HSJ 0-2 CSFC FT HSJ 2-2 CSFC
Goals Ruff 19, Husselbury 30, Matty Brown 76 & 78
Att 45
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Coventry Sphinx threw away a two goal lead in their opening pre-season fixture.
Danny McSheffrey brought a side to the tiny Leicestershire village of Heather for their opening per-season match and welcomed back fit again Shaun Thomas, after an broken leg which kept him out for two seasons and defender James Holmes making a welcome return to the the club as well as having a look at some possible new players.
On a cloudy but very warm afternoon at St Johns Park, Sphinx passed the ball round well and went ahead in the 19th minute when Josh Ruff scored from close range after he was picked out by skipper Callum Woodward.
On the half hour mark, Robbie Stevenson saw his twenty eight yarder by home keeper Tom Gutteridge for a corner and when the flag kick came in, Kyle Rhodes headed for Michael Husslebury (pictured below) to finish some three yards out.
However, things went from bad to worse for Sphinx who were reduced to ten men when Matty Brown charged into keeper Carl O'Neill. The pair squared up and Referee Andy Parker showed a yellow card to the Heather forward and a red to O'Neill.
Mr Parker also awarded a penalty only to rescind it and made Sphinx replace an outfield player with spare keeper Chris Daffern.
Negotiations took place at half time and Sphinx were able to field a full team of eleven players for the second half which included four substitutes.
Kelvin Phillips shot over in the 65th minute but Daffern was the busiest of the two keepers saving from a substitute in the 66th minute and six minutes later diving to push away a Brown shot on the turn.
In the 76th minute, Matt Brown was on the scoresheet against as Sphinx side which had made eight substitutions as his half hit shot from a cross from the right crept into the bottom of the net.
The mood amongst the Sphinx support dropped as Brown was allowed space to get down the right and chip Daffern to earn the Midland Combination Premier Division side a share of the spoils.
Sphinx's next match is at home to Coventry Copsewood on Thursday night. Kick off at Sphinx Drive is at 7.30pm.
Pictures copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM