Choccy's match reports...2016/17

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Here ya go Choccy...sorry a bit late...

Walsall Vs Coventry City

I took up driving duties for Walsall, with easy access to the M6 and plenty of free parking near the ground and motorway this makes Walsall just about the best ground to visit by car. Arrived in plenty of time as MV only made one change with McCann out injured, the line up was in goal Burge, with Sterry, Turnbull, Willis and Page at the back, Stevenson, Rose and playing his 50th League game Bigirimana, up front we had Sordell, Agyei and Lameiras. The Saddlers had ex-City player Moussa starting and Simeon Jackson on the bench. The players took the field with Burge arriving just before kick off “he’s gone for a p***” sang the City support, whilst one of the linesmen checking the nets at our end of the ground got a round of applauses for pointing to his tubby stomach as if to say “I’ve heard it all before”.

The game kicked off with City attacking the far end as Lameiras was brought down and to our surprise referee Mr Whitestone decided to book Edwards it was bad enough for a yellow but it is unusual to see the referee react so early. Walsall, who were on a good run themselves were playing everything through the player who is called “The Turkish Messi”, Otzumer who looked a handful. City were knocking the ball around well also and Rose got close to a Sordell cross. Ten minutes in and Morris was allowed to run before his shot was blocked. Moussa manager to slip by Sterry but the defence was on hand to stuff out any danger. City again were looking solid at the back with captain Willis leading by example. At the other end Gael put one wide before a good move saw Lameiras curl one just over. The Portuguese player then got one on target before Otzumer put one wide. City were slowly taking control of the game with Rose and Stevenson dominating the midfield. Agyei working hard in the centre forward role headed one over and City continued to press. Page got one on target as City were still trying to probe their way through then just after the half hour mark Sordell got a cross in and Rose headed on and past the keeper to give City a deserved lead. Walsall responded but City were holding firm with a great tackle from Willis. Near the end Bigirimana went through and was seemed to be brought down by the keeper but instead of pointing to the spot Mr Whitestone booked him for diving. The half ended with City in the lead.


We expected Walsall to come out all guns blazing but City were still in control of the game. Agyei had an early run before Gael wasted a free kick in a dangerous position. It was only 1-0 but City were looking comfortable. Agyei had a shot saved. Walsall threw on Jackson who failed miserably when he played for us. City kept pressing but needed a second goal. Walsall are a good side and proved to be dangerous when Otzumer got in the box he seemed to be taken out the ref played an advantage and the shot went wide we held our breaths as the ref booked the player for a dive and not award a penalty. “The Turkish Messi” then found Burge form a free kick before City made changes off went Rose after his long injury and also Agyei on came Jones and Wright. Without Rose on the pitch Walsall started to get in to the game a bit more but not before Jones went close with a shot but had his ankle clipped in the process. Walsall drove forward when Jackson played in Otzumer and he found the net. Now it could go either way in an entertaining game. Reid then replaced Lameiras and the sub had a couple of good runs. Both sides could have won it as we entered injury time Reid’s foot was clipped in the area but the referee had no chance of seeing it. In the end the referee blew for full time and we were happy with a point.

Man of the Match
1st: Jordan Willis: Again a great game
2nd Andy Rose: Controlled midfield
3rd Ben Stevenson: Played his part as well.

Coventry City Vs Rochdale


Got to the ground around 12.30 plenty of time to catch the bus to Holbrooks Park for the protest but in the end walked there. By the time the march set out at 2 there were plenty there and more joined on route. It was a good march as the ones that wanted to boycott the game assembled by the “Chin” the rest made there way into the ground. There were still around 8,000 in the ground to see us take on Rochdale. The Lancashire team lost in midweek ending a run of seven win in a row without defeat and amazingly had never lost a league games against City, this was our 7th meeting. MV decided on no changes for the side that played well and beat Oxford in midweek the line up was Burge in goal, with Sterry, Turnbull, Willis and Page in defence, in midfield were McCann, Bigirimana and Stevenson with Sordell, Agyei and Lameiras up front.

Dale started of the stronger and pushed City back early on winning a couple of corners. City were finding it hard to get out of our own half as the visitors kept us pressed back. The midfield three had to drop back and help out making forward progress difficult. City were defending well but Rochdale had a good physical presents and were looking like a good side. Dale won a free kick and when it was worked as Burge push away the shot. The keeper’s kicking wasn’t so good as he found touch more akin to landlord’s team. City were trying to get forward when McCann stretched for the ball and started to feel is hamstring it was and walked off to be replaced by Reid. City changed formation and Dale’s plan that was working against the three central midfielders didn’t work as well against the new line up. Rochdale had a long range shot go wide. City finally got going by getting forward then a real chance as Agyei got the ball in the area and saw great strength to hold off a defender and go by another he only had the keeper to beat and he did we were up celebrating but the ball hit the post. This lifted City who were now competing again. In the 28th minute Lameiras got the ball in the box but wasn’t quick enough to get a shot away but he kept cool and moved the ball, he found space and knocked the ball into space for the onrushing Agyei who tapped home to give City the lead. Reid was proving to be a great outlet showing skill to take the ball forward but Rochdale kept pressing. City then nearly conceded as a corner came over Burge saved the ball went back in but was blocked on the line with the away fans appealing for a goal but an off side flag stopped any protests. At the back the defenders were playing well with captain Willis leading by example. One of those defenders Turnbull then went into the book of for an off the ball foul. Gael had a free kick blasted into the wall as City were getting stronger and had two chances near the end both fell to Agyei the first a shot that went just wide the second was saved by the keeper. With City leading at half time we hoped to control the second half a bit more.

The pattern followed the first half as Rochdale pressed from the off pushing City back Burge saved early on. All the team were working hard with Willis and the back four looking supreme but they did need help from Bigirimana who slid in with a tackle and needed treatment. Later the midfielder had to head off the line to keep City in front. The first half City were pushed back for the first quarter of an hour now it was looking like City were the away side as we where pushed back and relied on counter attacks. If City were to break out it would be Reid that would lead the charge and in the 60th minute he had a good run firing just over from distance. It was still nearly all Rochdale as they got a shot on target but nothing to worry Burge as he was being well protected by the back four. Dale then picked up their first booking with a foul on Lameiras who was coping with the physical approach. City were finally getting some attacks away as Rochdale had almost punched themselves out. Stevenson and Lameiras both had efforts blocked. City then made a second change with Wright making a like-for-like replacement for Agyei. It was still nervous stuff as I thought if Rochdale could level they would probably win. With six minutes to go City found another swift break as Page was freed down the left he advanced and curled a good ball to Wright who scored with a tap in to give City a cushion. City were now looking comfortable as Jones replaced Sordell on the 90th minute mark and almost made a great impact when he raced clear and looked certain to score until a great last ditch tackle robbed him of the ball. The ref then blew to see us keep our unbeaten home run which even stretched past last season’s.

Man of the Match
1st Jordan Willis: Outstanding at the back
2nd Kyle Reid: A good outlet
3rd Jamie Sterry: The pick of the other defenders.

Coventry City Vs Oxford United

So a start of two home games in a week as we took on Oxford for the first time since April 1988 so a strong turn out of just over 2,000 made the short trip from Oxford to boost the Ricoh crowd to just under 10,000. Only one change to the team that lost at Charlton, the side was in goal playing his 30th League game Burge, in defence we had Sterry, Turnbull, Willis and Page, in midfield were McCann, Bigirimana and Stevenson with Sordell, Agyei and Lameiras up front.

City attacked the away end in the first half and almost had the perfect start when Bigirimana found Lameiras he played in Sordell whose shot was kept out by Eastwood in the United goal. City had started well as Agyei forced a corner. Oxford were slowly getting into the game and had a tame effort on goal. City on the whole were edging the game with the midfield in charge and Stevenson looking good. Burge then couldn’t hold a long range effort from former City loan player Chris Maguire. Oxford fans were making good noise and suggested that our ground is too big for us whilst we reminded them it isn’t our ground. Oxford were getting more into the game and won a corner, it came over and Burge went out and flapped at it, a header was sent back in hitting the crossbar before defenders managed to block two follow ups. Oxford did seem to be a footballing side which played into the hands of City. The game itself was good entertainment as City set up another passing move as Lameiras had a fine run and shot but the effort was closed down the ball fell to Stevenson some thirty yards out he took one touch and let fly with a rocket into the top corner for his first goal for the club. We all agreed it was a terrific goal and he would be sold during the next transfer window. City now were looking a lot more confident as the midfield three were looking in control, the front three working hard and the defence dealing with things. Sordell then had a shot blocked as I kept counting down the minutes to half time by looking at my watch. The first player then went into the book what seemed very harsh by the otherwise good referee Mr Jones. City needed to keep it tight before half time as we had a couple of minutes left when McCann flung in a cross, Sordell chased a lost cause only to put pressure on Edward whose header went past the on-rushing keeper and Sordell had a tap in for his fourth of the season and made it 2-0. So City two up at half time and looking at the first home league win of the season.

Not surprisingly Oxford came out in a determined mood in the second half pushing City back. City were finding it difficult to get out of our half as a corner was just headed over. Mr Jones then booked Stevenson again slightly harshly before Sterry dived in just outside the area and no one could argue about a yellow card. Now the only trouble was that McGuire lined up the free kick and we all remember his debut for City at M.K Dons where he scored twice from free kicks so we were nervous, I instructed Burge to stand in the right and left parts of the goal at the same time. Maguire stepped up and sent the ball over the wall but Burge read it well and pushed the shot away. This seemed to take the wind out of Oxford’s sails some what as City’s midfield started to get a grip again. City now were playing some good football with the fans ola-ing the moves that saw some quick passing ending with Sterry winning a corner. One attack saw an Oxford player go down and stay down until the ball came near him and he stopped appealing for a free kick jumped up and went forward. City were now looking more likely to score than Oxford as players had shots blocked trying to wrap the game up. City made the first change as off went the hard working Agyei and on came Tudgay. Reid then replaced Lameiras who is looking better with each game. Reid stretched the U’s defence as Sordell had three efforts go close. At the other end Oxford still looked dangerous on set pieces but Burge was now catching confidently. Reid then forced the keeper into a save as time was nearly up. In injury time Tudgay misplaced a pass and United went forward when the ball fell to McGuire his shot was diverted by the Coventry born Crowley and into the net. Suddenly Oxford were back in it with over two minutes to go of injury time. Thankfully City didn’t panic but kept the ball and not taking into the corner either but kept trying to find a third goal. In the last seconds City caught Oxford on the break and Reid had only Eastwood to beat in the goal but his chip sailed wide but seconds later Mr Jones blew for full time and City lifted themselves off the bottom.

Man of the match
1st Ben Stevenson: So good Sisu will sell him
2nd Ruben Lameiras: Repaid the manager’s faith in him
3rd Gael Bigirimana: Again at the fulcrum

Charlton Athletic Vs Coventry City


So I jumped on by bike and started the journey to Charlton, no I wasn’t cycling all the way but only to the train station. A slow journey down got us there by 1.30. It was in time to join the pre-arranged protest march. Two marches were organised a longer one for Charlton fans protesting about their board and a shorter one for City fans that was well attended. Both marches met up and joined in a march down the road to The Valley. Inside the ground the team was announced and despite Reece-Cook being fit Burge kept his place, the rest of the team was, Sterry, Turnbull, Willis and Page at the back, Stevenson, Bigirimana and McCann in midfield and Lameiras, Sordell and Wright up front. Athletic hadn’t won for ten games as we were bottom again.

The game kicked off then the major sat piece as the Charlton fans were handing out little plastic pig and then thousands were thrown on the pitch from all four stands. The referee Mr Deadman ordered the game to be stopped as the pigs to symbolise flying pigs as the chance for a take over of either club looked likely. Ground staff got on to clear the debris as the thousand strong City fans vented their anger at Sisu and a song made a come back “let down by the Football League”. After the pitch was cleared the game got underway again with City defending the end the away fans were in. The home side started the better and it took a couple of good interceptions from Willis to keep any shots on target. The Addicks then went close with a header hitting the post. City were finding it hard to get going as the away fans abused Tim Fisher and also sang Roland out, the Chairman of Charlton, in support of them. Then Sterry tried to be too fancy in his own half and was robbed ending in Page sliding it for a well timed block but he was clearly injured and minutes later had to be taken off and was replaced by Ricketts for his 50th league game for the club. City finally started to get forward as good work out wide by Lameiras fed in Sterry who hit the side netting. Then it got closer after another good move Lameiras struck a curving shot from the edge of the area that hit the inside of the post and went clear. Charlton hit back with an attack that led to a ball being chipped over the defence to Holmes who looked off side, he poked home and instead of a raised flag the goal was given. Now Charlton were full of confidence again and City drained of it as Lameiras lost the ball and McCann slightly harshly picked up a booking stopping the attack. Charlton kept pressing but then missed a sitter.

City only a goal down attacked our noisy end in the second half. Still plenty of support far more than a team at the bottom of Division Three deserved. We then did have a sight in the home stand as seven fans, maybe City fans, revealed white t-shirts with a letter each of “S.I.S.U.O.U.T”. They were allowed to remain and at one point even went to the centre of the stand and turned to were Tim Fisher was hiding. City were still passing the ball well but as normal without any end product as the players opted for one more pass instead of a cross. The forwards couldn’t get into the box and were forced to shot from distance. At the other end City went close when a McCann shot was saved it rebounded off a defender the keeper pulled off a good save to prevent an own goal. MV made the change on came Reid and Jones but both didn’t see much of the ball. Charlton were looking the more dangerous and it took a good save from Burge to keep them out. With City still in the game at the other end Turnbull did well to get to the ball but then was out muscled by their forward leaving him a free run in the box he picked out one his on-rushing team mates and it was 2-0. City went close with a couple of long rangers before somehow Charlton missed an easy chance at the other end. Then it was over more poor defending saw a ball played into the box Ricketts allowed a player to run behind him and it was 3-0. City fans were still singing until the final whistle.

Back at Charlton Train Station there was a great rendition of “Take me home Highfield Road” be we departed back on the various trains and tubes to Coventry got home about 8.30, not bad going really.

Man of the match
1st The fans: Over a thousand sang all the way through and on the trains back to Euston.
2nd` Jordan Willis: Some important defending
3rd Ruben Lameiras: Looked the most dangerous.

Port Vale Vs Coventry City

Another difficult couple of days as Mowbray resigned and again for the third time in a row a manager left after a 2-2 draw. It was a small crowd that made the journey to the Potteries in the rain thankfully not too far to go. We wondered what changes the new man Mark Venus would make? The first name out of the hat was a surprise as Lee Burge was in for his first league game of the season but not surprising since Reece-Cook was injured. The full line up was in goal Burge, with Sterry, Willis, Turnbull and Page at the back, Bigirimana, McCann and Stevenson in midfield with Sordell, Agyei and Wright up front. Meanwhile Vale had won all their home games this season so it looked a tough game.


City attacked the far end in the first half in the rain. It was a cagey start but City looked up for it and were working very hard. It was the home side that had the first real chance when their winger broke through but could only fire into the side netting. Vale then won a free kick as the fans pointed out that Vale’s Paterson was totally unmarked, the ball came over and Burge got up for a weak punch the ball fell to the unmarked Patterson who placed the ball just over the bar. The atmosphere in the away end was very good with plenty of Sisu Out chants. City were now taking a grip on the game, solid at the back the midfielders beavering away and the front three closing everything down. Turnbull put a header just wide as City started to dominate. Tim Fisher meanwhile was receiving plenty of abuse from the away section. City kept up the pressure as another flowing move saw Vale panic as City picked their way through and Agyei fired home the celebrations were soon muted as confusion rained as the referee wasn’t pointing to the centre circle but what was he awarding, a penalty, no a free kick! “Advantage ref” was the main cry from the away fans as the man in the middle robbed City of a deserved goal. City kept going as Agyei went wide it was now nearly all City and it was hard to see why Vale were unbeaten at home. City had a grip on midfield with Bigirimana again dominating in midfield if a pas did go astray he won it back the other two midfielders McCann and Stevenson were also performing well. It was one of those Bigi winning the ball back that led to the next chance as the midfielder got into the box and laid it back to Sordell who knocked the ball home to give the away side a deserved lead. “We’re going to win the league”, sang the City fans ironically. Vale upped their game somewhat for the rest of the half but City stood firm and made it to half time with a lead and everyone really happy.

The second half saw City kicking towards the raucous away following. There was concern at the far end as the ball bounced away in the City area but for once it was the City players getting to the ball before the opponents and the ball was cleared. City soon regained control before Bigi was taken out with a bad tackle that the referee didn’t see. City kept up the hard work with Sordell leading by example up front closing everything down. Not for the first time this season City looked secure with a goal lead but needed another one to make sure. The atmosphere was still good in the away end as we lambasted the lack of Vale fans despite their good start as I wanted their Coventry born chairman to sell up and buy us. Back to the action and Wright went off for some treatment he returned to the field of play but Alnwick in the Vale’s goals couldn’t have seen him as his throw to his right was intercepted by the forward but the keeper made amends with a good save to keep his team in it. Vale just couldn’t get going as City kept up the pressure then McCann blocked a pass and the ball fell to Agyei, the big forward charged forward and knocked a ball to the side and McCann steamed in and lashed the ball home the away end went ballistic I had a bit of a lump in my throat as we finally had a second goal and the way we were playing it looked like three points. Despite the winning lead the abuse aimed at Sisu just got louder. Mark Venus made his first change off came Agyei after he point in a real stint in the focal point up front and on came Lameiras who did fall over a few times in the box once with no one anywhere near him. The Portuguese played did however got close with a curling shot and City continued to dominate. Tudgay then replaced Sordell who must have been cream crackered by the hard shift he had put in during the game. Sterry then was hacked down in the box but Vale was saved by an offside flag. Tudgay almost put the icing on the cake when he nipped in but the keeper just done enough to force the shot inches wide. The whistle finally went and City’s second longest wait for a league win from the start of the season had ended. The fans were happy and so were the players, Bigirimana was last off the field and Bigi really gave it a biggy in front of the away fans to our delight.

Man of the Match
It was a case of 7, 8 and 9 for the starting eleven in the votes.
1st Gael Bigirimana: Outstanding yet again
2nd Marvin Sordell: Worked very hard deserved his goal, Sordell is on fire.
3rd Ben Stevenson: A great performance from the midfielder

Coventry City Vs A.F.C Wimbledon

With the game on a Wednesday City knew the situation a win tonight and we would remain bottom. Four points adrift but playing another struggling side could City get the first win? The team was in goal Reece-Cook playing his 50th game for the club, in defence and on his 80th league appearance was Willis, with him in defence in a 4-3-3 was Turnbull, Sterry and Page, in midfield we had Bigirimana, McCann and Stevenson, up front was Reid, Sordell and Tudgay.

Wimbledon won an early corner but City counter via Reid who ran at the defenders before getting in a shot the Wombles’ keeper parried and Sordell was on hand to knock the ball home to become top league scorer with two, what a start. “That’s why we are bottom of the league”, I sang. Wimbledon a team that had taken nine years to regain League status after the League let them die, worrying for us, were moving forward but the City players were working hard to close them down. Willis blocked a shot as the London team relied on the long ball, nothing ever changes. City were looking comfortable with Reid giving the opposition plenty to ponder before Stevenson had a shot deflected narrowly wide before Tudgay also had a shot blocked. City now were looking the better side but desperately needed a second goal as McCann had a shot blocked before Sterry got one on target. At the other end another good block prevented a shot on the City goal as Wimbledon started to get more possession. As City were still looking comfortable Wimbledon floated in a free kick it was flicked on and Meades beat Reece-Cook to the ball to level the game up. City hit back immediately as Sordell got into a good position but not for the first time miscued in front of goal then it got worse as the a minute late the ball fell to Tudgay with only the keeper to beat but he blasted it high. City kept up the pressure until half time.

The second half kicked off as Reece-Cook had to save early on. Not long after we had a big hold in play as Tudgay had gone down. After treatment the referee booked a Wimbledon player for an elbow, now there should be only two outcomes, one accidental clash no booking or an elbow straight red card. Wimbledon were happy to hold on to their lead as City tried to break them down and Reid went close with a shot. Another lengthy injury, this time to a Wimbledon player allowed City fans to sing the anthem “we want Sisu out”. The first change was then made as Jones came on for Stevenson to give City a bit more attacking edge. Jones had a shot blocked before another sub as off went Reid, maybe with a slight injury and on came Agyei. The referee Mr Heywood was happy to book just about anyone by now for next to nothing as the game entered the last ten minutes. The game was looking like a draw with seven minutes left a header was kept out by a great Reece-Cook save but Taylor was on hand he head it back the ball was cleared but it clearly crossed the line and City we staring at defeat. Jones had a shot put wide. T.M played his last card throwing on Wright for a disappointing Tudgay. Meanwhile Wimbledon were getting away with serial time wasting, as they were allowed to keep the ball in the corner, I feel F.I.F.A needs a change in the rules to stop teams doing this. Nine minutes of extra time was added which was spot on. City couldn’t get the ball from our own half but eventually got it forward. With five minutes of stoppage time left Bigirimana launched a throw into the box there was a scramble, Agyei had a shot save but the ball fell to Wright to ram it home and to level the game up. City went close twice in the remaining minutes before the referee blew for full time as City remained bottom but reserved the unbeaten home record.
Post match Mowbray sounded like he was on the verge of quitting over the inability to attract the right sort of players or the lack of funds.

Man of the Match
1st Kyel Reid: Dangerous again.
2nd Jamie Sterry: Had a good game
3rd Jordan Willis: Steady at the back

Gillingham Vs Coventry City


A bleak week in the history of Coventry City as Sisu start on major assets stripping by putting Ryton up for sale not long after banning The Coventry Telegraph rumours are they will start to wind the club up around Christmas. Still the team it self could be heading for the label the worse in our league history as we attempted to win for the first time this season in the league as we made the long journey down to Kent. It was a surprisingly sunny day in the Medway district, shirt sleeved weather. We entered the ground’s own bar to find Steve Waggott their, the only thing Sisu ever did right was to appoint him. He was chatting to many City fans and is now employed by Gillingham. In the ground and on Gillingham’s so-called temporary open stand we heard the team news, it was in the goal Reece-Cook with Dion Kelly-Evans, Ricketts, Turnbull, Willis and Page at the back, Gadzhev and Bigirimana in midfield with Reid, Sordell and Wright who was making his first start.

City attacked the away end in the first half in the black kit but was the Gills that went close in the first minute with a shot just going wide. City soon got things moving and the ball broke for Sordell but the keeper beat him to it leading to an accidental collision, the keeper, Nelson needed some treatment before being able to continue. Both teams were still testing each other out with a few off target shots from Gillingham and Sordell getting a shot in on target whilst Reid was looking the danger man for City. Dack got one on target the far end before City got the ball up and Gadzhev found Reid, the wide player turned on the edge of the box and sent his shot passed Nelson to give City the lead. This prevented City scoring the fewest number of gaols in the first nine league games in our history. It was a well deserved goal for Kyel. We didn’t have time to get used to the lead as minutes later a throw in was flicked home by Ehmer a very soft goal. City were not playing too badly with again Bigirimana pulling the strings in midfield. Gillingham’s main danger came down our right as they put a tall man on Dion and he was being exposed and lead to the game’s first booking for the very good referee. Sordell then had a good shot pushed over before Wright also went close. Half time all level.

Second half saw a sub as City switched to 4-4-2 it was no surprise that Dion went off and on came Jones. It was the home team that started the half the brighter and pushed City back for the first seven minutes as a header went wide before former City forward Cody McDonald broke through but could get a shot in on goal. City started to grow back into the game as Gadzhev had a shot saved but most moves ended down the left when Lewis Page failed to deliver and was having a poor game, we wondered how he can be picked ahead of Haynes when we are struggling for goals. Gael then had a very poor free kick as the game was in a bit of a stalemate. T.M made a surprise change as off went a forward, Wright and on came a midfielder Stevenson, was he playing for a draw? As City was readjusting Gillingham attacked and McDonald found acres of space he played in Knott who only had the keeper to beat and City were behind. Now T.M made another change and it looked like Stevenson could come off until Gadzhev did the walk and on came Agyei and yet another change of formation, why Agyei couldn’t replace Wright is beyond everyone. Reid and Sordell had shots on target but City were too poor as the front line was starved of supple in the end the ref blew and City were cut adrift of the bottom of the table a long struggle ahead of us not only to stay in League One but maybe our very existence.

Man of the Match
1st City fans: When will we ever see a successful side?
2nd Gael Bigirimana: Again!
3rd Kyel Reid: Looked dangerous and scored.

Coventry City Vs Oldham Athletic


So City were at home still looking for the first league win of the season against the team we last beat in the league. Oldham very similar to use struggle to score don’t tend to concede many. For some reason T.M went for a change in formation to 4-4-2, in goal we had Reece-Cook, with Sterry, Willis, Turnbull and Page at the back, Reid and Jones out wide, Gadzhev and Bigirimana in midfield with Tudgay and Sordell up front.

First incident was a blatant dive from an Oldham player who was very lucky not to be booked. Oldham went forward early on as Sterry conceded a corner. City soon got into the game as Jones was testing the defence with a run and shot over before Bigirimana shot at the keeper. Jones then went on another run before blazing over. It wasn’t great stuff and low entertainment but the battle between Oldham’s big forward Ladapo and City captain Willis. “Sisu out” chants rang out from the naughty corner as City kept probing main via Bigirimana who last this type of form in our relegation season (gulp). At the other end Reece-Cook had to be alert to push away a Ladapo shot. Then a good move Jones found Biggi, the midfield unlike Jones went for the by-line and cut the ball back to Sordell in space but the forward horribly miscued his shot and went well wide. Jones then again fired wide after a great ball from Biggi. Neither side seemed to know how to get a decent shot in as it was cagy stuff. With the end coming to a close Page whipped in a good cross and Tudgay rose to meet it only to plant his header embarrassingly wide.

Second half saw Lameiras replace Gadzhev and left everyone scratching their head to what formation T.M was now playing. Oldham took advantage and pushed forward. Reece-Cook was called into action to push away a shot. Then Sterry flew into a challenge and stayed down there was considerable delay for the stretcher and the player on his home debut was taken off and replaced by Dion Kelly-Evans. Oldham kept on top as Erwin smacked the bar before two or three more efforts went over. Reece-Cook saved again as City were struggling. Stevenson then came on for Reid, City switched formation to 4-3-3 and started to improve. Sordell had moved wide and was looking better as he found room and had a shot blocked in the area. Kelly-Evans was also getting forward and forced a foul that resulting in a booking. The game could have gone either way still but City came close when Sordell knocked in the great cross but Tudgay couldn’t make contact. Jones then put a free kick over the bar and we still hoped we could make the break through in the eight minutes of injury time but couldn’t leaving us bottom.

Man of the match
1st Gael Bigirimana: Again third in a row
2nd Jordan Willis: Battled well at the back
3rd Charles Reece-Cook: Some important saves.

Millwall Vs Coventry City


It’s a long trip to South London we started off with an English breakfast in Lutterworth before the drive down to Stanmore in London. After parking in their massive car park we five hopped on The Tube and made our way to London Bridge were it was a short train journey to South Bermondsey. Again it was raining but we were well under cover at The Den. He heard the line up in the Millwall Café just outside the ground, £1 for a coffee can’t argue. The team was in goal Reece-Cook, with Sterry, Ricketts, Turnbull, Willis and Page, in midfield we had Gadzhev and Bigirimana, with Sordell, Reid and Lameiras up front. Many City fans were predicting a hammering in contrast to our 4-0 victory last season.

The home side, high in the league started off the better pushing City back at the end were we where. The Lions were looking dangerous as a player missed a cross before a header went over. The home side won a couple of corners as the City players were struggling to pick everyone up in the box. City seemed to have seen off the early pressure and started to get going with Gael pulling the strings in midfield and Reid a handful up front, meanwhile Sordell, a former West Ham player who apparently received racial abuse on his last visit was being booed again. Reid had a shot on target as the game now seemed level. Bigirimana got the ball moving again and found Sordell from outside the area the big forward swivelled and blasted a shot past Archer for his first long awaited goal for the club as we went mad celebrating in the away stand. “You must be sh**, we’re winning away you must sh**” sang the City fans followed by “we’ve scored a goal”. City were defending well with Ricketts using all his experience to combat Millwall’s own experienced forward Morrison. Then mayhem at the back as a ball was passed back to Reece-Cook far too firmly, the keeper under pressure couldn’t bring it down but had to hack it away, it fell to O’Brien who raced into the box as the defenders tried to cover the ball was played to Morrison but a sliding challenge prevented him getting a clean shot and City survived. Sordell, who was looking a lot better went wide with a long range shot. The rest of the half passed without incident with City looking good.

The second half City attacked the away end as Millwall had an early chance but the header was straight at the keeper. Page put in an excellent cross but no forward went for it. Reid was still running at Milwall’s players and causing trouble. City then won a corner and Gadzhev knocked in a corner Sordell got a header in but couldn’t get it target when he should have scored. Millwall’s attacks were constantly being halted by off sides as City looked solid at the back. Then just after an hour we came very close when Reid crossed and Sordell got to it, his shot deflected off a defender as we watched as the ball beat the keeper and creep towards the goal the ball then bounced and went wide, no luck Ricketts went close with a header before Dion replaced Page. Then Millwall attacked down the right Turnbull missed his tackle on Morrison, he raced on and found O’Brien who beat Reece-Cook from close range. City’s heads didn’t go down as City kept playing well, Mowbray, never the one for negative subs sent on two forwards as Jones and Agyei replaced Lameiras and Reid. Meanwhile entertainment was being had in the stands, as normal plenty of banter between away and home fans normally responded with much of the same from the home fans until one fans took great exception to the away fans and when the fans saw this it got worse with the fans coining over to the away fans, we were in the upper tier, it ended with the fans getting on the pitch and was grabbed by the authorities and maybe seeing his last game at The Den for a while, all very funny to us. Jodi was making an impact as twice he threaten to break clear and twice he was pulled back earning yellow cards for the good referee. The second pull earned a free kick, Jones took it himself and Archer, in the goal tipped it over the bar. City ended on the front foot but could force a winner, no wins in the opening seven league games but a lot more positive.

Got home at 8.30 not too bad going

Man of the Match
1st Gael Bigirimana: Controlled midfield
2nd Kyel Reid: Looked dangerous
3rd Jamie Sterry: Confident at full back

Fleetwood Vs Coventry City

Back on the coach for this one on a wet Saturday and made up to the coastal town in plenty of time. The transfer deadline had come and gone no players out but only two in as City looks set to stick with the youngest team in the football leagues. City had won the only two previous visits here without conceding a goal against a team that was in the North West Counties League ten years ago which is the 5th level on non-league football. The manager changed formation to a 5-3-2 as the line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with Page, Harries, Turnbull, Willis and making his debut Jamie Sterry at right back. In midfield we had Gadzhev, spelt with an “x” on the scoreboard, Bigirimana and McCann in midfield with Sordell and Agyei up front. No former City players anywhere in sight for Fleetwood.


It was raining heavily which seemed even too much for Fleetwood’s cod mascot who didn’t show much before kick off. City attacked the far end in the first half. It was the home side high up in the table that started the better as Turnbull block an effort on goal before the son of Andy Cole got past Sterry too easily got through but couldn’t enough power on the shot to test Cookie in goal. The Sky Blues then started to get hold of the ball more with Bigirimana orchestrated the midfield. City then had the first chance as McCann put a shot wide from distance. After 17 minutes we had drama as Fleetwood counter-attacked from a corner leaving City exposed Charles-Cook decided to race out to help out when he should have stayed on his line but he did get the ball flattening Harries in the process but the ball fell to Ball and put in a lobe that went over the keeper’s head and looked to be dropping into the net but then suddenly Sterry arrived on the scene to head it away from under the crossbar. This lifted the home side as they got forward more as a player got in the box Bigirimana threw himself at him, thankfully missing before the ball fell to Long whose shot was blocked by either Reece-Cook or Turnbull or maybe both. Cole then fired wide as he was giving Sterry a difficult debut. City soon were back having most of the ball as Page had plenty of room but his crossing was either not good enough or no forward was gambling to get on the end of one. Change then had to be made as McCann had picked up an injury and he was replaced by Tudgay. Gadzhev fired in a free kick saved by the keeper. The game was a pretty poor spectacle but City then had a chance as Sordell finally woke up with a run and played in Agyei but the ball stuck under his foot and he couldn’t get a shot away. ..


Second half City were attacking our end as Sterry sent in a curling shot that Neal in the home goal pushed away for a corner. Agyei was by far looking the best City forward as he made his way into the box but couldn’t test the keeper. Fleetwood were happy to sit back and counter attack as one swift move saw Cole blast a shot out of the ground. City continued the passing game when Bigirimana played Agyei through and the big forward tried to lift the ball passed the keeper but he stood up and slapped the shot away. Then Sordell lost the ball and City were countered with the quick move down our left the ball fell to Long who curled his shot past Reece-Cook for Fleetwood’s first ever home goal against City. TM decided to make a change but it wasn’t up front instead off went Gadzhev, who was poor and on came Stevenson. It then got worse as City were warming up a change again Sordell lost the ball and a swift counter saw Ball play in Woolford who drove home to make it 2-0. The new boy, Andre Wright was then introduced and I was surprise he looked quite tall but the away fans were unhappy that Agyei was taken off and not Sordell as the first time the fans turned on TM with “you don’t know what you are doing”. Wright didn’t look too bad as City tried to break down the home side Sterry knocked a couple of good crosses but it was plain to see why we have only scored two league goals this season, finally the referee, who was very good, blew for full time.

Man of the match
1st Gael Bigirimana: Best game since his first stint at the club.
2nd Chris Turnbull: Solid at the back
3rd Daniel Agyei: looked the only threat

Coventry City Vs Northampton Town


It was the day of a planned protest against Sisu as rumours were rife that they could take City out of Coventry again. Back to the game and talking of out of Coventry, we welcomed Northampton to the ground, the Cobblers unbeaten away in the league since Cambridge beat them on the 17th of October. For the first time we faced a team with no ex-City players in the starting line up but did have Aaron Phillips on the bench. Meanwhile City gave home debuts to three players and not two as the media reported as Turnbull, Agyei and at last Sordell started; the rest of the line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with the other defenders Dion Kelly-Evans, Harries, Willis and Page, in midfield were McCann and Gadzhev leaving Tudgay up front supporting the other two. Just before kick off the heavens opened and we had lightening I timed it at about 1.8 miles away but thankfully the storm moved away leaving us with plenty of rain.


City looking to bounce back from the hammering at Norwich started of well when Sordell got in a shot. Tudgay then had a chance from a Page cross but the forward could only poke the ball well over. City fans were chanting “Sisu out” as the rain continued. The away side won a free kick before a raid down the left saw Harries slide in to concede a corner. The game itself was quite entertaining as City attacked again and McCann miscued the ball but it fell to Sordell in acres of space his first time header went straight to Smith in the goal when he should have done better. City were knocking the ball around well as Agyei got in a cross before Tudgay blasted a shot towards goal that looked goal bound before a defender go tin a good block. A powerful run then from Agyei open the Cobblers’ defence up but his shot just curled wide as City were on top. City were defending well with Willis and Turnbull looking good. One person that wasn’t looking good was the referee would put in an inept performance throughout missing several fouls and booking players for far less he wasn’t helped by Northampton team’s constant moaning and pick up yellow cards for that. Both sides shot over the bar before Gadzhev got a free kick on target but without any bother for the keeper. City needed a goal to turn our edge into a lead but it was the visitors who struck first when Gadzhev lost the ball resulted in a sweeping attack and Beutyman was there to slide the cross in for our first home league goal conceded at home for 252 minutes. City hit back as Sordell had a shot blocked before Tudgay headed over.


Northampton came out a lot stronger in the second half and pushed City back as a header went close. City soon regained the upper hand and started to probe again. Ten minutes into the half City went close as a ball was played into Tudgay’s feet outside the box the forward spun and sent a volley in on goal that Smith did well to turn away for a corner. The first change soon came as Jones replaced Agyei. The first contribution for the sub was to win a corner, this was delivered but Sordell wasted. Thankfully the rain started to relent as City continued to press. Down the left Page whipped in another cross but a bit too strong, Jones however picked the ball up on the other wing and knocked it back in and before Tudgay could reach it we were celebrating the forward’s 10th goal for the club. All level now and City looking most likely to win as McCann and Jones had chances the later testing the keeper. TM then went for a bold move brining on a midfielder for a defender, off went Harries and on came, for, technically, his third debut was Bigirimana who had signed early on Friday. Jones then had a great chance breaking clear to face the keeper but he showed why he has a poor goal scoring record by failing to beat the keeper. Bigirimana then volley over. The Cobblers threw on Phillips was we requested him to give us a penalty. McCann then into the book after sliding in making contact with the ball but not with the player, seconds later Jones was hacked down in the corner but no booking. Both sides to give them credit went looking for the win as City nearly took the lead with an own goal but the ball wasn’t running kindly. City then escaped after a good save from Reece-Cook. McCourt header over with the goal at his mercy but that would have been rough justice on City. Jones had a couple of shots but the game ended level with a performance most were happy with.

Man of the match
1st Chris McCann: Drove on from midfield
2nd Lewis Page: By far his best game.
3rd Marcus Tudgay: Maybe a run in the side

Norwich City Vs Coventry City

With only three of us and the notorious A14 to tackle at night we decided to go my coach for the League Cup Game. We set off in the air-conditioned coach in wonderful sunshine and after a good three hour trip arrived in Norwich with the sun beating down making it feel like a pre-season friendly. It was my first visit to Carrow Road for five years after a walk around the ground we heard the team news and to our surprise TM put out the strongest team possible but with half the team missing though injuries or suspensions he didn’t have much of a choice. The line up in goal was Reece-Cook, with Dion, Harries, Ricketts, Willis and Page in defence; in midfield we had McCann, Gadzhev, and Stevenson and up front were Reid and Agyei. Norwich made 11 changes to the starting line-up from the last game and included two ex City players in Maddison and Murphy. Despite the wholesale changes the Canaries put out a very strong side.

The recently relegated home side started the better attacking City from the off with Ricketts being alert to stop one attack early on giving the home side a free kick with which Maddison put over the bar. City did settle down and started to play some football but the home side looked the better. Five minutes later Norwich won another free kick when Page was pulled up for a foul, instead of going for goal Maddison rolled the ball sideways for a team mate to have a crack on target but straight to Reece-Cook. City were holding on as Norwich dominated as one of their players shot wide. Their fans were singing as well mainly about their hatred of their neighbours, Ipswich, (some 45 miles to the south). The home side kept up the pressure and won a corner; Maddison took it and picked out their captain, Martin, whose header was tipped over by Reece-Cook in the goal. At the other end Agyei did fire wide in a rare attack but when we did get forward Page refused to take on his man whilst Dion was trying his best to get beyond their defence. A good sliding tackle by Ricketts broke up another attack. Minutes later no such luck as Willis misread a ball and the dangerous Canos got it and advanced he played in Northern Ireland International, Lafferty in for a one-on-one with Reece-Cook and he scored. Gadzhev had a shot that was saved by the Welsh International keeper (I said they had a strong reserve side) Jones, but it was off a side. City started to get into the game a bit more as good work by Dion found Stevenson who forced a save before Gadzhev fire not too far wide. Ten minutes from the end of the half Canos got the ball on the left and cut in then he curled a great shot around Reece-Cook to make it two. A good goal and this got the noisy but annoying home fans singing again whilst I reminded them of the money gap between the clubs. City were now hanging on for half time as Reid lost the ball to Maddison he played in our 2nd highest scorer from last season, Murphy, whose shot was blocked for a corner before the half ended.


Second half saw a change on came Lameiras for Reid. City started quite well with Agyei forcing the keeper into a save. Maddison then had a shot save at the other end. Agyei then got the ball to Gadzhev who fired into the side netting. It wasn’t a bad game now as both teams used the ball well to get forward as Norwich came close with a header. At our end of the pitch Dion looked for a through-ball and was clearly pushed in the back the referee Mr Webb, who had a good game, agreed and gave City a penalty. It was quite surprising to see Lameiras step up for the spot kick but after a short delay the sub despatched the kick and suddenly we were back in the tie. One thing you mustn’t do in these circumstances is conceded quickly but that’s what happened as a Maddison corner was floated in and Martin knock it home and the stuffing out of the young City side. Lameiras had a good chance to make it 3-2 but scuffed his shot before Murphy was played in and he curled the ball past the keeper to wrap up the game. Norwich made a change but it was not popular one for me off went Jacob Murphy and was replace by his twin Josh and I complained bitterly that it would be good to see twins on the field minutes later it happened as Devon Kelly-Evans came on for his debut and for only the 5th time in our history we had brothers playing and for the first time twins. “See Norwich”, I shouted “We have a sense of occasion!” City then were unlucky as Agyei got his head on a good Dion cross only to hit the post and ball rebound off him and for a goal kick he was then withdrawn for Kyle Spence for his third game, all in different competitions. Norwich were well on top as Canos ghosted in to score again. The Norwich fans celebrated and taunted us whilst I replied “£150 million for failure!” as Norwich received somewhere around that for being relegated and Maddison alone cost several times more that our entire squad. I carried on entertaining the people near me rounded on Norwich, being a Premier League team allowing a Leicester to win the league. Dion and Devon combined well down the wings as City keep playing the ball and Spence again looked lively but it was Norwich who again scored this time Godfrey scoring with a powerful kick equalling our heaviest ever away cup defeat. Norwich fans where celebrating by taking their shoes off whilst I responded with “take your shoes off if you got six toes!” implying genetic deformities through inbreeding. The home side looked for seven as they hit the post. Thankfully there were no more goals and we could head back to the coach for the trek home.

A closer to the A14 meant we hit Cov before 2 a quick jog home and I got to bed at 2.30.

Man of the match
1st The fans: For turning up
2nd Dion Kelly-Evans: Got forward well
3rd Daniel Agyei: Our only big player.

Bradford City Vs Coventry City


The day started with set setting off to Kev’s house for the pick up when half way my car started to sound like a motorbike. At Kev’s had a quick check and I had blown my exhaust. Thankfully we had Adam with us today who had a car so he drove to the next pick up point in Leicester where Paul was waiting. A trouble free trip up the motorway to Bradford for my 9th visit and yet to see a win there in fact we haven’t won there since the 1960’s. Chatted to a few Bradford fans outside the ground and they already love Vincelot whilst they wished Reid had signed for them. They also confirmed the price of season tickets at Valley Parade was a mere £150 and if you wanted to add a child’s season ticket to that it would cost only an extra £5. Quite incredible no wonder they can always fill the ground, meanwhile we were charge £20 for the honour. In the ground we got the news that we wanted about our new forward playing the team was in goal, Reece-Cook, with Ricketts, Willis and making his debut Jordan Turnbull, the fullbacks were Page and Dion Kelly-Evans, with McCann, Gadzhev, Stevenson and up front was ex-Bantam Reid and making his debut the big and powerful looking Daniel Agyei. Today’s former City players were, apart from Vincelot playing at the back they had Colin Doyle in goal and Mark Marshall on the wing.


City attacked the far end in the first half in the rain. It was clear from the off Bradford more a passing side under McCall than under Parkinson then again it would have been difficult to go more direct. Then City started to play well first off Agyei show his power and speed by getting beyond the defence but could test the keeper before Reid broke free and was denied by the legs of the keeper. City kept up the pressure with some slick football as Stevenson won the ball and feed Agyei on the edge of the area, the big forward turned and got beyond the defence the keeper came out and was chipped to register City’s first goal of the season. At last a goal and the forward looked exactly what we needed. City now with the confidence flowing went looking for a second. Meanwhile Bradford were struggling to get going with the defence well on top. McCann had a blast wide before Marshall had a dangerous run before blasting well wide. At the other end the referee Mr Miller who ran the game well awarded a free kick which Gadzhev just put too high. Agyei had another good run and he looks a real handful. Bradford were slowly getting back into the game but the back three looked solid with Willis winning everything. McCann then had to be alert for a block as the Bantams ended the half on top before a Law shot was scrambled away. City ended the half in the lead and things were looking good.


Not long into the second half City had a great chance as Agyei played in Reid who had only the keeper to beat as he was about to shot McMahon slid it with a perfectly timed tackle, from behind to take the ball away. The Sky Blues were coming under increasing pressure as Page was staring to struggle to keep a hold of Marshall. The home side kept pressing and Vincelot had a header that just went over. Willis was again on hand to clear after a good cross as City started to hang on. City then spring a counter attack as a ball was played up to Reid a defender challenged him fairly to stop him breaking free the ball fell to Stevenson who had only had a defender in front of him Mr Miller blew a half so the players could receive treatment. Reece-Cook then had to make a save at the near post. TM decided to change things around and took off a clearly tiring Agyei after a great debut and throw on Marcus Tudgay for his 50th league game only the 70th City forward to reach this mark. City under pressure but looking strong then the wheels came off, Billy Clarke raced into the area passed Turnbull the defender got a hold of his shirt and brought him down, penalty and to make it worse he was the last man so no other choice from Mr Miller but to send him off, I think the first debutant to be sent off since David Thompson. McMahon took the kick and despite Reece-Cook going the right way it was well placed and level. TM decided to change things around to see if we could hang on for a point at least as Reid was withdrawn with great applause from the home fans and on came Harries, “the best laid plans of mice and men”, as Robert Burns says as Marshall got the ball on the right cut in and released a terrific shot from the edge of the area curling around Reece-Cook and Bradford led. It was now all Bradford as they went close again before Gadzhev clipped a player just inside the box, again a clear penalty and an unnecessary one. McMahon again took it Reece-Cook went the wrong way but it was tucked in the top corner, so he wouldn’t have saved it anyway. It was now a case of how many as George Thomas was thrown on for Ricketts. Marshall had another good run and got around the keeper for what looked like a certain goal but somehow the City defenders managed to clear it off the line then minutes later a quickly taken free kick saw a Bantam player free in the box he beat the keeper but this time it was Dion in too clear off the line. Thankfully the game ended as City slipped into the relegation zone but more showed promise as the team is still being built up.

Man of the Match
1st Daniel Agyei: Power, speed and can score.
2nd Jordan Willie: Player of the season so far
3rd Kyel Reid: Best game so far.

Coventry City Vs Bury Town

A good crowd of just fewer than 10,000 turned up to see if City could get off the scoring mark but the team news hardly inspired confidence. Reid and Jones apparently carrying knocks no news on Kwame Thomas and Sordell still out the front three were Tudgay, George Thomas and Lameiras, in midfield we had Gadzhev and making his debut Chris McCann, the back five were Rose, Ricketts, Harries, Willis and Rose but the new defender Jordan Turnbull wasn’t signed in time to be included. In goal was Reece-Cook playing his 40th league game. Today’s ex-City player, enforced in the F.A. rules you have to have one, was Jermaine Grandison who played 8 games for us some six years ago now. Last season City won this game 6-0 but only Ricketts and Reece-Cook started both, Rose and Lameiras came off the bench that day.

The game started quietly and basically remained that way (I could finish the match report there but I will plough on). Town were pushing forward early on but Harries was getting to everything at the back. With the game still trying to settle we had problems for Bury when Danns went down and tried again after treatment but had to be taken off. Lameiras then had City’s first shot fizzing well wide as both defences were well on top. City looked toothless up front, George Thomas who would maybe 7th or 8th choice forward after the transfer window, looked lost, Lameiras was too weak, Tudgay tried his best to win the headers but City were nowhere as strong as the visitors. A brief worry as Bury knocked in a free kick and Reece-Cook came out and totally missed it but it went out for a goal kick. With ten to go Bury’s Jones flew into Rose with studs up and injured the player, many fans were screaming for a red card but maybe a yellow would have been more appropriate but Mr England decided to just give a warning. I wonder what he thought minutes later when Rose had to limp off and be replaced by Dion Kelly-Evans. City’s tactic of knocking the ball down the wing for Rose to head was now over. Reece-Cook had us on the edge of our seats as he was closed down but City retained the ball. Up front it was awful but at the back it was solid with Willis and Ricketts joining Harries in clearing everything up. Etutu then blocked a free kick and was booked, so a studs up challenge that injures a player gets nothing an instinctive block gets a yellow card, strange rules football has. Tom Pope came close to getting on the end of a cross as we entered injury time where Pope fired at the keeper and McCann fired wide. The team was booed off.

Second half, at last a chance off went Lameiras who was missing again and on came Jones. City won a corner early on that Willis headed wide as the search for a league goal went on. Jones was improving things with a couple of darting runs but after one of them I could see he was clearly holding his groin and he looked like he had pulled something. Finally George went off and was replaced by Reid, City now looked a bit better. City won a corner and Gadzhev nearly picked out Harries but Bury counter attacked and fired over. Jones then got himself into a good position but instead of shooting, maybe his injury didn’t help, he picked out Kelly-Evans who hit the side netting. Reid worked himself into some good positions but his finishing was poor maybe a collective lack of confidence amongst the players. The game itself was still very poor as Harries now started to take the ball out into midfield to get things moving. Haynes put in a couple of good tackles as the clock ran down. Late on Bury had a couple of good chances one blocked by the keeper the other fired over before Tudgay volleyed one wide then Mr England blew for full time.

More booing but with two players promised by the manager before Bradford and maybe Sordell available things are maybe not too bad.

Man of the match
1st Cian Harries: A great talent
2nd Jordan Willis: Played well.
3rd Sam Ricketts: Used his experience well.

Coventry City Vs Shrewsbury Town

Toady obituary ex-City players were Jim O’Brien and Gary Deegan meanwhile Sordell failed a late fitness test but we did have a new defender. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with Rose, Ricketts, Willis, Harries and making his debut Lewis Page at the back. Gadzhev and Stevenson were in midfield leaving the front three of Reid, Lameiras and Jones. Inside the ground, using my season ticket I was ready for the first home league game of the season.

City looked bright early on with Ricketts going close from a corner. City were still using the ball well when Lameiras slide in Gadzhev who hit the side netting. City were passing the ball around well and testing the Shrews as Reid tried to escape down the wing earning a booking for the Shrews’ fullback. The resulting free kick taken by the Bulgarian found the Portuguese who couldn’t beat the Swiss in the goal. It was all City as Page did well to keep the ball in play and found Reid, the forward then back-heeled to the full back whose cross picked out Rose but the header was wide. Shrewsbury were sitting deep and already wasting time as City continued to probe. Reid then went close with a shot over the bar. The away side finally had an effort before the half ended without any goals.


Second half saw Town make two changes, they had the first chance of the half before Gadzhev curled a free kick wide. Ricketts was then booked as Mr Joyce the referee started to take centre stage. City then counter attacked well with Reid getting in a shot that the keeper turned around the post the resulting corner saw Rose go close. The first subs were then made of went Jones who was looking good and on came Tudgay. The referee meanwhile was still allowing the away side to waste time and seemed to give every decision their way. Stevenson was then booked as the ref was happy to show the yellow card. Rose fired wide before Harries was booked. Lameiras then was taken off and replaced by Kyle Spence who’s only appears was a couple of years ago in the J.P.T at Wycombe. Page was then booked and this time I had no complaints. At the other end Gadzhev showed strength in knocking over Deegan but the so-called Pitbull refused a hand shake from the midfielder. The Reid was withdrawn and Kwame Thomas came on for his home debut. Spence had a good run but then Thomas went down and was in a bad way, after a couple of minutes the distressed forward was stretchered off which is a massive blow for the club. City now had to play 15 minutes with ten men. Despite being lighter in numbers City still went forward but it was the away side that came closer hitting the post then in the dieing seconds a ball ran across the goal and it seemed a tap in for O’Brien but thankfully he couldn’t reach it and we got our first point of the season.

City look good apart from the scoring department with Thomas now injured a lot is riding on Sordell.

Man of the Match
1st Jordan Willis: Strong at the back
2nd Kyle Reid Looking good
3rd Cian Harries A great future.

Coventry City Vs Portsmouth


So with the fiasco that is Coventry City forcing me down the Ricoh early as possible for despite paying in May I still hadn’t received my season ticket, along with many others and since I ticketed the cup ticket section I also never received my Pompey ticket either. The ticket office was closed at Butts earlier in the day so turned up at the Ricoh at 6.15, thankfully the queue wasn’t too long and it took me 15 minutes to reach the tills. I tried to book my season ticket seat but that was not available on the fact it had been reserved for me, being a season ticket holder but I couldn’t buy it because it had to be set aside for myself, so no one else could take it not even I, who is the season ticket holder! I bought the ticket and had to pay a £1 surcharge making it more expensive than the Portsmouth fans were paying. Left the office and now the queue was stretching well beyond the door of the office despite only having a small attendance. Into the ground and I heard the team news and T.M didn’t tinker with the side as much as I though he would, in goal was Reece-Cook, with Rose, Ricketts, Willis, Harries and Haynes at the back, Gadzhev and making his debut Ben Stevenson, leaving Lameiras, Tudgay and George Thomas up front meanwhile today’s ex City player was Adam Barton captaining the League Two side with Baker and Doyle on the bench. By now the organisers had a brainwave and decided to open up two cash turnstiles as the queue was stretching to the roundabout, this prompted a mad rush but everyone tried to get in before kick off.

So City set out trying to win a League Cup tie for the first time since we beat Birmingham in 2012. City started fairly well with Willis having a header cleared before Haynes went on a run and fired in shot but no problem for the keeper. Pompey then got a shot in at the end where their fans where. Haynes had another go before Tudgay had a shot none of them on target as the game had a pre-season feel about it. The League Two side were finding their way into the game and after a second corner Bennett advanced into the box and Gadzhev missed his challenge and brought him down, the linesman gave it and it looked a pretty clear penalty. The City players protested claiming a dive as Vladimir was booked. Main took the spot kick as we waited to see if Reece-Cook was any better at penalties than last season the answer no, as again he dived the wrong way as Pompey took the lead. Haynes was taken out with a bad tackle and his assailant was very lucky to escape without a booking. The away side started to drop back and defend as City came forward. Rose was given plenty of space down the right and he picked out Tudgay who couldn’t get any direction or power on a header. City were looking comfortable on the ball but the Portsmouth defence were having no problems. One shift counter-attack saw the lower division side break clear but Willis showed great pace to get back and break up the attack, the Cov Kid was having a good game. Barton almost scored for his old club forcing the keeper to tip the ball over his own bar. City were being let down in several areas, Lameiras and Tudgay up front and Haynes at left back were poor. Portsmouth came close at the other end before Gadzhev again picked out Rose who crossed but Tudgay could get it on target. The away side were wasting time and they got away with taking what seemed like over thirty second for a throw in. In the last minute Rose had a chance, after the ball had broke to play in Ricketts, how had made a run into the area but instead passed to Thomas in an off side position. Half time a goal down most of us would have liked to see new signing Lewis Page come on for the second half for Haynes.

At half time the P.A announced that all season tickets have been despatched whilst I shouted back that I could have delivered them quicker on my bicycle.

Second half did see a change as Jones replaced Thomas. The change had an immediate impact as the player showed great skill in jinked past a couple of tackles and lifting the team and crowd. A couple of “Sisu out” chants rolled down from the stands. Rose again crossed well before Stevenson had a blast, the young midfielder was playing well, and passing the ball with great proficiently it was hard to believe it was his debut. Haynes then over hit another cross as City started to dominate. Jones then wriggled free and teed up Lameiras for a shot that hit the woodwork. City kept up the pressure as Lameiras had a cross cleared and Gadzhev clipped the ball back it the Portsmouth defence couldn’t clear and the ball dropped to Haynes who hit it first time to level the game up the club’s current longest serving player’s second goal. Reid came on for Tudgay and now City started to look very threatening. Portsmouth were pulled up, too the delight of the home supports for taking too long over a throw in. Suddenly all the passes where sticking City were knocking it around well and Haynes went from a poor player to one full of confidence as Reid was dragging defenders around. Reid fired in a cross as Jones just couldn’t get on the end of it. T.M made another change off went the immaculate Willis and on came Jack Finch for his first game since a home game again Milton Keynes a couple of seasons ago so it was the defender’s first game under Mowbray. Then with eight minutes left Jones found Lameiras who played in Gadzhev and the former Levski man got off the mark by rolling the ball past the keeper. I celebrated by showing people my Levski key ring and shouting “rakia”, a popular drink in Bulgaria. Portsmouth went forward minutes later and won a free kick some 25-30 yards out but Naismith hit it perfectly and scored with a brilliant free kick and we were level again. It was Portsmouth looking the most dangerous in the closing minutes but the referee blew for full time meaning we had another half an hour to watch.

Maybe not so much fun for the travelling fans from Hampshire as the first period of extra time got under way as we all dreaded a penalty shoot out. Now it was all City who were keeping the ball as Portsmouth looked knackered. After a 100 minutes Jones forced the keeper into a save. The big danger was a counter attack and this happened minutes later as Portsmouth raced down the right Bennett was free down the middle, he received a pass and only had Reece-Cook to beat the keeper raced out but the played was about to skip around him when Cookie reached around him and took the ball off his feet and the defence got back to clear the danger. The first period ended.

The period was seconds old when Haynes fired in a shot the keeper pushed it away but only to Rose who scrambled the ball home to give City the lead again. I insisted that the game should now be a Golden Goal as City showed great skill in keep ball. Poor old Portsmouth couldn’t get the ball as the Sky Blues were showing great professionalism. City could have added to the score line but Bass in the away goal was keeping his side in it including scrambling back to prevent a spectacular own goal. The Portsmouth fans were still giving good support with the Pompey Chimes and the dieing minutes saw Portsmouth finally get the ball and go forward but the defence stayed resolute to see out the game and for City to make the 2nd Round.

Man of the Match (a real tough choice)
1st Andy Rose looked great at right back and scored
2nd Vladimir Gadzhev: a natural replacement for Fleck
3rd Ben Stevenson: a great debut

Swindon Town Vs Coventry City


So the season was back and we kicked off against a team we have not beaten in the league since the 1960’s. It was a wonderful warm day, a day for doing the garden, being by the sea or watching cricket as they where when we finally pulled into the cricket ground in Swindon which is next door to the football ground. It had taken three hours to reach the Wiltshire town but the mood was kept high by the boxes of cakes I brought with me being my birthday recently for the three in the car. It hasn’t been a great summer for City with the expected number of players not signed and the academy threatened with closer because Sisu don’t want to maintain civil relationships with anyone. Season tickets still not posted and a club run on the standards that would embarrass a Sunday League team
In the old and frankly dangerous County Ground at last we could get a new season underway. The first game of the new season is normally trying to get used to all the new faces but it wasn’t hard today as we only had one debutant starting, the team was playing 5-2-3, in goal Reece-Cook, with Dion Kelly-Evans and Haynes as wing backs, Harris, Ricketts and playing his first game of the year after a long injury Willis. In midfield we had Gadzhev, Rose, with Jones, George Thomas and new boy Marvin Sordell up front.

City were in the new home kit that looks a lot better at a distances than it does close in. It was a good turn out for the City fans. City attacked the far end in the first half and early on Jones was brought down and won a free kick it was cleared but not very well and the ball came back to Sordell whose shot took a slight deflection and hit the post. Swindon had former City player Connor Thomas playing but in defence and amazingly as captain. City were looking quite good going forward with Sordell showing some good control. The Robins looked poor at the back and City were looking the better side. Swindon were looking poor at the back as Sordell found space again after a run and knocked the ball across the penalty area George Thomas threw himself at it but couldn’t make good contact. Swindon started to retain more of the ball but they couldn’t find a way through the defence. City were easily the better side as Sordell flicked the ball and Kelly-Evans forced the Robins’ keeper into a save. The home side kept the ball and continued to probe and finally had a shot on target. Sordell was first into the book and he was very harshly booked by a not very good referee. Jones was looking lively as well when he played a ball through for Thomas to run onto he only had the keeper to beat but made it easy for him with a poor shot. The first half ended as Mr Hendley the referee was booed after a poor first half.

The second half saw a surprise as Sordell didn’t re appear and was replaced by debutant Kyel Reid. City attacking the section of the away fans saw the first chance as Jones had a shot blocked by the keeper’s legs. Swindon started to improve and missed a golden chance when they blasted over. Harris made a great block back in the defence. City didn’t look as sharp without Sordell as Swindon were now looking the better side. Willis blocked a shot. At the other end Jones went down with cramp and was replaced by Lameiras. Not long after one Thomas was replaced by another as Kwame made his debut as it seemed City couldn’t afford more than one Thomas on the pitch at the same time. City had now lost their way up front as the midfield were disappointing. The Robins were winging around the area and a shot smacked against the crossbar before Reece-Cook made a save. Late on Swindon found room and Kasim unleashed a great shot to give the home side the lead and they probably deserved it.

Man of the Match:
1st Cian Harris: Only his second game but played well
2nd Sam Ricketts: Under ratted
3rd Marvin Sordell: Looks promising.

Here ya go Choccy...sorry a bit late...