COVENTRY CITY 5-4 BRISTOL CITY at Sixfields Stadium
City;Murphy (GK), Adams, Christie, Webster, J. Clarke, Fleck, Thomas, Daniels, Moussa (Willis 88), Wilson. (Manset 93), L. Clarke (c). Subs: Burge (GK), Barton, Garner, Lobjoit, Phillips.
Bristol City: Fielding, Moloney, Fontaine, Flint, Cunningham, Wagstaff (Williams 46), Elliott, Pack, Kilkenny (Taylor 46,Harewood 82), Emmanuel-Thomas, Baldock. Subs: Parish (GK),Wynter, Bryan, Reid,
HT CCFC 3-0 BCFC FT CCFC 5-4 BCFC
ATT 2204
Goals Leon Clarke 27 pen, Callum Willson 41 & 75, Billy Daniels 44 & 86, Sam Baldock 54 & 73, Marlon Harewood 84,
Referee D.Coote Booked Moloney, Pack, Flint, Williams, Thomas, Wilson
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Coventry City manager Steven Pressley promised to put on a show for the City supporters both at Northampton and at the Ricoh, but not even he could have predicted a nine goal thriller.
A day that no-one even in their biggest nightmare thought would happen, saw Coventry City, a once proud football club, two days off its 130th birthday, kidnapped and held up for ransom by despot Tim Fisher, who spent the game surrounded by minders, and his SISU cronies.
With the Football League refusing to stand up to the SISU bullys and block any move out of the locale of the historic city of Coventry and mistakes made by ACL and the City Council, the Sky Blues were taken hostage and were being held captive, some thirty odd miles down the M6 and M1 at the not secret location of the Sixfields Stadium.
There was as many different reasons as to why Coventry City supporters attended this game as there were supporters and opinions ranged from "There to watch my team", "No keyboard cowboy tells me what to do", "Nobody stops me from watching City" to those prepared to use whatever means necessary to try and free the captives, expressed by those who fought their way through hoardes of media, some of whom disgracefully opted for the tactic of hassling supporters in the hope of getting something to fill their column inches until next week when they can get back to their saturation coverage of the Premier League.
It was a strange atmosphere but the crowd of 2204 of which a thousand were City, were in good voice with a chorus of the Sky Blue Song and a SISU out for the few on the hill who were being kept an eye on by a big police prescence.
City took to the field with new signing Andy Webster replacing Jordan Willis and Billy Daniels in for the suspended Carl Baker who sat amongst the City support in what passes for a main stand.
Sam Baldock was first to have a goal on goal with a deflected shot for a corner in the second minute.
Blair Adams won City a corner of their own two minutes later in a game watched by David Pleat and MK Dons boss Karl Robinson.
A quick counter attack in the tenth minute saw Franck Moussa make a great run only to drill wide.
Conor Thomas was the next to have a go with a shot, which was cleared a yard off the line by Kilkenny.
Baldock fired high and wide before Daniels shot from twenty yards at Fielding, who then stopped shots from Wilson and Thomas.
Webster was taking his time to settle in but Jordan Clarke was leading by example and the Sky Blues started to press once more. A mistake played in Callum Wilson in the 22nd minute but again Fielding dealt with his run and shot.
City finally got the goal they deserved but it came thanks to a penalty when Callum Wilson was pulled down by Aden Flint and Mr Coote awarded a penalty.
Leon Clarke stepped up having wasted a penalty on Tuesday night at Leyton Orient. This time, Clarke returned to his normal style of spot kick taking and the Sky Blues were a goal up.
A 34th minute foul on Pack brought City a free kick, which saw Christie strike the wall.
City kept the pressure up and in the 41st minute, it was two with a lovely shot from Callum Wilson, which flew past Fielding on his left from twelve yards.
The City support was still cheering when up popped Billy Daniels, a player who, six months ago was on his way out of the club, with a header from four yards and the Sky Blues were three goals up after an excellent forty five minutes of football.
Sean O'Driscoll made two changes at the break with one of his subs Derrick Williams becoming the fourth Robins player to be cautioned, shortly after the second half commenced.
Now City were dangerous going forward but they were highly suspect at the back and In the 54th minute, Bristol City pulled one back when the ball came off Murphy's right hand post and hit Sam Baldock to take the ball into the net.
Conor Thomas had a great game but in the 61st minute, he made a rash challenge and was booked. This gave the visitors a free kick twenty yards out. Up stepped Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and his low effort went into the bottom of the net.
With Barry Fry now amongst those watching on and the Bristol fans taunting the City fans that there were more fans at the Ricoh, Andy Webster got a bang and was forced to change into the blood shirt.
The emphasis was with the visitors and a long ball saw Sam Baldock hold off Jordan Clarke and Baldock, much to the disappointment of the City support was able to get the ball on his right to level the match in the 73rd minute.
A few heads dropped in the stand but not amongst the players. City went straight up the other end and Callum Wilson got the ball and whipped in a shot which Fielding parried. When the 75th minute loose ball returned to the Cov Kid and other Academy product, he smashed it into the net.
O'Driscoll sent on Marlon Harewood with six and a bit minutes to go and with his first touch and Webster well off him, the former West Ham player levelled again.
But back came City again. Another great attack and there was Daniels, who capped a fine game when he was at the far post to finish well and restore City's lead in the 86th minute.
As Lee Carsley left the ground, Jordan Willis came on for Moussa. Mr Coote added six minutes on so Pressley sent on his other signing Mathieu Manset.
There were a few panics in stoppage time but Coventry City battled to the end and recorded their first league win of the season.