Our County Ladies side faced one of the biggest games in their recent history at the weekend, as they travelled to Championship side Coventry United in their first ever WFA Cup Third Round tie. Find out how they got on in our latest weekly update.
County’s Women’s FA Cup run comes to an end
To reach the Third Round of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time has been a fantastic achievement for Steve O’Hara and the players, and the team travelled down to play Coventry United of the Barclay’s Women’s Championship, confident that they had a chance of progressing into the Fourth Round.
Conditions were grim at the Butts Park Arena; cold, misty and dull, the floodlights were on even before the 3pm kick-off! But the weather was soon forgotten when, after only two minutes, Kenzie Bentley got behind the Coventry defence and rolled the ball into the net past the onrushing ‘keeper.
County were looking good and comfortably holding their own against opposition from two divisions above, but on 25 minutes a wonder strike from Coventry found the top corner, giving Faye Bowness no chance. That didn’t deter County, and just seven minutes later Bentley got her second, capitalising on a quick break from defence.
This was turning into an exciting cup tie! Could Bentley emulate Will Collar and turn this into an FA Cup hat-trick?
Unfortunately, Coventry had other ideas, and they quickly restored parity when a low cross into the box allowed their striker to blast home from six yards. Half time and the game was still very much there for the taking, with County having shown they could compete with Coventry and score goals against them.
As the light faded the second half got underway, and Coventry started to assert themselves on the match. County were defending resolutely, but on the 65th minute Coventry took the lead for the first time in the match and doubled their lead just a few minutes later.
County rallied and kept up the pressure, creating a couple of good chances in the closing minutes, but failing to find the net.
It was a great game to finish our cup run with, twice leading against an established Championship side, and Steve O’Hara was full of praise for what the team have achieved this season:
“I’m absolutely delighted with the effort and application the girls put into the game against a team two leagues above. We worked hard in the week and had a game plan that the girls executed really well.
“We deserved to be in the game at half-time having taken the lead twice; Kenzie putting their defence under pressure, winning the ball and coolly slotting home.
“We spoke at half-time about how they would probably come out better in second half, and we did well to hold our own for twenty minutes, but two quick-fire goals in a difficult fifteen-minute spell was ultimately the difference in the game.
“We had a couple of chances after that, but can have no complaints on the day as Coventry probably edged the game. I can’t say it enough how proud I am to manage this group of players. We have come so far in twelve months while I’ve been in charge. To compete with a Championship team, for large parts of the game, is a real credit to the girls.
“We look forward to our last league game of 2022, next Sunday at home to York City, and hope to finish on a real high. It would be great to see as many fans there as possible to show appreciation to the players for what’s been a fantastic year.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all County fans a very Happy Christmas, a prosperous New Year, and thank you all of you for your support. Here’s to lots more success to both the men’s and ladies teams in 2023
Steve O’Hara”
