BIRMINGHAM CITY U21's 1-2 COVENTRY CITY
City: Dunn,Clarke, Willis, Henderson, Haynes, Roberts, Daniels,Ruffels,Jeffers,Philliskirk, Ball (Maund 86). Subs Lawton, Garner, Rankin, Finch
Birmingham: Doyle, Higgins, Bell,Mullins, Fry (Gnahore 86), Delfouneso,Arthur,Gomis, Asante (Deaman 60),Hales, Ambrose. Subs Townsend,Adams, Truslove.
HT BCFC 1-1 CCFC FT BCFC 1-2 CCFC ATT 67
Goals Akwasi Asante 4, Will Roberts 38, Billy Daniels 70,
Referee Paul Hobday. Assts Matt Foden, Luis Martin
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Coventry City U21's did the double over Birmingham City with a 2-1 victory this afternoon.
A cold afternoon after the mid-day sun had gone in saw Lee Carlsey and Ian Foster field a young side whilst Richard Beale was able to field the likes of Hayden Mullins and Darren Ambrose.
With former City keeper and coach Tim Flowers amongst the scouts and both team's first team manager's watching on, Birmingham took a fourth minute when Josh Ruffels lost possesion and Akwasi Asante was able to beat Chris Dunn from the edge of the area. with a low shot.
Mullins volleyed at Dunn before a tenth minute Jeffers header was saved by former City loanee keeper Colin Doyle.
Birmingham started to attack with Amari Bell getting past two Coventry defenders and shooting at Dunn and Joe Henderson blocking a shot on the turn from Hales before Higgins fires at Dunn.
Apart from winning a corner and a teasing Will Roberts cross which went across the goal mouth, Birmingham continued to have the better of the chances.
A good block by Jordan Clarke stopped Asante after good work from Hales before the home side won two corners.
City won a 25th minute corner through Jeffers but the defence well marshalled by Willis and Henderson were put under pressure two minutes later. Jeffers lost the ball up the Tilton Road end, Birmingham countered and Darren Ambrose struck Dunn's right hand post with a low drive.
Dunn made two good stops but in the 38th minute, City were level thanks to the hard working Danny Philliskirk on the left cutting back for Will Roberts to score from twelve yards.
Birmingham attacked yet again with Dunn saving from Hales, Asante, Koby Arthur and Emmitt Delfouneso before the half ended.
Lee Carsley fired the players up and the Sky Blues in their yellow away kit were the better team for most of the second half.
Straight from the restart, good pressure fom Ball led to Coventry winning a corner which saw Henderson's header blocked.
Ruffels had a shot blocked. Philliskirk passes to Roberts whose cross then led to two corners in quick succession.
Will Roberts had a shot fumbled by Doyle. The ball fell Ball some three yards out but his shot was deflected out for a corner. Daniels header was cleared by Higgins but only as far as Jeffers who fired his shot over the bar.
Callum Ball fired in a couple of shots before the handful of City supporters were on their feet.
City got a 70th minute throw, Ryan Haynes found Billy Daniels with a short pass. Daniels went right to take the ball into a central position and then beat Doyle with a low shot from the edge of the area.
City had to defend with Dunn making a great save from Koby Arthur to ensure they recorded a win which the City supporters and Steven Pressley thought was an excellent victory.
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service.