Under 10 Team Match Reports
By David Seale

Walsall 1 - 2 Coventry City Ladies
League 30/4/05
Report by Paul Smith

With Manager Seale on bucket and spade duty, the under 10’s continued their extended tour of the Midlands with a visit to Walsall. City were under pressure from the off against a very slick looking side and Walsall were up within 2 minutes from a fabulous move and accurate finish by Beth Arrowsmith. This sparked the visitors into life, they upped their game and from that point on battled and matched their opponents in every aspect of the game. Midfielders Brenna, Sian and an inspired performance from Alex took control and soon Coventry were on level terms after a good team move that was finished with relish by Summer. The game now flowed beautifully with both teams producing high quality and committed football. As the game progressed it became obvious that it would take something special to get past defenders Emma and Lucy - they were not going to be on the losing side today!

As the game wore on it was Coventry that looked stronger in the tackle and with Summer linking with her ever willing strike partners Cody or Charlotte looked like they might snatch victory. When the winning goal came it was worth the wait. Alex battled the ball from two Walsall players, turned and played a brilliant through ball to Charlotte who emphatically drilled the ball into the corner of the net to spark off the visitors celebrations.

The game wasn’t quite finished when a speculative late shot from the home side was acrobatically tipped over by Courtney to hand Coventry girls a well deserved away win.

Parents player of the match: Lucy Smith.

Coventry City Ladies 1 - 5 Leamington Lions
League 9/4/05

Coventry started the game with 7 players only and at times it was like we only had 2 or 3 on the pitch. From the off Leamington where the better team passing the ball well. Coventry seemed as if they where fast asleep and could not get into the game. Leamington opened the scoring and looked as if more was to follow. Coventry where able to mount an attack and Sian took a long shot from out side the area and the ball beat the Leamington keeper. From then on Coventry where second best for the rest off the half and to be fair the rest off the game.

Parents player of the match: Emma

Coventry City Ladies 0 - 3 Birmingham City
League 2/4/05

At the start of the season Coventry lost 13-0 against Birmingham . Today result show how far Coventry have come on. Coventry Started the game without first chose goalkeeper Courtney who is on holiday. So for the first time Brenna got her chance. from the off Birmingham where putting pressure on the city goal but Brenna was able to cope with anything they threw at her able assisted by Lucy, Emma, Sian and Alex. who where all working hard in defence. Summer was also work well sharing the middle field duties with Sian and Alex. To be fair Coventry had the better 1st half but late on Birmingham scored from a corner.

Half time: Coventry City Ladies 0 - 1 Birmingham City

Second half was more back to the wall stuff with Birmingham have loads of chance most of them stopped by Brenna. Coventry never gave up and Alex and the other worked their dark blue socks off today. I must say a big thank you to Charlotte and Cody who had the thankless task of being up front today and not getting much service.

Parent player of the Match: Brenna

Coventry City Ladies 0 - 0 Knowle Town
League 19/3/05

Coventry welcomed back Emma and Alex for today's game. Brenna was on stand by to go in goal as Courtney was held up in traffic ( I will let you in for one game Brenna). Knowle start the game really well and where unlucky not to score with a few missed chance and one shot hitting the post. Coventry could not really get going in the first half and it was showing. they where second to every ball and challenge. But as the half went on Coventry held out.

Half time: Coventry City Ladies 0 - 0 Knowle Town.

Coventry where a changed team second half and where camped in the Knowle half for most of the game. Sian was outstanding at the back as was Emma. Brenna who has now found midfield is her best role, was also having great game. Alex was giving her 100% as normal ( and the frustrated faces that go with it) Summer had another great game all it need from her now is a goal. Charlotte was working hard up front sharing the duties with Lucy and Cody. It was one of the best half's of football i had seen from the girls.

Parent player of the Match: Summer.

Coventry City Ladies 3 - 3 Solihull Borough
League 12/3/05

This was not going to be an easy game for the City as they where missing 2 influential players with both Emma and Alex missing due to illness. Coventry Started with the bare 7 players. Brenna who moved into the Middle of park for this game was working hard linking with Summer who was to causing problems for Solihull all game long and had by far her best game. City scored first when the Solihull Keeper was unable to hold a Shot from Cody. Solihull seem not to be able to cope with City attacks and a second goal came when Cody scrambled in her second of the game (Cody you must sort out your goal celebrations or lack of them). Solihull slowly got into the game and with one of their first attempts on goal scored.

Half time: Coventry City Ladies 2 - 1 Solihull Borough.

it was backs to the wall time in the second half with Coventry slowly tiring and picking up knocks but the girls kept on going and tried really hard Lucy and Sian have stormiers in the defence. Solihull scored another goal from long range and started to push for a third Coventry went up the other end and Charlotte scored to make it 3-2. With good use of Subs Solihull where able to rest their player and it showed when they pulled it back to 3-3. Coventry did all they could to score with Summer coming close the umpteenth in the game but it was not to be.

Parents player of the match Sian.

Girls you work really hard out there and I was really proud of you.

Redditch United Belles 1 - 9 Coventry City Ladies
League 19/2/05

What can be said about this game but MUD GLORUS MUD? The game started with Coventry playing some of the best football they had played all season long. Redditch never looked like they where going to score with Lucy and Emma mopping up at the back.

Alex was running the show in the middle of the park ably assisted by Sian and Summer. Brenna who was playing up front was holding the ball up well for the middle field to do their thing. This was the first time I have ever seen the game stopped to change balls due to MUD. By half time Coven try where 3-0 up with goals from Alex, Sian and Cody. The football the girls tried to play was fantastic. More goals followed in the second half with goals from Alex with 2 Charlotte 2 Brenna 1 and Summer 1. Emma came close with a great run from her own half only to see the shot saved by the keeper. Redditch never gave up and from one break away they score passed Courtnie.

A great game played in the MUD. Sorry Jo for the state of the kit.

Parent’s player of the match Cody

Coventry City Ladies 3 - 2 Redditch United Belles
League 19/2/05

After last weeks wash out (rest) and the midweek trip to the bowling the girls where in good spirits. The pitch was soggy more than wet and with the sun shining Coventry kick off against a Redditch side sitting only one place higher in the league. Coventry attacked from the off with some nice football Summer Johnson having her best game for the team this season. Coventry look solid at the back With Lucy and Emma equal to anything Redditch could throw at them. City's first goal came when Brenna Broke in the box and took the shot only for her goal to be claimed by Charlotte when it hit her leg.

Half Time: Coventry City Ladies 1 - 0 Redditch United Belles

Redditch came back into the game in the second half and Coventry had backs to the wall for a log time. Redditch scored with a goal from the halfway line that looped in over the keeper. Alex Got the second only to see Redditch draw level again. Alex got her second and City's third late in the game and everyone waited for the final whistle.

Parents Player of the match Emma Randle.

Well played girls your earn that win today

Marston Green 0 - 2 Coventry City Ladies
League 29/1/05

Coventry were made to work very hard today by bottom of the table Marston Green. In the first half Coventry seemed to be asleep and Marston Green wanted it more. 0-0 halftime

Marston green where pushing hard for a goal and to be fair they deserved one. But up stepped Alex to hit a screamer from 20 yards out. The goal steadied Coventry's nerves and another goal followed shortly after. With instruction to Brenna to get her head on a corner ball the ball ended in the back of the net. Alex hit a waist high ball into the box and Brenna stooped low to turn the ball in to the back of the net with her EAR. The ball took an age to cross the line but in the back of the net it went.

Marston green played really well and are a credit to their Manager and Parents.

Parents player of the Match Brenna (for the EAR goal)

Leafield Athletic 4 - 1 Coventry City Ladies
Cup 22/1/05

Coventry came to this game with confidence high after last weeks great efforts. Coventry started the game with one change from last week with Emma coming in to replace Cody. Straight from the off Coventry shook Leafield with some great passing football and after some great play Coventry took the lead with Charlotte scoring. After this Leafield woke up and started to put pressure on the city goal. Coventry tried hard to hold out but it was not to be. The second half was more even with Alex working hard and Courtney having a 'storma' in goal. The game was now end to end but the goals would not come for city. Leafield progress to the next round of the cup winning 4-1 Was this a fair result not sure; Leafield could have scored more but to be fair so could we have done. One think the girls did not do was give up and they are a credit to their parents who have had to endure many AWAY trip this season. I must also say a big thank you to them as well.

Parents player of the Match Courtney

Guess what we are AWAY again next week

Bourneville Warriors 1 - 8 Coventry City Ladies
League 8/1/05

With most of the parents and the Manager expecting this game to be called off due to the rather high winds. The game went on. With the warm up interrupted due to a hail storm and the pitch being on the muddy side. This was going to be a hard game. Coventry started the brighter of the 2 teams with Alex and Charlotte coming close. Bourneville Warriors slowly started to get into the game. The first goal came when Alex had a fine run and scored to steady Coventry's nerves. Charlotte scored a 2nd and Brenna scored a lovely 3rd after a defence splitting pass from Charlotte.

Half time: Bourneville Warriors 0 - 3 Coventry City Ladies

Coventry came out and started to play some nice football and the goals started to come as well with Alex getting 2 more and Charlotte getting 2 more and Brenna 1 more. Cody came close to scoring as did Emma. Bourneville Warriors scored a consolation goal late on. Bourneville Warriors never gave up trying until the final whistle went.

Parents player of the match Alex Shilton.

WELL PLAYED GIRLS THAT WAS GREAT GAME LETS SEE IF WE CAN KEEP IT GOING

Knowle Town 2 - 1 Coventry City Ladies
League 11/12/04

Another very frustrating day at the office for Coventry City Under 10s. The U10s are becoming a Jekyll and Hide team this season and today was one of these days. In the first half Coventry looked like they where asleep and where second to every ball. Knowle went in to the half time with a well deserved 2 nil lead.

The second half was a different game as Coventry took the game to Knowle. The fight and believe that they could win this game was there for all to see.. the players started to work for each other. The goal came when Summer took a shot from the left and it went in. Coventry kept on trying but the equalizing goal would not come.

Girls you must believe in yourself more as you are a good team and on your day could beat anyone. For the second week on the the opposition manager has said that we are one of the strongest teams in the bottom half of the league

Leamington Lions 4 - 2 Coventry City Ladies
League 4/12/04

Once again it was a frustrating day on the football pitch. Leamington sit second in the league and are hard working side. Coventry on the back of two wins at times played great football, but it just was not to be. Leamington score two goals in the first half with Coventry having a few good chances. but the ball would not go in the back of the net.

With a few encouraging word at half time Coventry went looking for their first goal of the game. it was not a classy goal when it came but a goal is a goal how ever they come, Charlotte score with a mad scramble in the Leamington goal mouth. no sooner had we score then Leamington scored. With a few changes in the teams formation Coventry looked like they could score. Emma who had been moved into midfield made a run down the left hand side of the pitch and put an inch perfect cross over for Brenna to score with a stunning header in to the roof of the net leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Both sets of parents applauded a fantastic goal. Coventry where now on the up but Leamington broke again and scored scrappy fourth goal.

Lovely comment from the Leamington Manager "You have good side there and they have made us work very hard. With a few more games under your belt you will do OK". He also praised Brenna for her stunning goal.

Keep going Girls!

Tamworth Ladies 2 - 3 Coventry City Ladies
League 20/11/04

The game was delayed as a few parents got lost on the way. So with little warm up Coventry Started the game slowly. the games was very physical and Coventry where coming out second best. Tamworth took the lead with an effort from outside the box. Coventry pulled one back with a close finish from Brenna scoring her first for the club.

Half time: Tamworth Ladies 1 - 1 Coventry City Ladies

The second half start with Coventry attacking well and trying to play nice football. Brenna popped up to score her second ( which her mum missed as she was looking the other way) and closed followed by her third. Coventry then started to sit back and allowed Tamworth back into the game . with around 5 minutes go Tamworth scored leaving a very nail biting last few minutes.

I have said all along that a win will come and it has. Well done girls bring on the next team.

Coventry City Ladies 5 - 2 Coventry City Sky Blues
League 20/11/04

This was a big game for the both teams with the Sky Blues being undefeated in their last three games and the ladies not yet winning a game. The ladies from the off looked the better team, with some neat passing moves that just broke down in the last part of the pitch. Emma Randle was out standing at the back and mopped up any think the Sky Blues had to offer. At times their long ball game did cause some problems but as the game wore on the Ladies got the upper hand. The breakthrough came when Alex Shilton slotted the ball past rhe sky Blues keeper.

Half time: Coventry City Ladies 1 - 0 Coventry City Sky Blues

straight form the off the Ladies looked like they where going to score more goals. and this was to be the case with Sian scoring her first for the club as did Cody and Alex with her 2nd of the match. The sky blues pulled one back when the Ladies defence went to sleep. The ladies saved their best goal till last with a neat passing build up from the back the ball was played forward in to the path of Charlotte. who slipped it passed the stranded goal keeper.. The Sky Blues scored a controversial 2nd goal after claiming the ball had crossed the line.

At the end of the game three cheers for Coventry all round.

Coventry City Ladies scorers: Alex Shilton 2, Cody Williams, Sian Ainge, Charlotte Wilson.

Sky Blues Scorers: Helina Phillips, Whitney Baker Richardson.

Coventry City Ladies 3 - 7 Leafield Athletic
League 16/10/04

Leafield are riding high in the league with only Birmingham above them. Coventry Where back up to full strength today with the return of Alex. The game for the first ten minutes was camped in Coventry's half and it was no surprise when Leafield took a well deserved lead. Coventry heads dropped and with the loss of Lucy Smith feeling unwell the team had shuffle about a bit. Leafield scored another goal soon after. Coventry slowly got back into the game and Natasha scored a lovely solo goal. followed soon after by another. Coventry sprits where now riding high and in away half time came at the wrong time.

Half time: Coventry City Ladies 2 - 2 Leafield Athletic

Coventry let in a soft goal straight from the off when a corner was not cleared. Leafield now took control and where the more physical with the score now standing at 6 -2 Coventry where awarded an Pen. Alex stepped up and slotted the ball into the back of the net. leafield where to score once more before the final whistle.

Full time: Coventry City Ladies 3 - 7 Leafield Athletic.

Girl of the match: Emma.

Aston Villa 0 - 0 Coventry City Ladies
Penalties Aston Villa 4 - 2 Coventry City Ladies
League Shield 9/10/04

Yet another trip to Brum on a Saturday Morning to play Aston Villa. Coventry have not won a game yet this season and spirits where getting low. Coventry started the game with out influential midfielder Alex Shilton. With the loss of Jody the goalkeeper and with of practice in the back garden Courtney steps forward to take her place. Coventry worked hard with Emma and Ramnik working well at the back and Captain Lucy Smith having her best game of the season in midfield.

Half time: Aston Villa 0 - 0 Coventry City Ladies.

With smiles on faces the girls looked the most relaxed they had done all season and started the second half the way they had finished the first. Natasha Bain was a content threat to Villa with some out standing runs. Charlotte and Sian also gave Villa problems.

Full time: Aston Villa 0 - 0 Coventry City Ladies.

Now in to extra time oh joy the first half was a nil event with both sides cancelling each other out except for a silky run by Cody Williams( Mick is going for his long service award soon as he has been with the club for 7 years and at the moment he has a daughter in the Under 11 Under 10s and in the foundation squad).

Half extra time: Aston Villa 0 - 0 Coventry City Ladies.

Again the second half was a cagey affair with both teams cancelling each other out

Full time extra time: Aston Villa 0 - 0 Coventry City Ladies.

Penalties this has to be the worsted way to decide a game. Just to say that Villa won 4-2 on pens.

This was by far the best Coventry have played all season and with nine place between Villa in third in the league and us in twelve it did not show. THAT FIRST WIN WILL COME GIRLS, JUST KEEP SMILING

Birmingham City Ladies 13 - 0 Coventry City Ladies
League 18/9/04

Birmingham where out of this world, awesome and fantastic. Coventry's inexperience showed, but they never ever gave up. That win will come girls, honest it will come.

Coventry City Ladies 2 - 4 Walsall
League 4/9/04

Coventry started the game with five girls starting for the first time for the club and with only 7 girls available. Coventry had the better of the opening few minutes. Slowly Walsall came in to the game and with the good use of rolling subs took the lead with Beth Arrowsmith scoring. The girls never gave up and where unlucky not to score when Alex had two free kick both well saved by the keeper. With Half time drawing near Walsall scored twice more which to be fair was a little flattering.

Coventry came out fighting in the second half and scored 2 good goals. The girls ran there heart out and I could not have asked anymore.

Well done girls.