Derby County 3-2 Coventry City Ladies
Midlands Combination League
24th September 2006
Christine Wheeler reports
Manager Stuart Wilson admitted he was very disappointed after Coventry City Ladies lost 3-2 at Derby following an injury time goal.
The Rams took the lead after thirty one minutes when Cara Newton got around Natasha Lynch to slot the ball home from inside the box, but Mel Byrne levelled late in the first half with a low shot from wide right to ensure that Derby didn't go into the interval with the advantage.
In the first half, it seemed like Coventry were trying to pass the ball into the net, but couldn't break down the defence. After the break, they tried to be more direct to try and give the strikers more of the ball. This seemed to work when striker Sinead Wade hit the upright early on in the second half.
The Sky Blues took the lead on sixty five minutes when Wade brought down a cross from Kirsty Robson and nudged the ball home. Ten minutes later the scores were level again when Leanne Abbey bundled the ball over line at the far post after the defence had failed to clear the danger.
Coventry were left rueing missed chances when Derby snatched a winner three minutes into extra time. Precious Hamilton, who had been a threat all game, ran through the defence and shot the ball under Williamson to give all three points to the home team.
Manager Stuart Wilson is now looking towards the future: “You'll see a completely different side next Sunday because now they've realised they've got to fight for every game”
Coventry City Team: Kerry Williamson, Natalie Wilcox, Jenny Lowe, Kelly Henson, Natasha Lynch, Alison Forbes, Kirsty Robson, Maria Cartwright, Mel Byrne, Sinead Wade, Kelly-Ann Willis (Leanne Griffin, 78) Subs not used: Hayley Joyson, Lucy Campbell