Hayley hits Crack-er in crucial win

HAYLEY CRACKLE’S unstoppable 30-yard strike fired Coventry United to a crucial 1-0 win over London City Lionesses to give themselves a lifeline in their battle to avoid the FA Women’s Championship drop.

Crackle’s effort midway through the first half was enough to seal the vital three points and move them off the bottom of the table.

The visitor settled quickest with Atlanta Primus causing issues for the Cov defence, but the first real opportunity went to the home side with Destiny Toussaint’s header superbly saved by Shae Yanez.

Toussaint caused the away side problems and it was her driving run down the left that saw the ball reach Crackle, who cracked it first time to leave Yanez with no chance as it nestled in the top right corner.

Just before the break, the Lionesses re-grouped with Kallie Balfour forcing a smart stop from Coventry goalkeeper Sue Wood as the hosts went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

The anticipated heavy pressure from the visitors came in the second half as they went in search of a route back into the game but the hosts remained solid, limiting the Lionesses to half-chances.

More chances came for the visitors as Lily Agg’s goalbound header was saved by Wood, before a mix-up in the Coventry box nearly led to the equaliser.

But the hosts held on for a 1-0 win in what could prove a vital three points in their battle to avoid relegation.

Coventry boss Jay Bradford said: “For me, it was just a graft, every single player. The subs that came on worked hard, and I think that is what set us apart and we were willing to contest every single ball for the duration of the game, when in the past that has let us down. Today, I think we got that spot on.

“I think we’re always going to be nervous for where we are in the table, and we’ve said all along that it is in our own hands so once those nerves are gone and then Hayley scores an absolute rocket, that settled us and its gave us that belief to say, we can play and be a really solid Championship side.”

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