Double delight for Cov women

Warwick’s Varsity hopes took a slight setback on Thursday night in the Women’s Football as both the 1st and 2nd teams slipped to disappointing defeats, 1-0 and 3-2 respectively.

With a BUCS division yet only two actual league places separating Warwick, who lie top of Midlands 2A, and Coventry, fifth in 1A, the first-team match always looked likely to be a closely fought encounter.

In a game that Warwick will have felt aggrieved to have lost, a few moments of quality from Coventry proved the difference.

Warwick took control of the game in the opening stages, some crisp, precise passing and incisive movement providing opportunities for strikers Rosie Deakin and Olivia Lonsdale, who were denied both by their own profligacy in front of goal and a Coventry goalkeeper in inspired form.

Warwick continued to impress yet with effectively their only chance of the game, it was Coventry who took the lead.

From a free kick about 30 yards out, Warwick keeper Beth Griffiths was beaten by the finest of margins by a dipping right-footed strike.

Warwick continued to press and create chances but their endeavours proved fruitless as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat.

After the match, 1st team captain Justine Buckmire shared her thoughts on the performance: “I was really disappointed. This is the first Varsity when I felt like we were the stronger, better-performing team.

“We had more possession and more chances and yet still lost. It felt really unfair! The Coventry keeper was really strong so I would have been okay with a 0-0 draw but to lose was heart breaking when everyone fought so hard and played sowell.”

“A possibly offside strike gave Coventry the lead. ”

Warwick endeavours proved fruitless as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat

Perhaps more of a surprise came in the night’s earlier game, as the re- spective 2nd teams took to Tarkett. In the two games between the sides prior to this year’s Varsity game, Warwick had come away with all six points, including a thumping 15-0 home victory back in October, so understandably hopes were high of a similarly comprehensive win this time around. Instead, what we saw unfold was a reversal of January’s 3-2 victory, as Warwick fell foul of a much improved Coventry side.

In a five goal thriller, it was Warwick who struck first, Lauren McHale feeding her namesake Lauren Rutter, who found space on the edge of the box to turn and fire home. Despite continuing to dominate, with chances falling to both McHale and Erin Bullions, Coventry found themselves heading into half-time with a 2-1 lead.

Firstly, an innocuous ball over the top was clipped over the head of Warwick keeper Celia Cavanagh, before a possibly offside strike gave Coventry the lead. A third followed shortly after the break as substitute keeper Holli Williams was beaten and despite McHale pulling one back with a wonderful right-footed strike, Warwick couldn’t quite find the elusive equaliser they so desperately desired.

Buckmire said, “Similarly to the firsts, the seconds’ game should have definitely been a win. We were all over them – I just wished that they shot more! We had a good crowd at both games and everyone was yelling to the 2nds to shoot.

“They played so well though, exhibited some great passing skills and showed a lot of promise for the future.”

Despite the obvious disappointment for both sets of players, outgoing Sports Officer Zoe Buckland was on hand to offer some comfort.

She took to social media to express her gratitude, saying, “You should all be really proud of your performances despite the results. Really well done, such great football – I really enjoyed watching and was very impressed with the skill, fitness and attitudes of everyone.”