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Under 14s COE Match Reports 2006/07 Aston Villa Vs Coventry City Ladies Another away game for the much travelled Coventry City but by far the toughest test yet for this ever improving Coventry side. Moor lane was the venue for this epic encounter between the two best sides in the area. The conversation between the coaching staff at Coventry was the ‘curse of moor lane’. It seems every time a Coventry side come her there is always more then the opposition you are playing against. Coventry did not start very well and Villa was making all the play in the first third. The city team looked overawed and showing too much respect to the opposition. Finally the dead lock was broken, a smart Villa moved was neatly finished off by the giant centre forward and it was no more then Villa deserved. Coventry managed to hang on until the interval where coach Harvey and Raffy changed there tactics around to drop Stacie in the middle to make a new formation of 3 – 4 – 1. This seemed to rally Coventry who began the second third in a more positive frame of mind. The ball was being passed around and the movement was like watching Brazil. Eventually the goal came form a dead ball free kick from Tash who floated the ball into the penalty area for Nikki to rise like a salmon and tickle it into the corner. The half finished with Coventry all over Villa like a cheap suit and it was Coventry who did not want the half to end and Villa were holding on like Frank Bruno winning the world title. Changes were made for the final third with Emma, Charlotte and Laura coming on for some much needed energy. The final third started off very cagey with both teams not wanting to make the first mistake with Coventry having a couple of last ditch tackles from Nikki and two superb saves from Lucy. Then Abby picked the ball up just inside the Villa half and went on a Michael Owen style run and finished beautifully in the bottom corner. There was enough time for Coventry to score again but the ref and linesman decided there was a foul on the goalkeeper and chalked the goal off. Overall Coventry deserved the result and a harsh lesson has been learnt. The Villa manager was impressed with Coventry and straight away demanded a rematch. Coventry have shown they can mix it with the best, but this is moor lane and the hoodoo continues. If the spectators had been charged a £5 to watch the match they would have been drooling with excitement and certainly go there moneys worth. A great spectacle for the women’s game. Shrewsbury Town Vs Coventry City Ladies The day started with an 8:30 meeting time at the Tollgate. The drive away to Shrewsbury takes just under 1 hour but with Raffy at the wheel it was like driving Mrs Daisy. The weather was warm but a blistering wind was swirling across the Shrewsbury plain. The pitch looked like the finishing post at the grand national and at first glance we thought it was the under 10’s pitch, need I say anymore. Coach Harvey and Raffy were looking for a repeat performance from last weeks demolition of wolves but the first third did not start in that fashion. Both teams continued to battle the elements and simple errors were being made. With Coventry’s first attack down the Shrewsbury left saw Abby whip in a ball to nobody in the box apart from the Shrewsbury centre half who sliced the ball like butter through bread into the back of the net. The half finished with Coventry bombarding the Shrewsbury goal like the Coventry Blitz but the half finished 1- 0. The second third was very similar to the first with both sides finding the conditions very difficult. A thunder bolt shot from Tash saw the goalkeeper parry into the path of the oncoming Abby who finished with a neat touch into the corner. This promoted the Coventry coaching staff into making three changes with Rhea, Killer and Cassie coming on to replace Nikki, Tash and Emma making way. The third goal was always on the cards and it came through a well worked corner which was met by the left boot of Stacie and fired into the top corner. The final third saw Coventry continue to reshuffle the pack and use the third to play players in different positions. Coventry played some neat football in the final 10 minutes and finished the game very strongly. Overall another good performance from Coventry and each player is beginning to show some real promise. Coach Raffy said “ considering the elements the team got another clean sheet on a poor pitch. There goalkeeper was by far the best player for them and we reshuffled the pack.. Special mention to Charlotte who is coming on leaps and bounds!” The real test for Coventry will be the next two games away to the Villa and home to Birmingham. The two games will be a good test to see how good this Coventry team is and can they fulfil all the promise that coach Harvey and Raffy are giving them. Coventry City Ladies Vs Wolverhampton Wands A real surprise the game went ahead with the persistent rain over the last two weeks but both players and coaching staff at Coventry were very excited for the match. The pitch was in good condition with the grass a little long in places but conditions were perfect for football. Coventry started much the brighter with the back four of Lucy, Rhea, Nikki and Dani fizzing the ball around like the pro’s! Neat football and good interchange brought the first City goal. Abby played a one two with Stacie and fired the ball hard and low past the Wolves goalkeeper. The second was very much similar to the first except Stacie playing in her new role just off Abby finished with style hard and low past the goalkeeper. The second 3rd saw Wolves try to “mix it!!” was the shout from there coaching staff (what ever that means). Coventry continued to play beautiful, sexy football and dominate the match. Rhea and Cassi made way for Laura and Charlotte respectively and they continued the good work in there set positions. The third goal was well worked again through the back line and the ball ended up at Killer’s feet who drove at the heart of the Wolves defence and finally cleverly chipped the goalkeeper from the edge of the box. The final third Coventry eased off the pace and closed the game out by dropping deep and allowing Wolves to attack and hitting them on the counter attack. There was just enough time for Tash to put the icing on the cake with a thirty yard free kick in off the bar. A very polished Coventry performance. Coach Harvey and Raffy were over the moon and very proud. All good work must not be undone with some very tricky fixtures coming up. Hereford Vs Coventry City Ladies It’s a nice summer’s drive down to Derby, the COE Admin King declared at the midweek Board meeting. That’s all being well, but it’s mid October, and a 70 mile run first thing of a Saturday morn was something most Dad’s (and Mum’s!) weren’t looking forward too after a hard week at the grindstone. Nevertheless, the Sky Blue Love Train left the Coventry Tollgate sharp on 8.30am with players and parents looking forward to the autumnal summer’s drive through the fog and along the seemingly never-ending winding and rising A44. Coaches Terry and Rich led the way in the 106 bat-mobile. Considering they were the guiding light, they squealed off and only Singleton could keep up with a pose of players in the back seat grooving to the latest Lemar tunes. For the aging driver it’s difficult enough to keep up with today’s new fads, but how they manage to talk, listen to the tunes and demonstrate the latest music and video clips all at the same time is beyond the author, but as women in training they are managing to complete all tasks with as much skill as they demonstrate on the pitch. As the daughter of a former Rock DJ, Nikki Miles was well up with the tunes (including Jack Johnson) and tried to keep up with the driver who did his best to entertain. It did seem like an eternity, and apart from the near collision with the hedge cutting tractor, squirrels on the road, pheasants flying up from nowhere and the loss of 11 players and associated parents the drive was pleasant enough and by 11.00am the kick off ensued with the U10’s one side and the U12’s entertaining from the other side. The visitor’s goals came soon enough from the kick off with Katie Singleton opening her account with the first of her six goal haul. She worked very well with Abi, who in turn scored a fine hat-trick of her own. About half an hour into play, the sharp eyed ref spotted a long lense towards the end of the pitch…play was halted whilst an inquiry was held with a random, but hand picked group of parents who cared. The camera was accompanied by a note pad, pencil, chair and phone glued to the operatives ear. With the author quickly identified, the ref ran a brush through his hair, winked towards the lense and ensured his game was squeaky clean with the full knowledge his game was being recorded for the benefit of generations to come. With the game restarted Rhea wasn’t to be outdone. So with some fine and fancy footwork scored fine hat-trick of her own. Cassie played a great game and scored her debut goal for the 14’s and to finish off proceedings Chantelle nearly put a hole in the back of the net with a killer goal. Hereford played gallantly throughout. They scored a consolation goal of their own, and never let the chins go down. With match practice, they will be a high performing club, it was a pleasure to visit them and we look forward to their return in March for the Holland warm up fixture. Birmingham City Vs Coventry City Ladies After a very bright performance last week against the Villa everyone was looking for a repeat performance against a Blues side that had problems against the Villa previously. Coach Harvey and Hicky decided to change the back line and give starts to Laura and Emma at full backs with Cassie coming into midfield. The first quarter started like two boxers measuring each other up in the first round of a world title fight with both teams sparring light punches. Coventry were spurred into action after a good Blues move down the right, and a weaving run from Katie resulted in a shot just wide. Coventry continued to pile on more pressure and the ever impressive Cassie went on a teasing run and managed to fire a cross in which eluded all the attackers and on coming midfielders. Coventry finished the half with some good passing moves without the final end product. At the first interval Coach Harvey rallied his troops and sent out Rhea, Dani, Charlotte and Tash for battle. Rhea and Dani filled in at full backs with Charlotte and Tash playing in midfield. Coventry came out like the favourite dog in trap one at Hall Green. Wave after wave of attack now rained in on Birmingham’s goal and all Coventry was missing was the final product. Katie blazed over and then struck a blazing shot against the post which is still moving now three days on!! Coventry scored when a looping shot was only parried by the Blues goalkeeper allowing Abbie to pounce Maradona style and put the ball in the back of the net. The final quarter lacked quality as Coventry threw everything including the kitchen sink, cooker and American style fridge freezer at the Blues goal but without scoring again. Overall Coventry again proved that they were a better passing side then Birmingham and had an overall better understanding of the game. The girl of the game who was not mentioned at the end went to Abbie. Next week Reporter Singleton will be back he has been away last week due to writer’s cramp!! Coventry City Ladies Vs Aston Villa This is always the fixture that gets the City girls going. It's always hotly contested and this one was no exception. As the ball went from end to end, it was Singleton in her new found role up front who quicklyscored for the home team. Villa were strong, playing their trademark long ball game making good use of the physical presence of the team. Abi battled hard and played some brilliant football once more and on a number of occasions came close to adding to her goal tally for the season. Likewise, Rhea battled hard and worked her way up the pitch. Stacey played a simply sublime Beckham like free kick that sailed into the back of the net above the hands of the keeper. Wolverhampton Wands Vs Coventry City Ladies Katie Singleton opened the score in the first few minutes of a tough encounter against Wolves who were clearly up for a game against an equally ready Sky Blue side. On a very large pitch the girls were really made to work for their respective teams. Following a succession of corners for the visitors, Abi got busy amongst the home defenders towering above her and brought off a fine header into the back of the net. Coventry were made to defend hard, but under Nikki's leadership her back wall was well marshalled and Wolves could not break down the wall any further. City could and should have scored a hat-full more, but this will come over the next few games when the new squad really find each other's feet. Coach Terry Harvey was well pleased with the squad's efforts and praised them all at the post match warm down and handed girl of match to Abi. Coventry City Ladies Vs Rushden and Diamonds An early own goal put the visitors ahead put City on the back foot with Rushden and Diamonds really taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Coventry almost drew level but for the visitors strong defence. Rhea, Tash and Katie worked well together but found it hard to make the target in the early stages of the game. Katie was provided some great balls by the midfield but their keeper was in fine form and it took a Tash corner to find the feet of defender Nikki to bring the Sky Blues back into the game. Coventry really worked hard to draw level. Thank you Fiona for doing the report! Leamington Vs Coventry City Ladies Game of three halves today in which debutants Abi and Stacey managed a hat full of goals! With varying degrees of rain hampering the crowds hair doos for the new team did tremendously for their first warm up of the new season. |