Martini Not Shaken By City

Last updated : 30 July 2008 By Kev Monks in Livingston
LIVINGSTON 0-0 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS

Team
Ireland, Wright (Borrowdale 70),Hall,Beuzelin (Best 46),Ward,Turner,Tabb,Thornton,Kyle (Eastwood 46),Simpson,McKenzie (Gray 70) SNU Collett,Dann,Fox

Livingston
Martini,Miller,Cave,McPake,Caiafa,Macdonald,trialist 1,trialist 2,Jacobs,Griffiths,Torrance.

Subs Used
Mackay,Fox,Smith,McParthland,Hammill,Innes,Cuence,Jamieson

HT LFC 0-0 CCFC
FT LFC 0-0 CCFC
Att 500
Man Of The Match Jay Tabb was the clear winner with votes for McKenzie and Ward
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GROUND
Not much has changed in the ten years since we last played at the Almondvale Stadium. Very much like Scunthorpe with the corners filled in.

Easy to find, even with the 40 minute hike from the train station, due to a lack of taxis, which meant that we got to the ground minutes before kick off.
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CITY SUPPORT
80 City supporters with about 17 travelling from Cov.

Some drove,others flew or got the train or coach.
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Coventry City put in a tired performance in a drab game at Livingston.

The Sky Blues were again without Keiran Westwood and also were missing Aron Gunnarsson who has an ankle injury.

Chris Coleman started with Robbie Simpson on the right,McKenzie on the left with Kevin Kyle the main man up front.

In the opening exchanges,it was all City. Leon McKenzie had two chances and in the 6th minute,Jay Tabb forced Pierre Martini into his first save of the match.

Coventry passed the ball well for most of the half but mistakes were made and the Italian run club, looked dangerous when striker Leigh Griffiths had the ball.


Wardy shields Leigh Griffiths off the ball.

In the 20th minute,Kevin Kyle headed over from a McKenzie cross and two minutes later, Robbie Simpson sent a 26 yard free kick over the bar.

On the half hour mark, the City support who had been enjoying the evening sunshine of of a game put back to 7.45pm,were on their feet.

Martini made a great save from a Kyle header and the ball spilled to Jay Tabb who tapped home. However, referee Mr McKendrick, clad in a bright florescent yellow kit, ruled the goal out for offside.



Simpson and McKenzie both had chances as a drab half came to a close.

With Freddie Eastwood and Leon Best sent on for the second half, the City support hoped for some entertainment.

A great ball in the 49th minute from Tabb found Simpson on the right. The former Loughborough Student centred for Eastwood to stick out a leg and deflect the ball over the bar.

City continued to try and eek out a way through the home defence and although a Simpson twenty yarder forced Martini to push his shot roind for a corner.

In the 67th minute, Leon Best dragged a shot across the face of the goal and nine minutes later,Simpson went just wide with a free kick.



The Sky Blues held the ball up well as the weather changed from sunshine to pouring rain but goals tonight were not too be had and the match finished disappointingly goal-less.