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Under 14 COE Team Match Reports Leicester City 3 - 2 Coventry City Ladies In Coach Ogle's last game before he hangs his boots up for a short while the sun shone gloriously and the 'Raffle Man' Al Murph had a day off. However, there were many others on hand to force money off parents for one reason or another! Don't forget your Presentation Night tickets everyone! Such was the sunshine and heat the Chair was heard to request permission from CPO to slip his Speedos on. God forbid that that should happen, instead he perched himself precariously on a suicidal step ladder, held together with years of dust, to get some behind goal shots of, hopefully, City's last goals of the season. The first half saw great football and few chances on goal, free kicks and corners went even to each side but two rapid goals before the whistle put the home side on the ascendancy. Never mind, it gave the mums a great opportunity to top up their suntans on the touch lines. City pulled back in the second half with great goals from top goals corer of the season, Emmo and Tash who landed her first of the season. The game was well contested and was heading for a draw, but Leicester scored a great last minute goal to steal all three points. The result was soon forgotten, bubbly appeared from nowhere and the players and Steve were soon soaked through in the post match end of season celebration. Well as Steve heads upstairs we thank him for his time and energy put into his coaching, planning and preparation. Not to mention the work done back of the scenes. The girls have all enjoyed a great season as the players and parents have gelled well. Thanks also to Ann for her essential work in the changing room, to Jack for his endless entertainment and to Oggy for her leadership on the pitch, neat footwork, and hard work as a brilliant captain this season. They'll be like sisters next season, her and Formo as they play together once more under the watchful eye of Formo senior, the heroic long distance manager of Buntingford Hauliers FC. Have a great break over the summer everyone, plans are well underway for next season and beyond. Think Premiership, Breathe Premiership, Eat Premiership. It's these players who'll be playing there when we get there! ! Coventry City Ladies 1 - 2 Derby County Coach Ogle grimaced as he left the dressing room with the thought ringing in his head that it had to be third time lucky versus a tough Derby side who have triumphed twice against his side. No one before Derby had knocked this team out of the Cup either. The players were left in no doubt that this was a must win game and Captain Ogle shook her head before the game with so much to think about! The prospects were dashed just a minute into the game as lead scorer Emmo came off with a pulled hamstring. This meant that Nana was pushed up supported by 'Killer' Chantelle and a revived Danni. It was another first for the side today as Adele touched the cross bar for the first time, the Rogers family heavy investment in grow bags has paid off! The first half finished even with good play and both sides getting a fair amount of shots on goal. Coventry won their share of free kicks, but the Derby defence was in good order, working well. Just minutes into the second half, Gemma Grimadell of Derby scored the first of her fine brace that left City reeling. Ogle and Harvey put their game plan in to play, swapping Katie and Danni from left to right, and latterly bringing Katie up front with Danni. The plan worked well with Katie providing Jade the goal scoring opportunity the side needed and scored a stunner. Buoyed on by the re-gig Katie should really have netted on a couple of occasions soon after, once with a sliding manoeuvre which just needed size 11 boots and another stormer through defence to go wide. Derby were never going to let City away with the draw and kept coming back at Dele's goal, but she made some brilliant saves to keep her team in the game. However in the dying minutes of the game the referee couldn't see the ball going out and allowed Derby to retain possession and scored in the dying minutes. Parents must stay back from the line allowing officials to see the run of play, this cost City a point. . Coventry City Ladies 1 - 0 Leicester City To view the alternative match report click here. This game was long awaited with anticipation with Leicester flying high and Coventry looking for a real test after several weeks without a game. The bitter morning meant that parents, players and the lino had to wrap up warm for a great game of football. The home side took the greater proportion of possession, perhaps dominating in the early stages of the first half. With the knowledge that the visitors were tough and well respected players, Coach Ogle made changes to the side that brought back the fearless Nana who bobbed and weaved the whole game confusing any opponent that dared to get the ball from her! As ever with this side, let the visiting strikers through the crowd's pulses race, not because Adele won't rise to the challenge or the defenders will get the ball out, but goals are only let in if we allow them! Goals against come from fine volleys, or from close up, but not today. Couple of changes from the whistle in the second half brought Danni on for Tash and Mirade for India. The latter moving to defence allowing Nikki to play further up the field, what the heck. It's clear that The Foxes were determined not to leave Coventry empty handed and took much more possession in the second half, Katie came on for ten minutes and in that time she tormented the left hand side and was hacked down three times before being carried off!! Emmo caught everyone off guard and scored a most sublime goal in the top left hand corner of the net that has to make the goal of the season! Both teams played very well, it was a pleasure to watch and look forward to the return leg…at Coventry! Aston Villa 4 - 1 Coventry City Ladies A bitter day, drew a bitter result for the Sky Blue girls at Moor Lane. Coventry didn’t take their chances in the first half with several chances going begging in wide open goals. Emmo playing against her former side worked hard up front, but with three strong defenders sitting on her every move, she had to raise her game like never before. When she got the break, however, her chances went begging. Coventry lost concentration allowing Villa through to score the first of the game, and from then on City had to chase the game. The wind and weather conditions ruined what should have been a much closer encounter, and going into the second half a goal down Cov should have been able to rise to the challenge. Villa capitalised on Cov defensive error putting them two up, and then soon after a third followed. A forth followed from a super lob, that mirrored the first goal. City piled on pressure with fresh legs on and Emmo finally gave Ogle’s girls a goal. Stoke in the cup next week, girls need to raise their game significantly if they are to get a result. Coventry City Ladies 2 - 2 Stoke City Coventry City Ladies turned up with the expectation of another 5-0 win as they did last time they faced each other way back on a wet October Saturday. In preparation Captain Oggy hosted an over nighter with lead goal scorer Emily Hanson whilst her (Emmo’s) parents went to an Elvis (or something like that, could have been Abba, Dead or Alive, Cadge-a-goo-goo, Nolan Sisters…) tribute night. Well Oggy was far from all shook up as she entered the dressing room groaning ‘I’m tir-erd’. Great. Follow that team! To be fair the home side controlled the game for the first twenty minutes, plenty of shots on goal leaving Adele up the other end kicking her heels. The over-nighters linked up well, with Emmo creating the first on shot effort from a sweet Oggy free kick on the half way line, who followed up with a neat effort of her own shimmying past the visiting defenders for her cross in to go wide of the upright. City went one goal up soon after Coventry really laid on the pressure, thinking well, communicating clearly and passing the ball quite well. Oggy swept her free kick in to the box, to bounce around a little, back out to Lauren, to Chantelle who placed the ball in the feet of India who buried the ball in the back of the net. In a style that was reminiscent of the men’s game, City allowed the visitors back into the game and caught out a great Coventry defence. Stoke linked well together and within five minutes had the game even once more. Chantelle was kept busy on the right, but Loz worked her socks off in the middle battling really hard. The second half kicked off with Stoke City dominating the play. For once the Sky Blues were on the back foot, something that Coaches Harvey and Ogle are not used too! City had to really chase the ball hard, and despite winning corners and tackles, they allowed Stoke to go 1-2 up 20 minutes into the second half. The followed up with another couple of excellent shots that Adele saved brilliantly. With subs, Katie, Danni, and Tash all on the field there should have been superior pressure, but by now the pressure was pretty even. Miraide worked very well and Danni ran her legs off up front in an effort to get the goal even again. Coventry’s equaliser came from an indirect free kick, taken by Oggy, Danni rounded the keeper and slotted home in an empty net. Coventry should have secured all three points in the dying minutes with the Stoke ‘keeper scrambling the ball away from the line. Kidderminster Harriers 2 - 2 Coventry City Ladies First Half started with India Koller's shot earning an early corner after Harriers Keeper pushing wide. Coventry were stringing together a few passes early on. After 12 Minutes Emily Hansen put Danny Miles through but the Harriers Keeper was quick off her line to intercept. Charlotte Gassor and Siddo were looking strong in the middle of the back four winning the high balls alongside Rhea and Jess playing fullbacks. After 10 minutes Coventry were starting to be second to most balls in the midfield and up front. Just before the Harriers goal Adele Rogers had made some good clearances from outside the D, but on twenty minutes Charlotte made a couple of strong challenges on the Harriers Centre forward, the ball came loose and the Harriers forward collected the loose ball and blasted the ball high over Adele Rogers into the back of the net, 1-0 to Harriers. India Koller went on a great run down the left and crossed for no one to get on the end of the cross. Coventry were predominantly second to everything in the middle of the park and Harriers were dominating. However Siddo playing sweeper chipped a nice ball through to Emmo who just chipped wide. Coventry last effort saw Emmo control the ball on her Knee and volley a shot just over. Manager Steve Ogle half time team talk focused on being first to the ball, not second.....especially in Midfield. Second half started with Katie Singleton immediately shooting wide, a couple of minutes after this Emmo won the ball on the left wing, chipped through to Jade Ogle who nicely chipped over the Keeper 1-1, good goal well taken by Captain Oggy. Game on. Coventry were much improved with Siddo and Gassor playing strong at the back. Our Midfield were really starting to dominate and be first to the ball, Oggy neatly turned a player, put Nikki Miles through who in turn pushed through the midfield and played a neat ball to Emily Hanson who turned a defender and just chipped wide. India quickly followed this by putting in a neat cross for Oggy who just managed to get her head to the ball, but this went wide. Another great Coventry move saw India pass through to Killer on the right wing who put Emmo through who let fly with a rocket of a shot only for the Harriers keeper to tip over for a corner. This was now much better, Steve Ogle was much happier on the sideline with this much improved second half performance, Jade Ogle, Nikki Miles and India Koller were now dominating the middle of the park. A second goal for Coventry came after 20 minutes when Oggy put Emily Hanson through on the right wing who put a great cross which was met at the near post by India Koller who skilfully flicked the ball past the Harriers Keeper and stack her claim for goal of the season....2-1 Coventry. After 30 minutes however and against the run of play, Harriers were gifted an equalizing goal after Adele came off her line to clear, however the ball deflected and fell to the harriers forwards feet who brought the score level to 2 All. Coventry continued to dominate this half with Nikki Miles having a couple of surging runs, India creating problems and with 5 minutes to go, Katie Singleton went on a good run down the left and into the box, rounded the last player who hacked her down, Penalty shouts everyone, carry on said the Referee, "we were robbed" said Steve Ogle "It was a clear Penalty".! Coventry can consider themselves unlucky to have drawn this. It should have been a win but a much improved second half performance. Reporter's Girl of the game, India Koller. Shrewsbury Town 1 - 5 Coventry City Ladies Following City’s disappointing defeat in the hands of Birmingham last week, school days seem to have shaken the mince pies and chocolate from the system and cobwebs from the ears and the girls turned on a dazzling display against the Shrews. A welcome back to the opening line up for Danni Wilson who was clearly looking to retain a first 11 slot by twisting and turning down the right wing connecting well with Emmo and Jade who hit the underside of cross bar and scored within minutes of the start. Soon afterwards Emmo secured her name on the score sheet with a sublime goal from a sharp right angle defeating the keeper as the ball slipped in the bottom left hand corner. To be fair to the home side they worked hard, but City were on form moving the ball around nicely. They allowed the Shrews back in when they didn’t communicate clearly with each other, but if that was City’s only problem, coaches Ogle and Harvey have little to worry about! With little to really worry about it allowed Ogle to turn Tinkerman and ensure all the players got a great run out. Lauren was workman like linking up the midfield well and pushing some neat balls over to Danni and Katie who had a hatful of chances for goal. City missed an opportunity to go three up when a penalty shout against Lauren went begging, but made up for it soon after from a trademark Emmo corner that went onto the defensive pack and Lauren scored from a cheeky back heel. ‘Killer’ Chantelle came on for an injured Emmo, and was lively, getting near to goal on several occasions. The half time team talk from the Shrews coaches worked well, giving the visitors a real run out. However, India showed them who the bosses were with a cracker from 20 yards out that crashed against the crossbar soon after the restart. Dick and Dom on da touchline made some strategic changes on with the formation that resulted in the girls forgetting to communicate with each other. This allowed the home side the ‘wide-open-goal-with-the-keeper-off-the-line’ chance of the season award as they clattered the upright. Katie scooped up the goal kick and shimmied down the left ripping through the defence for the ball to go off for an opposition goal kick. Katie was then causing the defence a problem, so in their hacking, Shrews conceded a penalty that birthday girl Siddo neatly put away. To even things up, minutes later, somehow or other Charlotte conceded a penalty for the home side that was brilliantly taken. Emmo came on for an injured Katie who passed into the net from a rebounded corner kick to wrap up her brace and a fine 1-5 win for Coventry. Birmingham City 1 - 0 Coventry City Ladies A killer goal in the dying minutes from Birmingham’s Claire Almond spoiled Coventry’s unbeaten league run. City played some great football, passing the ball around neatly, but let them selves down when Blues attacked well. Katie Singleton flew down the left after a sharp ball from Lauren Graham, made a shot that went wide. The second half saw Birmingham, under the leadership of England International Laura Bassett, come right back into the game. Coventry allowed them first to the ball every time and could not get the goal they deserved. Emily Hanson tried hard but was constantly closed down by a strong Blues defence. Wolverhampton Wands 0 - 1 Coventry City Ladies Captain Jade Ogle scored from the spot to secure a fine win over Wolves fifteen minutes from time. The first half was workman like and the team worked hard to battle against a Wolves side who are traditionally fit and strong. Katie Singleton got the first effort in making good use of the open space allowed to her…we wait for her to score once more! Chantelle Rakar worked hard up front in a new position up front, and rued a clear chance to give Cov and early start. Lauren and worked very hard despite Daz doing a tour of the Black Country, including the Iron Bridge and the Black Country museum. Coach Ogle got worried when he called him, as he was tucking to his breakfast portion of faggots and peas on the pub tour bus. The half time whistle went just as Wolves had to change the keeper after a collision with Rhea, good job she recovered in time for the second half that started and continued well for the home side who really should have scored several had it not been for the great work from Nikki Miles, Charlotte Gassor, Jess Lea and Siddo. Jess saved the game for Cov as she heroically cleared from the line allowing Emmo to sweep up the park and make a great effort for goal. Emmo suffered from a couple of huge tackles, that culminated in a penalty allowing Penalty Queen Jade Ogle to sweetly put away securing a fine win for City. Derby County 2 - 2 Coventry City Ladies Coventry returned to football after their Autumn break with a tough fixture at 3rd place Derby. This fixture is Coach Ogle’s jinx game having not won on the last four visits. Every one thought that Cannon and Ball had been sent to the jungle, but oh no, they had been sent to Derby to officiate at the U14’s game. Cannon (the ref) had brought his ball, and all being well he’ll get off the spec savers before the next game!!! Offers of substitution and contact lenses from the assistant child protection officer (Coventry) were ignored by the ref. No sooner had the game started on the heavy pitch Derby were awarded a penalty for an alleged tackle from behind. Most thought that Rhea had won the ball from the side (see pictures), but we were all wrong and the ref was ‘right’. Derby scored on the retake by their captain Jodie Ward who dominated for the home side, a very strong player, one to watch for the future. Coventry were on the back foot in the first 20 minutes ‘not at the races’ according to Ogle. Katie Singleton, playing on the left (Oggy was experimenting with his squad…in the spirit of development, you’ll understand) worked well with Emmo who played in forth gear but lacked ball provision on many occasions. Danny Wilson played up front but came off early in the second half. She had been recovering from a midweek illness and had not recovered her form. Chantelle replaced her up front and battled hard against a strong, physical Derby defence. The second half started with gusto from Derby who very early in the half forced a successful corner making it 0-2. With City up against it, they really did raise the game and started to battle very hard. A scuffed free kick soon after from Captain Oggy (I know you won’t believe it, Full Moon) resulted in a goal from Emma bringing the game alive. Then on City battled very hard, Nicky Miles roared ahead from the back, Siddo battled her defensive wall brilliantly too. The game started to go ‘City’s way with sheer grit and determination, with continued stoppages going the wrong way the girls wanted to win and break the hoo-doo! 25 yards from goal and 20 minutes to go, Coventry were awarded a free kick which India Koller took with style with Emmo waiting in hope to secure her brace and the draw which Coventry had to settle for. Coventry City Ladies 1 - 0 Birmingham City Emily Hanson continued her goal scoring sparkle in a hard won match against a tough Birmingham side managed by England International Laura Bassett (sister of Cov coaching U12 legend Dan) who battled hard to get into the game in vain. Whilst Birmingham got the early chances keeping Adele Rogers busy, strong defence with Charlotte, Siddo, and Nicky kept the ball from breaching the line. Coventry managed several corners throughout the game, but all went wide of the goal, players and any chance of going near the ‘keeper! Captain Oggy was kept busy in midfield managing another stylish free kick, but nothing like the epic kick that sent the message board into a frenzy in recent days. Loz got her foot on the end of the ball in dangerous positions on two occasions, but brave goal keeping denied her name on the goal sheet. Katie started the game and sent some neat balls into the centre keeping Emmo busy. Coaches Ogle and Harvey gave a stern half time team talk, made some adjustments to the line up and brought on the super sub line up. Both squads raised the level of the game and ten minutes into the restart Danni pushed the ball into the path of Emily Hanson who hammered the ball past the keeper. Stoke City 0 - 5 Coventry City Ladies In a match that Stoke City battled hard in they never really stood a chance against a fit Coventry City side who went three up with goals from captain Jade Ogle and a brace from Emily Hanson in the first half With ten minutes on the clock, Ogle speculated from a neat roll and volleyed from 35 yards out over the ‘keepers head and in to the top left hand corner of the net. Hanson followed up with a belter through a mêlée of Stoke defenders to get her name on the score sheet. She followed up soon after with a toe poke, never missing any chances! In the second half and now up hill on a small sloping pitch, Stoke played the advantage and got back into the game giving keeper Adele Rogers some work to do at last. With a few minutes on the clock, the visitors were rewarded with a free kick for infernal shirt tugging. Having recently been watching her idol Jade Formo on Beckam’s Hotshots Jade Ogle put her lessons into action and scored a beauty from 25 yards. It was time for Dani Wilson and Katie Singleton to get busy and with four goals now in the bag, they worked hard to make it five. Hanson fired a fierce shot through the keeper from Dani’s cross to secure her hat-trick and a fine win. Coventry City Ladies 0 - 1 Derby County Coach Steve Ogle rued missed opportunities and a lack of clinical finishing for his side’s 1-0 defeat in the hands of visitors Derby County. Derby played good strong football and regularly put Coventry under pressure who responded with an attacking game. The first half finished goal-less despite great efforts from India Koller, the usual assaults on goal by Emily Hanson and overcharged efforts by captain Jade Ogle with three shots going high over the bar including a fine free kick effort. A Derby goal mouth frenzy was dramatically concluded with fine goalkeeping by Adele Rogers who cleared the ball to Lauren, out to Katie who passed to Emily for her best effort. The half time interlude allowed a few in the crowd to slope off and get themselves tea and coffee, acts of kindness weren’t extended to workers who were focused on providing the spectators enjoyment…thanks to Sonia who also provided caramel laced chocolate biscuits to those who enjoyed hot refreshments for the few. The second half was just as up tempo, but now supported by ‘Nana, Danny and Jess. The pace of the game just a touch off kilter in ensuring all the players got time on the park. After Jade clattered the upright (rewarded with a free kick) the ball went back up the path and up the pitch which Derby capitalised on some careless defending gifting the visitors a goal from the sky blue head of Charlotte. Both Derby and Coventry rallied I response to the goal, Coventry determined to get back in the game, but great play from Derby ensured they left with a ticket to the next round of the draw. Steve Ogle “An improvement on the last game in defending, we need to be more clinical in front of goal”. The entertainment carried on after the game after Rosie discovered that she had been spurned by Jacko Ogle who has since been courting a cute chick at skating. This journal can report the first sighting of Jack blushing, as immature parents (who really don’t understand fledgling courtship) continued the ribbing… Coventry City Ladies 3 - 3 Aston villa This was Emily’s first face to face with former club Aston Villa since signing for the Sky Blues last season. Obviously she was nervous, facing her old team mates, but as ever once she crossed the white line, it was business as usual, yep, glares to the ref, lino, hollers to her new sky blue mates and the ball off her foot into the back of the net! The first goal didn’t take long to come, neat work by Danni, through to Emily who slotted into the bottom right hand corner. Villa’s strength and determination is a given throughout the club and this side was no different, they connected well, playing the long high ball and responded well to being a goal down. Back up the other end of the park they went and put immediate pressure on Adele in goal with a great effort on target. Siddo was being kept very busy and did not give up in the whole game, playing strong football and ensuring all around her knew her expectations! The first half finished with Villa a goal down but with greater dominance, City did well to hang on. One thing is for sure, the Villa coaches waste no time at all. When the ball goes out of play, they get an immediate briefing and collect new instructions. The half time team talk worked and within minutes a goal mouth mess gifted Villa an own goal off Jess’s head. So with a goal back and with sheer grit, the visitors were coming back and could have gone into the lead very quickly had it not been for the agility of Adele who made a stunning dive to save a soaring shot on goal. City wasted two chances as a determined Emily kept possession in front of the goal loosing the killer opportunity which eventually did come from a ‘Nana corner allowing her to slot in for her brace. Despite being hacked and grounded throughout the second half Emily secured her hat-trick with a casual flick into the net when no one quite expected it! Poor defending allowed an 88th minute equaliser for Villa, but Cov failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity when Ogle was fouled just outside the box and the free kick went wide… Coach Steve Ogle “A fair result but we can play a lot better and that’s what we’ll work on now” Rushden & Diamonds 1 - 7 Coventry City Ladies The U14’s joined up with the U12’s for their own version of the road fuel protest as dozens of cars headed down the M6 and A14, led by Coach Ogle in his ‘black bullet’. Bemused parents looked on as coaches Terry and Richard discussed the format of the game…would it be three halves of 25 or 35, two halves of 35, four halves of 20, any more chat like that and they’d be talking about touch downs! The girls actually played three thirds of 25 minutes at Rushden’s most impressive sports facility. In a post-script to last week’s match report, the battle of ‘best lino’ was still on going, nail clawing conversations between Rich and Tom ascertained that they both had a fine performance, mums cooed and dads turned their backs in the hope no one had noticed they hadn’t taken their turn waving a flag and belting up and down the line reaching for the inhaler at the half way line. Rushden and Diamonds started the game off very well, giving Adele early work to do, but after the first ten minutes City had settled in and were communicating well. Jade and Danni were working well with each other and on the other side Siddo pushed the ball in well. In and experimental role for Katie, she provided well for Danni. Jade Ogle broke the short goal drought curling the ball over the keeper’s head into the back of the goal from a sublime free kick. Soon after the referee spotted a short back pass by Katie to Adele who awarded an indirect free kick within the box. No trouble for the Cov defence who scooped it back up the other end of the pitch for Danni to dance around the ball and threaten to get a goal of her own, like Loz who was keen to get her name on the goal sheet too. Siddo tried to get ahead and put the ball over the cross bar. In the dying minutes of the first third, Coventry kept possession, Nicki, Danni and Katie passed to each other then to Captain Jade who flew the ball over. In the first minute of the second third Emily sent the coaches (and her parents!) pulses going as she collapsed clutching her hamstring. Quick squirt of water, snarl at the Rushden defender and she was up and away again. She got sweet revenge minutes later by scoring a fine goal making it 0-2. Tash was making good work of the space allowed to her and sent the ball through to Emily who was adjudged off side by a gnat’s whisker. Ria threatened well on the right flank and putting the ball in for an easy save. Despite Jade’s workmanlike efforts R&D broke through and kept the ball for a few minutes and halved the deficit with a momentary lapse of concentration in the Coventry defence. Coventry men would do well to watch the determination of this team and soon after Charlotte chipped the ball to Emily who scored from the volley on the turn! Jade made a great call from a goal kick, got her head firmly on it, back into Ria who at the third attempt got her goal passed the keeper deep into the net. In the third third, Coventry kept up a committed game and soon after the kick off Loz finally got her goal to make it 1-5. In a re-jigged side with Charlotte pushing up front she tapped in her first goal of the season from a cross by Danni. Emily secured her first hat-trick of the season by powering past the keeper to make the final score 1-7. Rich thought he was the best lino of the day, Adrian and John both gallantly agreed. Hollie thought that Sonia brought the best cakes, and whilst we all agreed he refereed a great game with good humour it’s a shame he disallowed any photos. (If any one has any objections to the few pictures that were taken, email the web master and he will delete them. No records have been retained). John collected the most money (and he went off with the journo’s pencil); Sniffer had the most fun watching his team take his goal tally to 14 for and 1 against in the first two games. Who’s bringing the cakes next time? Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 7 Coventry City Ladies CCLFC’s U14 opener signalled the end of the summer and the start of the winter as 4” of rain fell on the way up the M1. What should have been a 90 minute journey ended up a 2 ½ hour aqua glide around the motorway network and most of Sheffield! The 11.00am kick off took place 25 minutes late, after a very warm welcome by our hosts manager Steve Hunt and Vice Chair who’s hospitality was typical of the north! The game was preceded by a minutes silence to Konrad Krukowsksi, a well known and popular figure in ladies football at Steel City Wanderers and Sheffield and Hallam FA. Konrad was a young man who passed away in the last week and was instrumental in promoting ladies football in the North. Coach Ogle used the game to watch a few players he hadn’t had the benefit of seeing in preseason, and started the game with a strong bench of last season’s vet’s Ogle, Hanson, Gassor and ‘Nana. Whilst the game stated workman like, it lacked real quality until the players found their feet and each other. Clearly a number of players had too may holidays over the summer and forgot their mates names…it was a quiet start to the game! Jess in the back was impressive in the early minutes of the game, as the midfield gained control of the game and made early breaks through Dani and Loz. Finishing lacked confidence and strength as a few opportunities went begging. Sheffield Wednesday played a defensive game through out, after all this was their first 11 aside game since graduating to the dizzy heights of the 14’s. Their keeper made a number of easy saves, but nevertheless she enjoyed a good game. Watch this girl, she shows good potential and future oppositions will do well to get past her as the season progresses. Dani Wilson finally breached the goal scoring Coventry’s first after 20 minutes play from last season’s team mate flanker Katie Singleton. Like Sven, Ogle needed to experiment with his players and threw on three subs immediately. Unlike Sven, his tactics worked, this was when his side really gained confidence and the expectant crowd saw some of the magic that is making the Coventry team the Midlands predators. The second goal soon came from Emily Hanson who got on the end of Dani’s ball once more. She blasted in past the GK, and soon after ‘Nana danced around the ball, dropped the ball to Dani who quickly made it three to the visitors. Sonia’ed celebrated by passing around the cakes, and holding the brolly form reporter Singleton to capture the game so far. The first half finished well with the ball being pushed around neatly, and Sheffield coming into the game, but never really managing to get up to trouble Adele in goal. ‘Nana started the second half spectacular by blowing a hole in the side netting soon after the whistle. This signalled that she was now settled into the game nicely and was very impressive throughout. After a succession of corners, Chantelle Rakhar opened her account of the season with a well taken goal rewarding her hard work, and followed up by rattling the woodwork soon after. Goal number five was soon to follow, lovely cross by ‘Nana to Loz who took a well taken goal. Meanwhile on the side lines, a strange conversation was taking place with Rich whilst running the line with Ria’s mum (his missus) “I dunno luv…wine or body shimmer” Sonia’ed and others looked round in surprise…he had just secured the first win of the season, the raffle! He chose the wine…Rich shimmers enough, even in the cloudy weather the sun bounced of his head! ‘Nana bagged number six and soon after Emily scored a fine goal from a corner pass to make it 0-7. In the last ten minutes Sheffield gained some determination to get a goal, but never came. In the spirit of the game, both sides represented football well; hearty cheers went out by both sides for each other. Sheffield have a good side of young players and should not be disappointed with their efforts. Coventry would love to welcome them to a return game and strengthen the links opened by Steve, who now has his full team in place as well as his back room staff fully trained. A short pit stop at Sarah’s Caff was followed by the long journey home. |