One of a handful of ties pitting an FA Women's Premier League team against an FA Women's Super League 2 team. I get asked regulary whether I think there's a gap between the two and right now personally I don't think there is much of a gap whether that will grow is another question, today though was a chance to find out. I don't get to see many teams play in the FAWPL top divisions but when I do have always been impressed by the skill and pace on show.
Of course this is a cup match a stand alone game, Oxford United Women like all the FAWSL teams are only now entering pre-season the FA Women's Cup 3rd Round weekend being one of their first matches and a competitive one at that. Oxford like a few other FAWSL2 teams took a little while to adjust to life in the newly created Super Leagues 2nd tier, towards the end of the season though they were starting to build some positive results and got points on the board. Had a large and young playing squad last season and have retained alot of those players going into 2015.
Their opponents today Coventry City Ladies would be very tough opposition, this is my 1st time seeing them in action. Are the current FAWPL Southern Division Champions, but this season through a geographical tweek find themselves competing in the FAWPL Northern Division, hasn't unsettled them at all though as they currently lead the way from Sheffield FC Ladies.
Arrived in Oxford United Women's home ground The Northcourt which they share with Abingdon United in good time, the weather was bitterly cold (colder then at last nights match) mind you I have got a cold which is perfect timing...not.. as I've a week off work now. Haven't been to see Oxford United Women at home since the early stages of last season was overdue a return trip, cheeseburger and chips with a cup of tea to warm me up as I took a seat in the small stand on the side of the pitch to watch the match action unfold.
Oxford United Women starting XI - Demi Lambourne, Laura Nichol, Amy Chivers, Sahara Osbourne-Ricketts (C), Rosie Lane, Kayleigh Hines, Katie Stanley, Katherine Nutman, Holly Pickett, Ella Franklin-Fraiture & Lauren Allison.
subs - Hannah Cox, Laura Low, Helen King, Gemma Simmonds, Sarah Teirney & Lindsay Pinker.
Coventry City Ladies starting XI - Susan Wood, Annabel Johnson, Samantha Quayle, Jade Formaston, Natasha Lynch (C), Nikki Miles, Amber Hughes, Callan Barber, Ashleigh Neville, Helen Dermody & Destiny Toussaint.
subs - Marie Gauntlett, Jade Mellor, Libby Piggott, Emily March & Eleanor Towers.
It's Oxford to kick the tie off in the 1st half in their home kit, yellow shirt with navy band cross the chest, navy shorts and socks up against Coventry lined up in sky blue shirts and socks with navy shorts.
GOAL! Oxford are just back preparing for the new season there's a chance Coventry might catch them cold and the visitors do that in the opening minute as the ball is won in the centre of midfield and played into the right channel for Amber Hughes to run onto plenty of pace she is past the full back and squares the ball into the box zipping across the six yard line Oxford goalkeeper Demi Lambourne is down quick enough to get a glove to it, only succeeds in pushing it wide to the far post area into the path of Coventry's Destiny Toussaint who is racing in to support, sends it into the back of the net and they take an early lead 0-1.
Coventry are harrying Oxford at the back and midfield getting hold of the ball and looking to play one of their attacking players through, Oxford reclaim the ball it is launched forwards, striker Lauren Allison getting onto the ball sprays it out to the right for Katie Stanley she opts to cross early sending the ball back across the 18 yar line, Coventry's captain at centre back Natasha Lynch intercepts. Stanley is getting some joy down the right looking to take players on opts to shoot from distance this time sends the shot wide of goal.
Oxford are pushing up to half way a risky move as Coventry have pace are looking to get players running off the defence into space, in goal Lambourne has to be alert as Helen Dermody finds herself in on goal Lambourne comes rushing out of her area Dermody scoops the ball over her, it is off target though goes behind for a goal kick. It's Hughes turn to beat the offside flag bursting down the right she flashes another cross low along the face of the Oxford goal no one running in this time.
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| Coventry City Ladies Amber Hughes |
Coventry have a free kick in their own half Lynch plays a great ball forwards it's Hughes that gets onto it as it falls inside the box right of goal she gets a shot away even as Lambourne rushes forwards to close the angle dropping the goal keeper does well to throw her arms up and claim the ball before it can get past her.
Lambourne has the ball passed back to her has to get her kick away as she is closed down, is poor no height it comes to Hughes, a good way out she opts to run with the ball rather than shoot early as Lambourne back pedals towards her goal, Hughes shoots Lambourne saves with her legs.
GOAL! Coventry extend their lead as both Toussaint and Hughes peel off the Oxford back line and into space as the ball is threaded through, Hughes has the ball at her feet takes it out the the left has Toussaint with her, Lambourne his exposed two players closing her down Hughes passes the ball across her for Toussaint to put the ball into an empty net 0-2.
Coventry are turning the screw Oxford are struggling to cope with the pace and movement up front. A few strong challenges have been coming in from both sides Oxford captain Sahara Osbourne-Ricketts isn't one to back out of a challenge, she and Toussaint have a coming together, putting the tackle in Toussaint takes exception lashes out with a kick the referee spots it and Toussaint is given her marching orders a straight red with little over 20 minutes played.
The sending off gives Oxford a lift with Coventry backing off a little as the adjust to being a player light. With Stanley doing well on the right the ball comes to Holly Pickett in the centre she slips into the box fires a shot, Coventry's Lynch makes the block the ball cannons back to Pickett for a 2nd bite this time it's Annabel Johnson who slides in to make the block.
Another Oxford move breaks down as Stanley's cross from the right is once again headed away by Lynch, the break is on as the ball is put through to Dermody now the lone attacker, Lambourne hestitates for a moment then commits herself to rushing out slides in to win the ball.
Oxford have a corner played in from the right, rising to meet it is Kayleigh Hines a good header but off target she places it wide of Coventry's goal. Hines is the target for another Oxford corner but this time Coventry get it away. With Hughes deeper now Oxford's left back Amy Chivers is able to get forwards a little more looks to send a high looping ball into the box it is dropping into space, Katherine Nutman is trying to cover the ground to reach it slides but can't get anything on it to devert it past Coventry goalkeeper Susan Wood.
Lambourne is lucky to still be on the pitch herself as again Coventry get the ball over the Oxford back line into space with Dermody racing after it, Lambourne has to come they come together Dermody prodding the ball wide of her, Lambourne gets a talking to from the referee and a yellow card, only seen it once but itlooked like Oxford had players getting back on the cover. It's Dermody to take the free kick in front of the D, hits a fierce shot Lambourne dives to her right, the shot is narrowly wide.
Half-time Oxford United Women 0-2 Coventry City Ladies
A fast paced 1st half with plenty of incident, Coventry taking an early 2 goal lead looked to have Oxford in all sorts of bother could only see more goals then came Toussaint's red card and since then the visitors haven't been able to commit the numbers forwards taken the pressure off giving Oxford a chance to draw breath. 2-0 at half time would they be able to turn it around against Coventry's 10 as they kick off the 2nd 45.
Oxford have adjusted the pack a little with Hines going further forwards to support Allison and Stanley with Nutman dropping into Hines place in midfield. Oxford start on the attack get Stanley on the ball down the right, gets her cross into the box Nutman has covered the ground to get there her shot is blocked at close range comes back out to Hines outside the box who looks to curl a shot towards goal not enough on it Wood is able to palm it down for a comfortable take.
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| Oxford United Women's Kayleigh Hines |
Hines with another blast from distance this on heading for the top corner Wood gets a glove to it to send the ball behind for a corner kick. Oxford are looking to get bodies forwards pressure Coventry around there box, need to score and with a 2 goal lead Coventry can sit back and soak it up, look to launch a counter attack have pushed Hughes up top with Ashleigh Neville to her left, Dermody over on the right. Hughes pace can cause problems isolated though Oxford get players around her to reclaim the ball.
Hughes takes the ball from Oxford defender Amy Chivers, is through for a run at goal with Osbourne-Ricketts racing across to try and stop her Hughes shot is high and wide of the mark. In attack Oxford are getting the ball into the area but whenever a yellow shirted player has the ball she is closed down Coventry putting bodies in front of the ball.
Oxford have the ball inside the Coventry box again the shot comes in is blocked by a defender on the line, comes back out to Laura Nichol waiting on the edge of the box she strikes the ball back in hits the post and spins behind, the referee must have spotted a Coventry touch as a corner is given. Looking for Hines from the set piece Coventry have her marked this time and get the ball out.
Osbourne-Ricketts now over on the left of defence up against Dermody gets a yellow card. Dermody is patient waiting for any Oxford attack to be broken up then attack with the ball puts in a deep cross to the far post looking for the run from Neville retrieving the ball she puts it back across goal too close to Lambourne. Neville is substituted with Marie Gauntlett coming on up front.
Samantha Quayle goes into the referees book as she brings Stanley down on the right of the area the ball into the box finds Hines at the far post jumping she puts the header over the bar. Again Hines gets her head to another corner played in from the right same result over. Oxford make a triple change with Laura Low, Helen King and Gemma Simmonds coming on for Pickett, Nichol and Ella Franklin-Fraiture.
Coventry break with Hughes on the ball, Gauntlett in close support she plays her in she takes an early shot looking to put the ball across Lambourne the goalkeeper dives and makes a good save, gets up quickly launches the ball setting up an attack from which Allison blazes over the bar from 20 yards out.
GOAL! Bringing the ball forwards from the back Coventry play it out wide into space on the right, Dermody latches onto the ball surges forwards from the corner of the box puts her foot through the shot sending the ball across Lambourne and into at the far post to make it 0-3 with 10 minutes to go.
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| Coventry City Ladies Helen Dermody |
Oxford have a free kick on the left with Osbourne-Ricketts to play the ball in defender Rosie Lane at the far post heads the ball back in dangerously across goal at the near post Coventry defender Nikki Miles is on the post to block the ball as bodies close in, gets hurt in the process and play is brought to a halt whilst she recieves treatment. Jade Mellor has come on late on for Coventry replacing Hughes.
Oxford attack in the closing minutes but can find no way through as Coventry defend solidly to win the tie 0-3 and progress into Monday's 4th Round draw where they will be a strong opponent for anyone. A good performance from the FAWPL Northern Division leaders, power and pace, worked hard as a unit not to concede with 10 players gave Oxford ground but left no room to get in behind.
Oxford looked rusty early on and will want to get this result out of their system a good workout thing's to work on came up against an inform opponent today.
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