Continental Star 1 Coventry Sphinx 1
A game between two teams in the relegation zone promises to be a nervy affair. Continental Star have had some encouraging results in recent weeks but have probably left it too late to escape the drop. Coventry Sphinx have been struggling to string results together and are in a battle with Bardon Hill to avoid the third relegation spot. A win for Sphinx would take them out of the bottom three and a healthy turnout of groundhoppers was on hand to see if they could achieve it. The home side were the first to have an attempt on goal with Tony Green seeing his shot saved in the 8th minute. Sphinx first effort came from Lewis Rankin but his shot cleared the bar. A good run by Kieran Nesbitt ended with his shot blocked while at the other end Dwayne Robinson planted a free header over the bar. All of the spectators were grateful for the half-time whistle and the hope that things would improve after the break.
The game continued to be full of nerves. There was no lack of endeavour from either side but the lack of a cutting edge was clear for all to see. A free-kick from Jon Haynes was straight into the midriff of Star keeper, Jordan Ellis. Sphinx wasted a decent chance when Nesbitt blasted over the bar when well placed. Nesbitt then put a header wide from a corner and a goal for either side looked highly unlikely. Aaron Moses-Garvey tried a speculative effort for Star but it was easily gathered by Ash Mulhotra. The best chance of the game fell to Dan Elwell for Star in the 72nd minute but his volley was way off target. In the 77th minute, we finally had a goal for Continental Star. The ball was played in from the right, controlled well by Simeon Tullock who picked his spot and fired into the bottom corner. A moment of controversy 3 minutes later saw Sphinx level. A free-kick from the right
and Nesbitt got there before Ellis to knock the ball into the net. The referee and Sphinx said head, Star were incensed and said hand. From where I was stood, it was difficult to see but the reaction of the home side was i#one of fury. Sphinx could have grabbed an unlikely winner in the 83rd minute but Ellis made a fine save from Garfield Robinson’s acrobatic effort.
A poor game of little quality between two sides lacking any real confidence. For Sphinx, this may be a point gained rather than two dropped when the season ends but they will have to play much better than this if they are to avoid finishing in the bottom three. As for Star, plenty of energy and commitment, but lacking that cutting edge required to get out of trouble.