Women’s football: Coombs sent off as Crystal Palace lose 1-0 to struggling Coventry United
BY EM-E-AYMEN BABAR
Katie Wilkinson’s header earned Coventry United just their second victory of the season as the FA Women’s Championship strugglers gave their survival hopes a lift by beating 10-woman Crystal Palace.
Wilkinson steered home Olivia Fergusson’s cross midway through the second half to take United within seven points of Watford with six games to play.
Palace were forced into an early change, Kirsty Barton replacing the injured Charley Clifford, but started well and created several good chances to take the lead.
Alex Hennessy was denied by Lucy Thomas after being played through on goal and Molly Sharpe was next to see a shot saved, with Sophie McLean firing the rebound over the crossbar.
The second half got off to an eventful start as Grace Coombs was sent off for a foul on Charlie Estcourt just outside the box.
The resulting free-kick was blocked and despite being a player down, Palace were next to go close as Hennessy saw another effort kept out by Thomas after a brilliant run.
Hennessy was proving tricky for United to deal with and Fergusson was booked for fouling the midfielder, though the Coventry substitute’s next impact was a more positive one.
Her inch-perfect cross from the left found Wilkinson, who headed past Emily Orman and gave United a valuable lead.
Palace responded by making a double substitution but they couldn’t find a way through, with the visitors coming closest in the time that remained through Elisha N’Dow’s header.
“In the first half, we started off really strong,” said Palace manager Dean Davenport. “We had seven chances and we didn’t make the most of them. The team played really well and we’re in good form.
“The red card was a huge turning point in the game but, at the end of the day, we just have to carry on playing.
“Coventry United really needed the win and the three points, they’re fighting for their lives at the minute and they played fantastically as well.
“We’re just going to focus on our game next week against Lewes and hope for the best. I’m still really proud of my team, I think they did really well.”
To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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