First Team Match Report
CCLFC 1 - 2 Derby County
FA Cup - 13 December 2009
Match Reports by Adam Etheridge
Coventry City Ladies crashed out of the FA Cup 4-1 at home to the Derby County side that beat them to promotion last season. The Rams' marquee summer signing, Jenni Anslow, proved the difference as she provided the ammunition for two of the goals before claiming the fourth for herself. Hannah Ward and Emily Jeffery were the beneficiaries of the winger's pinpoint passing for the first and second goals and a solo effort from substitute Melissa Johnson provided the other. Emily Hanson's fourth goal of the season kept City within striking distance until the final 20 minutes.
The first half was an evenly contested affair as both clubs struggled to create any clear cut chances. Coventry managed the only shots on target in the opening exchanges with speculative long range efforts that failed to trouble Jenny Simpson in the Derby goal. Helen Dermody fired in hopeful shots from outside the area and Jade Formaston hit a long range free kick that fell straight into the arms of the Rams' keeper.
It was, however, Derby that broke the deadlock on the half hour mark. Jade Whitfield went to ground on the edge of her box in a challenge that Anslow won before sliding a simple ball to Ward who was lurking inside the six yard box. Ward struggled to get the ball out of her feet under pressure from Gemma Clarke before firing past Netty Manca from close range.
City's response came seven minutes later from a hopeful punt. The long ball forward was allowed to bounce with Robyn James the first to respond, touching back for Hanson to strike over the outstretched hand of Simpson and high into the net. It was the least that the Sky Blues deserved as they were proving a good test for their much fancied opponents.
James had a great chance to put City into the lead on the stroke of half time as Natalie Wilcox fired a tremendous cross into the box. Lorna Abbey looked certain to head the ball to safety but inexplicably let it go much to the surprise of all, including the hardworking James. The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with both sides struggling to make any headway towards their opponent's goal. The Sky Blues enjoyed a sustained period of pressure with both Formaston and Hanson having efforts blocked.
As Derby outlasted City's pressure they mounted some of their own and began to exert a spell of dominance that culminated in Jeffery's goal. Wilcox had been pressed into action, clearing from her own line after good work from Anslow on the left wing but no one was on hand to clear her next effort as the powerful Jeffery was left all alone to head home from six yards out. City didn't capitulate and like the first half went in search of an immediate response with Hanson the driving force.
It wasn't to be City's day though as they failed to clear their lines with five minutes to go. After pinging around inside the Sky Blues' box the ball fell kindly to Johnson and she wasted no time in delivering the knockout blow, Manca got both hands to her drive but could only parry the ball as it flew into the net. Derby 's fourth came in stoppage time as Manca's poor clearance presented Anslow the opportunity to crown her day in style. The final score didn't do the Sky Blues justice as they showed plenty of Premier League potential but now must turn their attention to a County Cup tie with the Leamington Lions of the West Midlands Regional League Division 1 South.
Team: - Manca; Whitfield (Henson 61), Lynch, Clarke, Wilcox; Formaston, N. Miles, McKenna, Dermody (Archibald 87); Hanson, James (Parnell 76). Subs Not Used: - Morgan, H. Miles, Forbes, Christie.
Goals: - Hanson (37).
Booked: - None.
Sent Off: - None.
