DERBY COUNTY 1-0 COVENTRY CITY SAT JAN 14TH AT Pride Park, Derby
City: Murphy, Keogh, Christie, McPake (Clarke 73), Cranie, Deegan, Thomas, Baker, Platt (Eastwood 78), McSheffrey. SNU Dunn, Bell, Bigirimana.
Derby
Fielding, Brayford, Shackell, Barker, Roberts, Green, Bryson, Bailey, Ward, Robinson, Ball (Buxton 90). SNU Hendrick, Legzanis, Bennett, Davies
HT DCFC 0-0 CCFC FT DCFC 1-0 CCFC ATT 24,126
Referee Roger East. Assts Ricky Wotton and Ollie Yates.
Booked Deegan, Keogh,
Goal Callum Ball (75)
Man Of The Match – Richard Keogh took the votes with nominations for Baker, Cranie, and Christie.
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CITY SUPPORT
City supporters from as far away as Newcastle and one from Brighton whose train broke down and had to get a taxi from Luton costing £110, missing the first twenty minutes. An excellent turn out of 985 City supporters.
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DIRECTOR WATCH
John Clarke, Gary Ambrose and Associate Director David Shortland were present.
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CITY TEAM
With Lukas Jutkiewicz being loaned to Middlesbrough, Andy Thorn brought back Clive Platt as well as James McPake and fit again Sammy Clingan. Joe Murphy was back in goal after being rested for the FA Cup tie
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Coventry City are still without an away win in a competive game this season after going down to a 1-0 defeat at Pride Park.
All the talk was about Lukas Jutkiewicz who had gone to Middlesbrough on loan and was sat on their bench for their home game with Burnley as we made our way into Pride Park on a sunny but cold day.
The City supporters including Joe Elliott and Gary Hoffman, were in fine voice as City wearing green/black shirts and white shorts, took to the field.
For the opening forty five minutes, every City player put in a decent shift.
Carl Baker chased and ran along with Conor Thomas whilst Martin Cranie, one of a number of players being rumoured to be sold before this transfer window closes, playing at left back pushed up when he was able to do so.
Joe Murphy was able to deal with anything Jamie Ward could throw at him as Derby had slightly more of the few chances which were mainly restricted to corners.
With the City supporters belting out that timless classic "We Had A Wheelbarrow" and a brand new "We Have The Best Programme In The League" when Cyrus Christie sent over a cracking cross from the right and after Fielding could only palm the ball backwards, Platt headed into the side netting.
City had weathered the pressure from Derby at the start of the second half and there was real hope that the Sky Blues could get something from the game.
However, in the 73rd minute, James McPake took a knock to his back and went down and had to be replaced by Jordan Clarke.
City attacked through Gary McSheffrey who was tackled from behind illegally. . Referee Mr East missed the tackle and waved play on, allowing The Rams to break.
Derby attacked and got past Jordan Clarke who had gone in at left back with Cranie shuffling over, and the ball for Callum Ball to rifle past Murphy.
Freddy Eastwood came on to a big cheer from the City support but he made no difference and those who backed the team so well today with their support, only had another defeat to show for their time and expense.