Coventry 0 Preston 0 - 13/09/2008
Coventry 0 Preston 0 - 13/09/2008
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Isaac Osbourne, Guillaume Beuzelin (Jay Tabb 86), Michael Doyle, Clinton Morrison, Freddy Eastwood, Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 83), Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud 73)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall
Preston North End: Andy Lonergan, Michael Hart, Sean St. Ledger, Youl Mawene, Chris Sedgwick (Ross Wallace 83), Billy Jones, Barry Nicholson, Paul McKenna (Darren Carter 73), Richard Chaplow (Callum Davidson 88), Neil Mellor, Jonathan Parkin
Subs not used: Chris Neal, Stephen Elliott
Attendance: 16544
Referee: G Hegley
Teamtalk
There were chances aplenty in the game at the Ricoh Arena between Coventry and Preston but neither side could break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw.
Sean St Ledger's header - which cannoned against the bar - was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.
The defender rattled the Coventry woodwork on the half-hour when he met Barry Nicholson's outswinging corner 12 yards out.
The hosts enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges but were unable to take their chances.
Clinton Morrison headed tamely at Andy Lonergan in the fifth minute, before Leon Best dragged a shot wide.
Michael Doyle and Morrison saw goalbound efforts blocked by Youl Mawene inside the opening 15 minutes, and Lonergan produced a fine save to keep out Freddy Eastwood's 25-yard shot.
Preston came into the game midway through the first half.
Neil Mellor forced Keiren Westwood into a superb save with a shot from the left-hand side of the area.
Soon afterwards, Chris Sedgwick flashed an angled shot narrowly wide before St Ledger's header struck the bar.
Lonergan parried a long-range shot from Dan Fox in the final notable action of the first half.
Preston started the second half brightly, but much like Coventry before the break they were unable to capitalise when they were on top.
Westwood produced a fine save to tip Mellor's shot over the bar on 47 minutes, and St Ledger headed over from the resulting corner.
Chris Sedgwick dragged a shot wide from the right-hand side of the box, and Jon Parkin's shot was blocked by Scott Dann in the 55th minute.
Eastwood flashed a shot narrowly wide as Coventry threatened for the first time since the break.
Lonergan then saved bravely at the feet of Morrison to keep the scores blank just after the hour.
Both managers introduced all three of their allotted substitutes in a bid to create the match-winning chance - but it was to no avail.
Morrison could have won the match for Coventry in the closing stages but shot tamely at Lonergan from 12 yards.
CCFC
Coventry City picked up a point at the Ricoh Arena after a goalless encounter with in-form Preston North End.
Both sides failed to unlock each others rearguard although the point will be a welcome one for the Sky Blues who put an end to a run of three straight defeats in all competitions.
City enjoyed the lions share of possession in the first half and, with a front four of Leon Best, Freddy Eastwood, Clinton Morrison and Leon McKenzie, appeared to be the more willing of the two sides to attack.
But despite a handful of half chances, City could not capitalise.
Clinton Morrison had two good chances to open the scoring on 17 minutes with two close-range half volleys, both blocked by some desperate Preston defending.
And Eastwood also tested his range with a 25-yard effort four minutes later, a powerfully struck half volley which Preston 'keeper Andy Lonergan struggled to keep hold of.
Coventry counterpart Keiren Westwood was also called upon to make a routine save from Neil Mellor's effort at his near post on 22 minutes.
But that and Sean St Ledger's header from a corner just before the half-hour mark which clipped Westwood's crossbar remained as Preston's two best chances to take the lead.
That spell of action proved to be the most frantic of a relatively tame first half but Coleman will be encouraged by the Sky Blues' attacking options which have almost, but not quite yet, had the desired effect.
The second half was a much more subdued affair though, with chances few and far between for both sides.
Morrison had a half chance to nick a winner for the Sky Blues five minutes from time when Freddy Eastwood lifted a ball over all in the penalty area for Mifsud who brought it down into the path of Morrison.
But the Republic of Ireland international could not get the ball down from an awkward bounce and failed to make a clean connection.
St Ledger had a rare opportunity at the other end for Preston midway through the second period, his header from a corner again going close, almost mirroring his first-half opportunity.
And Eastwood and Best also produced a good link up for the Sky Blues five minutes after the interval, Eastwood releasing Best down the right who cut across in return for Eastwood although Lonergan just managed to scoop up the ball and stop the threat.
But despite a game that lacked goals, Chris Coleman's men will take heart from producing the better display on the day to restore some confidence ahead of their Tuesday night clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
4thegame
Preston North End continued their good start to the season after holding on to take a point at Coventry City.
The home side controlled most of the game, with the visitors struggling to reproduce the form they had shown in their last outing against Charlton.
But neither side managed to make the breakthrough - and Preston hung on to remain unbeaten in the league.
Coventry went into the match looking to end a run of three defeats and boss Chris Coleman fielded an attacking side with four strikers on the pitch.
The Sky Blues' passing was slick but they failed to turn their possession into chances, with several attacks fizzling out at the key moment.
Freddy Eastwood did make Andy Lonergan work in the 22nd minute, when his fierce 30-yard drive forced the stopper into a low save.
Two minutes later, Lonergan was a spectator when Clinton Morrison rose to meet Danny Fox's cross, but his free header flew past the post.
The visitors started to push forward and were denied a fortuitous lead in the 35th minute. Billy Jones' corner was met well by centre-half Sean St Ledger only to rattle off the Coventry crossbar.
Coventry pushed forward as they aimed to take a lead into half-time, and were unlucky not to score when Fox's stinging effort from 35 yards was tipped around the post by Lonergan.
Preston improved early in the second period and Neil Mellor's half-volley was only just saved by Keiren Westwood. The resulting corner gave St Ledger his second opportunity - but Westwood was able to collect well.
But Coventry continued to press and had their best chance in the 63rd minute when Eastwood poked a ball through to Morrison ten yards from goal. The former Palace man shot towards the bottom corner, only for Lonergan to palm the ball wide.
Both sides attacked but failed to create clear-cut chances, with the match ending in a stalemate.
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Isaac Osbourne, Guillaume Beuzelin (Jay Tabb 86), Michael Doyle, Clinton Morrison, Freddy Eastwood, Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 83), Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud 73)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall
Preston North End: Andy Lonergan, Michael Hart, Sean St. Ledger, Youl Mawene, Chris Sedgwick (Ross Wallace 83), Billy Jones, Barry Nicholson, Paul McKenna (Darren Carter 73), Richard Chaplow (Callum Davidson 88), Neil Mellor, Jonathan Parkin
Subs not used: Chris Neal, Stephen Elliott
Attendance: 16544
Referee: G Hegley
Teamtalk
There were chances aplenty in the game at the Ricoh Arena between Coventry and Preston but neither side could break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw.
Sean St Ledger's header - which cannoned against the bar - was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.
The defender rattled the Coventry woodwork on the half-hour when he met Barry Nicholson's outswinging corner 12 yards out.
The hosts enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges but were unable to take their chances.
Clinton Morrison headed tamely at Andy Lonergan in the fifth minute, before Leon Best dragged a shot wide.
Michael Doyle and Morrison saw goalbound efforts blocked by Youl Mawene inside the opening 15 minutes, and Lonergan produced a fine save to keep out Freddy Eastwood's 25-yard shot.
Preston came into the game midway through the first half.
Neil Mellor forced Keiren Westwood into a superb save with a shot from the left-hand side of the area.
Soon afterwards, Chris Sedgwick flashed an angled shot narrowly wide before St Ledger's header struck the bar.
Lonergan parried a long-range shot from Dan Fox in the final notable action of the first half.
Preston started the second half brightly, but much like Coventry before the break they were unable to capitalise when they were on top.
Westwood produced a fine save to tip Mellor's shot over the bar on 47 minutes, and St Ledger headed over from the resulting corner.
Chris Sedgwick dragged a shot wide from the right-hand side of the box, and Jon Parkin's shot was blocked by Scott Dann in the 55th minute.
Eastwood flashed a shot narrowly wide as Coventry threatened for the first time since the break.
Lonergan then saved bravely at the feet of Morrison to keep the scores blank just after the hour.
Both managers introduced all three of their allotted substitutes in a bid to create the match-winning chance - but it was to no avail.
Morrison could have won the match for Coventry in the closing stages but shot tamely at Lonergan from 12 yards.
CCFC
Coventry City picked up a point at the Ricoh Arena after a goalless encounter with in-form Preston North End.
Both sides failed to unlock each others rearguard although the point will be a welcome one for the Sky Blues who put an end to a run of three straight defeats in all competitions.
City enjoyed the lions share of possession in the first half and, with a front four of Leon Best, Freddy Eastwood, Clinton Morrison and Leon McKenzie, appeared to be the more willing of the two sides to attack.
But despite a handful of half chances, City could not capitalise.
Clinton Morrison had two good chances to open the scoring on 17 minutes with two close-range half volleys, both blocked by some desperate Preston defending.
And Eastwood also tested his range with a 25-yard effort four minutes later, a powerfully struck half volley which Preston 'keeper Andy Lonergan struggled to keep hold of.
Coventry counterpart Keiren Westwood was also called upon to make a routine save from Neil Mellor's effort at his near post on 22 minutes.
But that and Sean St Ledger's header from a corner just before the half-hour mark which clipped Westwood's crossbar remained as Preston's two best chances to take the lead.
That spell of action proved to be the most frantic of a relatively tame first half but Coleman will be encouraged by the Sky Blues' attacking options which have almost, but not quite yet, had the desired effect.
The second half was a much more subdued affair though, with chances few and far between for both sides.
Morrison had a half chance to nick a winner for the Sky Blues five minutes from time when Freddy Eastwood lifted a ball over all in the penalty area for Mifsud who brought it down into the path of Morrison.
But the Republic of Ireland international could not get the ball down from an awkward bounce and failed to make a clean connection.
St Ledger had a rare opportunity at the other end for Preston midway through the second period, his header from a corner again going close, almost mirroring his first-half opportunity.
And Eastwood and Best also produced a good link up for the Sky Blues five minutes after the interval, Eastwood releasing Best down the right who cut across in return for Eastwood although Lonergan just managed to scoop up the ball and stop the threat.
But despite a game that lacked goals, Chris Coleman's men will take heart from producing the better display on the day to restore some confidence ahead of their Tuesday night clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
4thegame
Preston North End continued their good start to the season after holding on to take a point at Coventry City.
The home side controlled most of the game, with the visitors struggling to reproduce the form they had shown in their last outing against Charlton.
But neither side managed to make the breakthrough - and Preston hung on to remain unbeaten in the league.
Coventry went into the match looking to end a run of three defeats and boss Chris Coleman fielded an attacking side with four strikers on the pitch.
The Sky Blues' passing was slick but they failed to turn their possession into chances, with several attacks fizzling out at the key moment.
Freddy Eastwood did make Andy Lonergan work in the 22nd minute, when his fierce 30-yard drive forced the stopper into a low save.
Two minutes later, Lonergan was a spectator when Clinton Morrison rose to meet Danny Fox's cross, but his free header flew past the post.
The visitors started to push forward and were denied a fortuitous lead in the 35th minute. Billy Jones' corner was met well by centre-half Sean St Ledger only to rattle off the Coventry crossbar.
Coventry pushed forward as they aimed to take a lead into half-time, and were unlucky not to score when Fox's stinging effort from 35 yards was tipped around the post by Lonergan.
Preston improved early in the second period and Neil Mellor's half-volley was only just saved by Keiren Westwood. The resulting corner gave St Ledger his second opportunity - but Westwood was able to collect well.
But Coventry continued to press and had their best chance in the 63rd minute when Eastwood poked a ball through to Morrison ten yards from goal. The former Palace man shot towards the bottom corner, only for Lonergan to palm the ball wide.
Both sides attacked but failed to create clear-cut chances, with the match ending in a stalemate.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 9:02 pm
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