Wednesday 21st Northampton v Coventry City pre season friendly.
Teams:
Coventry City: Westwood, Keogh, Turner, Wood, Hussey, McSheffrey,Gunnarsson, Clingan, Baker, Eastwood, O'Donovan.
Referee- Andy Woolmer.
It is a sunny evening at Sixfields, Northampton. The Coventry City fans out number the Northampton Town fans.
Late change before the start of play, McPake is on in place of Richard Wood. Unsure yet if this is tactical or because of injury.
When the teams come out there is a massive cheer from the City support for Marcus Hall and generous applause for the other two former Sky Blues Kevin Thornton and Liam Davis now all playing for Northampton Town.
Goal: 5 minutes into the game Coventry win a free kick on the left. Turner heads the ball back to James McPake, who thumps it into the net from 10 yards. Northampton 0 Coventry City 1.
Some good approach play by Eastwood. He wins a ninth minute corner and a minute later he is flagged for off side when he was through on goal.
City are playing a 4-4-2 formation and are wearing their green and black away kit. City are attacking the empty far end stand.
15 minutes. Northampton win a free kick just outside the City penalty area. Kevin Thornton takes it and watches the ball go agonisingly wide of the far post.
18 minutes. A low Gunnarsson drive is deflected out for a City corner which is easily cleared and the ball is sent quickly to the other end, but the ball goes out of play. Davis appeals for a corner which, after careful consideration the referee awards. The ball is cleared back into play.
Carl Baker is working well on the right, but in the 27th minute Gunnarsson fires a shot wide and two minutes later O'Donovan flicks a ball wide of the post.
With half an hour gone the score remains Northampton 0 Coventry City 1
Hussey looks very solid at left back whilst Turner has made some good clearances to keep Guinan quiet.
36 minutes and a good move is squandered by O'Donovan who sliced the ball wide.
38 minutes. McSheffrey plays in Eastwood but his shot is well saved. A shot by Davis at the other end is blocked by McPake.
The floodlights come on as the sun sets behind the main stand and Gunnarsson sees his 41st minute shot blocked.
The half time whistle blows.
HT: Northampton Town 0 Coventry City 1 (McPake 5)
Both sides do little warm up runs before the second half starts. McPake has been replaced by Nathan Cameron.
Ten minutes into the second half and McSheffrey, on the left, crosses to Eastwood who gets in a shot on target, but is deflected out for a corner.
The corner is sent in and McSheffery gets on the end of it, but sends the ball over the bar.
57 minutes. A Hussey cross is well caught by the young Northampton goal keeper.
60 minutes. McSheffrey latches onto one of Gunnarsson's long throws, but once again, he shoots over the bar.
Substitution: 63 minutes. Liam Davis is replaced by an as yet unidentified Cobbler and gets a generous round of applause from the City support.
Substitution: 65 minutes. Westwood is replaced by the young Australian trialist Lawrence Thomas.
It has just been announced the attendance is around 1829 of which 759 are Coventry fans.
69 minutes. A massive groan erupts from the City support when O'Donovan skies the ball over the bar from 6 yards out from an Eastwood set up.
A minute later Hussey sets up Clingan who sends a 20 yard screamer inches over the bar.
Substitution: 74 minutes. Baker is off and Cranie is on. Thornton is off for the Cobblers and also gets a good round of applause from the City support.
75 minutes, A fierce Clingan shot is palmed down by the 'keeper and Gunarsson fires his shot over the bar.
76 minutes. Hussey wins Coventry a corner. Cleared.
81 minutes, A good cross by Hussey is once again wasted by O'Donovan who heads the ball wide from just 6 yards out.
84 minutes. Thomas concedes a free kick just outside his area, then makes a great save diving to his left to concede a corner.
Substitution: 85 Minutes. Hussey goes off and is replaced by Jeffers.
The referee blows the whistle to end the game.
The final score is Northampton Town 0 Coventry City 1 (McPake 5)