again set up Formaston but her effort was directed too close to Simpson in the Rams' goal. Coventry's last chance to pull level was denied late on as Dermody was dragged down from behind inside Derby's area, quite apart from a penalty award, the Sky Blues winger was adjudged to have committed a foul ensuring the visitor's day ended in defeat.
The Sky Blues don't have to wait long for a chance to get back on track and retake top spot. Bottom placed club the Leicester City Ladies visit Westwood Heath Sports Grounds on Thursday evening for a 19:30 kick off before the Sky Blues host City rivals Copsewood on Sunday afternoon in the big Coventry Derby.
Team: - Rogers, Bryenton (Cockayne 81), Lowe, Henson, Lynch, Forbes, Formaston, Hanson, Archibald, Tinto (Saulter 75), Dermody.
Subs Not Used: - Willis, Morgan, Ogle.
Goals: - Formaston (40), Hanson (Pen 59).
Booked: - None
Sent Off: - None