A 3-1 defeat away to Loughborough Students leaves the Sky Blues still without a point on their travels this season. Kelly-Anne Willis' deflected second half strike provided the only highlight for City & snapped a 235 minute goal drought. The loss was Coventry's third this season matching their total for last year's entire campaign.
Amy Perry fired L'boro into a 13th minute lead after Adele Rodgers initially fumbled a long range free kick. The Sky Blues' young shot stopper regained her composure to get down & make an excellent block at close range, the resulting loose ball was collected by Perry who saw her first attempted cleared off the line before slotting home to give the Students the lead in a scrappy fashion that was to be a pre-cursor of the whole match.
With a gusting wind playing a large part in the game both sides failed to retain possession for any length of time & clear cut chances were few & far between. Coventry's two best efforts came after good work along the left-hand side, Kelly-Anne Willis fired directly into the arms of Vicky Hewitt after a sharp 1-2 with forward partner Cherelle Archibald. Jade Formaston was also frustrated by Hewitt as her header was well saved by the in-form 'keeper.
Coventry went in trailing 1-0 at the half but seemed to be establishing a foothold in the match. Just 4 minutes into the second half though Laura Steele's rocket from 25 yards caught Rodgers flat footed & sent the students into raptures. The Sky Blues were soon back in reach as Formaston laid a well measured through ball into the path of Archibald who controlled it well. A perfectly timed tackle stole the ball from the former Villa striker's feet, however, Willis was on hand to pick up the loose ball a fire home with the aid of a Gabby Pughsley deflection.
Steele's controversial 58th minute free kick was almost a carbon copy of her first goal. Her well placed effort was just out of the reach of Rodgers & at 3-1 the points were in the bag as L'boro secured their first victory of the season. Steele could've had a couple more as she tried her luck from long range at will before scuffing her easiest opportunity wide as time ran out.
The result leaves the Coventry languishing in seventh place, just 2 points above the relegation zone & already 7 points behind unbeaten leaders Derby County. The Sky Blues will be thankful to get back to the Coventry University Sports Ground on Westwood Heath Road where they have a 100% record. Sunday they host the newly merged TNS & Shrewsbury Town in a 14:00 kick off.
Team: - Rodgers, Wilcox, Lowe, Ogle, Lynch (c), Forbes, Formaston, Henson (Pinner 64), Archibald (Tinto 64), Willis, Dermody (Bryenton 75).
Subs Not Used: - Robery, Coley
Goals: - Willis (55)
Bookings: - None
Red Cards: - None
Coventry Copsewood lost 2-1 at Derby County,who now head the Midland Combination Table.