SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
A late penalty gave City a well deserved point at Southampton.
Former Saint Micky Adams included two more former Southampton players Marcus Hall and Dennis Wise in his starting line-up and they joined in the minute's applause to remember the life's of Southampton legends Peter Osgood and Charlie Wayman who passed away earlier this week.
On a ground not too dissimilar to the Ricoh,apart from a bike park by the ground,a railway halt, toilets outside the ground,scoreboards at either end in a central location and the away fans housed in the worse part of the ground, there was an excellent turn out of City supporters.
With the sun in our eyes,a Sky Blue following of around two thousand watched on as the opening exchanges stopped and started due to a number Southampton players going to ground "injured"
There was only one real injury and that saw George Burley replace Alex Ostlund with Darren Potter in the tenth minute.
Stern John had the first real effort in the 15th minute,hitting a shot which Saints keeper Paul Smith deflected for a corner.
City were on top throughout the first half and won two more corners three minutes after the first.
James Scowcroft got his head to the second flag kick taken by Wise but did not get any direction and the chance went begging.
The corners for City continued whilst at the back,Marton Fulop handled everything expertly and Robert Page and Richard Shaw maintained a tight rein on the Saints attack including the very pacy Nathan Dyer.
It was the veteran City defender who became the first caution of the game in the 34th minute.
Referee Mr Dowd, produced a yellow card after Shaw was clearly seen to take the ball off Kenwyne Jones who fell awkwardly after he had lost possession of the ball and had to be replaced at half-time.
Unlike before kick off when the police and stewards had to intervene when one City fan objected to another City fan trying to display a Sikh flag with CCFC written on it,the mood amongst the City fans was that the better side was not winning.
At times during the second half,there was more action in the stands than on the pitch as two sides both seemingly safe from relegation played out the game.
By now,the banter with the Southampton fans on our left was getting nasty. A chant of "There's Only One Harry Redknapp" was joined in by some of the home fans but prompted others to try and get at the City support.
In the 64th minute, Micky Adams decided to change things round, bringing on Kevin Thornton for the not too happy looking Andy Morrell.
Thornton went on the left flank and had a low drive saved by Smith.
In the 70th minute, Robert Page came to the rescue when he cleared off the line. City were still looking for the win and with sixteen to go,Don Hutchison was sent on.
Six minutes later and against the run of play,the home side took the lead. Dyer won a corner and when the flag kick came in,Saints loan from Spurs Grzegorz Rasiak headed the ball off the under side of the bar and just over the line.
The Southampton fans may have been jumping round and giving it the biggie but their joy was not to last.
Southampton had an 84th minute goal ruled out for offside,Andy Impey had been brought on in order to collect his match fee and Darren Porter cleared an Adebola effort off the line.
In a crowded penalty area,Mr Dowd spotted a foul, I did not have a clear view so can't comment but he awarded City an 88th minute penalty.
With Wise off the pitch, Don Hutchison stepped up to take the kick. The Scottish international took no chances and absolutely thumped the ball into the net.
There were raucous celebrations as City ensured a point which with a bit more purpose in front of goal could and should have been three.
HT SFC 0-0 CCFC
FT SFC 1-1 CCFC
ATT 21,980
Goals Grzegorz Rasiak (80), Don Hutchison (88 pen)
Booked Richard Shaw
Team
Fulop,Whing,Hall,Shaw,Page,Doyle,Scowcroft,Wise (Impey 85),Morrell (Thornton 64),John (Hutchison 74),Adebola SNU Ince,Williams
Southampton
Smith,Ostlund (Potter 10),Lundekvarm, Higginbottom,Brennan,Dyer,Chaplow,Wright,Surnan,Rasiak,Jones (Blackstock 46)SNU Miller,Madsen,Powell
A late penalty gave City a well deserved point at Southampton.
Former Saint Micky Adams included two more former Southampton players Marcus Hall and Dennis Wise in his starting line-up and they joined in the minute's applause to remember the life's of Southampton legends Peter Osgood and Charlie Wayman who passed away earlier this week.
On a ground not too dissimilar to the Ricoh,apart from a bike park by the ground,a railway halt, toilets outside the ground,scoreboards at either end in a central location and the away fans housed in the worse part of the ground, there was an excellent turn out of City supporters.
With the sun in our eyes,a Sky Blue following of around two thousand watched on as the opening exchanges stopped and started due to a number Southampton players going to ground "injured"
There was only one real injury and that saw George Burley replace Alex Ostlund with Darren Potter in the tenth minute.
Stern John had the first real effort in the 15th minute,hitting a shot which Saints keeper Paul Smith deflected for a corner.
City were on top throughout the first half and won two more corners three minutes after the first.
James Scowcroft got his head to the second flag kick taken by Wise but did not get any direction and the chance went begging.
The corners for City continued whilst at the back,Marton Fulop handled everything expertly and Robert Page and Richard Shaw maintained a tight rein on the Saints attack including the very pacy Nathan Dyer.
It was the veteran City defender who became the first caution of the game in the 34th minute.
Referee Mr Dowd, produced a yellow card after Shaw was clearly seen to take the ball off Kenwyne Jones who fell awkwardly after he had lost possession of the ball and had to be replaced at half-time.
Unlike before kick off when the police and stewards had to intervene when one City fan objected to another City fan trying to display a Sikh flag with CCFC written on it,the mood amongst the City fans was that the better side was not winning.
At times during the second half,there was more action in the stands than on the pitch as two sides both seemingly safe from relegation played out the game.
By now,the banter with the Southampton fans on our left was getting nasty. A chant of "There's Only One Harry Redknapp" was joined in by some of the home fans but prompted others to try and get at the City support.
In the 64th minute, Micky Adams decided to change things round, bringing on Kevin Thornton for the not too happy looking Andy Morrell.
Thornton went on the left flank and had a low drive saved by Smith.
In the 70th minute, Robert Page came to the rescue when he cleared off the line. City were still looking for the win and with sixteen to go,Don Hutchison was sent on.
Six minutes later and against the run of play,the home side took the lead. Dyer won a corner and when the flag kick came in,Saints loan from Spurs Grzegorz Rasiak headed the ball off the under side of the bar and just over the line.
The Southampton fans may have been jumping round and giving it the biggie but their joy was not to last.
Southampton had an 84th minute goal ruled out for offside,Andy Impey had been brought on in order to collect his match fee and Darren Porter cleared an Adebola effort off the line.
In a crowded penalty area,Mr Dowd spotted a foul, I did not have a clear view so can't comment but he awarded City an 88th minute penalty.
With Wise off the pitch, Don Hutchison stepped up to take the kick. The Scottish international took no chances and absolutely thumped the ball into the net.
There were raucous celebrations as City ensured a point which with a bit more purpose in front of goal could and should have been three.
HT SFC 0-0 CCFC
FT SFC 1-1 CCFC
ATT 21,980
Goals Grzegorz Rasiak (80), Don Hutchison (88 pen)
Booked Richard Shaw
Team
Fulop,Whing,Hall,Shaw,Page,Doyle,Scowcroft,Wise (Impey 85),Morrell (Thornton 64),John (Hutchison 74),Adebola SNU Ince,Williams
Southampton
Smith,Ostlund (Potter 10),Lundekvarm, Higginbottom,Brennan,Dyer,Chaplow,Wright,Surnan,Rasiak,Jones (Blackstock 46)SNU Miller,Madsen,Powell