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Under 10 Sky Blues Team Match Reports Coventry City Sky Blues 5 - 2 Tamworth Sky Blues bagged another three points with their second "old five" of the season although they had to be shocked into action when in the fifth minute they fell behind after Tamworth took advantage of some slack defending. The Sky Blue ship was steadied by Helina Phillips who restored the balance after ten minutes. Three minutes later Hannah Wilson settled nerves by finding the roof of the net with a long looping shot. Shortly afterwards Hannah had a similar shot saved in spectacular style by the Tamworth 'keeper who looked to be in top form. Sky Blues were now playing with confidence and despite some resolute Tamworth defending managed a third goal two minutes before the interval courtesy of top scorer Whitley Baker - Richardson. Helina Phillips hit her second goal with a low long shot five minutes after the break. Following this set back Tamworth began to look more settled, managing to soak up pressure in defence and swiftly moving into counter attack. City had the safe hands of Olivia O'Connor to thank for thwarting two dangerous Tamworth incursions into her area. Paige Prescott who had come on for Chloe Smith in the 30th minute was beginning to show her worth as a left sided attacker and it was a just reward for her efforts when she cracked home Sky Blues' fifth with a fierce left foot drive. In spite of being 5 - 1 down Tamworth did not lose heart and continued to look dangerous as they pressed forward. Their never -say- die attitude was rewarded with three minutes to go when City fell victim to a dazzling solo run and a beautifully placed shot that left Olivia with no chance. This was another good performance by Sky Blues who have begun to show they can produce goals from almost any player in almost any part of the opposition half. Coventry City Sky Blues 2 - 1 Bourneville Warriors This game was a very close-run thing for Coventry who found themselves pitched against a Bourneville side recently strengthened by two new signings. City failed to find the net in the first half despite having most of the possession. They came closest to breaking the deadlock when a close range piledriver from Helina Phillips managed to evade the Bourneville 'keeper only to rattle the woodwork. Shortly after the break City had the ball in the net only to have a goal disallowed for a foul on the 'keeper. Some five minutes later a disputed free kick was awarded to the Sky Blues.Shelbie Baskerville was first to latch onto Hannah Wilson's well placed ball into the Bourneville penalty area, lashing a close range shot past the 'keeper. Despite continued City pressure Bourneville's defence showed no sign of melting when the heat was on. A Hannah Wilson thunderbolt was well saved by the Bourneville 'keeper who was having a great game. Sky Blues top scorer Whitley Baker - Richardson, who is never off the score sheet made it two - nil with a well crafted lob after forty three minutes. The game was placed on a knife edge with five minutes to go when Ellie Gibbs hit a long range screamer which found the corner of the City net. It was heart in the mouth stuff for the remainder of the game and there was a collective sigh of relief from the Sky Blues at the final whistle. SBourneville look a much improved side who can take heart from this game. Both managers agreed the game was a great advert for girls football and vowed they would try to organise a friendly re - match whenever league fixtures allow. Solihull Borough 0 - 5 Coventry City Sky Blues It was City’s first “old five” of the season as their purple patch continues. It was also their third consecutive clean – sheet. Problems locating the ground meant little time for pre – match preparation causing concern to the Sky Blues. However all fears were lifted as soon as the game started when City launched into a virtuoso display of attacking football. Whitley scored the first goal after some seven minutes with her trade – mark neat finish. Shelbie, much to the managers delight, bagged her first goal of the season shortly afterwards with a well struck shot that evaded the Borough keeper and just snuck inside the post. A cannonball shot from a direct free kick by Hannah put City three – nil up at the break. Shortly after the break Helina made it four with a low, hard long shot that showed how dangerous she can be from almost anywhere in the opposition half. Five minutes from time Chloe cut back across into the Borough penalty area, which was despatched by Hannah’s for her second and the Sky Blues fifth. The clean sheet was achieved by way of efficient and resolute defending with Leah and Georgia showing how well they have matured and Olivia diving on any loose ball in the box. Solihull although beaten showed signs of promise that hey will be a much better side with further development. Coventry City Sky Blues 4 - 0 Marston Green This was a good all round performance by the Sky Blues who rarely looked troubled by Marston Green. The first half showed both sides attacking but failing to make the final breakthrough. The Marston Green goalkeeper managing to thwart the City attack whenever the Sky Blues got close and Olivia in the City goal efficiently dealing with anything thrown at her. Shortly after the break, Whitley applied a finish worthy of Thierry Henry to break the deadlock. Chloe coolly applied a clinical finish for the second goal and Captain Marvel Helina added a third. The best goal of the game however, was scored by Paige who after making a solo run fired a thunderbolt shot into the roof of the Marston Green net to make it four nil. The most heartening aspect of this performance was have the City players have matured as well as gained in confidence and ability. The game although a home match for the Sky Blues was played at Marston Green as Coventry continue to be without a home pitch. Thanks are due to Marston Green who provided the pitch and the referee. Coventry City Sky Blues 2 - 0 Bourneville Warriors This game was played at Bourneville as Sky Blues are still without a home pitch. Muddy conditions mitigated against neat passing and ball skills. Both sides were locked in a stalemate battling bravely in the Somme - like conditions until there were only four minutes to go. Coventry started well threatening the Bourneville goal with efforts from Chloe, Helina and Whitley. The game continued with both sides testing each others defence but neither being able to make the final breakthrough. City had Olivia to thank for some sterling work between the sticks frustrating Bourneville whenever they looked as if they might score. Hannah was also in fine form showing a cool head in clearing from defence on many occasions. The game looked like heading into extra time when Helina fired a fierce low shot which found its way under the Bourneville 'keeper. There then followed a brief period where Bourneville's forwards had the City fans reaching for the valium with a series of attacks all of which were ended by a courageous display of goalkeeping from Olivia. The game was finished as a contest when top-scorer Whitley fired home for City after latching on to a loose ball in the box. This was a sporting contest that showed girls football at its best. Our thanks go to Bourneville for providing the pitch and referee and being such good hosts. Walsall 2 - 1 Coventry City Sky Blues This was an encouraging display by Sky Blues in their first competitive game of the season. The game was an evenly matched contest between the two sides with Coventry effectively dealing with everything Walsall could throw at them in the first half and breaking from defence to test the Walsall goal keeper with shots from Shelbie and Whitley. The deadlock was broken in the second half when a close range from Walsall found the back of the net. The game continued to ebb and flow with Walsall having the bulk of possession but City continued to show themselves to be a capable defensive side who could break and cause problems. It was from an attack ten minutes from time that Chloe Smith on her debut latched on to a loose ball in the Walsall penalty area and lashed it past a stranded Saddlers defence. With two minutes to go bad luck intervened when a corner ball struck the referee on the back falling to a Walsall player who smashed it high into the roof of the City net. The Sky Blues were unable to recover from this cruel blow. The City side included two debutants Leah and Chloe both of whom impressed. The experienced players Hannah, Olivia and captain Helina continued from where they left off last season with good solid displays. |