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."
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."
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 11:30 am
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