COVENTRY CITY 0-0 CHESTERFIELD
City: Allsop, Webster, Haynes, Martin, Pennington, Fleck, O'Brien, Conor Thomas, Nouble, Jackson, Madine. Subs: Burge, Willis, Pugh, Swanson, Tudgay, Finch, G.Thomas.
Chesterfield: Lee, Darkiwa, Hird (Banks 85), Evatt, Gnanduillet (Jones 46), Roberts, Clucas, Humpreys, Raglan, Doyle, Bocco (O'Shea 77). Subs: Wright, Gardner, Banks, Ariyibi, Talbot.
HT CCFC 0-0 CFC FT CCFC 0-0 CFC
ATT 10 166
Goals None
Referee D. Handley
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Coventry City tried playing with three strikers but still failed to score in a 0-0 draw against Chesterfield.
The City support have been known for their strong constitutions and it now takes a brave person to set out on a cold day to head to the Ricoh Arena and sit through the dirge currently being served up by the Sky Blues.
The City support had made their feelings clear that they are sick to the back teeth of poor performances during the Boxing Day defeat at Doncaster Rovers, so it was interesting to see if there would be a reaction against a Chesterfield side that City were meeting for the first time since 1961.
Steven Pressley who deservedly came under heavy fire from the City support at Doncaster Rovers and has been cited as one of the reasons that over 5,000 City supporters are staying away from games at the Ricoh Arena, was without the suspended Adam Barton and James Maddison and named a side which saw three strikers.
Former City midfielder Paul Cook, who had a nice exchange with Steve Ogrizovic, included Cov Kid Ian Evatt in his side which had beaten Peterborough on Boxing Day.
City attacked the South Stand for the first half and won a second minute corner thanks to Jackson bursting through and Tommy Lee in the Spiriites goal saving with his feet.
With Neil MacFarlane in the technical area on his own and Darren Murray coming out to give instruction with Pressley, who according to reports has no money for the transfer window, sat in the stand which was flanked by a number of stewards in case anyone fancied having a pop at him, the Sky Blues won a couple of corners inside the opening ten minutes. Not that you would know how long had gone in the game from the scoreboard which did not show the time.
In the 12th minute, there was a small SISU Out protest just before Nouble won a corner which Fleck fired wide.
The youngsters in Block 15 launched into a chorus of the "Sky Blue Song", as Chesterfield started to put the City defence under pressure.
There had been more SISU Out chants as Gary Roberts fired at Allsop and Conor Thomas, a player who has gone backwards since Pressley has been in charge in the opinion of a number of City supporters, was booked for a foul on Roberts.
Chesterfield won corners in the 22nd and 24th minute before Madine headed wide in the 26th minute.
In the 31st minute, Eoin Doyle attacked but Allsop was out to deal with this raid smartly.
Four minute later, everyone thought City were going to be awarded a penalty. Referee Mr Handly awarded it but after speaking to his assistant, he gave a free kick instead.
O'Brien wasted that and then had to act as a peace maker as things got slightly heated following a Martin foul on Gnanduillet.
City managed another corner but yet again it was another first half with out a goal for the Sky Blues for the ninth consecutive game.
Chesterfield made a change for the start of the second half which started with a City corner and Jackson starting a 48th minute move down the left.
Nouble and Boco had shots as the visiting fans found their voices and saw their side win a 55th minute corner.
Jackson was unlucky with a right footed 56th minute shot which curled over the bar.
The bookings continued with Boco and Fleck both taking one for the team.
The Spirites won two more corners and fired wide as did Jackson in the 66th minute which led to a corner.
Boco sent another chance well wide before Cook made his second change in the 77th minute bringing on Jay O'Shea.
A clearance from Evatt who had an easy afternoon gave City an 80th minute corner. That was cleared so Pennington and Flecks sent in crosses. The second was cleared to Arron Martin deep in his own half, who advanced before forcing Lee to push away for a corner.
Cook made his third change sending on Banks for Hird with five minutes left.
Two minutes later and City won two free kicks and Madine struck Lee"s left hand post.
Chesterfield won a corner and had Richie Humpreys fire wide but it finished 0-0 with a better performance from City but one still far away from anything that we have been used to in years gone by.
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