Blues Bag Three Points in Local Derby

 

Photo by Laura Burton

The Blues were back at St Andrew's this weekend for a local derby against Coventry United. Despite last weekend's defeat to Charlton, fans were optimistic and there was a good buzz around the ground. Just one change to the side from last weekend, with Gemma Lawley coming back from injury to start in defence.

The Blues started off well, with good passing movements and were attacking well. Mollie Green came close to putting The Blues ahead in the 10th minute with a free-kick but it came back off the crossbar. It wasn't long before Blues took the lead though. Jade Pennock took the ball into the Coventry penalty area and calmly slotted the ball across the Coventry 'keeper, into the right hand corner to put The Blues 1-0 up in the 13th minute. With Blues on the front foot it seemed inevitable that they would score again, and that they did. Green whipped in a great corner and captain Louise Quinn rose highest to head the ball into the back of the net. 2-0 to The Blues within 20 minutes! Blues seemed to be comfortable defending the lead for the rest of the second half, Pennock did have another chance around the half-hour mark, but it was a comfortable save for Jodie Whiteman. 

As in the first-half, Blues started off well again for the second, not giving Coventry much of a look-in. It took just under quarter of an hour for Blues to find themselves 3-0 up. After a bit of a scramble in the box, Ashley Hodson turned and made sure the ball found the back of the net for. Blues were out for more and it looked like they were about to put the game out of reach when, just a minute later, Christie Murray played an excellent ball out from the back to put Smith through. Smith cut inside the area but her shot went just wide of the far post. Five minutes later, Blues had another great chance when Smith put Pennock through, but her shot hit the crossbar from distance. A lapse in concentration from Blues allowed Coventry to pull one back through debutant Mary McAteer. McAteer tapped the ball home from a low cross into the box in the 67th minute to give Coventry some hope. In the 80th minute, Steve told me to take more notes as I was too much into the game, so I noted down that Lucy Quinn had a shot go just over the bar in the 84th minute and Pennock had a chance to put the game to bed in the 87th minute, but was stopped by some good Coventry defending. I wish there were no more notes to take after that, but Coventry got another goal back in the 89th minute. It looked like McAteer had got on the end of another low cross to tap the ball in, but it has since been given as a Green own goal. Perhaps a bit harsh from where I was sat, but that is quite far away so will have to watch that one back! Blues fans' nerves were through the roof when Lucy Thomas made a great save to tip Fran Orthodoxou's free-kick over the crossbar in the last minute of the game. Blues managed to hold on though to get a big three points!

A much better performance this weekend from The Blues. Plenty to build on going forward and a good boost of confidence, no doubt. Blues are at home again next Sunday in the Continental Cup against WSL side Brighton. It would be great to see everyone who was there today back to Back the Blues!

KRO!