Coventry City Ladies earned three points the hard way in their top of the table clash with TNS Shrewsbury, twice coming from behind to win a bruising encounter 4-2 in Oswestry. Goals from Abi Cockayne, Emily Hanson, Chrissy Torkildsen & Danni Saulter were enough to cancel out Alicia Robinson's opener & a Jenni Lowe own goal. The win gives the Sky Blues some breathing room as they open up a 3 point lead, however, the win came at a heavy cost as full-back Natalie Wilcox looks set to miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle.
Cockayne almost gave City a dream start but her shot was well saved moments after Saulter had been denied a good shout for a penalty. Coventry struggled to get used to the 3G playing surface and an awkward bounce gave Lowe all sorts of problems as Abi Cottam stole in to go one-on-one with Adele Rogers in the City goal. Rogers tore off her line & was able to do enough to force Cottam to shoot wide.
With just 10 minutes gone, and with Coventry looking well off the pace, Robinson chipped in an innocuous looking cross from a wide angle that sailed over Rogers & into the far side of the goal for a deserved lead. Cottam looked a constant threat for the hosts & her 12th minute in-swinging cross from the left deserved a finish to make it 2-0 but Emily Ridge failed to get the vital touch.
Robinson almost added her second in the 16th minute but her piledriver from 25 yards out crashed back off the bar with Rogers well beaten. Jade Formaston, who was on the receiving end of some pretty rough challenges, had a good chance to haul the Sky Blues level in the 21st minute, as Sarah Martin misjudged Natasha Lynch's clearance, but fired high over the bar from a difficult angle on the by-line.
As half time approached Formaston picked out Torkildsen all alone on the left hand edge of TNS' box, however, a high bounce left the on-loan Birmingham midfielder little chance to keep her shot down. Coventry's equaliser came seconds before the break & looked virtually Identical to Robinson's opener. Cockayne received the ball from Formaston & with plenty of time looked up to float in a cross towards the back post that sailed over Martin & into the net.
TNS regained their lead on the hour mark when Lowe, who enjoyed an otherwise excellent performance, slid in to clear from the dangerous Cottam but could only guide the ball into her own net. The full-back made an immediate amends by getting back well to deny Cottam a good opportunity after she'd sprang Coventry's offside trap.
Manager Paul Cudby made an inspired change bringing on the red-hot Hanson whose impact was instant. Just 35 seconds after entering the fray Hanson took possession in space & drove into the TNS box firing across goal into the far corner.
Just 3 minutes later the Sky Blues would take the lead for the first time. After winning Lynch's free kick, Cockayne had two attempts at goal before the ball fell to Formaston who pushed it back out to Torkildsen who unleashed an unstoppable drive into the net from fully 25 yards.
The hosts were handed a lifeline in the 77th minute when Helen Dermody's clash with
Cottam was declared a foul & a penalty awarded. Stacy Davis stepped up but drove her spot kick against the underside of the bar & Cockayne reacted quickest to clear the danger. Coventry controlled the closing 15 minutes & wrapped up the points with barely 30 seconds to play. Kelly Henson battled well in midfield & played a short ball to Saulter in the centre circle who fought off 3 challenges on her way to coolly finishing a superb solo effort from the edge of the box.
Coventry's celebrations were short lived as Wilcox, who was returning from a knee injury, collapsed in a heap after what looked an innocuous challenge. The fiery defender instantly called for help as she lay stricken on the field whilst the final whistle blew. Wilcox joins Nina Robery on the sidelines as she recovers from a broken leg & Lyndsey Bryenton who is currently out with a fractured hand.
Team: - Rodgers, Cockayne, Lowe, Henson, Lynch (c), Forbes, Formaston (Wilcox 87), Torkildsen, Archibald (Hanson 63), Saulter, Dermody (Tinto 79).
Subs Not Used: - None
Goals: - Cockayne (45), Hanson (64), Torkildsen (67), Saulter (90).
Bookings: - None
Sent Off: - None