Coventry City Ladies returned to action today as they were eliminated from the League Cup by promotion rivals the Leicester City Women. The two sides played out an uneventful Semi-Final tie amid occasional snow flurries with the Foxes emerging 2-1 winners.
After a two week lay-off the Sky Blues emerged slightly the brighter, however, neither team managed to grab a firm hold of the match and the game was 10 minutes old before either side had a meaningful effort on goal. Lisa Sharrad's skewed clear fell kindly to Courtney Sweetman-Kirk who blazed the ball high over Kerry Williamson's goal.
It was defensive indecisiveness that let Leicester in again as Captain Natasha Lynch allowed a loose ball to run across the edge of the area where England Under 19 International Remi Allen was lurking to collect it but fortunately shot wide of the mark. Poor marking would also lead to chances for both Sweetman-Kirk and Rachel Williams as Coventry continued to live dangerously at the back.
The Sky Blues had to wait until the 26th minute before carving out their first opportunity. Keeley Lowe latched onto Natalie Brace's knock on but the speedy Lauren Impey chased well to clear. Kelly-Ann Willis collected the ball inside the area from the resulting corner before being scythed down for a penalty. Willis dusted herself off to coolly despatch the spot-kick to Laura Niblett's right.
Natasha Meade ensured the lead was short-lived, her speculative effort took a deceptive bounce in front of Williamson to leave the City keeper grasping at thin air and the sides tied with half an hour on the clock. Katie Moran had Coventry's best effort in what remained of a first half that was largely bereft of any attacking creativity, her long range free kick sailing narrowly over after Brace had been hacked down.
The second period took even longer to spring into life than the first. Lisa Sharrad, who'd moved into midfield replacing the injured Moran, sent Lowe through but the lone striker's first touch took the ball too close to Niblett who was able to smoother and snuff out the move. Leicester's powerful midfield began to dominate the game and only a saving tackle from Kelly Pinner stopped Remi Allen from firing them into the lead.
Sensing victory Foxes Manager Rehanne Skinner threw on Nat Reay. The winger's impact was immediate, with 15 minutes remaining Reay wriggled free on the edge of Coventry's box and charged one on one with Williamson. The Keeper spread herself well doing just enough as Reay's thunderous effort struck the right post and cannoned back out to safety.
Leicester continued to push forward and got their just reward in the 79th minute when the lively Sweetman-Kirk challenged Williamson for Reay's deep cross and managed to force the ball over the line. The game looked to be all over when Williamson spilled a routine corner, Impey picked up the loose ball and was quickly dragged down by the City keeper. Williamson redeemed herself with a stunning save from the resulting spot kick, diving full stretch to her right to deny Allen's well struck penalty.
Whilst Coventry tried in vain to respond, Leicester's solid back line didn't give an inch and carried them through to Mays Final where they will meet East Midlands rivals Derby County. Meanwhile, Coventry switch their focus back to the league and next weekends visit of TNS. The match is scheduled for a 2pm kick off at Coventry University Sports Ground on Westwood Heath Road. The Sky Blues currently sit two points behind Leicester who visit Derby next week.
Team: - Williamson, Wilcox (Lowe J 74), Dermody, Henson, Lynch, Sharrad, Formaston, Moran (Pinner 50), Willis (Davies 71),Lowe K, Brace.
