Helen Dermody, left, engages in a foot-race for the ball with Leicester’s Lachante Paul. Picture: Jeff Bennett.
A NATASHA Flint brace downed Coventry United Ladies in Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Leicester City – although Red and Greens manager Jay Bradford remained upbeat in defeat.
It was always going to be a tough ask for tenth-placed United to shock the FA Women’s Championship leaders, especially when considering the 9-1 thrashing that was suffered in November’s reverse fixture, but it was a much closer-fought affair this time around.
And Bradford credits that to the energy levels of her committed players in narrowing the gap in quality between the two sides.
“I thought we were solid, we grafted for 90 minutes and our effort levels were top drawer, I think we’ve just been undone by one set-piece and then a lapse in concentration,” she said.
“But I can almost forgive those when our work rate is so high. It’s disappointing to lose, but you can lose in a certain manner, and I’m very proud of my group.
“We had a really clear game plan and we executed it superbly well.
“I don’t think they really ever had moments where they opened us up, that was important for me that we didn’t put ourselves in that position where we were constantly chasing the game.”
Coventry continue their battle against the drop in Sunday’s trip to seventh-placed Blackburn Rovers – United’s final game before a two-week break in play.
