Redditch United Gems 3 - 8 Coventry City Girls
League 22/9/07

Team: Olivia, Molly, Leah, Sophie, Rae, Brenna, Hannah N, Helina, Faye, Alex, Chloe. Subs: Hannah W, Jessica, Cody.

After last weeks result, the girls were looking to continue the good run of form. However, from the kick off Redditch set their stall out and were first to most balls and put Coventry under pressure. Coventry’s defence & midfield were asleep and lacked cohesion. For the first 10 minutes it was a fight to gain control.

At the mid point in the first half, Coventry seemed to have taken control with the opening goal from Alex, but to their credit Redditch hit back twice in quick succession to take the lead. But Coventry had started to wake up and equalised through Hannah N (First of the season). From this point, Coventry stepped up a gear and towards the end of the half, took the lead through Alex again. Brenna (Second of season) scored Coventry’s fourth and Chloe made it five.

Chloe’s goal was by far the best “Team Goal” scored this season. Coventry picked up the ball in their own half with Helina in midfield, a quick look and the ball was played out to Faye on the right wing. Faye pushed the ball into space down the line and drove a perfect cross into the box between the defence and keeper. Helina had carried on her run from midfield but couldn’t reach the ball but was converted at the back post by Chloe. (A coaches dream, accurate passing, movement, communication, strong wing play, late runs into the box from midfield & classic strikers finish. More like that please!!!).

Coventry’s Jekyll & Hyde performance in the first half was to change with some words of encouragement from the coaches & the sideline!

Half time: Redditch United Gems 2 - 5 Coventry City Girls

The second half was a much better performance from Coventry. The defence never looked like being breached and the midfield took control of the game for long periods.

Some good wing play by Brenna and Faye supported by Alex and Cody led to a number of chances for Coventry in the second half.

Alex completed her hatrick (her 10th of the season and the leagues leading scorer so far) and Helina netted her first of the season as Redditch tired towards the end. Redditch scored again, but this was only a consolation goal.

Substitute Hannah W capped an inspired second half display with her first of the season. After a poor Redditch clearance fell to Hannah outside the box, she rifled in an unstoppable shot leaving the keeper stranded.

A special mention must go the Redditch Centre half who was marking Alex all game. For the first time I can remember, Alex met her match with a player of equal strength, drive and commitment. This was a real match-up. (I only ever thought there was one Alex, she’s now found her football double!! ). After the game, the Redditch manager said that the central defender is their normal Centre forward. (What a strike force that would be, two Alex’s on one pitch)

Although this was an indifferent performance from the Girls, a good team always seems to win, even if they play badly (Sounds a familiar statement from one or two premierships managers). There are certain things to put right on the training ground, but Coventry once again showed what they are capable of and I am sure the performances will become more consistent as the season progresses.

What was so pleasing today, was the teams determination to come from behind and win coupled with the number of different scorers on the board.

Scorers: Alex (3), Brenna, Hannah N, Hannah W, Helina, Chloe.

Player of Match : Brenna

Coventry City Girls 9 - 1 Perrywoods
League 15/9/07

Team: Olivia, Sophie, Rae, Molly, Leah(c), Brenna, Hannah N, Faye, Helina, Alex, Chloe, Subs: Hannah W, Jessica, Cody.

With players returning from holiday and illness, Coventry had a full squad to choose from for the first home match of the season. The opening exchanges saw Coventry and Perrywoods equally matched. However, it wasn’t long before Coventry’s movement in midfield gave the opening chance to Alex who netted without hesitation. This was to be the pattern through out the match where Coventry’s control through central defence and midfield gave Alex ample opportunity to score, and score she did.(6 to be exact)

In last week’s report it was stated that Alex’s goal against Marston Green was her best yet for the club, well, she scored two of equal calibre today, one in each half. Both of these goals were made from midfield with the end result, shots from 20-25 yards, leaving the keeper routed to the spot.

Although Alex scored 6, the best individual goal of the game came from the left. Brenna picked up the ball near to half way and went on an astonishing run, passing 3 defenders and even rounding the keeper before slotting home.

Perrywoods although outplayed for large parts of the game, did pose a threat when attacking down the flanks but this was marshalled by Rae & Molly in defence, supported by Brenna & Faye from Midfield.

The central defensive partnership of Leah and Sophie soaked up all that Perrwoods could throw at them.For the second week in a row, Sophie had a great game.

Apart from the one solitary goal and one save in each half Olivia did not have much to do, but this was credit to a solid defensive display.

Central midfield was patrolled by Helina and Hannah N and was the only evenly contested area on the pitch. But this open commitment lead to an unfortunate incident where a player from both sides was dismissed. This is a very unusual occurrence for Coventry City U13’s, who have over the years had an exemplary record for fair play.

Chloe in the first half & Cody in the second half made a nuisance of the themselves in and around the Perrywoods box, never letting them settle, always pressing the ball leading to defensive errors. Two of the 9 goals were Perrywoods OG’s, caused from pressure play in and around the box.

All three substitutes were used with Hannah W, Jessica and Cody playing important roles, sustaining pressure on Perrywood’s to the final whistle.

Hopefully this performance will give Coventry a good platform to build on for the season ahead.

Goal Scorer: Alex (6) Brenna (1) OG (2)

Player of the match – Alex.

Marston Green Girls 5 - 1 Coventry City Girls
League 8/9/07

Due to holiday’s and illness, Coventry were under strength with only 10 players available.

Unfortunately the game ended in defeat for the U13’s, but there were plenty of positives.

The defence was under pressure throughout the game but Sophie (in central defence for this match), playing out of her normal position, was outstanding with both her positioning and control.

All players played to their maximum but with only 10 players (no substitutes) it was only a matter of time before Marston Green started scoring freely.

Keeping the score down, Olivia did make a couple of very good stops, unfortunately, one was deflected straight to an opponent who netted.

It was a credit that that midfield did not loose their shape until late into the game, but this was understandable due to the work rate through out.

Chloe work tirelessly up front but was starved of service from an overstretched midfield.

The high point of the game came when Alex scored what may be considered as her best yet for the club. Picking up a loose ball in midfield, she ran at the opponents defence and let fly from about 25 yards over the keeper into the opposite corner. We hope she will score more like that during the season.

Well played Girls for the work rate and the discipline. We will look forward to the return fixture.

Player of the match – Sophie.

Coundon Court 0 - 5 Coventry City Girls
Friendly 5/9/07

Team: Olivia, Rae, Sophie, Hannah W, Molly, Brenna, Hannah N (c), Faye, Alex, Cody, Chloe

In most part the first half was a stalemate with no team gaining overall advantage or creating too many opportunities. It was really pleasing to see Cov Girls holding their positions, working together, supporting play, giving a solid platform to build on.

Coundon broke through on a couple of occasions but could not take advantage of their opportunities. One chance saw a shot hit the Coventry post only for Rae to clear the rebound.

Coventry had settled in the half, with the passing game started to stretch play down the wings. Neat sharp passing, possession play and communication, really promising for the season ahead.

However the break through came, towards the end of the half from where Cody intercepted in midfield, ran the ball straight down the wing, crossed into the box. After a couple of attempts at goal, blocked by the Coundon defence, Chloe slotted home the loose ball from close range.

Half Tome: Coundon Court 0 - 1 Coventry City Ladies

The second half was a different story all together. Coventry’s central defensive duo, Sophie and Hannah W, for the most part, held firm throughout with the full backs, Molly & Rae looking to support the play. This led to numerous attacks being created by the midfield right from the kick off.

The second goal was made by Chloe winning possession from a goal kick, rounding a defender, shooting low but the Coundon keeper pulled off a good save only to parry the ball straight into the path of Cody who scored.

As this was a friendly, Coundon changed their team on numerous occasions in the second half which lead to a breakdown in shape. Credit has to go to Coundon, who never gave up. They were always looking to pass and support each other which made for a good open game.

By now, Alex had gained control of centre midfield, supported by captain Hannah N, giving wingers Faye & Brenna plenty of ball. With so much possession it was only a matter of time before Coventry’s third came. Alex received the ball from our defence, turned and ran straight at Coundon’s defense, breaking through, running away from the last defender, shot low away from the keepers dive.

Soon after, Chloe scored her second and Coventry’s fourth after an intercepted goal kick, returned into the box and accurately dispatched.

Coundon’s keeper kept the score down with two top draw saves both from Alex. But Alex would not let this deter her from scoring. After winning possession in midfield, she rode three tackles, broke through the Coundon defence and slotted home a hard low drive away from the keepers dive.

Coundon played with determination and were a credit to their club. We wish them every success the coming season.

Player of the match – Alex.