COVENTRY CITY 1-0 QUEENS PARK RANGERS BY KEV MONKS
Team
Westwood,Osbourne,Dann,Fox,Ward,Tabb (Beuzelin 84),Gunnarsson,Doyle,Morrison,Eastwood (Best 76),McKenzie (Mifsud 79)
SNU Marshall,Hall
QPR
Cerney,Ramage (Ramage Parejo 54),Gorkss, Stewart,Delaney, Mahon,Ligterwood,Ladesma (Buzsaky 52),Cook,Blackstock (Agyemang 76),Rowlands SNU F.Hall,Camp
HT CCFC 1-0 QPRFC FT CCFC 1-0 QPFFC
Ref D.Whitestone Booked Tabb,Doyle,Ward,Mahon
Att 16,718
Goal Elliott Ward (13 pen)
Man Of The Match Jay Tabb took the votes
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STARTING LINE UP
Chris Coleman kept the same team that had drawn at Sheffield United,
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Coventry City worked hard to make Iain Dowie's return to the Ricoh Arena a pointless one.
The game was the first back for Iain Dowie and Tim Flowers but there was little fuss for the duo ousted by Ray Ranson last January before the match commenced on a sunny afternoon at the Ricoh Arena.
Fielding the same team which played well at Sheffield United on Tuesday, City stifled the early threat of Jorge Ledesma with one superb tackle by Scott Dann in the third minute after a City move had broken down.
With the City support urging every player to shoot, whilst the likes of Morrison,McKenzie and Tabb wanted an extra pass. a cross from Morrison eluded everyone bar a QPR defender and went out for a 7th minute corner.
Five minutes later, there was plenty to cheer. Freddie Eastwood played in Jay Tabb who got into the area only to be upended.
Aron Gunnarsson who had said that he wanted to take spot kicks, didnt get the ball and Elliott Ward, scored despite Cermy getting a hand to the ball.
As we basked in the warm sunshine, City continued to creat chances and defend in numbers when needed. Scott Dann made a number of crucial challenges in the second of the first period.
Another good defensive clearance came from Issac Osbourne who headed away to conceded a 38th minute corner.
Four minutes before the break, Ledesma was allowed to get through but Westwood was quickly down to ensure that the Sky Blues led at the break.
Jay Tabb worked really hard on the right, Leon McKenzie battled with Danny Fox having his best game for a whilse.
Freddie Eastwood also showed glimpses of his well known talent against a QPR team,certainly not worthy of £40 of anyone's money,despite what their board classes as an entertaining side.
The rip off merchants from West London did have the early play in the second half, but City escaped even if Isaac Osbourne did give some moments of concern.
"Come On City" was the cry from the 15,000 plus City supporters urging, the Sky Blues to get another goal and finish off the visitors.
Dexter Blackstock had a bad miss in the 72nd minute. Three minutes later,Leon McKenzie got the byline and centred to Eastwood who played the ball for Osbourne to fire over.
That was the last of Eastwood who replaced by Leon Best. I heard boos (probably due to Eastwood being taken off) as well as cheers around me and then there was cheers as Michael Mifsud came on for Leon McKenzie.
Man of the match Jay Tabb was replaced with six minutes to go as things got a bit nervy but it was City who held on for a welcome win.