Coleshill Town 0 v 1 Coventry Sphinx

[Alan Beckett]

Match Report
Midland Combination Premeir Division
Saturday 2nd Sept 2006
Coleshill Town 0 v 1 Coventry Sphinx

After Coleshill's fine start to the season everyone knew the visit of last years runner up Coventry Sphinx was the indicator as to how much progress had been made. The strong swirling wind spoiled the game but the truth of the matter is that Coleshill were second best to a side that will go close again this season but are no where near as good as they were last year.

Manager Mick Beadle kept the same side as at Bolehall on Monday and although they didn't play that well that night, they earned three very valuable points and deserved the second chance. Shaun Kidson made the bench as he gets closer to full fitness following a knee injury.

The wind seemed to pick up just in time for kick off and both sides struggled to keep the ball on the field but it was the visitors who settled the quickest and deservadly took the lead on 20 mins. Stevenson's left foot produced the perfect cross for Chris Harris to get in front of his marker and flick into the far corner of the net. Coleshill did have the ball in the net before the end of the half but the effort was dissallowed for pushing. But this was a rare scare for Sphinx as Town failed to put their goal under any pressure. Coventry seemed to have time all over the field no more so than the keeper who had an easy afternoon.

Coleshill slightly improved in the second half but it was Sphinx who had the better chances to trouble the scorers. Greg Allen in the Town goal impressed again as he saved at the feet of Harris and generally controlled his area. Josh McPherson and Raddy Richards had headers go wide when well placed and David Brush saw an effort go just past the post but that was the sum of the home teams efforts as Sphinx comfortably played out time.

Mick Beadle said,"This was a poor performance. We never got started. The weather spoiled it but we never got into the game, didn't pass and didn't get close enough to them. They are a big strong side but we made them look good. Greg Allen played well and made some good saves but not many others deserved mentioning."


Team;- Greg Allen, Allan Wright, Ryan Gardiner, Rob Hipkiss, Lee Colvin, James Mace (Shaun Kidson), Kevin Wagstaff (Carlos McIntosh), Josh McPherson, David Brush, Raddy Richards, James Dance (Des Wilkes). Subs not used Ian Bluck, Rob Ellis.