Coventry City Ladies 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Coventry City Ladies welcomed Nottingham Forest Ladies to Rugby Town FC in another FA Women's Premier League encounter. The Sky Blues were looking to gain another victory in their title charge as a win would take them above Sheffield, albeit having played a game more. Forest began the day sitting 10th in the division, but a win for the away side would see them climb to 8th.
City started the game sharply as they probed for a way forward with controlled and assured possession. Despite the majority of the ball the Sky Blues couldn't find a way through early on. Nottingham Forest lined up in a defensive formation and they were looking for a point. They sat very deep as they looked to frustrate City.
The Sky Blues were still having the lions share of the ball but it mostly came in areas that wouldn't particularly worry the away side. Forest then had the first chance of the affair but it was an optimistic effort from Elizabeta Ejupi that sailed over the bar on 13 minutes. Scrappiness was evident in some parts as the Nottingham side fought relentlessly in the middle of the park to break up a Coventry side who were yet to have a meaningful effort on goal. This was until 23 minutes as good work down the right wing from Amber Hughes allowed her to cross to Dani Selmes who volleyed straight at the visiting keeper.
Forest continued to defend admirably but there was very little they could do to stop a mazy Amber Hughes run on 28 minutes as she skipped her way past two opponents. The winger then played the ball inside to Destiney Toussaint who struck a dipping volley which caused Kinnerley to scramble to make a save in the away goal. Up the other end just 4 minutes later Ejupi went close again for the visitors as a sweetly struck half-volley tested Sue Wood who stopped confidently.
City began to dominate after this point as the intensity heightened and a bright spell on around 40 minutes could of resulted in a goal. However, the away defence continued to sit deep and they restricted any real efforts to get forward from the Sky Blues. The home side continued to be patient though and the opener was nearly scored on 41 minutes. Fatigue started to look as if it had hit Forest and the Sky Blues carved them open with a swift attack. Ashleigh Neville received the ball wide left before switching play to Annabel Johnson, she then found Jade Formaston who forced the keeper in to a smart low save from 25 yards.
The whistle sounded soon after though with the scores level.
Half-time: Coventry City LFC 0-0 Nottingham Forest LFC
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first half as City looked comfortable on the ball, good play allowed Annabel Johnson to have the first chance of the period on 49 minutes. The Sky Blues looked very much fired up as they began to take charge in the midfield battle as some strong but fair challenges were going in. This break up play allowed Destiney Toussaint to goclose on 54 minutes as good build up allowed her to let fly from 20 yards, her effort dropped a yard or so wide though. There was no doubt that Coventry had started the second half brighter than the first, but resolute defending was still holding them at bay.
With 62 minutes on the clock the Sky Blues took a deserved lead. A superb delivery from the corner by Helen Dermody picked out Dani Selmes on the penalty spot, it was her header down that reached Emma Hollingsworth and the centre back struck home to make it 1-0. It was a long time coming really as the Sky Blues had dominated possession for the entirety of the tie, but strong defending had thwarted them up to this point.
It was one-way traffic after the opener as Coventry continued to press for a goal that would widen the scoreline. Helen Dermody nearly got the second goal on 71 minutes as her free kick from out wide curled towards the back post but luckily for the goalkeeper it bounced inches wide of the goal. Nottingham Forest did look threatening going forward on a few occasions but they were yet to test Sue Wood in the home goal, the Sky Blues looking fairly comfortable though. After a lot of pressure it was finally 2-0 on 73 minutes as another awesome Dermody corner found Natasha Lynch at the back post, she then squared to Ashleigh Neville who turned the ball home with a powerful finish.
City were playing some beautiful football and the away side looked jagged at the back, with Amber Hughes and Ashleigh Neville causing problems out wide. However, with 10 minutes to play the game became fairly scrappy, but it was still the home side that looked as if they would go on to get a third. Annabel Johnson tested the goalkeeper on 85 with an effort from 20 yards before Forest forced Wood in to a save at the other end seconds later. Coventry carried on pressing for the final few minutes but the referee's whistle was sounded to bring an end to affairs. It was a fully deserved win but credit must go to Nottingham Forest who made life difficult for the Sky Blues.
Full-Time: Coventry City LFC 2-0 Nottingham Forest LFC
City: Wood, Johnson, Quayle, Formaston, Lynch, Hollingsworth, Hughes, Dermosy, Toussaint, Selmes, Neville. Subs: Davies, Barber, Mellor, Piggott, Ogle