Coventry United Women score insane 97th-minute free-kick to avoid relegation

Coventry United midfielder Mollie Green scored an outrageous free-kick to ensure survival for her side on the final day of the Women’s Championship season – at the expense of opponents Watford.

The visitors knew they had to win at Vicarage Road to stay in the second tier after a season full of remarkable lows and dramatic highs.

After turning professional last summer, the club announced that they were entering voluntary liquidation back in December.

If liquidation were to go through by the set date of January 4, all first-team players and staff would have had their contracts – and sources of income – terminated. At that time, they hadn’t been paid for four weeks.

Incredibly, a social media-based crowdfunder raised over £15,000 for the players. Then, local businessman Lewis Taylor struck a deal to buy the club before the January 4 deadline, taking them out of liquidation. According to The Guardian, the deal was finalised just eight minutes before that deadline.

The club still had hurdles to jump over, however. They were given a 10-point deduction by the FA. Coventry United were 10 points from safety in January but had managed to claw most of that deficit back by the time they arrived at Vicarage Road.

With 96 minutes on the clock, they won a free kick from around 35 yards out.

Mollie Green scores insane free-kick for Coventry United

Midfielder Mollie Green, who joined the club last year, stood over the free-kick, knowing that this was effectively her side’s last chance of survival.

The ex-Birmingham City and Manchester United midfielder stepped up, struck the ball and arrowed it into the top corner. Watford goalkeeper Georgie Ferguson had no chance of keeping it out.

It was a wonder strike worthy of winning any football match, but it was far more special under the circumstances.

Speaking after the game, Green told BBC CWR: “I didn’t even see it hit the back of the net – I think I just knew it was going in. I hit it really sweetly and the rest is history.

“I’m speechless. I can’t believe we’ve done it. We’ve put absolutely everything into it. We’ve got a massive belief and togetherness, and it paid off today.”

Green’s goal will be viewed on highlight reels across Coventry for a long time to come. Who can blame them?

Featured Image Credit: FA Women’s Championship