Coventry United Ladies 5 (O’Brien 16, Austin 24 [pen], Jefferies 33, 60, Gauntlett 36)
Wolves Women 1 (J.Cross 34)
Report by Katy Wordley-Smith, photograph by Simon Faulkner
A 34th minute goal from Jade Cross wasn’t enough to create a comeback for Wolves who have seen their cup run come to an abrupt end.
The game opened in what seemed a very equal contest with both sides applying pressure, but nothing resulted from the chances created.
Coventry claimed the first goal 16 minutes in to the match. Shannon O’Brien sent a looping shot from just inside the 18-yard box over Katie Clarke in the Wolves goal.
Less than 10 minutes later a penalty was awarded to United, which saw Chenise Austin double their lead.
Coventry continued to press and made Lois Jefferies made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute, heading in an O’Brien cross.
Wolves’ goal came just a minute later with a great run down the wing from Jen Anslow. Her perfectly timed ball found Jade Cross, who neatly slotted home.
But this wasn’t quite enough to create a comeback, as just minutes later Marie Gauntlett provided a wonder goal, chipping one over Clarke, increasing United’s lead.
The second half saw Wolves manager Dan McNamara bring on five substitutes. The fresh players weren’t enough though as Wolves struggled to pull off a comeback.
The final goal of the game came from Jefferies, adding her name to the scoresheet once again with a fine effort it into the top right corner.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Anslow and Cross’s 1-2 teamwork to create Wolves’ goal looked like they could have been on for the comeback from 3-0 down, but it wasn’t to be. The movement forward provided hope for the team.
QUOTES
Wolves manager Dan McNamara was disappointed with the loss but praised Coventry’s clinical nature.
He said: “I’m massively disappointed. I’m disappointed to go out of the cup but obviously they are a fantastic side.
“I thought we started brilliantly. The first 15 or 16 minutes I thought we were excellent and posing some threats up there, but obviously Coventry got a few chances and that’s the difference. They’re clinical in front of goal and all of sudden we end up 3-1 down.”
COMING UP
Wolves now turn their attention back to the league when they host Long Eaton United Ladies on Tuesday 27th November in a 7.45pm kick-off.
NEXT FIVE
- 27/11- Long Eaton United Ladies (H)
- 2/12- Blackburn Rovers Ladies (H) FA Cup Second Round
- 16/12- West Bromwich Albion Women (A)
- 13/1- Steel City Wanderers FC Ladies (H)
- 20/1- Solihull Moors Ladies (A)
TEAMS
Coventry United Ladies | Wood, Riden, Mcdonnell, Brook, Austin, Merritt, Hughes, Gauntlett, Wathan, Jefferies, O’Brien
Subs | Miles, Roberts, Buck
Wolves | Clarke, Widdal (Butler), E.Cross, Morphett, Barnett, Dickinson (Jennings), Price (Jones), Anslow, Walker (Criddle), George (Williams), J.Cross
