Copsewood report on how they secured their FA Premier League status on Sunday May 10th, with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
In what has been a rare occassion this year, Copsewood had a near enough fully fit squad so they went into the match full of confidence.
It was the visitors who started the brighter as they looked to play out from the back and then attack down the wing and Copsewood struggled to adapt to this style of play.
On 15 minutes Tottenham took the lead as they carved open the Copsewood defence and although keeper Hannah Jones pulled off a fine save to keep out the original shot, she could do nothing to prevent the rebound flying past her.
In past games this season when Copsewood have gone a goal behind, the players’ heads would drop but immediatley after conceding they almost levelled when Sarah Rowles’ header hit the crossbar.
This chance seem to give the hosts the belief that they could yet get something from the game and they now began to play with a far higher tempo.
On 25 minutes Copsewood levelled the game as captain Jodie McGuckin hit a free-kick into the box and Nicola Foskett was there to head in her 15th goal of the season.
The game was now becomming exciting to watch as both teams were throwing bodies forward looking to take the lead. On 40 minutes it was Copsewood who did take the lead as McGuckin this time hit in a dangerous corner and as a number of players jumped to win the ball, it came off the head of a Tottenham player and into the net.
At half time Copsewood knew that they were still a long way from avoiding relegation, so they needed to maintain the same level of performance they had shown in the first half.
The second half actually started with both teams coming out slowly, which suited Copsewood as the game was very much stop-start.
With 30 minutes remaining, the next goal was going to be key and it was Copsewood who were able to add a third as the same pair of McGuckin and Foskett combined again to take Foskett’s tally to 16 for the season and McGuckin to earn a hat-trick of assists.
The closing stages of the game saw Tottenham press to get back into the game and they almost pulled a goal back but Jones again produced a couple of amazing saves to preserve Copsewood’s two-goal lead.
After 3 minutes of injury-time, the referee blew the whistle which sparked great celebrations for everyone involved with Copsewood.
Manager Ryan Conneely was proud of everyone associated with the club. In what has been the most challenging season in the club’s 15 year history. To have secured their place in the Premier League for next season marks as Copsewood’s greatest achievement to date.
Although Copsewood are hoping they can now go from strength to strength, it is crucial that the Coventry-based side be allowed to switch to the Northern Division, otherwise it is feared the travel will cause them to fold. See the Sent Her Forward blog.
Pictured – Copsewood celebrate a goal against Spurs. (Photo:clivejonespr.com)
SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football
