City Ladies In Ricoh Draw

Coventry City Ladies 0-0 Ricoh All-Stars

(3-4 to Ricoh All-Stars on penalties)

24^th February 2007

By Christine Wheeler

Coventry City Ladies held the Ricoh All-Stars, featuring England internationals Rachel Yankey and Karen Carney, to a goalless draw at the official opening of the Ricoh Arena on Saturday before going down 4-3 on penalties.

Coventry started the match brightly, eager to impress the watching fans, but soon settled into the rhythm of the game that was designed as a fun exhibition game.

The first real effort on goal came from Hannah Smith of the All-Stars after 19 minutes when she forced keeper Katie George into an excellent reaction save.

Hozanna Parnell then hit a header against the bar with her first touch of the ball after coming on as a substitute.

The Sky Blues' best strikes on goal in the first half went to Kelly-Ann Willis whose shot at the end of the first half forced the visitors keeper to push the ball round the post with her knee. The second half saw Coventry's best chances fall to Sarah Marshall and Jade Formaston, but no-one could break the deadlock.

The introduction of Yankey and Carney with 10 minutes remaining saw the game go into a higher gear as each team looked for the winner. Coventry goalie Kerry Williamson was on hand to make some fine saves to deny the two internationals as regulation time finished 0-0.

Coventry looked to be having their name put on the trophy when the All-Stars Josanne Potter had her spot kick saved, but then Coventry's White blasted her effort over the bar and Emma Lipman, who turned 18 the day before, scuffed her kick for an easy save.

The final moment of the day fell to Coventry though as Stacey Doughty took the Man of the Match award.

The match, consisting of two 35 minute halves, had featured rolling substitutions for both sides in order to enable all players to get some time of the field, plus it was a precaution to prevent injuries. This also allowed injured Coventry striker Yvette Dolphin to play for 10 minutes to test out her cartilage. The forward has been out of action for several months.

Following the match, Coventry captain Natasha Lynch said it was amazing to be able to play at the Ricoh, "It's a great opportunity to play at such a fantastic stadium". She also said that she took a positive outlook from the game "They [Ricoh All-Stars] didn't score. We held them so I'm not disappointed". Sky Blues manager Stuart Wilson enjoyed the game, but is now looking to the league "The girls have loved it. It's been a warm up game for tomorrow (away at Lichfield) in the league, which is the most important thing"