COVENTRY City Ladies remain hot on the heels of Premier League Northern Division leaders Sheffield Ladies thanks to an action packed 6-4 home victory over Huddersfield Ladies on Sunday.
Craig Nicholls’ side came from 2-1 down at the break to produce a brave second half fightback in the windy conditions to claim their 14th win of the season.
The Sky Blues remain level on points with rivals Sheffield but are currently in second position on goal difference.
And Nicholls admits the tough weather conditions at the DCS Stadium made it hard for both teams.
He said: “It was a very interesting game to be a part of. The wind was terrible and we found the first half tough.
“We came off at half time and spoke about pushing for the next 45 as we had more gears to go through.
“The second half was better as we created and it was great to see Selmsey and Carly both score for us. We also spoke to Ash about being braver in front of goal and she scored two which is just the reaction we wanted.
“We need to stop giving silly free kicks away though and we have spoken about that at length over last few weeks. “When teams score against us it’s because of our mistakes which can be eradicated. If we start keeping clean sheets again and continue scoring we’ll be fine, after all, 12 goals in two games isn’t a bad return.”
The visitors had the wind behind them in the opening period and took an eighth minute lead through Samantha Conray who headed home Kate Mallin at the back post.
Ashleigh Neville pulled the Sky Blues level just a minute later but Huddersfield took a 2-1 lead into half-time thanks to Mallin’s second from a well taken free kick.
Dani Selmes equalised for the Sky Blues with a header four minutes after the break and shortly before the hour mark the hosts got their noses in front for the first time in the match thanks to Selme’s second of the match from close range.
With 20 minutes remaining the visitors levelled things up again after Emily Hackler beat Sue Wood with a near post header.
But on 75 minutes the game took another turn when Amber Hughes finished from close range before Carly Davies scored her first for the club to make it 5-3.
Neville scored her second of the match late on to end any hopes of a comeback, although they did score a consolation through an own goal by Annabel Johnson.
Sky Blues skipper Natasha Lynch added: “We looked very threatening and we took the goals well.
“Defensively though we need to concentrate more when defending set-pieces, especially as it could cost us going in to the final few games of the season.
“Overall it was another welcome victory that keeps the pressure on Sheffield, that’s what we set out to do.”
