Coventry City Ladies manager Craig Nicholls felt that overall, his side put in a decent performance in their 1-1 draw at Bradford City.
Nicholls told Matty Roper: "It was a tough game today and we struggled in parts but overall I think we put in a decent performance. We had three key players missing today and that didn't help, but to have three of our young players featuring, and doing well when they came on, shows that the future is bright at this football club."
"It would have been nice to end the season with three points but it wasn't to be, but I couldn't ask for any more from the players. It's been another good season here, and credit goes to everyone at the club who all do their bit."
Match Report
Coventry City Ladies travelled to Thackley AFC to face Bradford City in their final game of the 2014/15 campaign. The Sky Blues defeated the Bantams 4-0 in the reverse fixture at the Oval, and another result of that calibre would ensure the season ends on a high. Ashleigh Neville, Callan Barber and Annabel Johnson were absentees for the Coventry side, but the group would be looking to do the double over their Yorkshire opponents.
The game began at a fast pace in the terrible winds that were blowing across the field, and both teams battled early on to gain a foothold. Coventry kicked against the wind and they were struggling early on to keep possession of the ball, this was until around 5 minutes when they seemingly settled down. Emma Hollingsworth and Helen Dermody showed good interchange down the left wing before a corner was won, this was then taken by Dermody but Jade Formaston was unable to keep her header down with the first chance of the game.
Bradford then carved out their first opportunity of the affair as they passed their way forward, Lucy Sowery picked out Molly-Mae Sharpe but she blazed over from 12 yards. A scrappy nature started to creep in to the game as both sides struggled to get to grips with the wind, but it was the home side who created the next chance as Sharpe fired straight at Sue Wood. The Sky Blues had a brief period of dominance soon after in terms of possession but they were yet to test Carrie Simpson in the Bantams' goal.
With 25 minutes on the clock neither team had created any real chances to note and the game remained tightly poised. The Sky Blues conceded with 28 minutes played though as Bradford opened up the defence, Lucy Sowerey found Sarah Danby on the edge of the area and she cut inside before curling an effort over Sue Wood's despairing reach. After conceding, City continued to struggle in stamping a mark on the game and Bradford looked relatively untroubled.
The final 10 minutes continued in a similar fashion but great play down the left wing allowed City to get forward on 37 minutes. Helen Dermody stole the ball before passing to Dani Selmes inside, the striker then played a delightful return ball to Dermody who was unlucky to see her cross cleared last ditch. Bradford did have more of the ball in the latter stages of the half however but they were unable to stretch the Coventry back line. Max Gauntlett had the final chance of the period but she was only able to blaze over, the referee's whistle was sounded soon after to send the Sky Blues in a goal down.
Half-Time: Bradford City WFC 1-0 Coventry City LFC
The home side started the second half brightly again as they looked to double their advantage, and a mistake in the City defence allowed Danby to break through but she was only able to fire over under pressure. With 55 minutes played Maz Gauntlett saw a free kick well held by the keeper before Bradford countered. Abigail Lee won the ball in midfield and she prodded a forward ball to Lucy Sowery, her chipped effort then dropped narrowly over the crossbar.
With 62 minutes played though a high press from the City front line forced the Bradford goalkeeper to kick straight to Libby Piggott, she then used great composure to find Helen Dermody who then finished excellently in to the far corner to equalise. The Sky Blues looked rejuvenated after scoring and another swift move allowed Amber Hughes to receive the ball out wide, she then let fly but it rose over the bar.
The game turned rather scrappy again with 70 minutes played as both teams battled in the centre of the park. Coventry were playing some neat football in passages but they were unable to test the home 'keeper as much as they would have liked, with Bradford's back three defending well. The Sky Blues were looking the better side at this point though as they began enjoy more controlled possession of the ball, and Natasha Lynch tested the home goalkeeper from long range on 79 minutes. Just a minute later and Coventry went close again as Piggott found Hughes on the edge, her driven effort was saved well however with the 'keeper at full stretch. It was another save with the next move that denied Coventry again as Nikki Miles header off a Dermody cross was this time saved spectacularly.
The final five minutes continued at a high pace as both teams were in search of a winner. Coventry had more of the ball and they were threatening to take the lead, but Bradford countered with real speed which looked to stretch the Sky Blues. Neither side could find another goal though and the two teams shared the spoils after a well contested affair, Megan Ralph went close to sealing a City victory but her looped effort dropped narrowly wide to leave the score at 1-1.
Full-Time: Bradford City WFC 1-1 Coventry City LFC