Holders Sphinx Go Out Of League Cup

Team
Wilson, Cudworth, Fraser (Holmes 88), Stevenson, Ward, McAteer, Robbins, Gaggini (Donaldson 82), Phillips (Kabewa 69), Muldoon , Hopkins SNU Eggleton,Daffern.

Stratford Town
Morris, Faulds, James, Herlihy, Gregory (sent off 15), Fellows, Alsop, Hayden, Thompson (Beckley 66), Forninton (Pearson 76), Motteram. SNU Edington, Farmer.

HT CSFC 1-1 STFC FT CSFC 2-3 STFC ATT 62
Goals Kelvin Phillips (40 pen), Tom James (45), Howard Forinton (61), Luke Hopkins (76), Dave Pearson (80)

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Polymac Midland Alliance League Cup holders Coventry Sphinx went out of the competition with a 3-2 home defeat to ten men Stratford Town.

Sphinx were nearly a goal down in the second minute when keeper Lee Wilson called for a cross and was beaten by Martin Thompson in the air. Thankfully, the former Leamington and Coalville forward headed inches past the far post.

Luke Hopkins had a shot on the turn saved before the visitors attacked the other end and Thompson fired at Wilson.

In the 15th minute, Stratford were down to ten men when Andy Gregory was immediately red-carded by referee Mr Hamer for head-butting Terry Ward.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, they were able to compete with a Sphinx team, who tonight were not displaying the form that their supporters know they are capable of.

There was something to warm up the Sphinx support on a cold night when Kelvin Phillips was sent crashing in the 39th minute. The referee was summoned by his assistant, who had the flag across his chest and Sphinx were awarded a penalty, which Phillips duly dispatched.

The lead lasted a mere five minutes as Man Of The Match Tom James was allowed room to curl a 45th minute shot high into the net to send the sides in the level at the break.

In the 61st minute, the visitors took the lead for the first time in this Second Round tie when a free kick resulting from a Muldoon foul, went to the far post and was played back in by Carl Motteram for Howard Forinton to poke past Wilson from eight yards.

Both sides had chances and with Danny Fraser playing some good football, Sphinx rallied once more and were level in the 76th minute, thanks to Luke Hopkins giving Morris no chance when he thumped home from just inside the area.

Thoughts of extra-time and a Sphinx victory were ended in the 80th minute when Stratford beat the offside trap through Beckley and when Ward came across to cover, the substitute squared for his fellow substitute, the unmarked Dave Pearson to tap into the net and send Stratford into the Quarter-Finals.