Barnsley 1 Coventry 4 - 11/08/2007
Barnsley 1 Coventry 4 - 11/08/2007
Barnsley: Nick Colgan, Lewin Nyatanga, Paul Reid, Rob Kozluk, Brian Howard, Rohan Ricketts, Andy Johnson (Sam Togwell 73), Istvan Ferenczi, Martin Devaney, Dennis Souza (Dominik Werling 73), Miguel Angel Mostto (Kayode Odejayi 60),
Subs not used: Grant McCann, Kyle Letheren
Goals: Brian Howard (P) 11
Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Gary Borrowdale, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb, Julian Gray, Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle (Michael Mifsud 73), Leon McKenzie (Leon Best 73), Michael Hughes (Stephen Hughes 80)
Subs not used: Colin Hawkins, Andy Marshall
Booked: Michael Mifsud 90, Isaac Osbourne 59
Goals: Leon McKenzie 6, Kevin Kyle 50, Julian Gray 65, Michael Mifsud 90
Attendance: 12616
Referee: S Mathieson
Teamtalk
Coventry began the Championship season in style as three second-half goals earned them a convincing 4-1 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.
Iain Dowie's side dominated throughout and after Tykes midfielder Brian Howard had equalised Leon McKenzie's opener, Kevin Kyle, Julian Gray and Michael Mifsud struck in a one-sided second period to ensure a winning start.
Dowie left new signing Leon Best on the bench and McKenzie wasted no time in staking his claim for a regular starting role when he opened the scoring with the first chance of the match.
Tykes defender Dennis Souza brought down his strike partner Kyle wide on the right and Michael Doyle's floated free-kick found McKenzie completely unmarked at the far post and he thumped his header beyond Nick Colgan.
But the home side responded instantly and were level in their next attack with McKenzie again at the heart of the action.
Rob Kozluk's deep free-kick was heading for the head of striker Istvan Ferenczi until McKenzie's outstretched hand diverted the ball away and referee Scott Mathieson had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.
Howard stepped up and confidently smashed the ball straight down the middle to give Coventry's debutant goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos no chance.
But it was Dowie's visiting side who continued to threaten and another fine cross by Doyle found Elliott Ward in the penalty area but his goal-bound header was well blocked by the sprawling Lewin Nyatanga.
Gray then whistled a strike narrowly wide before Ferenczi called Konstantopoulos into action with a decent header which the Greek keeper comfortably held.
The Sky Blues took just five minutes of the second half to go back ahead through a thunderous header from Kyle.
Jay Tabb whipped in a sublime ball from the right which completely cut out Colgan and left Kyle with the simplest of tasks to smash the header into the roof of the net.
It was the former Sunderland man's first goal since February but he showed just why he has only scored 16 league goals in his career with a terrible miss just four minutes later.
Again Doyle was the architect from a dead ball and his brilliant delivery left Kyle with a seemingly simple second but this time he could only head tamely into Colgan's hands.
But the miss proved inconsequential as Coventry were now in total control and increased their lead in the 65th minute through a fine debut goal from Gray.
Tabb was again integral and after his twisting run left Kozluk on his backside he switched the ball out to Gray on the left and the former Crystal Palace man swept home effortlessly from the edge of the box.
And the former Brentford midfielder made it a hat-trick of assists in stoppage time when his pinpoint through ball picked out substitute Mifsud in space and the Maltese drove powerfully across Colgan to wrap up a comprehensive win.
CCFC
The 2007/08 season began in spectacular fashion as the Sky Blues ran riot against Barnsley at Oakwell.
Goals from Leon McKenzie, Kevin Kyle, new signing Julian Gray and substitute Michael Mifsud gave Iain Dowie's a deserved victory over the Tykes, who replied through a Brian Howard penalty.
The visitors had made all the early running when McKenzie met skipper Michael Doyle's pinpoint free-kick with a powerful header which left Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan helpless as it flew into the back of the net in the sixth minute.
But the lead lasted just two minutes as the home side were awarded a penalty when Kyle handled in the penalty area. Midfielder Howard stepped up and cockily dispatched the spot-kick, chipping it down the centre as Dimi Konstantopoulos dived to his right.
The Sky Blues had two chances to go ahead not long after being pegged back but Kyle headed Gary Borrowdale's excellent cross straight at Colgan while Elliott Ward's towering header was deflected wide for a corner.
It took until the 34th minute until another meaningful effort on goal and it came from Barnsley's Istvan Ferenczi who produced a good save from Konstantopoulos with a downward header from a Martin Devaney cross.
The Tykes went close to beating the City 'keeper just before the break, but Howard's shot was well blocked by Marcus Hall.
But the second period began in similar fashion to the first - with a goal.
Jay Tabb exchanged passes with McKenzie on the right before crossing for Kyle to send a powerful header beyond Colgan from 10-yards.
The big Scot was posing a major threat to the home defence and almost added another shortly after but Colgan dived at his feet to block from a tight angle.
But he was helpless to stop Gray adding a third goal in the 65th minute. The City winger latched onto a pass from Tabb inside the area, danced inside his man before lashing a thunderous effort into the top corner with his unfavoured right foot.
City were running riot and McKenzie should have scored again shortly after when he elected to shoot straight at Colgan rather than pass to an unmarked Kyle.
Dowie freshened up his striking duo in the 72nd minute when Leon Best and Michael Mifsud replaced goalscorers Kyle and McKenzie and immediately set about adding their names to the scoresheet.
A precise through-ball from Michael Hughes set Mifsud through on goal but the Maltese international shot straight at Colgan with the goal at his mercy.
Tabb had better luck though when his angled drive left the 'keeper with no chance before drifting narrowly wide of the post with 12 minutes left on the clock before a curling effort from Best sailed off target.
Konstantopoulos was forced into a rare save three minutes from the end when he got down to stop a toe-poke from Rohan Ricketts.
But Mifsud put the icing on a superb second-half performance in stoppage-time when he fired a low shot into the bottom corner after being played in by the influential Tabb.
4thegame
Coventry City, many people's outside bet for a play-off place this season, cruised to an emphatic away win over new-look Barnsley at Oakwell.
The Sky Blues sizzled in the Oakwell sunshine, rattling in three second-half goals to register all three points.
And the 4-1 margin could have been much bigger as Coventry created a number of other scoring chances.
Barnsley struggled in the Championship last season but boss Simon Davey produced a major overhaul of his squad, with his number of summer signings going into double figures.
Five of the fresh faces were in his starting line-up but it was Coventry that got off to a dream start with a sixth-minute opener.
Skipper Michael Doyle delivered a terrific free-kick from the right and striker Leon McKenzie got in behind the Barnsley defence to plant a powerful header past Nick Colgan.
But Barnsley were level just three minutes later when Coventry striker Kevin Kyle, coming back to help his defence from a Barnsley free-kick, was adjudged to have handled in the box.
Brian Howard scored with a cheeky spot-kick, chipping into the net as Coventry keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos went the wrong way.
The rest of the first half was relatively even, although Coventry looked dangerous every time an aerial ball was delivered into the Barnsley box.
Kevin Kyle twice should have done better with clear headers but could only find the midriff of Colgan.
At the other end Barnsley's best chance came from a Martin Devaney cross in the 35th minute as Hungarian striker Istvan Ferenczi conjured up a diving header that Konstantopoulos did well to deal with low down.
But Coventry got their noses back in front just five minutes into the second period, and it was striker Kyle who finally made his physical presence felt, guiding home a delightful header from Jay Tabb's accurate right-wing cross.
It was 3-1 on 66 minutes when more good work from Tabb picked out Julian Gray wide on the left and the Barnsley defence opened up far too easily as Gray cut inside and lashed a right-foot shot high into the net.
Barnsley's belief began to flood away and Coventry had chances to stretch their lead still further, with Colgan making two fine saves from substitute Michael Mifsud and the lively Tabb.
Three minutes from time good work by Barnsley substitute Kayode Odejayi set up Rohan Ricketts just inside the box but his effort was comfortably saved.
And it was Coventry that deservedly had the final word in stoppage time when the pace of Mifsud took him clear of the Barnsley defence and the finish matched the approach play, a low side-footed effort going beyond Colgan and into the far corner of the net.
Barnsley: Nick Colgan, Lewin Nyatanga, Paul Reid, Rob Kozluk, Brian Howard, Rohan Ricketts, Andy Johnson (Sam Togwell 73), Istvan Ferenczi, Martin Devaney, Dennis Souza (Dominik Werling 73), Miguel Angel Mostto (Kayode Odejayi 60),
Subs not used: Grant McCann, Kyle Letheren
Goals: Brian Howard (P) 11
Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Gary Borrowdale, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb, Julian Gray, Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle (Michael Mifsud 73), Leon McKenzie (Leon Best 73), Michael Hughes (Stephen Hughes 80)
Subs not used: Colin Hawkins, Andy Marshall
Booked: Michael Mifsud 90, Isaac Osbourne 59
Goals: Leon McKenzie 6, Kevin Kyle 50, Julian Gray 65, Michael Mifsud 90
Attendance: 12616
Referee: S Mathieson
Teamtalk
Coventry began the Championship season in style as three second-half goals earned them a convincing 4-1 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.
Iain Dowie's side dominated throughout and after Tykes midfielder Brian Howard had equalised Leon McKenzie's opener, Kevin Kyle, Julian Gray and Michael Mifsud struck in a one-sided second period to ensure a winning start.
Dowie left new signing Leon Best on the bench and McKenzie wasted no time in staking his claim for a regular starting role when he opened the scoring with the first chance of the match.
Tykes defender Dennis Souza brought down his strike partner Kyle wide on the right and Michael Doyle's floated free-kick found McKenzie completely unmarked at the far post and he thumped his header beyond Nick Colgan.
But the home side responded instantly and were level in their next attack with McKenzie again at the heart of the action.
Rob Kozluk's deep free-kick was heading for the head of striker Istvan Ferenczi until McKenzie's outstretched hand diverted the ball away and referee Scott Mathieson had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.
Howard stepped up and confidently smashed the ball straight down the middle to give Coventry's debutant goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos no chance.
But it was Dowie's visiting side who continued to threaten and another fine cross by Doyle found Elliott Ward in the penalty area but his goal-bound header was well blocked by the sprawling Lewin Nyatanga.
Gray then whistled a strike narrowly wide before Ferenczi called Konstantopoulos into action with a decent header which the Greek keeper comfortably held.
The Sky Blues took just five minutes of the second half to go back ahead through a thunderous header from Kyle.
Jay Tabb whipped in a sublime ball from the right which completely cut out Colgan and left Kyle with the simplest of tasks to smash the header into the roof of the net.
It was the former Sunderland man's first goal since February but he showed just why he has only scored 16 league goals in his career with a terrible miss just four minutes later.
Again Doyle was the architect from a dead ball and his brilliant delivery left Kyle with a seemingly simple second but this time he could only head tamely into Colgan's hands.
But the miss proved inconsequential as Coventry were now in total control and increased their lead in the 65th minute through a fine debut goal from Gray.
Tabb was again integral and after his twisting run left Kozluk on his backside he switched the ball out to Gray on the left and the former Crystal Palace man swept home effortlessly from the edge of the box.
And the former Brentford midfielder made it a hat-trick of assists in stoppage time when his pinpoint through ball picked out substitute Mifsud in space and the Maltese drove powerfully across Colgan to wrap up a comprehensive win.
CCFC
The 2007/08 season began in spectacular fashion as the Sky Blues ran riot against Barnsley at Oakwell.
Goals from Leon McKenzie, Kevin Kyle, new signing Julian Gray and substitute Michael Mifsud gave Iain Dowie's a deserved victory over the Tykes, who replied through a Brian Howard penalty.
The visitors had made all the early running when McKenzie met skipper Michael Doyle's pinpoint free-kick with a powerful header which left Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan helpless as it flew into the back of the net in the sixth minute.
But the lead lasted just two minutes as the home side were awarded a penalty when Kyle handled in the penalty area. Midfielder Howard stepped up and cockily dispatched the spot-kick, chipping it down the centre as Dimi Konstantopoulos dived to his right.
The Sky Blues had two chances to go ahead not long after being pegged back but Kyle headed Gary Borrowdale's excellent cross straight at Colgan while Elliott Ward's towering header was deflected wide for a corner.
It took until the 34th minute until another meaningful effort on goal and it came from Barnsley's Istvan Ferenczi who produced a good save from Konstantopoulos with a downward header from a Martin Devaney cross.
The Tykes went close to beating the City 'keeper just before the break, but Howard's shot was well blocked by Marcus Hall.
But the second period began in similar fashion to the first - with a goal.
Jay Tabb exchanged passes with McKenzie on the right before crossing for Kyle to send a powerful header beyond Colgan from 10-yards.
The big Scot was posing a major threat to the home defence and almost added another shortly after but Colgan dived at his feet to block from a tight angle.
But he was helpless to stop Gray adding a third goal in the 65th minute. The City winger latched onto a pass from Tabb inside the area, danced inside his man before lashing a thunderous effort into the top corner with his unfavoured right foot.
City were running riot and McKenzie should have scored again shortly after when he elected to shoot straight at Colgan rather than pass to an unmarked Kyle.
Dowie freshened up his striking duo in the 72nd minute when Leon Best and Michael Mifsud replaced goalscorers Kyle and McKenzie and immediately set about adding their names to the scoresheet.
A precise through-ball from Michael Hughes set Mifsud through on goal but the Maltese international shot straight at Colgan with the goal at his mercy.
Tabb had better luck though when his angled drive left the 'keeper with no chance before drifting narrowly wide of the post with 12 minutes left on the clock before a curling effort from Best sailed off target.
Konstantopoulos was forced into a rare save three minutes from the end when he got down to stop a toe-poke from Rohan Ricketts.
But Mifsud put the icing on a superb second-half performance in stoppage-time when he fired a low shot into the bottom corner after being played in by the influential Tabb.
4thegame
Coventry City, many people's outside bet for a play-off place this season, cruised to an emphatic away win over new-look Barnsley at Oakwell.
The Sky Blues sizzled in the Oakwell sunshine, rattling in three second-half goals to register all three points.
And the 4-1 margin could have been much bigger as Coventry created a number of other scoring chances.
Barnsley struggled in the Championship last season but boss Simon Davey produced a major overhaul of his squad, with his number of summer signings going into double figures.
Five of the fresh faces were in his starting line-up but it was Coventry that got off to a dream start with a sixth-minute opener.
Skipper Michael Doyle delivered a terrific free-kick from the right and striker Leon McKenzie got in behind the Barnsley defence to plant a powerful header past Nick Colgan.
But Barnsley were level just three minutes later when Coventry striker Kevin Kyle, coming back to help his defence from a Barnsley free-kick, was adjudged to have handled in the box.
Brian Howard scored with a cheeky spot-kick, chipping into the net as Coventry keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos went the wrong way.
The rest of the first half was relatively even, although Coventry looked dangerous every time an aerial ball was delivered into the Barnsley box.
Kevin Kyle twice should have done better with clear headers but could only find the midriff of Colgan.
At the other end Barnsley's best chance came from a Martin Devaney cross in the 35th minute as Hungarian striker Istvan Ferenczi conjured up a diving header that Konstantopoulos did well to deal with low down.
But Coventry got their noses back in front just five minutes into the second period, and it was striker Kyle who finally made his physical presence felt, guiding home a delightful header from Jay Tabb's accurate right-wing cross.
It was 3-1 on 66 minutes when more good work from Tabb picked out Julian Gray wide on the left and the Barnsley defence opened up far too easily as Gray cut inside and lashed a right-foot shot high into the net.
Barnsley's belief began to flood away and Coventry had chances to stretch their lead still further, with Colgan making two fine saves from substitute Michael Mifsud and the lively Tabb.
Three minutes from time good work by Barnsley substitute Kayode Odejayi set up Rohan Ricketts just inside the box but his effort was comfortably saved.
And it was Coventry that deservedly had the final word in stoppage time when the pace of Mifsud took him clear of the Barnsley defence and the finish matched the approach play, a low side-footed effort going beyond Colgan and into the far corner of the net.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 8:00 pm
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