A second half penalty was enough to give a Coventry City 87 select a win at Southam United.
City Vets Win At Southam
A second half penalty was enough to give a Coventry City 87 select a win at Southam United.
The game which was part of the Centenary of the Warwickshire based outfit was preceded by Southam United Ladies losing 3-2 to late replacements Coventry City Ladies who stepped in after WPL Champions Arsenal had withdrawn on Thursday.
On one of the hottest days of the day and in weather more akin for the sound of leather on willow, City playing in the white Izuzu kit,fielded former Mansfield Town keeper Jason Preacey, Kirk Stephens,Martin Lane,Gavin O'Toole,Dean Thomas,Paul Culpin as well as Cup Final heroes Trevor Peake and Micky Gynn.
The home side, watched by a crowd way larger than they attract for a Midland Combinaton fixture, were almost ahead inside two minutes when a left footed drive from the edge of area by winger Neil Stacey crashed against the far post and bounced away.
Tim Partridge who started the season just gone playing for City Reserves was playing on the right hand side of midfield and in the 27th minute,he crossed for Gavin O'Toole to hit a shot that was deflected for a corner.
Four minutes later, Partridge wasted the best chance of the game when a combination of Gynn and Thomas by-passed the United defence and found the unmarked Partridge some six yards out. With only the home custodian Paul Brassington to beat, Partridge unbelieavably screwed the ball very wide of the goal.
The heat was taking it's toll on the players with both sides making numerous changes in this thirty minutes each way contest.
The game needed a goal and in the eighteenth minute of the second period,it came when a handball was spotted by referee Danny Gratton. DEAN THOMAS stepped up and blasted the ball high into the net from the penalty spot.
The game needed a goal and in the eighteenth minute of the second period,it came when a handball was spotted by referee Danny Gratton. DEAN THOMAS stepped up and blasted the ball high into the net from the penalty spot.
Southam tried to get back in the game but were unable to find a way past the replacement City keeper and City held on to win.
Team
Jason Preacey,Kirk Stephens,Martin Lane, Martin Wayne,Marcus Law, Trevor Peake, Micky Gynn,Paul Culpin, Dean Thomas,Tim Partridge, Gavin O'Toole plus subs supplied by Southam United.
Team
Jason Preacey,Kirk Stephens,Martin Lane, Martin Wayne,Marcus Law, Trevor Peake, Micky Gynn,Paul Culpin, Dean Thomas,Tim Partridge, Gavin O'Toole plus subs supplied by Southam United.