Coventry 1 Luton 0 - 30/01/2007
Coventry 1 Luton 0 - 30/01/2007
Coventry City: Luke Steele, Marcus Hall, Andrew Whing, David McNamee, Isaac Osbourne (Kevin Thornton 72), Christopher Birchall (Leon McKenzie 63), Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Dele Adebola (Kevin Kyle 63), Michael Mifsud, Colin Hawkins
Subs not used: Arran Lee-Barrett, Adam Virgo
Booked: David McNamee 81, Kevin Kyle 89, Colin Hawkins 90
Goals: McKenzie 76
Luton Town: Dean Brill, Sol Davis, Kevin Foley, Lewis Emanuel (Adam Boyd 82), Russell Perrett, Dean Morgan, Keith Keane, Steve Robinson, David Bell, Matthew Spring, Andrew Talbot
Subs not used: Steven O'Leary, Zach Barrett, Richard Langley, Asafu-Adjaye
Attendance: 18781
Referee: M Clattenburg
Teamtalk
Leon McKenzie's deflected 75th-minute goal earned Coventry a 1-0 home win over Luton, the Sky Blues' first victory in eight Championship games.
The substitute striker had been on the field little more than 15 minutes before making the telling contribution at the Ricoh Arena, having time to turn inside the box following great work from fellow sub Kevin Thornton, before his shot deflected off Hatters defender Russ Perrett and past the off-balance Dean Brill.
It was no more than the home side deserved after a much-improved second-half performance, with both sides failing to sparkle in a first half short on chances.
Luton, themselves without a league win in five, came closest to taking an early lead.
Barely a minute had passed before a Coventry defence which had conceded 14 goals in their previous five games showed signs of vulnerability, with Andrew Whing making a hash of Luton skipper Steve Robinson's lofted free-kick.
But Morgan failed to capitalise, hooking his shot from the right-hand side of the box agonisingly wide of the left post.
Sky Blues skipper Robert Page and vice-captain Michael Doyle were both left out of the 16 following last week's training-ground bust-up.
Both sides looked unsurprisingly short of firepower having both sold their top scorers - Luton's Rowan Vine signing for Birmingham and Coventry's Stern John joining Sunderland - during the transfer window.
Coventry right-back David McNamee's delightful one-two with Dele Adebola down the right channel developed an opening after 15 minutes.
The hesitant Hatters defence backed off giving McNamee, 20 yards out, time to pick his spot, but he elected to square the ball and the move broke down.
Soon afterwards Adebola's clever turn enabled him to roll his defender, but rather than shooting he again opted to pass, much to the home fans' frustration, before Jay Tabb's cross was cleared to safety.
Coventry resorted to long-ball tactics, a punt from defence which almost found Adebola stirring the sullen supporters from their slumber.
But the Sky Blues were much improved in the final quarter, with Coventry caretaker-manager Adrian Heath reaping the rewards for his double substitution.
Kevin Kyle replaced Dele Adebola and Chris Birchall was swapped for McKenzie, whose arrival sparked a big cheer among the home fans.
It was Kyle who almost made an immediate impact when the ball fell to him on the edge of the area, but the Scot dragged his shot wide of the right post.
Luton, 20 years without a win at Coventry, served a reminder that Coventry still had a contest on their hands, with Matthew Spring heading Morgan's cross inches over the right-angle of Luke Steele's crossbar.
But McKenzie pounced with 15 minutes left on the clock, much to the relief of the home support.
Thornton almost turned creator 10 minutes later when his free-kick found the unmarked Marcus Hall, whose header was somehow saved by Brill.
Lacklustre Luton, now 11 without a win on their travels, only began to turn the screw during a nervous five minutes of injury-time for the home fans, but City held on for a welcome victory.
CCFC
Leon McKenzie came off the bench to score the only goal of the game and earn Coventry their first win in 10 matches.
Michael Mifsud made his full Coventry City debut, partnering Dele Adebola up front in his first City start, after Stern John's departure to Sunderland.
There was also a debut for new centre-back Colin Hawkins, who replaced Robert Page, while Isaac Osbourne was named in the starting XI in place of Michael Doyle.
Luton made the early running and Hawkins was forced into a couple of timely interventions as well as playing a neat ball out of defence which nearly set Mifsud free. The Irishman showed a no-nonsense attitude which will be welcome as City try to turn their poor form around.
City gradually started to stamp their authority on the game and David McNamee was proving to be a useful attacking outlet, at one point creating a shooting opportunity from 20 yards after a powerful run through the middle, only to be let down by a lack of left foot.
With 30 minutes gone neither side had created a genuine chance and it was clear that both teams were lacking in confidence. Luton sat three points below the Sky Blues at kick-off and were in need of a win just as much as City who were looking to end a run of nine matches without a victory.
Adebola got City's first shot on target in the 42nd minute, although his tame effort was easily gathered by Hatters keeper Dean Brill.
Adrian Heath will have been happy with City's first half defensive display but will presumably have encouraged his charges to show more as an attacking outlet in the second period.
In the 63rd minute, with little change in the flow of the match, Heath made two changes, bringing on Kevin Kyle for Adebola who had picked up a knock and Leon McKenzie for the quiet Chris Birchall.
The two new introductions had an instant impact, linking well 20 yards from goal only for Kyle to pull his shot badly wide. The Scotsman had another attempt, this time from much closer in, which forced Brill into action as City enjoyed their first prolonged spell of pressure in the game as the 70th minute ticked by.
With 73 minutes gone Kevin Thornton replaced Osbourne who had done a good job in midfield, keeping hold of possession neatly and providing the back four with protection.
And it was the youngster who started the move for the winning goal, putting his foot on the ball 25 yards out, before playing a ball out to Mifsud who showed great vision to turn down a shooting opportunity and instead play a throughball into McKenzie's feet. The substitute's shot lacked power but deflected past Brill to give Coventry a 76th minute lead, much to the delight of the Sky Blue Army.
With seven minutes remaining Marcus Hall nearly doubled City's advantage with an excellent downward header at the far post from Thornton's free-kick, but Brill produced a brilliant save to keep Luton in it.
The visitors put the Sky Blues under some severe pressure towards the end, but City defended stoutly to ensure the Hatters could not get through and hold out for a much-needed three points.
4thegame
Coventry earned their first win in ten games to improve caretaker manager Adrian Heath's chances of getting the job permanently.
The omens did not appear bright in the build-up to this game against fellow strugglers Luton Town as the Sky Blues played at home for the first time since Micky Adams was sacked a fortnight ago.
With leading scorer Stern John sold earlier this week to Sunderland and captain Robert Page and Michael Doyle deemed not in the right state of mind to play following last week's training ground bust-up, Heath looked to his players to give the club a much-needed pick-me-up.
Instead a desperately poor first half was served up for their long-suffering fans as neither keeper was fully tested in an awful advert for Championship football.
Luton, who were decimated by injuries, created the first chance within the opening minute. Sol Davis lofted a free-kick from the halfway line into the box, and when Andrew Whing failed to cut out the danger, striker Dean Morgan sent a shot from an acute angle flashing wide of the far post.
David McNamee attempted to inject some life into the home team's play when he ran half the length of the field only to be crowded out by defenders as his shot from the edge of the area was blocked.
At the other end Colin Hawkins - returning to the club he left a decade ago - was able to monitor Morgan without too much fuss.
Whing's long punt was headed back towards keeper Dean Brill by defender Keith Keane and Dele Adebola latched onto the ball but the 21-year-old was alert to the danger.
After the break, the Sky Blues went in search of a breakthrough when Chris Birchall's 46th minute strike was blocked.
The tempo of the game remained downbeat although the home team did finally to start to show some attacking instincts.
Adebola released strike partner Michael Mifsud and when he exchanged passes with captain Stephen Hughes, the Maltese striker fired in a low 15-yard shot wide of a post.
Heath threw on Kevin Kyle and Leon McKenzie in the 63rd minute for Birchall and Adebola and Kevin Thornton followed for Isaac Osbourne nine minutes later as the home team tried desperately to find a way past Luton.
Mike Newell's men had a chance when Lewis Emanuel's cross was headed over the bar by new signing Matthew Spring on his return to the club he left for Leeds.
The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute. Thornton's pass reached McKenzie inside the box and his 10-yard shot took a deflection off defender Russ Perrett to deceive the keeper and land in the net for his fifth goal of the season.
Heath said: "There were a few pleasing things but it was not the most entertaining of games. But I think we had worked so hard over the past 10 or 12 days on not conceding goals that we never really got going as a forward unit in the first hour.
"After that we started to look a little like our old selves and I have spoken to the lads about the fact that this is a squad game.
"I thought the three subs came on and changed the game and were the difference." Newell said: "We are bitterly disappointed - we worked very hard with only a patched up side and I just could not fault their effort.
"They will not go too far wrong if they keep competing like that. There was not a lot in the game and it was a soft goal - it was a fluke!"
Coventry City: Luke Steele, Marcus Hall, Andrew Whing, David McNamee, Isaac Osbourne (Kevin Thornton 72), Christopher Birchall (Leon McKenzie 63), Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Dele Adebola (Kevin Kyle 63), Michael Mifsud, Colin Hawkins
Subs not used: Arran Lee-Barrett, Adam Virgo
Booked: David McNamee 81, Kevin Kyle 89, Colin Hawkins 90
Goals: McKenzie 76
Luton Town: Dean Brill, Sol Davis, Kevin Foley, Lewis Emanuel (Adam Boyd 82), Russell Perrett, Dean Morgan, Keith Keane, Steve Robinson, David Bell, Matthew Spring, Andrew Talbot
Subs not used: Steven O'Leary, Zach Barrett, Richard Langley, Asafu-Adjaye
Attendance: 18781
Referee: M Clattenburg
Teamtalk
Leon McKenzie's deflected 75th-minute goal earned Coventry a 1-0 home win over Luton, the Sky Blues' first victory in eight Championship games.
The substitute striker had been on the field little more than 15 minutes before making the telling contribution at the Ricoh Arena, having time to turn inside the box following great work from fellow sub Kevin Thornton, before his shot deflected off Hatters defender Russ Perrett and past the off-balance Dean Brill.
It was no more than the home side deserved after a much-improved second-half performance, with both sides failing to sparkle in a first half short on chances.
Luton, themselves without a league win in five, came closest to taking an early lead.
Barely a minute had passed before a Coventry defence which had conceded 14 goals in their previous five games showed signs of vulnerability, with Andrew Whing making a hash of Luton skipper Steve Robinson's lofted free-kick.
But Morgan failed to capitalise, hooking his shot from the right-hand side of the box agonisingly wide of the left post.
Sky Blues skipper Robert Page and vice-captain Michael Doyle were both left out of the 16 following last week's training-ground bust-up.
Both sides looked unsurprisingly short of firepower having both sold their top scorers - Luton's Rowan Vine signing for Birmingham and Coventry's Stern John joining Sunderland - during the transfer window.
Coventry right-back David McNamee's delightful one-two with Dele Adebola down the right channel developed an opening after 15 minutes.
The hesitant Hatters defence backed off giving McNamee, 20 yards out, time to pick his spot, but he elected to square the ball and the move broke down.
Soon afterwards Adebola's clever turn enabled him to roll his defender, but rather than shooting he again opted to pass, much to the home fans' frustration, before Jay Tabb's cross was cleared to safety.
Coventry resorted to long-ball tactics, a punt from defence which almost found Adebola stirring the sullen supporters from their slumber.
But the Sky Blues were much improved in the final quarter, with Coventry caretaker-manager Adrian Heath reaping the rewards for his double substitution.
Kevin Kyle replaced Dele Adebola and Chris Birchall was swapped for McKenzie, whose arrival sparked a big cheer among the home fans.
It was Kyle who almost made an immediate impact when the ball fell to him on the edge of the area, but the Scot dragged his shot wide of the right post.
Luton, 20 years without a win at Coventry, served a reminder that Coventry still had a contest on their hands, with Matthew Spring heading Morgan's cross inches over the right-angle of Luke Steele's crossbar.
But McKenzie pounced with 15 minutes left on the clock, much to the relief of the home support.
Thornton almost turned creator 10 minutes later when his free-kick found the unmarked Marcus Hall, whose header was somehow saved by Brill.
Lacklustre Luton, now 11 without a win on their travels, only began to turn the screw during a nervous five minutes of injury-time for the home fans, but City held on for a welcome victory.
CCFC
Leon McKenzie came off the bench to score the only goal of the game and earn Coventry their first win in 10 matches.
Michael Mifsud made his full Coventry City debut, partnering Dele Adebola up front in his first City start, after Stern John's departure to Sunderland.
There was also a debut for new centre-back Colin Hawkins, who replaced Robert Page, while Isaac Osbourne was named in the starting XI in place of Michael Doyle.
Luton made the early running and Hawkins was forced into a couple of timely interventions as well as playing a neat ball out of defence which nearly set Mifsud free. The Irishman showed a no-nonsense attitude which will be welcome as City try to turn their poor form around.
City gradually started to stamp their authority on the game and David McNamee was proving to be a useful attacking outlet, at one point creating a shooting opportunity from 20 yards after a powerful run through the middle, only to be let down by a lack of left foot.
With 30 minutes gone neither side had created a genuine chance and it was clear that both teams were lacking in confidence. Luton sat three points below the Sky Blues at kick-off and were in need of a win just as much as City who were looking to end a run of nine matches without a victory.
Adebola got City's first shot on target in the 42nd minute, although his tame effort was easily gathered by Hatters keeper Dean Brill.
Adrian Heath will have been happy with City's first half defensive display but will presumably have encouraged his charges to show more as an attacking outlet in the second period.
In the 63rd minute, with little change in the flow of the match, Heath made two changes, bringing on Kevin Kyle for Adebola who had picked up a knock and Leon McKenzie for the quiet Chris Birchall.
The two new introductions had an instant impact, linking well 20 yards from goal only for Kyle to pull his shot badly wide. The Scotsman had another attempt, this time from much closer in, which forced Brill into action as City enjoyed their first prolonged spell of pressure in the game as the 70th minute ticked by.
With 73 minutes gone Kevin Thornton replaced Osbourne who had done a good job in midfield, keeping hold of possession neatly and providing the back four with protection.
And it was the youngster who started the move for the winning goal, putting his foot on the ball 25 yards out, before playing a ball out to Mifsud who showed great vision to turn down a shooting opportunity and instead play a throughball into McKenzie's feet. The substitute's shot lacked power but deflected past Brill to give Coventry a 76th minute lead, much to the delight of the Sky Blue Army.
With seven minutes remaining Marcus Hall nearly doubled City's advantage with an excellent downward header at the far post from Thornton's free-kick, but Brill produced a brilliant save to keep Luton in it.
The visitors put the Sky Blues under some severe pressure towards the end, but City defended stoutly to ensure the Hatters could not get through and hold out for a much-needed three points.
4thegame
Coventry earned their first win in ten games to improve caretaker manager Adrian Heath's chances of getting the job permanently.
The omens did not appear bright in the build-up to this game against fellow strugglers Luton Town as the Sky Blues played at home for the first time since Micky Adams was sacked a fortnight ago.
With leading scorer Stern John sold earlier this week to Sunderland and captain Robert Page and Michael Doyle deemed not in the right state of mind to play following last week's training ground bust-up, Heath looked to his players to give the club a much-needed pick-me-up.
Instead a desperately poor first half was served up for their long-suffering fans as neither keeper was fully tested in an awful advert for Championship football.
Luton, who were decimated by injuries, created the first chance within the opening minute. Sol Davis lofted a free-kick from the halfway line into the box, and when Andrew Whing failed to cut out the danger, striker Dean Morgan sent a shot from an acute angle flashing wide of the far post.
David McNamee attempted to inject some life into the home team's play when he ran half the length of the field only to be crowded out by defenders as his shot from the edge of the area was blocked.
At the other end Colin Hawkins - returning to the club he left a decade ago - was able to monitor Morgan without too much fuss.
Whing's long punt was headed back towards keeper Dean Brill by defender Keith Keane and Dele Adebola latched onto the ball but the 21-year-old was alert to the danger.
After the break, the Sky Blues went in search of a breakthrough when Chris Birchall's 46th minute strike was blocked.
The tempo of the game remained downbeat although the home team did finally to start to show some attacking instincts.
Adebola released strike partner Michael Mifsud and when he exchanged passes with captain Stephen Hughes, the Maltese striker fired in a low 15-yard shot wide of a post.
Heath threw on Kevin Kyle and Leon McKenzie in the 63rd minute for Birchall and Adebola and Kevin Thornton followed for Isaac Osbourne nine minutes later as the home team tried desperately to find a way past Luton.
Mike Newell's men had a chance when Lewis Emanuel's cross was headed over the bar by new signing Matthew Spring on his return to the club he left for Leeds.
The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute. Thornton's pass reached McKenzie inside the box and his 10-yard shot took a deflection off defender Russ Perrett to deceive the keeper and land in the net for his fifth goal of the season.
Heath said: "There were a few pleasing things but it was not the most entertaining of games. But I think we had worked so hard over the past 10 or 12 days on not conceding goals that we never really got going as a forward unit in the first hour.
"After that we started to look a little like our old selves and I have spoken to the lads about the fact that this is a squad game.
"I thought the three subs came on and changed the game and were the difference." Newell said: "We are bitterly disappointed - we worked very hard with only a patched up side and I just could not fault their effort.
"They will not go too far wrong if they keep competing like that. There was not a lot in the game and it was a soft goal - it was a fluke!"
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 9:00 am
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