STRATFORD TOWN 3-1 COVENTRY SPHINX BY KEV MONKS
Two lapses saw Coventry Sphinx go down to defeat at Stratford Town.
Paul Charnley kept the same team that had won their first ever Midland Alliance game at Market Drayton for this local derby against Stratford which was played at Solihull Moors ground due to Stratford's ground at Tiddington not yet being ready.
Newly appointed Stratford boss Micky Moore who was fomerly manager of Birmingham City Ladies with QPR defender Marcus Bignot, fielded three former Coventry City players in Rory May and youngsters Kirk Miller and Jerome Grandison who trialled with Coventry City's Academy last season.
Sphinx dominated the early proceedings forcing four corners inside the opening twelve minutes.
Three minutes later,Stratford keeper Craig Johnson was forced into a reflex save diving to his left to beat away a pile driver from a Kyle Rhodes shot from twenty yards.
Mark Owen on the right wing impressed many of the Sphinx support in the way he constantly attacked the left back and it was Owen who put Sphinx ahead in the 38th minute when he was on the right side of the area to rifle in after good work from Stevenson,Rhodes,Drennan and Martin.
Mark Owen (7) in action
The lead only lasted five minutes as Jerome Grandison raced onto a through ball from May. Out came Harrison and contact was made in the opinion of Mr Lovegrove who awarded a penalty from which Grandison scored.
Sphinx, who travel to Teversal in the FA Cup on Saturday pressured, but were caught in the 62nd minute when Jack Byrne was allowed space on the right to fire home after a header.
The home side,well tipped to win the league, added a third six minutes later when Grandison's cross from the right found the unmarked Steve Ruck to lash home from ten yards.
Paul Charnley's side continued to give a good account of themselves but could not find a way back into the match.
Paul Charnley
"I thought we were superb to be honest," Paul Charnley said after the game. "Sometimes when you have that much pressure you have to convert a couple of chances. "They only threatened us on set-pieces. "I dissapointed but we have to learn lessons from it."
Sphinx
Harrison,McGregor (Hind 69,Halton 89),Knibbs, Drennan,Ward, Bowen,Owen,Rhodes,Martin (Pulford 71),Stevenson,Murdock
Subs Harris,Cudworth
Stratford
Johnson,Miller,Ruck,Rowl (Robinson 81),Pringle,Crawford, Connelly,Byrne, May,J.Martin (Thomas 57,Wood 66),Grandison SUBS Faulds,Alborough,
HT STFC 1-1 CSFC FT STFC 3-1 CSFC
Goals Mark Owen (38),Grandison (43 pen),Byrne (62),Ruck (68)
Booked Harrison,Pulford, Ruck. ATT 143
Sphinx Man Of The Match - Mark Owen
Two lapses saw Coventry Sphinx go down to defeat at Stratford Town.
Paul Charnley kept the same team that had won their first ever Midland Alliance game at Market Drayton for this local derby against Stratford which was played at Solihull Moors ground due to Stratford's ground at Tiddington not yet being ready.
Newly appointed Stratford boss Micky Moore who was fomerly manager of Birmingham City Ladies with QPR defender Marcus Bignot, fielded three former Coventry City players in Rory May and youngsters Kirk Miller and Jerome Grandison who trialled with Coventry City's Academy last season.
Sphinx dominated the early proceedings forcing four corners inside the opening twelve minutes.
Three minutes later,Stratford keeper Craig Johnson was forced into a reflex save diving to his left to beat away a pile driver from a Kyle Rhodes shot from twenty yards.
Mark Owen on the right wing impressed many of the Sphinx support in the way he constantly attacked the left back and it was Owen who put Sphinx ahead in the 38th minute when he was on the right side of the area to rifle in after good work from Stevenson,Rhodes,Drennan and Martin.
Mark Owen (7) in action
The lead only lasted five minutes as Jerome Grandison raced onto a through ball from May. Out came Harrison and contact was made in the opinion of Mr Lovegrove who awarded a penalty from which Grandison scored.
Sphinx, who travel to Teversal in the FA Cup on Saturday pressured, but were caught in the 62nd minute when Jack Byrne was allowed space on the right to fire home after a header.
The home side,well tipped to win the league, added a third six minutes later when Grandison's cross from the right found the unmarked Steve Ruck to lash home from ten yards.
Paul Charnley's side continued to give a good account of themselves but could not find a way back into the match.
Paul Charnley
"I thought we were superb to be honest," Paul Charnley said after the game. "Sometimes when you have that much pressure you have to convert a couple of chances. "They only threatened us on set-pieces. "I dissapointed but we have to learn lessons from it."
Sphinx
Harrison,McGregor (Hind 69,Halton 89),Knibbs, Drennan,Ward, Bowen,Owen,Rhodes,Martin (Pulford 71),Stevenson,Murdock
Subs Harris,Cudworth
Stratford
Johnson,Miller,Ruck,Rowl (Robinson 81),Pringle,Crawford, Connelly,Byrne, May,J.Martin (Thomas 57,Wood 66),Grandison SUBS Faulds,Alborough,
HT STFC 1-1 CSFC FT STFC 3-1 CSFC
Goals Mark Owen (38),Grandison (43 pen),Byrne (62),Ruck (68)
Booked Harrison,Pulford, Ruck. ATT 143
Sphinx Man Of The Match - Mark Owen