READING 1-2 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
The Madejski Stadium proved lucky for a third time as City came from behind to win at Reading.
Micky Adams made a number of changes with new keeper Ian Bennett starting in place of Luke Steele. Richard Duffy,Isaac Osbourne and Claus Jorgensen all were recalled with former Leicester striker Trevor Benjamin given a debut. Dean Leacock was also named in the starting eleven but withdrew just before kick off with an injury was replaced by Richard Shaw.
On a cold day,the thousand City fans camped in the South Stand were in fine voice as Stern John fired over from eight yards with only fourteen seconds gone.
However,six minutes later the home fans,who had given Adie Williams a good ovation on his return, were the ones on their feet when Les Ferdinand dived to head in a Nicky Shorey cross.
Things looked glum as McSheffrey was cautioned as Murty crashed to the ground and the stewards started trying to force the City supporters to sit down.
Chants of "Get A Proper Job" and "Where'd You Get Your Coat From" rang out as the Gestapo-ish stewards proceeded to threaten ejection to a number of adults before ejecting four younger supporters.
Murty's battle with McSheffrey saw him go in the book of referee Graham Salisbury in the 24th minute when he lunged at the City striker and came off worse.
Reading had Les Ferdinand cautioned in the 33rd minute for complaining too much about a City corner.
With Osbourne working hard in midfield,feeding either McSheffrey on the left or Jorgensen on the right, the Brummie found Duffy, John headed down and Trevor Benjamin blasted over.
Adams must have blown his top at the players as City came out fir the second half far more determined than they appeared in the opening half.
The Madejski Stadium proved lucky for a third time as City came from behind to win at Reading.
Micky Adams made a number of changes with new keeper Ian Bennett starting in place of Luke Steele. Richard Duffy,Isaac Osbourne and Claus Jorgensen all were recalled with former Leicester striker Trevor Benjamin given a debut. Dean Leacock was also named in the starting eleven but withdrew just before kick off with an injury was replaced by Richard Shaw.
On a cold day,the thousand City fans camped in the South Stand were in fine voice as Stern John fired over from eight yards with only fourteen seconds gone.
However,six minutes later the home fans,who had given Adie Williams a good ovation on his return, were the ones on their feet when Les Ferdinand dived to head in a Nicky Shorey cross.
Things looked glum as McSheffrey was cautioned as Murty crashed to the ground and the stewards started trying to force the City supporters to sit down.
Chants of "Get A Proper Job" and "Where'd You Get Your Coat From" rang out as the Gestapo-ish stewards proceeded to threaten ejection to a number of adults before ejecting four younger supporters.
Murty's battle with McSheffrey saw him go in the book of referee Graham Salisbury in the 24th minute when he lunged at the City striker and came off worse.
Reading had Les Ferdinand cautioned in the 33rd minute for complaining too much about a City corner.
With Osbourne working hard in midfield,feeding either McSheffrey on the left or Jorgensen on the right, the Brummie found Duffy, John headed down and Trevor Benjamin blasted over.
Adams must have blown his top at the players as City came out fir the second half far more determined than they appeared in the opening half.
As the City supporters were returning to their seats after fighting their way through to queues to get a drink at the interval, Gary McSheffrey ran and sent a 25 yard curler just over the left hand crossbar of Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
City stuck to their task looking for a way through and it was only a matter of time before a team which has not won in seven games crumbled.
In the 62nd minute, Benjamin did well to win a ball and lay it off to Gary McSheffrey who danced past a defender on the left before blasting a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
Steve Coppell made a change straight away replacing Les Ferdinand with Nicky Forster as the City fans celebrations continued.
The goal lifted everyone involved with the Sky Blues and Hahnemann saved from Stern John who was clearly playing with a point to prove to the City fans.
And prove it he did. In the 72nd minute, McSheffrey fed Jorgensen on the right. The Faroe Islander delivered a cracking cross which was nodded by Benjamin for the unmarked STERN JOHN to smash high into the net from eight yards.
John made a point of ignoring the City fans as he made his way back to the centre circle.
Like Benjamin, Ian Bennett had been having a good debut and with thirteen minutes left,the loanee keeper from Birmingham dived to his left to make a superb save from an Andy Hughes shot.
Adams made two changes before the end with Jorgensen who had a good game making way for Graham Barrett and Neil Wood coming on for Isaac Osbourne who was given a standing ovation from the City supporters in a crowd of 15,904.
Such was the delight of the City supporters at the sight of only the club's second victory in 2005 that a conga line formed and City supporters danced their way down the stand steps and into the refreshment area.
Deep into stoppage time, Dele Adebola came on for Benjamin whilst one Reading supporter stupidly showed his frustration by throwing a missile at Ian Bennett.
The well earned victory which was City's third comeback from a goal down at the Madejski Stadium and an another occasion to enjoy.
HT RFC 1-0 CCFC FT RFC 1-2 CCFC
ATT 15,904
GOALS Les Ferdinand (6)
Gary McSheffrey (62)
Stern John (72)
BOOKED Gary McSheffrey,Graeme Murty,
Les Ferdinand
MAN OF THE MATCH - Gary McSheffrey topped the votes
MARES OF THE MATCH - The Stewards who blighted an otherwise enjoyable day.
TEAM
Bennett,Duffy,Shaw,Williams,Giddings,Doyle, Osbourne (Wood 88),Benjamin (Adebola 90), Jorgensen (Barrett 82), John,McSheffrey. SNU Whing,Staunton