Coventry 0 Birmingham 1 - 31/10/2006

Coventry 0 Birmingham 1 - 31/10/2006

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Elliott Ward, Richard Duffy, Robert Page, Colin Cameron (Wayne Andrews 76), Stephen Hughes (Don Hutchison 45), Michael Doyle, Leon McKenzie, Stern John, Kevin Kyle (Dele Adebola 67)
Subs not used: Jay Tabb, Clive Clarke
Booked: Richard Duffy 83, Robert Page 68

Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Martin Taylor, Radhi Jaidi, Mathew Sadler, Stephen Kelly, Fabrice Muamba, Stephen Clemence, Neil Danns, Cameron Jerome (Sebastian Larsson 87), Nicklas Bendtner, Gary McSheffrey (DJ Campbell 90)
Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Julian Gray, Medhi Nafti
Booked: Stephen Kelly 39, Stephen Clemence 79, Gary McSheffrey 82

Attendance: 27212
Referee: A D'Urso

Teamtalk
Birmingham's Nicklas Bendtner scored the only goal of the game as Midlands rivals Coventry were beaten 1-0 at the Ricoh Arena.

t was Blues' third successive Championship win and their fourth in all competitions as the hosts' sequence of back-to-back league victories was halted.

But, although the game had started at a frantic pace, the early action took place outside the penalty boxes with both sets of strikers seemingly having left their shooting boots in the dressing rooms.

Stern John's 25th-minute effort, which was screwed from right to left and wide of the Birmingham goal, was typical of the finishing on show.

But, only a minute later, Birmingham went in front, largely through the efforts of left-back Mat Sadler, although it was Bendtner who claimed the goal after his team-mate ran more than half the length of the wing to deliver the ball accurately onto the Dane's forehead.

Goalkeeper Andy Marshall partially parried the powerful downward header but was unable to hang onto the ball which squirmed over the line.

Next, Fabrice Muamba, who, like Bendtner, is on loan with Blues from Arsenal, chanced his arm with an ambitious lob from the right channel which drifted wide of goalkeeper Andy Marshall's right post.

In the 39th minute, Blues' Stephen Kelly was booked after taking down John from behind but referee Andy D'Urso first allowed the Sky Blues advantage although their attack broke down when Richard Duffy came off worst with a block tackle involving Sadler.

Moments before the break, Muamba again fired wide before play swung to the other end and John matched the Birmingham midfielder's inaccuracy from 18 yards.

Coventry captain Stephen Hughes made way for Don Hutchison in time for the start of the second half, which opened with Sky Blues striker Leon McKenzie hitting the post after meeting Colin Cameron's right-wing cross with a flying header.

Next, Hutchison set up Micky Doyle but the Irishman lifted his shot high and wide.

Marshall needed a second attempt to properly collect a Cameron Jerome shot before Hutchison blazed wide at the other end.

A confrontation involving Kelly and McKenzie sparked a shoving contest involving a dozen players but D'Urso calmed tempers ahead of Kevin Kyle heading Cameron's right-wing corner wide.

But Blues carved open Coventry in the 65th minute when Bendtner had Elliott Ward backpedalling and then found Jerome, who forced a one-handed diving save from Marshall.

Dele Adebola replaced Kyle shortly afterwards, before Robert Page earned a yellow card for bringing down Jerome.

And it was Jerome who ought to have put paid to any possibility of a Coventry comeback when he was sent clear in the left channel by Bendtner, but he could only prod the ball wide with just Marshall to beat.

Bendtner threatened late on but his low shot was saved by the Sky Blues keeper.

CCFC
A first half goal by Nikklas Bendtner is enough to give Birmingham a narrow victory over the Sky Blues in front of a record league crowd at the Ricoh.

Over 27,000 supporters came along to cheer on the two sides but it was the Blues who went away with a priceless three points.

Micky Adams made two changes to the side which beat Barnsley at Oakwell at the weekend, bringing back Stern John in place of Dele Adebola and Marcus Hall at left-back in preference to Clive Clarke.

There was action at both ends at the start of this keenly awaited contest with former Sky Blue Gary McSheffrey whipping in an early cross from the left which just evaded Neil Danns. Kevin Kyle then spurned a better opportunity for the Sky Blues after he was played in by Colin Cameron - the Scotsman blazing his effort high, wide and handsome from 15 yards.

That instigated a spell where City were well in control with Michael Doyle attempting a couple of shots from outside the area which were blocked by Blues defenders who coped well with some pretty impressive pressure from the Sky Blues. Stern John also sent a volley just wide after a good knock-down at the far post by Kyle.

But it was Birmingham who took the lead in the 26th minute through Arsenal loan man Nikklas Bendtner who nodded down Stephen Clemence's cross at the far post after he had left Stephen Hughes for dead. Andy Marshall seemed to have done enough to keep the header out but somehow it slipped through his grasp and just crept over the line.

City had been bossing possession up until then but Birmingham did look extremely dangerous on the counter attack with pace and skill coming from all angles to keep the Sky Blues' rearguard firmly on their toes.

There were worries for Coventry five minutes before the interval when Richard Duffy was left writhing in agony following a heavy collision with Birmingham centre-half Martin Taylor but thankfully the City right-back was soon on his feet again.

The Sky Blues were continuing to put their opponents under pressure but were struggling to get the breaks in the final third. Stern John got a decent sight of goal in the dying moments of the first half but pulled his low shot well wide of the target.

And whatever Micky Adams said to his players at the interval seemed to do the trick as City emerged fired up for the start of the second. Don Hutchison replaced Stephen Hughes and the veteran instantly provided a spark, sending in a good cross that Leon McKenzie stooped to head against the post with Maik Taylor only able to stand as watch as the woodwork came to his rescue. Hutchison then had a crack himself, sending a thumping 30-yarder not too far wide.

Shots were coming from everywhere and Kyle should have done better as he found space in the box to get his head onto a Doyle corner but he failed to force Taylor to make a save.

As City surged forward but failed to get back on level terms, Birmingham were inevitably finding space at the other end and it took a good save from Marshall to tip a Cameron Jerome shot over his bar in the 65th minute.

With 67 on the clock Micky made his second switch, bringing on Dele Adebola for Kyle in a straight swap up front and five minutes later Coventry had an extremely lucky escape when Jerome was played clean through but placed his shot wide of the post to keep the Sky Blues in it.

With Birmingham threatening to finish the tie off by scoring a second, Adams made his final substitution as Saturday's hero Wayne Andrews replaced Colin Cameron.

But it was the visitors who were well in control by now, hitting City on the break continuously with Bendtner in particular looking a class above. As long as they failed to score again City were always in with a shout of nicking an equalizer but by the dying stages seemed incapable of getting the ball into Birmingham's half.

The last opportunity fell to the man you would want it to, Stern John, but he failed to divert Marcus Hall's deep free-kick on target.

Micky Adams' men certainly couldn't be criticized for a lack of effort and had they grabbed a goal at the start of the second half when they seemed well in control it might have been a different story. But over the 90 minutes the Blues will feel worthy victors and could have beaten City by a bigger margin but for some wasteful finishing in the final 20 minutes.

4thegame
Birmingham City's on-loan teenager Nicklas Bendtner settled the second city derby with a classic striker's goal at the Ricoh Arena.

The Arsenal man headed home in the 26th minute to upstage the return of Gary McSheffrey.

It was his first visit back to his hometown club following his controversial sale in the transfer window.

Birmingham, buoyed by their weekend win over rivals West Bromwich Albion, started the stronger and Danns forced Andy Marshall into action in the third minute with a 20-yard effort.

But slowly Coventry began to get their game going and pressed the visitors back. Leon McKenzie's pace on the left was clearly going to be problem for Steve Bruce's men and he got around Stephen Kelly and provided a useful cross but Kevin Kyle fired wide.

Michael Doyle, who had scored a rare goal on his last outing, fired wide and then had a pile-driver blocked in the nick of time.

The game needed a goal and Bendtner provided it. Mathew Sadler was allowed to gallop forward unchecked for 30 yards before delivering a super cross for the big Dane who headed powerfully down.

Coventry keeper Andy Marshall got his hand to the ball but it was not enough to stop it rolling away and over the line.

Sky Blues boss Micky Adams must have expected a reaction from his side but there was precious little and when they did carve out a chance they lacked the quality to make it really count.

Stern John could have levelled the score deep in first-half injury-time but he pulled his shot poorly wide.

Adams added the quality of Don Hutchison after the interval and the veteran did make a telling difference. The former Liverpool man set up Doyle for an effort which spun wide before having a go himself from 25 yards. His right-foot effort flew just part Maik Taylor's left post.

Kelly then had to produce a superb challenge to rob John just as the Trinidad and Tobago striker looked set to shoot from well inside the area.

Kyle, who had done precious little throughout the game, saw a header skate just wide from a Colin Cameron corner.

But while Coventry were pushing forward it let them vulnerable on the break and they came very close to conceding a second goal when Cameron Jerome was put through by Bendtner.

His curling right-foot effort seemed to be heading for the top corner before Marshall palmed it clear.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said: "Our defeat against Norwich was about as bad a night as I have had in football, but when you have ten players, many of whom are young, you have to hit rock bottom. But the players' hunger and attitude since has been terrific.

"But we are only a quarter of the way through the season and we have to carry it on. If we keep going like this we will be there or thereabouts.

"Nicklas (Bendtner) still has a lot to learn but he is only 18 and his talent is there for all to see." Coventry manager Micky Adams said: "On reflection I thought we created the best chances in the first half and had the effort from Leon gone in rather than hitting the post it might have been a different story.

"I am pleased that although we have lost, we have really had a go.

"It is just not dropping for us in front of goal, but on another day it might have done. It was a very competitive game."

Barnsley 0 Coventry 1 - 28/10/2006

Barnsley 0 Coventry 1 - 28/10/2006

Barnsley: Nick Colgan, Sam Togwell, Paul Reid, Bobby Hassell, Robbie Williams, Anthony Kay, Michael McIndoe, Martin Devaney (Colin Healy 72), Brian Howard, Paul Hayes (Daniel Nardiello 63), Marc Richards (Tommy Wright 82)
Subs not used: Neil Austin, Paul Heckingbottom
Booked: Brian Howard 90

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward, Richard Duffy, Robert Page, Clive Clarke (Marcus Hall 27), Colin Cameron (Jay Tabb 60), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie (Wayne Andrews 83), Kevin Kyle
Subs not used: Matt Heath, Christopher Birchall
Booked: Michael Doyle 41
Goals: Wayne Andrews 84

Attendance: 10470
Referee: M Halsey

Teamtalk
Substitute Wayne Andrews scored just seconds after coming off the bench to help his side Coventry beat Barnsley 1-0 at Oakwell.

Sky Blues fans had booed and chanted "You don't know what you're doing" when Adams hauled off Leon McKenzie with seven minutes to go in favour of Andrews.

But their jeering turned to cheers when Andrews had an instant impact, turning his marker to send a low shot into the far right corner of the goal.

Barnsley will feel hard done by, having dominated much of the second half, but the goal was reward for a rare flash of quality in a game dominated by missed chances.

Coventry were quickly into their stride as Barnsley struggled to deal with the front pair of Kevin Kyle and Dele Adebola, the latter starting in place of the injured Stern John.

Kyle had a great chance in the fifth minute but sent a free header wide of the target from Colin Cameron's cross.

Kyle was then inches away from returning the favour with a knock-down that Cameron only just failed to collect. Adebola picked up the pieces but sent the ball over.

Mistakes in the Coventry midfield allowed Barnsley to push forward as the game moved past the 20-minute mark, but they struggled to create openings. Marc Richards wasted the best of them when he sent a half-volley well wide having got beyond the last defender.

Adebola continued to be the dangerman, but Coventry were guilty of trying to be too intricate inside the Barnsley area, never more so then when Cameron latched onto Adebola's knock down but tried to run and turn when he could have shot first time.

Barnsley had a great chance in the 34th minute when a through-ball found Paul Hayes free inside the area, but he took too long to shoot, and Andy Marshall easily saved at his near post.

Togwell did a better job of testing the Coventry stopper moments later, but his 20-yard effort was punched away for a throw-in.

Hayes then almost scored an own goal when he turned Kyle's drilled cross over his own bar, but the best chance of the half was created and squandered by Coventry's right-back.

Richard Duffy went on a winding run, exchanging passes with Adebola, before coming face to face with Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan, but he ran out of steam and his weak shot was blocked.

Richards had a weak header saved by Marshall as the half ended goalless.

But where Coventry had dominated the first half, Barnsley looked to be taking control after the break.

After a scrappy start the Tykes began to dominate around the hour mark.

First, Michael McIndoe attempted a 25-yard strike towards the top left corner which drifted narrowly over.

Hayes was then unlucky with a thunderous half-volley which was again just off target.

Moments later, Barnsley were almost gifted the opening goal when Marshall fumbled a corner and Elliott Ward had to clear the ball off the line as McIndoe tried to bundle it home.

McIndoe squandered another chance in the 70th minute after dispossessing Duffy to run half the length of the field. With Barnsley strikers queuing up in the area, McIndoe tried a shot from an almost impossible angle.

The hosts continued to push forward, and substitute Daniel Nardiello whipped in a cross which would have found Sam Togwell at the far post - but for a timely intervention from Marcus Hall.

But all that dominance counted for nothing when Andrews came off the bench to grab the winner with time running out.

Jay Tabb might have added a second but sent his shot over after cutting in from the right.

Barnsley were inches away from a stoppage-time equaliser when Nardiello turned and shot, but Marshall pushed the ball wide.

CCFC
Super-sub Wayne Andrews wrapped up the points for Coventry City as they beat Barnsley 1-0 at Oakwell.

The forward, who has been out all season with an array of injuries, came on with six minutes to go for his debut and scored less than a minute later to seal the victory.

It was just rewards for Adams' men, who had worked hard to keep a clean sheet and find the breakthrough at the other end.

It was perhaps even sweeter for Adams, who had been booed ridiculously by his own supporters for taking off Leon McKenzie for Andrews.

Micky Adams made one enforced change against Barnsley to the side that beat Colchester 2-1 on Monday night.

Stern John was forced to miss the trip to Oakwell with a gash to his ankle, which was sustained early in the match against the U's.

Instead, Dele Adebola came into the side to partner Kevin Kyle up front, with Leon McKenzie remaining in midfield.

On the bench, Marcus Hall returned to the squad just two weeks after picking up a medial ligament injury against Southend, while Andrews was in the squad for the first time this season after recovering from an ankle injury.

The Sky Blues created the first real chance of the game with five minutes gone, when Duffy found Cameron on the right-hand side, who delivered into the area for Kyle, who headed it wide of the target.

Kyle was again involved three minutes later, when his deft touch found Adebola - the striker lifting his shot over the target with his back to goal.

Cameron hit a shot into the goalkeeper's arms, before at the other end, Marc Richards saw his shot fly wide of Andy Marshall's goal.

Kyle lifted a shot disappointingly over the bar from McKenzie's chip on 26 minutes before a minute later, Adams was forced into an early substitution when Hall replaced Clive Clarke at left back.

Paul Hayes forced Marshall down to his right-hand side to make a smart save on 34 minutes, before the keeper was called into action again, when Sam Togwell forced him to beat away a shot from his left post.

It was Barnsley's best spell of the half but Coventry were equal to it and at the other end, Duffy pounced on a mistake to find himself one-on-one with the keeper, only to see his shot saved by Colgan.

Doyle became the first player to go into the book after a tangle with Togwell on 41 minutes, before Richards headed into the arms of Marshall as the home side looked to break the deadlock before the break.

Michael McIndoe created the first real chance of the second half when he fired a fierce snapshop just wide of the right-hand upright on 59 minutes.

Adams selected to make another change on the hour, when Cameron was replaced by Jay Tabb. It marked a change in formation, with McKenzie joining Kyle up front and Adebola moving to fill the vacant spot of the right of midfield.

Barnsley made a change of their own four minutes later, with Danny Nardiello replacing Hayes. The substitution spurred the home side into life and Andy Ritchie's men thought they had taken lead moments later when McIndoe's shot was dropped by Marshall, only to be cleared off the line by Ward.

The home side made another substitution on 73 minutes, when Colin Healy replaced Mark Devaney.

Adebola almost scored an own goal when he turned Togwell's shot around the post, before Barnsley made their third and final change on 83 minutes when Mark Richards was replaced by Tommy Wright.

Andrews replaced McKenzie on 84 minutes and the former Palace man made an instant impact - curling it around the keeper to give Adams' men the lead and seal the win.

4thegame
Super-sub Wayne Andrews grabbed a late winner with his first touch after coming off the bench to silence some disgruntled Coventry City fans.

Sky Blues boss Micky Adams brought on Andrews for Leon McKenzie seven minutes from time, sparking a chorus of 'You don't know what you're doing' from the travelling fans.

But the City manager had the last laugh seconds later when Andrews collected the ball from a throw-in, cut inside Paul Reid and rifled a low angled shot beyond Nick Colgan.

In a scrappy first half both sides had chances to break the deadlock.

Barnsley had a scare in the first minute when Colin Cameron whipped in a curling corner to the near post that Colgan just managed to hold.

Kevin Kyle missed the target with a header after being picked out by Cameron's cross, before Dele Adebola hooked an ambitious volley over the top.

Barnsley were on the back foot again when Kyle went powering through, but when the ball broke he hoisted a wayward volley high over the top.

The hosts came back with a threat of their own when Marc Richards angled a shot in from the right, before Paul Hayes shot straight at goalkeeper Andy Marshall after being played in by Michael Mcindoe.

Marshall then had to produce a save diving full stretch to his left when Sam Togwell threatened to break the deadlock with a sizzling goal-bound shot from 25 yards.

His opposite number Colgan did brilliantly to keep out Coventry when Brian Howard's mistake let in Richard Duffy, who exchanged passes with Adebola on the edge of the box, only to see the goalkeeper dive bravely at his feet.

And three minutes before the break Barnsley squandered a glorious chance when Bobby Hassell's cross found Richards, but his header was straight at the keeper.

Ten minutes into the second half McIndoe hit a shot on the turn that flew over the top, before Richards teed up Hayes to fire a long-range volley too high.

But after 65 minutes, only a desperate goal-line clearance kept out the home side.

Marshall dropped Togwell's long throw and McIndoe nipped in to head goalwards, but Elliott Ward cleared off the line.

But with time running out, Andrews struck to secure the points.

Coventry manager Adams was confused by the boos that followed Andrews' introduction.

He said: "I don't want to make a big thing about it and I've never heard it before.

"When we came to this club they were in the lower echelons and we rescued them and finished eighth in the table last season - and we are in the top ten this time so obviously I don't know what I'm doing.

"The way fans look at it is, because of where Barnsley are in the table they expect us to come here and it's easy and we are going to get three points. But it's not as simplistic as that.

"Barnsley were everything I thought they would be and, from the way we played, I would have gladly taken a point. Fortunately Wayne got the goal and we scraped a win." Tykes manager Andy Ritchie admitted to being worried by his side's inconsistent defence.

He said: "We were pretty solid all the way through until the last few minutes, but we are conceding late goals and that is something we have to sort out.

"We are going to have to have a good think about it, and we have got another difficult game at Derby and then we have Leeds.

"I just hope we get a scrappy win and do what Coventry have done to us."

Coventry 2 Colchester 1 - 23/10/2006

Coventry 2 Colchester 1 - 23/10/2006

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward, Richard Duffy, Robert Page, Clive Clarke, Colin Cameron (Christopher Birchall 89), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Leon McKenzie (Jay Tabb 86), Stern John (Don Hutchison 89), Kevin Kyle
Subs not used: Matt Heath, Dele Adebola
Goals: John 46, Doyle 69

Colchester United: Aidan Davison, Pat Baldwin, Greg Halford, Wayne Brown, Chris Barker, Kevin Watson (Johnnie Jackson 29), Karl Duguid, Kemal Izzet, Richard Garcia (Kevin McLeod 41), Chris Iwelumo (Jamie Guy 80), Jamie Cureton
Subs not used: Dean Gerken, John White
Booked: Greg Halford 11, Chris Barker 34, Karl Duguid 39
Goals: Guy 85

Attendance: 16178
Ref: M Pike

Teamtalk
Goals from Stern John and Michael Doyle enabled Coventry to leapfrog Colchester in the Championship table with a 2-1 home victory.

The Sky Blues survived a late scare after substitute Jamie Guy's strike, but picked up a deserved win over a disappointing U's side.

The home team took a deserved lead in first-half injury time in what was the first league meeting between these sides in 42 years.

Leading scorer John grabbed his fourth of the season on his return to the side, beating U's goalkeeper Aidan Davison with a low strike into the bottom-right corner from 15 yards after being released by Colin Cameron.

The home side doubled their advantage in the 69th minute, with John again in the thick of the action. The 29-year-old striker did well to control the ball on the right of the box before unselfishly squaring to the unmarked Doyle, who coolly slotted the ball inside the right post from eight yards.

The away side gave themselves hope in the 85th minute when substitute Guy raced clear down the left before cutting inside and sending a right-footed curler inside Andy Marshall's left post.

Guy's goal made for a nervous ending but Coventry deserved the victory that put them in the top 10 of the Championship.

Earlier, Cameron came close to opening the scoring with a volley from the edge of the area which flashed wide of the left post after Colchester failed to clear their lines.

And John should have done better after shooting over from a cut back supplied by the excellent Leon McKenzie.

Welsh defender Robert Page also came close to making the breakthrough, rising highest to meet John's whipped cross from the right, but his header landed agonisingly wide of the right post.

The U's looked dangerous on the counter, spurred by just one defeat in their last eight games, with goalkeeper Marshall fortunate to escape embarrassment after clumsily spilling Jamie Cureton's long range effort.

After John's opener, Cureton was also close to the target midway through the second half when his shot from wide on the right flashed wide of the left post.

But it was City doubled the lead through Doyle and they looked likely to add to their advantage in the closing stages, with Cameron running the show.

McKenzie's header from Cameron's corner sailed just over the unguarded net with Davison stranded, and Kevin Kyle came close from another dangerous set piece.

Guy pulled one back but in the end Micky Adams' side had done enough to win and record their fourth home win of the season.

CCFC
City beat Colchester by two goals to one with Stern John and Michael Doyle getting on the scoresheet before the visitors netted a late consolation.

Micky Adams named Coventry's two new loan signings in the starting eleven with Richard Duffy coming in at right back and Clive Clarke slotting into the left hand side of defence.

Upfront Stern John partnered Kevin Kyle while Leon McKenzie was deployed on the left hand side with Colin Cameron on the right.

The Sky Blues started the game well with McKenzie in particular getting plenty of joy down the left flank. In the seventh minute intense pressure from the former Norwich man led to Cameron sending a volley narrowly wide and in the 16th minute he teed up an even better opportunity for John, who blazed over from 12 yards out.

With City applying all the pressure, Colchester were forced into some rash challenges and both their full-backs - Greg Halford and Chris Barker - were booked in the opening period as well as skipper Karl Duguid.

The U's only real chance of the first half came when Jamie Cureton blasted a powerful effort at Andy Marshall which the City keeper spilled, although Elliott Ward was on hand to clear.

After bossing the initial stages, as the half progressed Colchester began to look more comfortable controlling City's attacks but John capped an impressive performance with a finely taken goal in stoppage time.

Colin Cameron threaded a beautiful ball through to the Trinidad and Tobago international which he controlled neatly before placing his shot past U's goalkeeper Aidan Davidson.

To add insult to injury Colchester were forced into two midfield substitutions during the first half with Watson and Garcia going off injured, meaning they had little by way of tactical options going into the secod period. One of their switches saw the introduction of former City loanee Johnnie Jackson who was injured early in the season and struggled to force his way back into the side following Colchester's excellent run of form during September.

Coventry were quite content to play keep ball in the early stages of the second period and once again McKenzie was getting acres of space onn his side of the pitch. Unfortunately he could not provide the killer ball as he had done before the break but City were still getting into some dangerous positions and looked more than capable of extending their lead.

And they did just that through Michael Doyle in the 68th minute. The goal came from more excellent work by John as he used all his control to fend off two Colchester defenders before laying a sqaure ball to the Irishman who finished with aplomb. It was the 25-year-old's first goal since March 2005 and as he reeled off to celebrate his joy was clear to see.

The Sky Blues continued to dominate, playing some delightful football with the irrepresible John at the centre of much of it, but Colchester gave themselves a glimmer of hope fiove minutes from full-time when substitute Jamie Guy cut in from the left and fired a crisp low drive past Marshall into the far corner of the net.

Micky Adams reacted by making his first switch with Jay Tabb replacing the impressive McKenzie on the left. A double switch soon followed as Hutchison and Birchall replaced John and Cameron as the City boss introduced fresh legs to ensure that Colchester did not make an unlikely comeback.

In the end, City were worthy winners after a professional performance, interspersed with some fine moments of individual quality.

4thegame
Stern John proved there's no place like home as he fired Coventry City to victory.

The Trinidad & Tobago international struck in first-half injury time to end a poor run for the home side, before Michael Doyle chipped in with a rare goal to make certain of victory.

Coventry City boss Micky Adams made four changes from the side which fell to defeat at neighbours Wolves.

Richard Duffy returned on his third loan spell from Portsmouth, while Clive Clarke came in for his debut after agreeing a one-month deal from Sunderland.

The two were involved more than they would have wished in the opening minutes as Colchester started very brightly.

Robert Page had to make half a dozen interventions in as many minutes, twice cutting out dangerous attacks with well-timed headers.

But after weathering that early pressure, it was Coventry who really should have taken the lead when they launched their first real attack of note.

Colin Cameron, loitering on the edge of the area, tried his luck with a left-foot volley which went skimming just wide of goal, before John managed to sky an effort over the bar following good work from Leon McKenzie.

The U's went closest through Jamie Cureton, whose long-range effort was spilled by Andy Marshall and had to be hacked to safety by Page.

Coventry were becoming increasingly frustrated but managed to finally get it right inside the first minute of injury time.

Cameron and John combined well for the striker to stroke the ball in past Aidan Davison.

The goal knocked the visitors - who were on a high after their thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday - and they could have gone further behind after the restart when McKenzie saw a header fizz just over the bar from a Cameron corner.

But while they were forcing most of the play and limited Colchester to long-range effort, they needed a second goal to be certain of victory.

And when it came in the 68th minute, it was from an unlikely source.

Combative midfielder Doyle had not found the net for 18 months, but John gave him an unmissable chance and he slid the ball home to end a fine move.

The visitors did rally and Cureton almost found the net with a fine a 25-yard shot before Wayne Brown also went close, But then, with just six minutes left, Jamie Guy netted and Coventry were left hanging on.

Referee Mike Pike allowed four minutes of overtime and Colchester pressed for all they were worth, but it was too little too late.

City manager Micky Adams said: "It was an important win. We are a little bit inconsistent at the moment so it was crucial for us to get a result at home.

"The home form was vital for us last season and it is good to get that going again.

"It was not the best of games but we are more than happy to take the three points.

U's boss Geraint Williams added: "We are all disappointed because that is probably one of our worst performances of the season.

"I didn't think there was much in the game but Coventry made the most of their two chances.

"I think Micky Adams is an honest man and we both know we've played better than that this season."

Wolves 1 Coventry 0 - 17/10/2006

Wolves 1 Coventry 0 - 17/10/2006

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Matthew Murray, Jamie Clapham, Gary Breen, Jody Craddock, Rob Edwards, Seyi George Olofinjana, Karl Henry, Darren Potter, Rohan Ricketts, Jemal Johnson (Craig Davies 61), Jay Bothroyd (Leon Clarke 61)
Subs not used: Lewis Gobern, Carl Ikeme, David Wheater
Booked: Seyi George Olofinjana 58, Jay Bothroyd 56, Leon Clarke 82
Goals: Ward(OG) 20

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward, David McNamee (Jay Tabb 11), Robert Page, Matt Heath (Stern John 79), Christopher Birchall, Colin Cameron, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle (Kevin Kyle 70), Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Kevin Thornton, Don Hutchison
Booked: Christopher Birchall 20, Kevin Kyle 89

Attendance: 19823
Referee: L Mason

Teamtalk
Elliott Ward's own goal separated the two sides as Wolves picked up their third straight home win with a 1-0 victory at home to Coventry.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will have been left scratching his head as to how any of his players failed to register on the scoresheet, but will certainly be content with his side's defensive display after the miserly defence kept their seventh clean sheet of the season.

Ex-Blackburn forward Jemal Johnson began the move which led to the goal, accelerating past the Coventry midfield before releasing Rohan Ricketts in space down the right.

Ricketts crossed the ball to Nigerian midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, who spun on the penalty spot before sending a shot which deflected off the unfortunate Ward and past the wrong-footed Andy Marshall into the bottom-right corner.

McCarthy's strike pairing of Johnson and former Sky Blue Jay Bothroyd were proving a constant thorn in the City defence, with the pair combining to almost double the home side's lead.

Johnson found Bothroyd down the right flank, who stood up an inviting cross to the back post which Karl Henry was whiskers away from meeting.

The Sky Blues were forced to make an early substitution when David McNamee pulled his hamstring. And it was replacement Jay Tabb who came the closest to netting for Micky Adams' side in the first half, sending a low, swerving shot with the outside of his boot just wide of Matt Murray's right post.

Wolves continued where they left off in the second-half with Olofinjana and Johnson both testing Marshall early on.

McCarthy made the surprise move of bringing off Johnson and Bothroyd, but with City's nervous defence starting to tire, the decision soon looked inspired, with the fresh legs of Leon Clarke and Craig Davies proving equally problematic.

Wanderers should have doubled their lead in the 70th minute. Clarke timed his run to perfection to meet Darren Potter's free-kick from wide on the right, but his powerful six-yard effort flew just above the right angle of the post with Marshall beaten.

And only minutes later McCarthy's side were handed a gilt-edged opportunity to seal the points.

Olofinjana's delightful chipped pass sent Davies clean through but the young striker's clumsy touch took him too wide - enabling Welsh defender Robert Page to recover and make an interception.

Ironically it was former City defender Gary Breen who came closest to netting for the away side, slicing a cross agonisingly over his own bar.

But Wolves held on following a nervy five minutes of injury-time to claim their first victory over Adams' team since the 2001/2002 season.

CCFC
Coventry City fail to make it back-to-back wins on the road at Molineux this evening as an Elliott Ward own goal consigns the Sky Blues to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

Micky Adams was forced to make one change to side that was victorious over Southend on Friday evening.

Chris Birchall returned from international duty with Trinidad and Tobago to replace the injured Marcus Hall, with David McNamee switching to left-wing-back to accommodate.

Stern John had to do make do with a place on the bench alongside Kevin Kyle, who returned to the squad following illness. Dele Adebola kept his place in the starting 11 after scoring his first league goal of the season for the Sky Blues.

Colin Cameron, who also scored for the first time at Roots Hall, returned to Molineux to face his former club for the first time since his summer move to Coventry City.

Matt Heath had the first opportunity of the night for the Sky Blues when his header flicked disappointingly wide from a Cameron free-kick with six minutes on the clock.

Micky Adams was enforced to make an early substitution when McNamee pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury, with Jay Tabb taking his place five minutes later.

Tabb made an instant impact when he unleashed a 25-yard shot on the half-volley which squirmed just wide of the left upright.

Disaster struck for Coventry on 17 minutes when Jemal Johnson won the ball in the middle of the park although he appeared to foul Birchall along the way. His through ball found Rohan Ricketts on the left hand side, who chipped it into the area for Olofinjana-the forward finishing courtesy of the boot of Elliott Ward.

Tabb, again was proving to be a real handful for the Wolves defence, smashing another long range effort just over the top of Murray's crossbar.

Stephen Hughes forced Matt Murray into a good save at the near post but it was to be the last real chance of the half.

With Micky Adams' half-time team talk no doubt still ringing in their ears the Sky Blues started the second period looking for a leveler, Chris Birchall finding space down the right before curling his cross over the bar two minutes in.

At the other end the diminutive Jemal Johnson was continuing to look lively and Andy Marshall did well to watch his dipping effort harmlessly over the bar.

With City starting to take control of the game in midfield Mick McCarthy opted to replace the front duo of Bothroyd and Johnson with Leon Clarke and Craig Davies just after the hour.

Just seconds later Leon McKenzie brought the ball under control in the box before turning and firing at the hands of an advancing Matt Murray in the Wolves goal.

Marshall - who had little to do in the second period - was sprung into action as Leon Clarke met a deep corner at the far post only for the former Millwall shot-stopper to beat the ball away on 65.

Clarke then had another golden opportunity to double the home side's advantage as he rose unmarked in the box before planting his header just over.

With the Sky Blues still desperately looking for an equalizer Micky Adams threw on a third striker in the shape of Kevin Kyle to give the Wolves defence something to think about for the final 20 minutes.

Substitute Clarke could have bagged himself a hat trick with a touch more composure in front of goal as he sent a soft header into the hands of Marshall on 77.

The gaffer made his final change of the evening with 10 minutes remaining, Trinidad and Tobago striker replacing centre-back Matt Heath as City went for broke, finishing the game with four strikers on the pitch.

Despite the attacking options it was defender Ward who almost grabbed an equalizer as he crept in at the far post to throw himself at the ball and force Murray into an impressive save at the far post.

The lads were certainly giving it everything to secure a share of the spoils and almost found it through the unlikely figure of Gary Breen who wildly sliced the ball over his own bar in a frantic finish.

Despite five minutes of added time Micky Adams' men just couldn't find the back of the net on a disappointing night at Molineux.

4thegame
Elliott Ward's own goal handed high-flying Wolves their third successive home win as Coventry City's problems on their travels continued at Molineux.

Coventry have only managed to win twice away from home this season, but they at least deserved some kind of reward against Wolves having enjoyed long spells of possession in the second half.

But Ward's 20th minute deflection into his own net proved to be decisive as Coventry crashed to their first defeat in four visits to Molineux.

As soon as the goal went in the writing was on the wall for Coventry as Wolves are making a habit of winning 1-0 this season.

This was their sixth success by that scoreline in 12 league games and set them up perfectly for Sunday's crunch local derby at arch-rivals West Bromwich Albion.

For all their possession, Coventry struggled to really carry a threat in attack despite ending the game with four strikers - Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie, Kevin Kyle and Stern John - on the pitch.

But what little they could muster up front was ably dealt with by goalkeeper Matt Murray, while central defender Gary Breen was again outstanding at the heart of the defence.

Murray beat away McKenzie's close-range drive in the 62nd minute before smothering a header from Stephen Hughes at his near post seven minutes from time.

But Wolves should have been out of sight by then only for substitute Leon Clarke to squander two gift wrapped chances.

His 65th minute header was saved by Andy Marshall and then Clarke headed over the bar from three yards.

It all came down to the luckless former West Ham United central defender Ward inadvertently handing Wolves all three points.

Jemal Johnson set up the opening with a powerful run before feeding Rohan Ricketts on the left wing.

Ricketts' cross picked out Seyi Olofinjana, whose weak shot would have been comfortably dealt with by Marshall.

Unfortunately for Marshall, he was left flat-footed when the ball was deflected past him off Ward's right boot.

To their credit, Coventry did not allow the unfortunate nature of falling behind to affect them and they were unlucky not to be back on level terms by half-time.

The lively Jay Tabb, who had replaced the injured David McNamee after just 11 minutes, saw his shot deflected wide before Murray pulled off a smart save to keep out a goalbound drive from skipper Hughes.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy hailed the defensive strength of his side after the win against Coventry City.

Wolves have kept seven clean sheets in 12 league games this season and McCarthy said: "We had to work hard as a team and I am delighted to have got the three points.

"We defended well but I feel relieved and fortunate we got the win.

"I know Coventry thought there was a foul in the build up to the goal and there might well have been so if fortune has favoured us I will take it.

"Coventry probably deserved something but I am pleased to have got the win.

"We are all enjoying the position we are in but I am not going to be getting carried away as I know what is round the corner. There is still a long way to go this season." Coventry boss Micky Adams felt his side should have had some kind of reward for their efforts.

Adams said: "I can't ask any more from the players. They gave me everything and if we continue to play like that we will be alright this season.

"We threw everything at Wolves and you have got to say well done to them for the way that they defended." Adams was unhappy that Wolves' match winner stood after claiming Chris Birchall had been fouled in the build-up to Elliott Ward's own goal.

He added: "The referee had a good game but he missed the key decision.

"It was an unfortunate goal by Elliott. He was running at full tilt and he could not get out of the way." Meanwhile, Adams revealed that Coventry are to sign the Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy on a month's loan to ease their injury problems.

Southend 2 Coventry 3 - 13/10/2006

Southend 2 Coventry 3 - 13/10/2006

Southend United: Darryl Flahavan, Simon Francis, Spencer Prior, Lewis Hunt (Jamal Campbell-Ryce 86), Adam Barrett, Luke Guttridge, Steven Hammell, Mark Gower, Kevin Maher, Matt Harrold (Gary Hooper 80), Freddy Eastwood
Subs not used: Billy Paynter, Stephen Collis, Peter Clarke
Booked: Luke Guttridge 23, Kevin Maher 32
Goals: Eastwood(P) 30, Eastwood 73

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Elliott Ward, David McNamee, Robert Page, Matt Heath, Colin Cameron, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Kevin Thornton, Jay Tabb, Kevin Kyle, Don Hutchison, Isaac Osbourne
Booked: Marcus Hall 27, Michael Doyle 39
Goals: Hughes 42, Cameron(P) 47, Adebola 80

Attendance: 9821
Referee: Darren Drysdale

Teamtalk
Dele Adebola marked his return to Coventry's starting line-up with the winner as the Sky Blues recorded a 3-2 victory at Southend on Friday.

The experienced striker, starting a league game for the first time in two months, helped the Sky Blues to only their second triumph on their travels this season with the deciding goal 10 minutes from time at Roots Hall.

Adebola pounced to break his duck in the Championship this term after Southend failed to clear their lines following good work from Leon McKenzie.

In-form striker Freddy Eastwood, named the PFA Championship fans' player of the month for September, had put the home side ahead from the penalty spot on the half-hour after Coventry defender Matt Heath was penalised for a foul on Steven Hammell.

But Sky Blues captain Stephen Hughes opened his account for the campaign three minutes before half-time with a 25-yard shot which took a deflection on the way to levelling the scores.

Former Scotland international Colin Cameron, signed on a free transfer from Wolves in the summer, then scored his first goal for Coventry, slotting home from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half after Leon McKenzie was fouled by Simon Francis.

However, highly-rated Eastwood, attracting interest from a host of clubs, claimed his eighth goal of the campaign in the 73rd minute before Adebola struck to leave Southend in the bottom three.

Southend went into the game - the first meeting between the sides since 1963 - without a win in six.

But they still had manager Steve Tilson in control after he was this week denied permission to speak to Norwich, who tonight announced they are set to appoint Peter Grant as boss.

Southend striker Matt Harrold, back after a calf injury, fired a shot wide in the fourth minute as the home side looked for a confidence boost.

Coventry, having lost three of their last four games, responded with Michael Doyle - one of five players restored to the starting line-up - heading over Adebola's cross two minutes later.

However, Southend should have gone ahead in the 10th minute. Francis, celebrating his 100th league appearance, set up Mark Gower, whose shot from 18 yards was saved by Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

Moments later, Kevin Maher was also thwarted by Marshall before McKenzie saw his header parried by Shrimpers goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan.

Adebola had a good opportunity in the 20th minute but Flahavan was again equal to the task.

Eastwood broke the deadlock from the spot but Coventry, who have lost four of their five away games this season, restored parity just before the break through Hughes.

Cameron then put Coventry ahead before team-mate Marshall pulled off a terrific save to prevent Maher from levelling the scores.

McKenzie was denied by Flahavan as Coventry attempted to put the game out of Southend's reach.

But the home side came agonisingly close to levelling in the 66th minute when experienced defender Spencer Prior, back after a knee injury, saw his close-range header hit a post.

Southend did get back on level terms, though, seven minutes later when Eastwood outpaced the visiting defence before producing a neat finish - but Adebola's strike settled matters

CCFC
The Sky Blues win a thrilling encounter at Roots Hall thanks to goals from Stephen Hughes, Colin Cameron and Dele Adebola.

Two goals in five minutes either side of the interval saw City cancel out Freddy Eastwood's first effort, and when Southend's star man was on hand to pull the home team level with his second of the night following Cameron's penalty, Adebola notched the winner for City ten minutes from time.

Micky Adams made five changes for the trip to Southend, going with a 3-5-2 formation. Matt Heath returned as one of three centre-halves while David McNamee resumed at right wing back following his one-match suspension.

Michael Doyle was back in midfield in the absence of Chris Birchall and the City gaffer named an all-new strikeforce with Adebola and Leon McKenzie leading the line in place of Stern John, whose international commitments meant he could not feature, and Kevin Kyle who dropped to the bench following an illness this week.

After City came out the blocks quickly, the home side soon settled into their stride and in the tenth minute Mark Gower wasted an excellent chance to give Southend the lead as he failed to make decent contact with Simon Francis' square ball, and only forced Andy Marshall into a routine save with a tame effort from 10 yards.

The Sky Blues soon wasted an equally good opportunity when Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan produced an excellent block from Leon McKenzie's point blank header before getting to his feet quickly to smother the rebound.

Southend pressure paid off when they took the lead on the half hour mark as the referee adjudged Matt Heath to have pushed Luke Guttridge in the box. Top scorer Freddy Eastwood made no mistake as he smashed his spot kick past Marshall for his seventh goal of the season.

The penalty decision looked a dubious one but Mr Drysdale had no hesitation when it came to pointing to the spot and had a clear view of the incident, although if there was a push from Heath it was certainly a needless one on the smallest player on the pitch.

But the Sky Blues were level before the interval thanks to Stephen Hughes, who collected a knock back from Adebola and hit a low drive from 25 yards which deflected off Adam Barrett and into the back of the net in the 43rd minute for the City skipper's first goal in nearly two years.

The first half ended well for Coventry and the second period got off to an even better start when City took the lead in the 48th minute from the penalty spot.

McKenzie went on a surging run, cutting in from the left hand side, before he was crudely taken down by Simon Francis. The referee was as decisive as he had been with Southend's penalty in the first half and Colin Cameron stepped up to coolly loft the spot kick into the back of the net for his first goal as a City player.

The inevitable response was rapid from the home team as they forced City into some stout defending before Marshall produced a superb block from Maher's fiercely struck shot on the hour mark.

The Shrimpers continued to apply all the pressure and Spencer Prior smashed a header against the woodwork from a corner as the Sky Blues just maintained their slender advantage.

City were pegged back with little over 15 minutes remaining as Eastwood grabbed his second of the night. The livewire striker was given far too much space by Heath who was caught out by a long throughball from Maher and Eastwood showed excellent composure to slot his shot past Marshall.

Coventry came close to an instant reply when Adebola nearly bundled a Hughes corner into the goal but for an excellent smothering save from Flahavan. But in the 80th minute Adebola had his goal following more good work from the impressive McKenzie.

The former Norwich man found more space to run down the left and when Doyle smashed his pull back into Adam Barrett, Adebola was on hand to sweep the loose ball home.

And that was enough to earn the Sky Blues an extremely hard fought three points to give the vocal traveling support plenty to be happy with ahead of the long trip back to the Midlands.

4thegame
Dele Adebola was the Coventry City hero as his late goal ended the Sky Blues' two-match losing streak.

But it piled on more misery for Southend United, who have now not won in seven matches.

An open early spell saw Shrimpers striker a Matt Harrold and Coventry midfielder Michael Doyle both fire in attempts just off-target.

But it was the hosts who got the first attempt on target following some good work on the right flank in the tenth minute Simon Francis' cross found Mark Gower well placed, but he scuffed his right-foot shot and his attempt was saved by Andy Marshall.

Two minutes later the City keeper denied Shrimpers skipper Kevin Maher who tried his luck with a 30-yard shot.

But having survived the scares, it took a smart save by Darryl Flahavan to parry the fit-again Leon McKenzie's header.

The Sky Blues striker then stabbed the loose ball goalwards, but centre-half Adam Barrett cleared the danger on 17 minutes.

The deadlock was broken after 30 minutes when centre-back Matt Heath shoved Luke Guttridge as he rose to meet another Francis cross.

Referee Darren Drysdale pointed straight at the penalty spot and Freddy Eastwood stepped up to fire the ball down the centre for his seventh goal of the season. Marshall got his legs to the ball but couldn't keep it out.

City were on terms 12 minutes later when a long punt forward was laid off by Adgebola for captain Stephen Hughes to score his first goal for nearly 2 years, his right-foot shot deflecting in off Barrett.

Two minutes after the restart the visitors were in front when McKenzie, who had been out with a hip injury, found his run into the Southend box ended by Francis.

Mr Drysdale again had no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick and midfielder Colin Cameron's centrally placed penalty gave Flahavan no chance.

Southend pressed for an equaliser and came close on 57 minutes when Maher's fierce 30-yard shot was parried by Marshall before being cleared.

The Shrimpers were then denied by the woodwork as Spencer Prior's bullet header from Steven Hammell's corner rattled the post, before Harrold's follow-up flashed across the face of the goal.

The home side's persistence was rewarded after 73 minutes when Maher released Eastwood with a 40-yard pass and the striker fended off Heath to equalise with a fine shot.

Adebola then saw Flahavan save his shot on the line, but he made no mistake when the ball fell to him with just ten minutes remaining.

Doyle's effort was blocked by Barrett, but Adebola pounced on the loose ball and fired home into the bottom left corner of the net.

Coventry manager Micky Adams was a relived man after the Sky Blues secured only their second league win so far this season.

"We were fortunate to get the points because we were under severe pressure," said Adams. "But we had chances too and Leon McKenzie was a real threat tonight.

"We have struggled away from home in terms of getting points, our last win away was at Hull where we adopted the same 3-5-2 system.

"Some of the comments people have levelled at us recently have hurt, but we've responded and tonight we have kept going and that was the most pleasing thing." Southend boss Steve Tilson added: "Im disappointed to have not got anything from the game, I think we deserved the points.

"We gave away two goals at bad times, either side of the break, but for me the team showed great spirit to get back into the game.

"But when you are down at the bottom, you do not get the luck and that has happened again for us tonight."