SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-1 COVENTRY CITY
City: Murphy, Christie, Webster, Clarke, Willis, Thomas (Baker 76), Prutton (Eccleston 83), Fleck, Marshall, Delfounseo, Wilson. Subs Adams, Burge, McGeough, Seaborne, Finch.
Sheff Utd: Howard, Bradford, Maguire, Doyle, Baxter (Davies 65) Collins, Coady, Scougall (Porter 46) Jam Murphy, Freeman (Hill 87) Flynn. Subs: McGinn, Paynter, Long, Dimairo.
HT SUFC 0-1 CCFC FT SUFC 2-1 CCFC ATT 20,273
Goals Nathan Delfounseo 38, Flynn 62, Ben Davies 73
Referee D.Bond. Booked. Thomas , Fleck, Christie, Collins,
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Coventry City ended their 2013\2014 season with a defeat at Sheffield United.
With a place in League One finally confirmed last Saturday against Wolves, the Sky Blues season, and one where the word 'home' has disappeared from the City supporters lexicon, ended with a trip to Sheffield United .
One encouraging aspect of a season which was fine until 2014 kicked in, has been the away support and for a meaningless game, the City support was excellent.
There was plenty of fancy dress amongst the 1769 strong City support which had come from Poole, Kent as well as the Midlands and the North. The City support was housed in the upper tier of the stand, to keep us off the pitch amid rumours that demonstrations against SISU, Coventry City Council or a.n.other which were going to disrupt the game had been organised.
Before the game, The Blades held a minute's applause as part of a fans remembrance act, which was well received by both sets of supporters and something Coventry City should consider.
City, in their sky blue kit which they will have for another season, fielded a team that was pretty much expected with Joe Murphy captaining the side for what could be the last time.
As Steven Pressley, today in a suit, watched on, the Sisu Out chants started from the City fans and on the pitch, both sides tried to play some good football but ended up cancelling each other out.
The first shot of the game fell to United in the tenth minute when Conor Coady gave Joe Murphy a catch with a twenty yarder and seven minutes later, Baxter headed wide.
Attacking the Kop end at Bramall Lane or more like facing the Kop as it took 26 minutes for Howard in the United goal to even have a kick, City spent long periods defending, with the ever reliable Jordan Clarke in fine form, and could have conceded a penalty on the half hour mark when Coady went down. However, the referee waved away appeals and the game continued with Delfounseo getting abuse from the City fans for not getting to a challenge.
A minute later, Delfounseo who will be returned back to Aston Villa, atoned winning a corner but that came to nothing.
Cyrus Christie, who is interesting Huddersfield Town amongst others, tried to get City going with a surging run before Marshall over-hit a free kick.
The Blades had two efforts with a Michael Doyle header and a save from Murphy before Fleck took City up the other end and fired straight at Howard.
Then out of nothing, City took a 38th minute lead when the referee played a good advantage and Nathan Delfounseo got through and slipped the ball past Howard.
United brought on Porter for the second half and they had the first chance of the second half fell to Brayford, who lashed off when clean through in the 54th minute.
City won a corner three minutes later but a poor delivery from Marshall saw that dealt with.
In the 61st minute, United drew level with a great move down the right which saw the ball slipped inside for Ryan Flynn to stroke past Murphy.
Andy Webster wasted a great chance from a Marshall corner straight after, as the City support started to grow restless especially when a handball by Flynn from a Marshall ball was not spotted by the referee, who was not helped by his assistant with the yellow and red flag, who was having an easy afternoon of it and doing his best to avoid making any decisions.
In the 73rd minute, the City defence was all over the place as the unmarked Ben Davies was allowed the time and space in the box to score with ease after good work from Coady.
Marshall, drew more groans from the City support as he wasted a free kick, so Pressley opted for another set piece specialist in Carl Baker to come on for the last thirteen minutes.
David Prutton got his chance to applaud the City fans in his last appearance for City when he made way for Nathan Eccleston.
With five minutes to go, Marshall wasted another chance blasting over with three team mates in better positions, although they battled to the end, City's season came to a disappointing end with a defeat.
Massive thanks to everyone for their support this season. Hope to catch up with as many of you as possible next season.