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Shrewsbury Town 3 - 3 Coventry City Girls (AET)
Penalties: Shrewsbury Town 4 - 2 Coventry City Girls
Open Cup 1/12/07

Today the Coventry Girls take on Ex Centre of Excellence Squad, Shrewsbury Town who are currently sitting in 3rd place in the league. Coventry Skipper Taz Noonan won the toss and decided to play with the strong wind advantage, the girls were instructed to use the advantage but were quickly made to work when after just 3 minutes, confusion at the back saw Shrewsbury take the lead. The City girls kept pumping the ball into the Shrewsbury box and persistent pressure allowed Coventry striker Rose McAleer to slide the ball past the oncoming keeper on the 16th minute. Six minutes later Shrewsbury once again took the lead beating City keeper Sarah Morgan. This just encouraged the City girls to lift their game putting the Shrewsbury defence under constant pressure.

Now making most of the wind advantage, Coventry dominated the remainder of the first half and a great break by Shannan Middleton after 26 minutes, unselfishly squared a neat ball into the path of Lizzie Stubbington who blasted the ball into the net. Two minutes later following a Coventry corner there was a goalmouth scramble, which resulted in Lianna Mudd tapping in at close range. Late into the first half the Sky Blues were awarded a free kick almost on the penalty spot, following a back pass to the Keeper. Lizzie stepped up and blasted the ball off a defender who didn't seem to be quite 10 yards away, had she found the net we would have gone in at half time with a comfortable lead. Even so to be going in at half time 3-2 up is a credit to the girls, who lost against Shrewsbury's Ex COE squad 4-0 in the opening game of the season.

Half Time Score: Shrewsbury Town 2 - 3 Coventry City Girls

We were well aware that Shrewsbury would be keen to capitalise, now having the wind advantage. Coventry's defence Hannah Miles, Maireade McMenemy and Melissa Welland were made to work extremely hard and were once again praised after the game by the Home team Manager. This is now a regular occurrence, as they grow stronger week by week. All of the City Midfield Paige Oddy, Taz, Muddy, Abbie Willis, Shanaldo! And Natalie Kimberlin went on the attack, but when needed helped to get back to assist the Coventry defence. It took 26 minutes for the Equaliser to come, we tried and tried to go ahead but soon realised that extra time was minutes away.

Full Time Score: Shrewsbury Town 3 - 3 Coventry City Girls

Once again City skipper Taz won the toss, and once again opted for wind assistance. 10 minutes soon passed and then it was their turn to play with the wind. Both teams by now seemed to cancel each other out. After a further quick 10 minutes neither team could break the deadlock. If this had been a league game a draw was a fine result for the Coventry girls. But being a cup-tie the game had to go to penalties.

After Extra Time: Shrewsbury Town 3 v Coventry City 3. Shrewsbury won 4-2 on penalties.

Today the girls were a credit to themselves and the club. They have shown that they are now capable of playing against tough Ex COE opposition and holding their own. Even though we lost the game, Damo and I are proud of you, if we can play like this every week girls the results will follow.

WELL DONE GIRLS!!!

Team: Sarah Morgan. Hannah Miles, Melissa Welland, Shannan Middleton, Maireade McMenemy, Lianna Mudd, Tamsin Noonan, Abbie Willis, Rose McAleer, Paige Oddy, Lizzie Stubbington, Natalie Kimberlin.

Player Of The Week: ALL of the above.