Colchester 0 v Coventry 0 - 10/03/2007
Colchester 0 v Coventry 0 - 10/03/2007
Colchester United: Karl Duguid, Chris Iwelumo, Kemal Izzet, Richard Garcia, Jamie Cureton, Kevin McLeod (Hogan Ephraim 62), Wayne Brown, Kevin Watson, Pat Baldwin, Chris Barker, Dean Gerken
Subs not used: Jamie Guy, George Elokobi, Matthew Mills, Aidan Davison
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Stephen Hughes, Elliott Ward, Isaac Osbourne, Colin Hawkins, Adam Virgo, Jay Tabb, Marcus Hall, Dele Adebola, Michael Doyle, Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud 69)
Subs not used: Robert Page, Khalilou Fadiga, Luke Steele, Christopher Birchall
Booked: Jay Tabb 75, Michael Doyle 9
Attendance: 5453
Referee: Mr K Stroud
Teamtalk
Coventry remain unbeaten under Iain Dowie after a 0-0 draw with Colchester, but this was not a game either side will want to remember.
Dowie has won two and drawn two since replacing Micky Adams at the Ricoh Arena last month, while Colchester will be grateful for keeping a clean sheet after shipping five against Derby last time out, despite failing to win in their fifth successive Championship match.
Goalscoring chances could be counted on one hand in a dull first 45 minutes at Layer Road and in terms of goalmouth action the second period was not much better.
The game's highlight proved to be home goalkeeper Dean Gerken's flying save to deny Michael Hughes who had let fly from 25 yards in the second half.
Colchester defender Pat Baldwin, recalled to the starting line-up, had the best chance of the half, but blazed wide from six yards two minutes before the interval.
The Us made three changes to their starting line-up following their 5-1 defeat at Derby, with John White, Johnnie Jackson and Matthew Mills making way for Baldwin, Kevin McLeod and Chris Iwelumo.
Coventry, unchanged from the side that beat Hull last week, began with the confidence of a side unbeaten in their last three matches.
Neither side created any early openings and it was visiting midfielder Jay Tabb who had the first worthwhile shot, but his left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area in the 10th minute drifted wide.
Colchester goalkeeper Gerken was forced to punch clear a corner in the 21st minute, but that was as busy as he got, while opposite number Andy Marshall busied himself by taking the odd free-kick.
Iwelumo flashed a volley wide from 12 yards in the 26th minute and Michael Doyle threatened to break the deadlock when he rifled a 20-yard shot over the crossbar.
Baldwin then missed a gilt-edged chance for the home side, slashing his shot from close range wide when the ball broke from a corner.
Karl Duguid tried his luck from 20 yards four minutes after the break but his right-foot shot whistled over the crossbar.
Stephen Hughes went even closer as he fired in a shot from 25 yards, but Gerken was equal to it and pushed it away at full stretch.
Hogan Ephraim replaced McLeod just after the hour, but Coventry threatened again with Leon McKenzie shooting wide from inside the box before being replaced by Michael Mifsud.
Dele Adebola headed wide from Hughes' cross with six minutes left and Coventry will feel aggrieved to have missed another chance when Hughes blasted a volley wide from close range following a corner in the closing stages.
CCFC
Coventry City have now gone four games unbeaten after securing a point courtesy of a goalless draw away against Colchester United.
It was a creditable result for Iain Dowie's men against a Colchester side who have lost only once in their last 16 home games.
The result also means that the Sky Blues are unbeaten since Dowie took over.
Iain Dowie named an unchanged side for the trip to Layer Road.
There was one amendment on the bench, with club captain Robert Page returning to the 16 at the expense of Che Bunce.
Geraint Williams' side had the first real chance of the game on six minutes when Duguid's cross found Cureton, who crossed into the danger area. However, Duguid was adjudged to have been fouled in the build-up to the chance and from the resulting free-kick, the home side won a corner.
The set-piece found Chris Iwelumo, who saw his shot blocked by Elliott Ward just in front of goal. The ball was put back into the danger area by Kemi Izzet for Cureton, but he couldn't get the better of Marcus Hall, who cleared the danger.
The Sky Blues had a chance in the 21st minute, when Leon McKenzie headed towards goal, only for Wayne Brown to head over his own crossbar.
But Colchester had an even better opportunity on 26 minutes when Izzet hooked the ball forward for Iwelumo - only for the Scot to see his first-time volley fly inches wide of the right upright.
Adebola headed into the arms of Gerken on 41 minutes, before Virgo was forced to head over his own crossbar from Cureton's cross moments later.
After both sides emerged for the second half, Iwelumo blasted over Marshall's goal two minutes after the break, before Kevin McLeod's cross sailed across the danger area, much to the relief of the Sky Blues.
Stephen Hughes produced City's best chance of the game on 55 minutes when his powerful drive was tipped over the bar by Gerken, before from the resulting corner, Tabb's shot sailed wide. There was even a penalty shout in the melee from the corner, with Brown appearing to go through the back of Hawkins.
Cureton and Duguid both had shots blocked as the Sky Blues defended resolutely, before at the other. McKenzie shot wide after turning well.
It was to be McKenzie's last contribution in the game, with the forward replaced by Michael Mifsud on 69 minutes.
Coventry pressed through Adebola and Tabb but couldn't find the killer ball before the big striker headed wide while Hughes also shot just past the target as the Sky Blues pressed.
4thegame
There had been no goalless draws in the first 17 games at Layer Road this season, but like buses two have now come along in quick succession.
Following a goalless stalemate in the previous game against visiting Burnley, there was another blank scoreline as mid-table Coventry secured a deserved point in a rather drab contest.
Sky Blues boss Ian Dowie has still not suffered a defeat in four games since his appointment, and his side have collected eight points along the way to virtually guarantee their Championship status for another season.
And they boasted the only two shots on target in the whole match. In fact, midfielder Stephen Hughes forced a great save from Dean Gerken with the best shot of the game in the 56th minute.
Promising keeper Gerken did well to fingertip Hughes' long-range shot over the bar.
Coventry were also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty with ten minutes remaining when their winger, Jay Tabb, appeared to be pulled down by Karl Duguid in the box. However, referee Keith Stroud merely waved play on.
City certainly ended the game looking the more likely winners, and Colchester were restricted to mostly half-chances.
The best of these came early in the second half when winger Kevin McLeod delivered an excellent cross into the six-yard box. Striker Chris Iwelumo looked certain to score, but he failed to get the vital touch and the opportunity was lost.
Iwelumo has scored 15 goals in a very successful season both for himself and the team, and he was also the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half.
The Scotsman had a goalbound volley charged down by defender Elliott Ward, who had a fine game at the heart of defence and then, on 27 minutes, Iwelumo smashed in a volley that flew narrowly wide following Pat Baldwin's measured ball forward.
But Coventry keeper Andy Marshall might just as well have not turned up because the former Norwich and Ipswich star did not have a serious save to make all afternoon.
Colchester will be disappointed not to have won, but they have still only lost three games at home all season from 19 starts and remain in the top ten.
Coventry's assistant boss Tim Flowers was happy with City's point at Layer Road, saying: "That's just two goals we've conceded in four games, which is a good record.
"To keep another clean sheet was a big positive and it was a platform to build on.
"We've been on a mini-run now but I'd still like us to get a couple more wins to be assured of our safety, and I'd like to get them quickly.
"I thought that we had a couple of strong appeals for a penalty, but it wasn't to be, however we were well worth a point." Colchester boss Geraint Williams said: "We've set some high standards for ourselves which is shown in that we're disappointed to only get one point from a draw against Coventry.
"A while back it would have been considered a good point, but now it's looked on as a bad one.
"We defended solidly and we did have one great chance to score when Chris (Iwelumo) nearly tapped home a cross. A goal like that can change the whole complexion of a game.
"I felt that we needed to get more joy down our flanks because Coventry played very narrowly but we didn't really use the full width of the pitch.
"I haven't set any targets for us all season, because when you reach them, it's then very difficult to set a new target."
Colchester United: Karl Duguid, Chris Iwelumo, Kemal Izzet, Richard Garcia, Jamie Cureton, Kevin McLeod (Hogan Ephraim 62), Wayne Brown, Kevin Watson, Pat Baldwin, Chris Barker, Dean Gerken
Subs not used: Jamie Guy, George Elokobi, Matthew Mills, Aidan Davison
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Stephen Hughes, Elliott Ward, Isaac Osbourne, Colin Hawkins, Adam Virgo, Jay Tabb, Marcus Hall, Dele Adebola, Michael Doyle, Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud 69)
Subs not used: Robert Page, Khalilou Fadiga, Luke Steele, Christopher Birchall
Booked: Jay Tabb 75, Michael Doyle 9
Attendance: 5453
Referee: Mr K Stroud
Teamtalk
Coventry remain unbeaten under Iain Dowie after a 0-0 draw with Colchester, but this was not a game either side will want to remember.
Dowie has won two and drawn two since replacing Micky Adams at the Ricoh Arena last month, while Colchester will be grateful for keeping a clean sheet after shipping five against Derby last time out, despite failing to win in their fifth successive Championship match.
Goalscoring chances could be counted on one hand in a dull first 45 minutes at Layer Road and in terms of goalmouth action the second period was not much better.
The game's highlight proved to be home goalkeeper Dean Gerken's flying save to deny Michael Hughes who had let fly from 25 yards in the second half.
Colchester defender Pat Baldwin, recalled to the starting line-up, had the best chance of the half, but blazed wide from six yards two minutes before the interval.
The Us made three changes to their starting line-up following their 5-1 defeat at Derby, with John White, Johnnie Jackson and Matthew Mills making way for Baldwin, Kevin McLeod and Chris Iwelumo.
Coventry, unchanged from the side that beat Hull last week, began with the confidence of a side unbeaten in their last three matches.
Neither side created any early openings and it was visiting midfielder Jay Tabb who had the first worthwhile shot, but his left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area in the 10th minute drifted wide.
Colchester goalkeeper Gerken was forced to punch clear a corner in the 21st minute, but that was as busy as he got, while opposite number Andy Marshall busied himself by taking the odd free-kick.
Iwelumo flashed a volley wide from 12 yards in the 26th minute and Michael Doyle threatened to break the deadlock when he rifled a 20-yard shot over the crossbar.
Baldwin then missed a gilt-edged chance for the home side, slashing his shot from close range wide when the ball broke from a corner.
Karl Duguid tried his luck from 20 yards four minutes after the break but his right-foot shot whistled over the crossbar.
Stephen Hughes went even closer as he fired in a shot from 25 yards, but Gerken was equal to it and pushed it away at full stretch.
Hogan Ephraim replaced McLeod just after the hour, but Coventry threatened again with Leon McKenzie shooting wide from inside the box before being replaced by Michael Mifsud.
Dele Adebola headed wide from Hughes' cross with six minutes left and Coventry will feel aggrieved to have missed another chance when Hughes blasted a volley wide from close range following a corner in the closing stages.
CCFC
Coventry City have now gone four games unbeaten after securing a point courtesy of a goalless draw away against Colchester United.
It was a creditable result for Iain Dowie's men against a Colchester side who have lost only once in their last 16 home games.
The result also means that the Sky Blues are unbeaten since Dowie took over.
Iain Dowie named an unchanged side for the trip to Layer Road.
There was one amendment on the bench, with club captain Robert Page returning to the 16 at the expense of Che Bunce.
Geraint Williams' side had the first real chance of the game on six minutes when Duguid's cross found Cureton, who crossed into the danger area. However, Duguid was adjudged to have been fouled in the build-up to the chance and from the resulting free-kick, the home side won a corner.
The set-piece found Chris Iwelumo, who saw his shot blocked by Elliott Ward just in front of goal. The ball was put back into the danger area by Kemi Izzet for Cureton, but he couldn't get the better of Marcus Hall, who cleared the danger.
The Sky Blues had a chance in the 21st minute, when Leon McKenzie headed towards goal, only for Wayne Brown to head over his own crossbar.
But Colchester had an even better opportunity on 26 minutes when Izzet hooked the ball forward for Iwelumo - only for the Scot to see his first-time volley fly inches wide of the right upright.
Adebola headed into the arms of Gerken on 41 minutes, before Virgo was forced to head over his own crossbar from Cureton's cross moments later.
After both sides emerged for the second half, Iwelumo blasted over Marshall's goal two minutes after the break, before Kevin McLeod's cross sailed across the danger area, much to the relief of the Sky Blues.
Stephen Hughes produced City's best chance of the game on 55 minutes when his powerful drive was tipped over the bar by Gerken, before from the resulting corner, Tabb's shot sailed wide. There was even a penalty shout in the melee from the corner, with Brown appearing to go through the back of Hawkins.
Cureton and Duguid both had shots blocked as the Sky Blues defended resolutely, before at the other. McKenzie shot wide after turning well.
It was to be McKenzie's last contribution in the game, with the forward replaced by Michael Mifsud on 69 minutes.
Coventry pressed through Adebola and Tabb but couldn't find the killer ball before the big striker headed wide while Hughes also shot just past the target as the Sky Blues pressed.
4thegame
There had been no goalless draws in the first 17 games at Layer Road this season, but like buses two have now come along in quick succession.
Following a goalless stalemate in the previous game against visiting Burnley, there was another blank scoreline as mid-table Coventry secured a deserved point in a rather drab contest.
Sky Blues boss Ian Dowie has still not suffered a defeat in four games since his appointment, and his side have collected eight points along the way to virtually guarantee their Championship status for another season.
And they boasted the only two shots on target in the whole match. In fact, midfielder Stephen Hughes forced a great save from Dean Gerken with the best shot of the game in the 56th minute.
Promising keeper Gerken did well to fingertip Hughes' long-range shot over the bar.
Coventry were also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty with ten minutes remaining when their winger, Jay Tabb, appeared to be pulled down by Karl Duguid in the box. However, referee Keith Stroud merely waved play on.
City certainly ended the game looking the more likely winners, and Colchester were restricted to mostly half-chances.
The best of these came early in the second half when winger Kevin McLeod delivered an excellent cross into the six-yard box. Striker Chris Iwelumo looked certain to score, but he failed to get the vital touch and the opportunity was lost.
Iwelumo has scored 15 goals in a very successful season both for himself and the team, and he was also the closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half.
The Scotsman had a goalbound volley charged down by defender Elliott Ward, who had a fine game at the heart of defence and then, on 27 minutes, Iwelumo smashed in a volley that flew narrowly wide following Pat Baldwin's measured ball forward.
But Coventry keeper Andy Marshall might just as well have not turned up because the former Norwich and Ipswich star did not have a serious save to make all afternoon.
Colchester will be disappointed not to have won, but they have still only lost three games at home all season from 19 starts and remain in the top ten.
Coventry's assistant boss Tim Flowers was happy with City's point at Layer Road, saying: "That's just two goals we've conceded in four games, which is a good record.
"To keep another clean sheet was a big positive and it was a platform to build on.
"We've been on a mini-run now but I'd still like us to get a couple more wins to be assured of our safety, and I'd like to get them quickly.
"I thought that we had a couple of strong appeals for a penalty, but it wasn't to be, however we were well worth a point." Colchester boss Geraint Williams said: "We've set some high standards for ourselves which is shown in that we're disappointed to only get one point from a draw against Coventry.
"A while back it would have been considered a good point, but now it's looked on as a bad one.
"We defended solidly and we did have one great chance to score when Chris (Iwelumo) nearly tapped home a cross. A goal like that can change the whole complexion of a game.
"I felt that we needed to get more joy down our flanks because Coventry played very narrowly but we didn't really use the full width of the pitch.
"I haven't set any targets for us all season, because when you reach them, it's then very difficult to set a new target."
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 11:49 pm
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