Coventry City Ladies' promotion hopes suffered a crushing blow today at the hands of Wolves. Set pieces proved to be the Sky Blues' undoing as they conceded twice from corners and two more from direct free kicks to trail 4-0 at half time. A spirited second half fight back wasn't enough to earn a point as goals from Kirsty Robson and Natasha Lynch weren't enough to rescue a point for City.
Wolves took control as early as the sixth minute when Laura Smith's glancing header helped on a corner that already looked goalbound. Coventry responded well as the bustling Emily Hanson powered away from marker, Kirsty Bavington, firing in a left foot cross that Jade Ogle unluckily miscued from a good position that she'd taken up in the middle of the box.
Moments later Wolves' keeper Naomi Brutton, under pressure from Cherelle Archibald, laid a clearance at the feet of Hanson but the striker, deployed on the left wing today, placed her effort wide of the goal as defenders scrambled to narrow her angle. The visitors doubled their lead in the 28th minute as Jenni Anslow's ambitious free kick hit the back of the net from 30 yards out. City's young goalie, Adele Rogers, did well to get a touch on the ball but was powerless to stop it.
Just 2 minutes later and from a similar position on the other side of the field, Smith hit her second as once more Rogers was unable to get a firm enough hand on a perfectly placed free kick. A Coventry comeback looked out of the question as on the stroke of half time Anne Johnson volleyed in a fourth for the rampant visitors. Rogers had come to the near post to meet a corner but could only punch the ball up into the air. Johnson was able to hook the ball back across goal and into the net after Rogers had recovered enough to punch again but couldn't get the distance needed to clear the danger.
Pulling no punches, Sky Blues Manager Paul Cudby delivered a frank assessment of his side's first half capitulation "We were dire, totally devoid of passion and team spirit, when you play against a quality team like Wolves in that way then they'll tear you apart and we got exactly what we deserved". Coventry's second half performance did provide some encouragement though.
Jade Formaston, limited by a hamstring strain, made a half-time appearance and immediately caused problems for a Wolverhampton defence that hadn't had a shot on target to deal with throughout the entire first half. After the winger had been brought down on the edge of the box Kelly Henson stepped up to whip in a free kick that grazed the top of the crossbar with Brutton well beaten.
Archibald and Robson linked up well to create a good chance in the 55th minute with Archibald using her strength to outmuscle Donna Arrowsmith to win Rogers' deep punt. The Imposing forward played through Robson who could only hit the side netting as Brutton came out well to narrow the angle. Robson was becoming an increasing threat and headed narrowly wide from a Helen Dermody free kick just moments later.
The Sky Blues pressure finally told when 15 minutes from time second half substitute Katie Singleton flung herself at the ball to perfectly play in Robson who held off a challenge before sliding past the advancing Brutton. Wolves responded with their only attempt in the second period, Amber Quick crashing a powerful effort from the edge of City's area onto the crossbar. Rogers did well to collect the rebound under pressure from Nicole Ledgister.
Hanson's quick thinking and even quicker free kick caught the visitors off guard with just 5 minutes left out of the 90. Nikki Miles received the ball and sharply switched possession to Formaston who in turn pushed wider to Dermody. Having been deployed at right back for most of the game, City's top scorer looked to advance on goal. Skilfully stepping past two challenges Dermody picked out Singleton whose effort Brutton saved with her without knowing too much about it. The rebound skipped onto the post before rolling back into the arms of the Wolves keeper.
Brutton again denied Singleton at the climax of a good move involving Hanson and Robson. Their was little that the red hot keeper could do in the 90th minute as Singleton forced an error from Arrowsmith that allowed Lynch in to force the ball in from close range. Deep into stoppage time Coventry continued to look for more and looked like they may make their guests sweat it out when they were awarded a 92nd minute penalty.
From a throw-in in an advanced position Hanson picked out Formaston on the byline, an ambitious challenge saw the winger hit the deck left little doubt in the Referee's mind that it was a spot kick. Hanson stepped up and fired a decent effort to Brutton's right but the keeper, who enjoyed a match winning performance, was equal to it and forced the effort onto the bar with Arrowsmith on hand to clear the ricochet.
Cudby was pleased with his team's effort "In the second half we showed character, togetherness and belief and if it wasn't for their goalkeeper making some terrific saves we would have staged a phenomenal comeback. The players know exactly what's expected from them in our remaining four league games, and we're looking for a response against Leafield next Sunday".
Team: - Rogers, Dermody, Lowe, Henson, Lynch, Cockayne, Tinto (Formaston 46), Ogle (Singleton 67), Archibald (Miles 83), Robson, Hanson.
Subs Not Used: Morgan.
Goals: - Robson (75), Lynch (90).
Booked: - Hanson.
Sent Off: - None.