Coventry City Ladies under 16's travelled to Evesham United on Saturday to take on The New Saints in a highly anticipated League Cup Final. Both sides would be looking to add a trophy to their collection, and the Sky Blues would see this as a great opportunity to do just that as they comfortably defeated the Welsh side earlier in the season.
The game started at a high intensity but it was City who looked the more commanding of the two sides. Slick passing allowed them to put TNS under pressure early on but the Welsh side defended well. A few corners were won early on however and Alice Bates picked out Lauren Garner superbly on 7 minutes, the midfielder then flicked on to Emmalee Hornsby and she saw her volley cleared off the line. Just a few minutes later and the Sky Blues went close again when a forward ball by Emily Buckley released Hornsby, the striker then used great power to outmuscle her marker before striking straight at the keeper.
Coventry's early dominance continued and Baylee Parry won a free kick out wide with 13 minutes on the clock. The skipper, Tiarna Gilkes, then whipped in a threatening delivery and the wind caused it to drop narrowly over the crossbar with the goalkeeper scrambling. The New Saints were then stretched again on 16 minutes as Lauren Garner struck straight at the keeper. Almost immediately after, TNS broke up the other end as Jodie Carswell drove carried the ball down the touchline, her cross then found Emma Beddoes but she could only fire wide.
It was business as usual though soon after and Tiarna Gilkes curled just over on 21 minutes following a neat short corner routine involving Baylee Parry and Chloe Rowlatt. With 26 minutes played the Sky Blues were inches away from taking the lead, a superb ball out wide found Rosie Hargreaves who cut inside before crossing to Emmalee Hornsby, she then controlled magnificently but her effort fell the wrong side of the near post. Just 3 minutes later and it was the same players causing havoc again as City deservedly opened the scoring. Lauren Garner played a sweet ball to Rosie Hargreaves and she then crossed dangerously in to the area, Emmalee Hornsby then met the ball and she headed home to make it 1-0.
The New Saints enjoyed a positive spell after conceding, with Caitlyn Matthews and Grace Blowers starting to have more luck in the midfield battle. Their rejuvenated display allowed them to create their second chance of the game on 36 minutes as Maddison Jones could only fire straight at Chelsea Barlow in the City goal. As for the remainder of the half, it petered out a bit really as neither team really carved out any further oppurtunities, the referee then blew his whistle to send City in with a half-time lead.
Half-Time: Coventry City LFC u16's 1-0 The New Saints LFC u16's
City started the second period brightly as they looked to double their advantage. A quick passing move allowed a corner to be won and Harriet Nicol's delivery was excellent, this allowed Katie Bruckman to get a shot away but it was cleared off the line. When TNS did have the ball they were very wasteful, and Coventry's back three of Lucy Stead, Sammie Quinn and Jasmine Ancell looked very much in control. Maddison Jones and Jodie Carswell looked the most threatening players for the Welsh side but they were unable to effect the game as City thwarted them excellently.
A fairly scrappy nature was present thus far in the second half as both teams were bating it out in midfield. The New Saints were undoubtedly enjoying more of the ball than they did in the first half but they were yet to test Barlow in the Coventry goal. The Sky Blues still had some neat passages of play as their passing was to be admired. It was a swift move that saw Tiarna Gilkes receive the ball centrally on 55 minutes, she then went on a mazy run before her cross fell just wide of the far post.
With an hour on the clock TNS carved out another chance as Caitlyn Matthews played a wonderful ball through to Lauren James, she then showed raw pace to get through on goal but she saw her low strike travel just wide of the target. City began to get forward again soon after though with Harriet Nicol and Emmalee Horsnby providing real pace out wide. However, the Welsh side still looked very dogged in midfield and they were piling the pressure on the Sky Blues back line who continued to stand firm.
As the game progressed in to the final 10 minutes both sides were looking for a goal. The Sky Blues were the next team to go close on 71 minutes as Rosie Hargreaves burst through the middle, she then let fly from 16 yards but the keeper was down low to gather. Just a couple of minutes later and the keeper was on hand again as Baylee Parry saw her shot saved after Hornsby stole the ball in midfield.
In the final 5 minutes of the tie, The New Saints pushed bodies forward as they looked for a route back in to the game. This worked in the Sky Blues favour though as they got forward with real ease as the TNS back line was left rather exposed. No further clear-cut chances were carved out though as the Saints defence stood strong to keep City at bay. The Welsh side had one final chance from a corner but it was defended well and this was enough for the Sky Blues and the referee's whistle was sounded to crown Coventry as League Cup champions!
Full-Time: Coventry City LFC u16's 1-0 The New Saints LFC u16's
Coventry first team Captain Natasha Lynch, who also manages the under 16's side, showed her delight at the full-time whistle: "To be a manager to a group of players who always give 100% it is an honour. Today we battled and stuck together as a team against a resilient TNS side."
"This week proves what a great club cclfc is and the future is definitely sky blue with girls like this coming through - I couldn't be prouder of them!"
"Thank you to all the support from the parents, you make this club one to be proud of. Bring on next week as another final beckons!"