PORTSMOUTH RESERVES 0-1 COVENTRY CITY RESERVES BY KEV MONKS
Every City player played their part as City Reserves recorded the second away victory of the season with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth.
Alan Cork fielded a mainly young side with Neil Wood back for his first game after an ankle injury.Portsmouth on the other hand had a reasonable side out with Vincent Pericard,Gary Silk and Aliou Cisse all given outings.
On a cold night at Havant & Waterlooville's West Leigh Park,the crowd of 336 which included Micky Adams and Millwall's former boss Colin Lee,watched as Stuart Wall was forced to concede a corner after only fourteen seconds.
Playing a 4-4-2 formation with Kevin Thornton on the right side of midfield,Andy Gooding and Neil Wood kept Pompey keeper Andrea Guatelli busy catching a string of crosses early on.
In the fifteen minute,Emmanuel Olisadebe rifled wide from nineteen yards and when the home side regained possession, a neat move saw Kyle Swayne head over under pressure from the competent Ben Turner.
Liam Davis was lively and his speed saw him brought to ground in the 19th minute. Gooding took the free kick on the edge of the area and curled over.
Jonny Tuffey made his first (and only real) save of the game three minutes later,reacting with his feet to a Pericard shot with Marc Wilson blasting the loose ball over.
On the half hour mark,a trip on Davis earned a free kick.Wood delivered a lovely ball for Craig Reid at the far post. The reserves top scorer's right footed close range shot was good but a defender got in the way in the last second and deflected the ball for a corner.
Davis,Wood who had a long ranger beat away by Guatelli and Reid all had efforts before Andy Gooding failed to make the most of a glorious 39th minute chance when the England U17 international got round the back of the defence but could only chip the ball in to the keeper's hands.
Kevin Thornton was cautioned in the 40th minute but four minutes later,City took the lead. Thanks to a through ball falling for Vijay Sidhu who raced through and stroked the ball past Guatelli in an accomplished manner.
Every City player played their part as City Reserves recorded the second away victory of the season with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth.
Alan Cork fielded a mainly young side with Neil Wood back for his first game after an ankle injury.Portsmouth on the other hand had a reasonable side out with Vincent Pericard,Gary Silk and Aliou Cisse all given outings.
On a cold night at Havant & Waterlooville's West Leigh Park,the crowd of 336 which included Micky Adams and Millwall's former boss Colin Lee,watched as Stuart Wall was forced to concede a corner after only fourteen seconds.
Playing a 4-4-2 formation with Kevin Thornton on the right side of midfield,Andy Gooding and Neil Wood kept Pompey keeper Andrea Guatelli busy catching a string of crosses early on.
In the fifteen minute,Emmanuel Olisadebe rifled wide from nineteen yards and when the home side regained possession, a neat move saw Kyle Swayne head over under pressure from the competent Ben Turner.
Liam Davis was lively and his speed saw him brought to ground in the 19th minute. Gooding took the free kick on the edge of the area and curled over.
Jonny Tuffey made his first (and only real) save of the game three minutes later,reacting with his feet to a Pericard shot with Marc Wilson blasting the loose ball over.
On the half hour mark,a trip on Davis earned a free kick.Wood delivered a lovely ball for Craig Reid at the far post. The reserves top scorer's right footed close range shot was good but a defender got in the way in the last second and deflected the ball for a corner.
Davis,Wood who had a long ranger beat away by Guatelli and Reid all had efforts before Andy Gooding failed to make the most of a glorious 39th minute chance when the England U17 international got round the back of the defence but could only chip the ball in to the keeper's hands.
Kevin Thornton was cautioned in the 40th minute but four minutes later,City took the lead. Thanks to a through ball falling for Vijay Sidhu who raced through and stroked the ball past Guatelli in an accomplished manner.
Portsmouth made a double change at the break and were only not two goals down straight after the restart thanks to a superb save from Guatelli who forced over a Davis run and shot.
In the 54th minute,City won the first of two corners with the second falling for Thornton to curl wide.
Coventry were holding their own in midfield.Passing the ball neatly and with accuracy,the young Sky Blues were able to frustrate the home side.
With twenty minutes to go,Alan Cork made a double substitution bringing on Luke Webb and Aza Ogarro.
Seven minutes later,Craig Reid who had taken a heavy knock in the first half was replaced.
This was a good performance from City Reserves and their second away league win was thoroughly deserved.
HT PFC 0-1 CCFC
FT PFC 0-1 CCFC
Att 336
Goals
Vijay Sidhu (44)
Booked
Thornton (40)
Team
Tuffey,Bains,Lynch,Wall,Turner,Gooding (Webb 70),Sidhu,Thornton,Reid McCrink 77),Wood (Ogarro 70),Davis
Subs Belford,Kelly
Portsmouth
Guatelli,Day,Silk,Swayne (Keene 46),Cisse,Viafara (Eyles 46),Pericard,Wilson, Karadas,Olisadebe (Cousins 68),Songo'O
Subs Chalkias,Donaghey.
Referee A.Rodda
