Team
Quirke,Clarke,Cameron,Fraser,Jermaine Grandison,Jones,Ogleby, Walker,West, Jeffers,West,Joel Grandison Subs used Wynter,Christie, Blackwell,Leluu,Wilson
HT CCFC 1-0 MKDFC
FT CCFC 2-0 MKDFC
Goals: Matty West (2 & 54)
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Coventry City U18's started their pre-season campaign with a home victory against MK Dons.
It has been a long summer for the Academy following Ray Ranson's comments at a fans forum that this avenue of player development may be scrapped. However, the light came through the tunnel and City are raring to go for the new season.
Academy boss Greg Rioch and physio Graham Jones named a strong team for this game at The Alan Higgs Centre on a showery morning. and included Adam Walker and Matty West both of whom scored for City Reserves last season.
It was West who put the Sky Blues ahead after only 69 seconds when he finished smartly following good work by Sean Fraser.
There was a lot of good running and passing from the Sky Blues who created three further chances in the opening eight minutes.
Six minutes later, the visitors did get a chance but Michael Quirke superbly saved with his feet to keep City ahead.
Both sides played roll on, roll off substitutes and one of those introduced to action - Suliman Leluu was sent to the ground in the 36th minute. Much to the amazement of the crowd and players, a penalty to City was awarded.
Matty West stepped up to the take penalty but directed the ball straight down the middle and straight at the MK Dons keeper, who gratefully caught the ball.
West was denied by the keeper again in the 39th minute with Jacob Blackwell firing the loose ball over the bar.
Into the second half and it was all Coventry. Adam Walker had a free kick saved five minutes in whilst West,Jeffers and Ogleby all threatened the goal.
It was only a matter of time before City scored again and in the 54th minute, a ball from Grandison on the right was flicked on by Jeffers. The ball fell to Matty West ten yards out and the Birmingham born striker made no mistake to wrap up the match.
The margin of victory could have been greater if a run and shot from Walker had hit the near side of the post rather than the far post and a 73rd minute goal by Ogleby who had muscled his way into the area was not ruled out for offside.
However, against a fellow Academy team, it was a good performance and a satisfying victory.
Next Saturday,City U18's travel to West Brom for a friendly.