Coventry United 0–1 Blackburn Rovers
by Ben Gilby
Blackburn Rovers moved into fifth place in the FA Women’s Championship after a hard-earned 1-0 win at Coventry United in an entertaining game at Butts Park Arena.
The home side came into the game on the back of a four game losing run, during which they had scored only two goals. For Rovers, the same period had resulted in two wins and a draw with six scored.
A hugely enjoyable first half opened with the visitors from Lancashire having most of the possession in the early stages, with the majority of the game in this period being played on their left wing. The pressing at this stage forced United to make hurried clearances, the majority of which went straight to a player in blue and white halves.
Blackburn had a great chance to take a lead when Natasha Fenton’s ball through was put out for a corner. The in swinging flag kick was pushed out by Sue Wood in the Coventry goal but only as far as Maria Edwards who hit an effort which rebounded back into the path of team-mate Saffron Jordan who prodded an effort goal wards and prompted an almighty playground style scramble before Anna Wilcox cleared for the home side.
United’s first effort on target took just over ten minutes to come and a good run from Shannon O’Brien saw her cut in from the left and hit an effort which Alex Brooks in the Blackburn goal dealt with.
Buoyed by this effort, Coventry began to show more of an attacking flair. O’Brien again was involved and found Amber Hughes, but her shot was blocked by defender Ellie Fletcher.
The home side mounted another attack and a sensational move saw Wilcox’s cross field ball met with a glorious first touch and instant control by Katy Morris. She played in O’Brien but the Rovers defence snaffled up the danger.
Rovers replied immediately as Aimee Hodgson forced a save from Sue Woods. They then created another chance as Coventry United’s Alice Hassall was caught in possession and the dangerous Saffron Jordan broke clear down the left, but the home side were able to marshal mass ranks of red and green to clear.
Blackburn benefitted again by a home player losing possession, this time Becky Anderson, and Jordan was in again. Once more United dealt with the danger and launched a counter attack as Wilcox found O’Brien. Hughes was then played in down the left before cutting inside and lashing a shot into the side netting.
Coventry finished the half on the front foot and more great skill, this time from Hayley Crackle which saw her juggle the ball over the head of an opponent and play in Wilcox before she was brought down by Fletcher, who received a yellow card for her sin. The resulting free kick from Crackle was cleared.
The home side pressured Rovers into an error when Natasha Fenton’s attempt to make contact with the ball ended with a fresh air shot. Hassall intervened, gained possession and got a shot away which Alex Brooks saved.
The final opportunity of the opening period went the way of the visitors as Hodgson stole the ball away from Crackle and curled in an effort which was deflected out for a corner. United dealt with the danger again ahead of the half-time whistle.
The even nature of the contest continued in the early stages of the second period. Coventry United’s first effort came from an incredible free kick inside their own half which was launched goal wards by Anna Wilcox and Alex Brooks was forced into a save in the Rovers goal.
Saffron Jordan continued to look dangerous for Blackburn and a quality turn and shot needed a smart save from Sue Wood to deny the Lancashire side’s captain.
The end to end sequence followed and this time United were only denied by a magnificent save by Brooks. Becky Anderson combined with Amber Hughes who struck a fierce effort which was only kept out by the outstretched legs of the visitors’ keeper.
Alex Brooks had to be at her best again shortly afterwards when Hughes found Phoebe Warner. Her pass played in the ever dangerous Shannon O’Brien but Brooks pushed the effort away.
With nine minutes of the second half played, the deadlock was finally broken – but not without the slightest hint of controversy. On another dangerous sortie into the Coventry penalty area, Saffron Jordan was brought down. Play continued momentarily before the assistant referee on the right hand side flagged and a penalty was awarded – but Coventry were convinced that contact was made with the ball first. The arguments fell on deaf ears and Elise Hughes stepped up to dispatch the spot kick for Rovers.
Shortly afterwards, United came close yet again. Katy Morris’ corner was headed towards goal by Chelsea Weston but her effort was dramatically cleared off of the line. Another chance came for the home side as Amber Hughes broke through and played in O’Brien whose effort was just over.
Blackburn were not without their own opportunities to extend their lead. First, Aimee Hodgson looked up and saw United keeper Sue Wood off her line and fired in an effort on target which was dealt with. Natasha Fenton then cut in from the right and hit an effort which forced a good save from Wood.
Coventry created two final chances to in a bid to obtain the draw that they deserved for their efforts. First, Amber Hughes turned Charlotte Newsham and hit a shot which was deflected out for a corner. The resulting set piece saw a great header from Alice Hassall which forced a save from Brooks. Then, an incredible run from Hayley Crackle down the entirety of the left wing saw her shrug off umpteen attempted challenges and win a corner. Amber Hughes’ goal bound header was cleared by the Rovers defence.
In the closing stages, Blackburn kept possession in a professional manner despite Coventry United’s best efforts. It was enough for them to end up winners of a game in which they were severely tested by a United side who are a point off the bottom of the FA Women’s Championship. There is absolutely no doubt that Coventry United are a far better team than their present league position suggests.
Teams: COVENTRY UNITED: Wood, Weston, Miles, Wilcox, Crackle, Anderson, Hassall, Morris, Warner, A. Hughes, O’Brien. Substitutes: Chandler, Popple, Orthodoxou, Wathan, Colville.
BLACKBURN ROVERS: Brooks, Fletcher, McDonald, Richards, Johnson, Fenton, Doyle, Hodgson, E. Hughes, Edwards, Jordan. Substitutes: Bentley (GK), Jukes, Newsham, Walters, Dean, Embley, Boydell, Stewart.
Scorers: E. Hughes (pen) 54.
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