A LATE free kick from Sedgley & Gornal United’s Katie Perry denied Coventry City Women an opening-day win in West Midlands Regional League Division One South.
Lauryn Clarke’s late strike had given the Sky Blues the lead after a goalless opening half, but it was to be honours even in Coventry’s first game at the Alan Higgs Centre.
The hosts were the brighter of the two sides in the early exchanges, with Coventry intent on making the perfect start to their season.
With Kaneshia Barker, Ellie McKeegan and Grace Tebbutt all posing a threat to the visitors, it was Annette Miller who was the first to find the net for the hosts when finishing from a corner kick – only for the goal to be ruled out.
Coventry assumed the upper hand after the restart and continued to apply the pressure, eventually paying dividends when Clarke fired home with five minutes to go.
Kelly Abbotts performed heroics to keep out a goalbound effort, but was unable to keep out Perry’s strike from a deadball situation to level the scores with the last kick of the game.
Coventry next head to Leamington Lions on Sunday (2pm).