Coventry & District Ladies travelled to Benalmadena in Spain to compete in a prestigious tournament that had the likes of top women’s teams like British Allsorts, Droylesdon, Arsenal and three Spanish teams in the line up. Before flying out we received the news that our midfielder Kirstie would not be joining us due to injury and the doctor advising not to travel. Mandy did fly out with us but had been struggling with a knee injury for the previous couple of weeks and was a big doubt to play. That was a major blow which would only leave us with a team of five in a competition of seven a side. Fortunately, we had already said yes to a Spanish player (Patricia) who contacted us a few weeks previously asking if she could play for us. We were grateful that we had said she could. That gave us six fit players. We knew we had to ask teams to loan us a player or a series of players to get through the group stages.

After a day of travelling on Friday and spending two and a half hours in Malaga airport on landing waiting to get through passport control, we arrived at our hotel a bit weary but looking forward to the party arranged for all teams down at the Marina later in the evening, where the party theme was Shite Shirts. We all wore one, but I think the shittiest must go to Mandy with beer and footballs decorating it, truly awful. A great night was had by all and we staggered back to hotel a little worse for wear but had the luxury of the whole of Saturday to recover.
We were picked up on Sunday at 8.30am to travel to the venue that was high in the mountains overlooking a disused bullring. Teams were split into 2 groups of 6.
The winners of group A would play the 4th place of group B etc.
Our final group match was against local side Benalmadena and was abandoned on the stroke of half time as one of their players went down after running into the back of our striker in a freak accident we were 3-0 up at the time. We found out she had broken her leg in two places and suffered a broken ankle. We wish her a speedy recovery and send our best wishes.
We qualified for the quarter finals by getting a win and two draws and had to face Portabello who had strolled through their group as winners.

The quarter final was a tense affair from start to finish and I had the impression that their coach on the sidelines, thought it was going to be a piece of cake, but he didn’t reckon on the spirit and determination and sheer grit of a Coventry side that were playing their hearts out. The match ended in a 0-0 draw so it was down to penalties. They went first and scored their first 2 penalties, we did the same. Phyl our goalkeeper who had been magnificent throughout, saved their third. Our Spanish player Patricia missed the target with hers. They missed the fourth, we missed the fourth. It was now the decider and they went first and Phyl dived to her left for a great stop to put us just one penalty success away from the semi-final. It was now up to Nade to win it for us. She was nervous but we all wished her well, she took her time, focused and slammed the ball between the goalkeepers legs to put us in the semi finals. Joy all around and even from the touchline where Allsorts were cheering us on. A footnote to the penalty shootout: they changed their keeper for the shootout. I didn’t know at the time but WF rules state that the keeper who finishes the game must face the shootout. Before the match, they had also objected to us fielding a loan player and wanted us to play our six against their seven, but were overruled by the organisers. We were a little more than delighted to win that match.

We moved on to the semi final and were up against our good friends from British Allsorts who we know very well as they had loaned us a couple of their players in the rounds. They are an excellent team and consist of players with international honours, so we knew we were in for a tough game, and so it proved with them running out 3-0 winners.

Our players had played every minute of the seven games we had played up until now and were almost dead on their feet, but were asked to play one more game for 3rd and 4th place with a cup at stake. We faced a second local Benalmadena side and found ourselves 2-0 down but we were actually playing well and with 10 minutes to go Luca scored to make it 2-1. Try as we might, the ball just would not go in and we had to be content with a solid 4th place finish.
Throughout the tournament the team showed character, guts and determination and were rightly proud of their achievement.

Phyl in goal saved 3 penalties in open play and 2 in the shootout.
Sarah and Elaine at the back worked tirelessly, Nade, Patricia and a series of guest players we loaned from other teams were combative and Luca up front was a constant danger to the opposition. Then there was Mandy who was carrying an injury and was limping badly and wearing a knee support, but was so desperate to get on. Regretfully I had to deny her the opportunity. Sometimes you have to protect players from themselves and I am very sorry that I had to make that decision, but I hope she understands.

A great tournament, well organised and a brilliant time was had by all.
The referees in this tournament were first class and must be congratulated.
And finally, thanks to British Allsorts managers Mel and Wendy for the loan of players and the support they offered. Also to my wife Linda who joined us on the tour and was a tremendous support to myself and the players. Everyone involved should hold their heads high and remember that they represented the club with great credit and aplomb. Memories were made and we hope to return next year with a full squad and make some more.
Video uploaded. See video.