The Coventry City Ladies' promotion push was severely derailed yesterday as a first draw of the season all but handed Derby County the title. The 1-1 result away to West Brom all but mathematically removes the Sky Blues from the title race as they seem destined for another season in the Midland Women's Combination. Danni Saulter equalised for City deep into stoppage time but it was too little too late after Robyn James had given the Baggies a first half lead.
West Brom had given the Sky Blues an early scare as James saw a goal chalked off in the 8th minute for a foul on City 'keeper Adele Rogers. The young shot stopper had come to the edge of her box to make a good claim but seemingly lost control of the ball when she hit the deck. James was on hand to turn the ball into the open goal only for play to be called back.
The let off failed to spark City into life and a tense; nervous affair ensued with neither team managing to create any clear cut chances until an incisive through ball sent James scampering in a foot race with Ali Forbes. Rogers came out to attempt to block on the edge of her area and almost did enough but James managed to slide the ball in ahead of Natasha Lynch who was unable to make up enough ground to clear off the line.
Coming just 10 minutes before the break James' goal did provoke a response from the visitors. Saulter fired in an effort at the near post that Natalie Hall saved comfortably after Natalie Brace and Jade Formaston had combined well to create the shooting opportunity. Formaston herself had a shot blocked just moments later as some brave defending denied her goal bound effort. City were unlucky not be level from the resulting corner, Abi Cockayne's climbed highest only to see her header cleared off the line by Laura McQuilkin at the far post.
After a very flat first half Manager Paul Cudby introduced youngster Nikki Miles in an effort to breathe life into his lethargic side. The change was effective with both Miles and Emily Hanson going close in the early stages of the second period. A sustained period of pressure around the hour mark had the Baggies scrapping for their lives as Hanson, Saulter, Helen Dermody and full back Jenni Lowe set up camp around the hosts' penalty area but failed to create a clear opening.
West Brom continued to frustrate the Sky Blues allowing their visitors little time to settle on the ball and it wasn't until the final 5 minutes that Coventry found another gear. Cherelle Archibald made up a lot of ground to keep a directionless ball in play before a sharp one-two with Hanson had the striker advancing on the opposition's goal. Archibald picked out Saulter who'd found a good position on the edge of the area but was quickly closed down and played to Formaston whose shot was blocked.
Hanson came close with a header from the resulting corner and Hall had to be sharply off her line to punch the ball to safety as Archibald charged in at the far post looking to level the score. Mc Quilkin was again the hero as she cleared another header off the line, this time it was Saulter that was denied, the ball rebounded to Natasha Lynch but came back to fast for her to control and her shot flew wide.
Coventry finally got on the scoresheet 5 minutes into stoppage time with what was virtually the last kick of the game. Formaston chipped a ball forward for Saulter, the former Arsenal midfielder latched onto it and calmly lobbed Hall from just inside the box. Cudby was pleased with the second half response "after a patchy first 45 minutes, I thought we played some good football in the second half, created a lot of good chances, and when you chase the game like that you're bound to leave yourself open for counter attacks. Adele made a terrific sharp save low to her left to prevent it being 2-0 and game over. She was brave late on too saving at their striker's feet and playing on with an injury".
"Credit to the rest of the players too" Cudby continued "they didn't give up, and got a reward for that with the late equaliser. Unfortunately it's probably not going to be enough as we're now relying on Wolves to beat Derby, and judging by their result against Leicester, they've thrown in the towel for the season because Wolves are normally so strong at home". The Foxes virtually eliminated Wolves from the title race by a virtue of a surprising 2-0 win.
In all likelihood the Sky Blues only hope of silverware now rests with Wednesday's County Cup Final at Tamworth FC and Cudby has asked for a positive reaction from his squad "Aston Villa in the final Wednesday is going to be a very interesting game, everyone's got to pick themselves up, and show that we're capable of performing at that level against that calibre of opposition - hopefully we'll get that reaction and deliver on a big stage".
Team: - Rogers, Cockayne (Bryenton 80), Lowe (Archibald 80), Henson, Lynch (c), Forbes, Formaston, Hanson, Saulter, Dermody, Brace (N. Miles 46).
Goals: - Saulter (90+5)
Booked: - None.
Sent Off: - None.