COVENTRY CITY 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City earned a 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Arena.
With the nation watching on Sky TV and 20,512 tickets having been sold for the game by the 6pm deadline set by the police who allegedly forced the ticket office to close,despite a crowd of people wanting tickets (only 19,191 actually turned up).
Micky Adams made two changes to the side that had lost at Sheffield United. Richard Shaw replaced the suspended Matt Heath whilst Claus Jorgensen came in for Isaac Osbourne after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Against a Southampton side managed by former AP Leamington player from 1976-77 season Harry Redknapp,City were ahead inside six minutes. James Scowcroft started the move and finished the move. The former Ipswich midfielder played the ball out to Marcus Hall on the left. Hall's cross was sublime and fell perfectly for Scowcroft to rifle into the net.
The lead lasted until the eleventh minute when a mistake by Robert Page let in Ricardo Fuller and the former Preston Striker advanced before slotting past Bywater from eight yards.
Dele Adebola headed wide from a 20th minute free kick, Bywater saved from Fuller before referee Mr Thorpe failed to spot Brett Ormerod stamping on Richard Duffy after the ball had gone.
In the 25th minute, City won the first of four consecutive corners as the Sky Blues again seemed to find the Arena pitch to their liking.
In the 37th minute, Dele Adebola was replaced by Stern John after presumably picking up an injury.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Richard Duffy was the victim of mistaken identity when he was booked for a trip by Wilo Flood.
At half-time, it was noticeable that the Main Stand was affected by power failures and the emergency public address system had to be used.
City were the first to attack after the restart when James Scowcroft headed over a Wilo Flood cross.
In the 48th minute, referee Mr Thorpe decided that a Richard Shaw tackle on the edge of the area was worthy of a free kick for the visitors. Matthew Oakley did Saints coach and former England Rugby Union boss Sir Clive Woodward proud by firing the free kick over the bar.
Southampton, who would have been well ahead in Mr Woodward's more regular sport with the amount of efforts over the bar, always looked a threat and in the 58th minute,an Omeroyd header from six yards hit the crossbar. Thankfully,Robert Page was back and headed away before Mr Thorpe spotted an infringement.
In the 72nd minute,City whose passing again was forcing them to keep making some good tackles,won two corners before Antti Niemi saved from a tame Scowcroft effort.
Richard Shaw was dependable as usual at the back with Robert Page,Wilo Flood was trying in midfield whilst James Scowcroft looked the best bet for a goal.
With eight to go,Adams made a double change with Andy Morrell and Isaac Osbourne coming on.
A couple of late corners caused a bit of excitement amongst the City support but the final score was not affected and the points were shared.
HT CCFC 1-1 SFC
FT CCFC 1-1 SFC
Att 19,191
Referee M.Thorpe
KM MOM James Scowcroft
Goals James Scowcroft (5),Ricardo Fuller (11)
Booked
Powell (41),Duffy (45),Prutton (56)
TEAM
Bywater,Hall,Page,Shaw, Duffy,Doyle,Scowcroft,Flood (Morrell 82),McSheffrey,Adebola (John 37),Jorgensen (Osbourne 82) Subs Ince,Whing,
Southampton
Niemi,Lundekvan,Powell,Hajto,Oakley,Ormerod (Blackstock 71), Quashie,Fuller,Prutton, Belmadi,Higginbotham SNU Smith,Dyer,Cranie,Wise
Coventry City earned a 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Arena.
With the nation watching on Sky TV and 20,512 tickets having been sold for the game by the 6pm deadline set by the police who allegedly forced the ticket office to close,despite a crowd of people wanting tickets (only 19,191 actually turned up).
Micky Adams made two changes to the side that had lost at Sheffield United. Richard Shaw replaced the suspended Matt Heath whilst Claus Jorgensen came in for Isaac Osbourne after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Against a Southampton side managed by former AP Leamington player from 1976-77 season Harry Redknapp,City were ahead inside six minutes. James Scowcroft started the move and finished the move. The former Ipswich midfielder played the ball out to Marcus Hall on the left. Hall's cross was sublime and fell perfectly for Scowcroft to rifle into the net.
The lead lasted until the eleventh minute when a mistake by Robert Page let in Ricardo Fuller and the former Preston Striker advanced before slotting past Bywater from eight yards.
Dele Adebola headed wide from a 20th minute free kick, Bywater saved from Fuller before referee Mr Thorpe failed to spot Brett Ormerod stamping on Richard Duffy after the ball had gone.
In the 25th minute, City won the first of four consecutive corners as the Sky Blues again seemed to find the Arena pitch to their liking.
In the 37th minute, Dele Adebola was replaced by Stern John after presumably picking up an injury.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Richard Duffy was the victim of mistaken identity when he was booked for a trip by Wilo Flood.
At half-time, it was noticeable that the Main Stand was affected by power failures and the emergency public address system had to be used.
City were the first to attack after the restart when James Scowcroft headed over a Wilo Flood cross.
In the 48th minute, referee Mr Thorpe decided that a Richard Shaw tackle on the edge of the area was worthy of a free kick for the visitors. Matthew Oakley did Saints coach and former England Rugby Union boss Sir Clive Woodward proud by firing the free kick over the bar.
Southampton, who would have been well ahead in Mr Woodward's more regular sport with the amount of efforts over the bar, always looked a threat and in the 58th minute,an Omeroyd header from six yards hit the crossbar. Thankfully,Robert Page was back and headed away before Mr Thorpe spotted an infringement.
In the 72nd minute,City whose passing again was forcing them to keep making some good tackles,won two corners before Antti Niemi saved from a tame Scowcroft effort.
Richard Shaw was dependable as usual at the back with Robert Page,Wilo Flood was trying in midfield whilst James Scowcroft looked the best bet for a goal.
With eight to go,Adams made a double change with Andy Morrell and Isaac Osbourne coming on.
A couple of late corners caused a bit of excitement amongst the City support but the final score was not affected and the points were shared.
HT CCFC 1-1 SFC
FT CCFC 1-1 SFC
Att 19,191
Referee M.Thorpe
KM MOM James Scowcroft
Goals James Scowcroft (5),Ricardo Fuller (11)
Booked
Powell (41),Duffy (45),Prutton (56)
TEAM
Bywater,Hall,Page,Shaw, Duffy,Doyle,Scowcroft,Flood (Morrell 82),McSheffrey,Adebola (John 37),Jorgensen (Osbourne 82) Subs Ince,Whing,
Southampton
Niemi,Lundekvan,Powell,Hajto,Oakley,Ormerod (Blackstock 71), Quashie,Fuller,Prutton, Belmadi,Higginbotham SNU Smith,Dyer,Cranie,Wise