Coventry 2 Sheffield Weds 0 - 28/12/2008
Coventry 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 28/12/2008
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Ben Turner, Marcus Hall, Stephen Wright, Guillaume Beuzelin, Michael Doyle, Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Mifsud (Adam Walker 87), Leon Best, Leon McKenzie (Robbie Simpson 63), Clinton Morrison (Freddy Eastwood 69)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Curtis Wynter
Booked: -
Goals: Clinton Morrison 11, Robbie Simpson 82
Sheffield Wednesday: Lee Grant, Mark Beevers, Steve Watson, Lewis Buxton, Richard Wood, Tommy Spur, Sean McAllister (Francis Jeffers 72), James O'Connor (Luke Boden 88), Wade Small (Rocky Lekej 73), Bartosz Slusarki, Marcus Tudgay
Subs not used: Jimmy Smith, Nathan Modest
Booked: -
Goals: -
Attendance: 19602
Referee: G Laws
Teamtalk
Clinton Morrison set Coventry on their way to a first home win in eight attempts as they overcame Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday 2-0.
Morrison, who has now netted eight goals in the league this season, converted Guillaume Beuzelin's centre as Coventry demonstrated their desire to record a victory after three defeats and four draws at home.
Despite a sound display from Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant, Coventry wrapped up the win with a late goal from Robbie Simpson.
After drawing a blank at Swansea on Boxing Day, Coventry manager Chris Coleman bolstered his forward line with Leon Best and Leon McKenzie coming in alongside Morrison.
Best, who had a loan spell with the Owls during the 2005/06 campaign, impressed enough in a 13-minute cameo against the Swans to earn his first start in over a month while McKenzie made the starting XI having only recently recovered from a torn thigh muscle.
For Sheffield Wednesday Sean McAllister was recalled while Steve Watson and Wade Small retained their places after the 1-1 draw with Blackpool.
Marcus Tudgay had the first sight of goal after two minutes, but the Sheffield Wednesday forward fired wide from 12 yards out.
Coventry then took the lead in the 11th minute through Morrison.
Midfielder Beuzelin found room on the left and fed the ball in to the 29-year-old striker who calmly finished from six yards out.
Tudgay attempted to hit back immediately but failed to hit the target from 20 yards and McAllister was denied by a fantastic save from Coventry goalkeeper Kieren Westwood.
Aron Gunnarsson could have extended Coventry's advantage but his header from close range was too weak to trouble Grant.
Tudgay continued to be Wednesday's greatest goal threat.
But as Sheffield Wednesday's radar got closer to the target Coventry's resistance got more formidable.
First Michael Doyle made a crucial block from Tudgay and then Westwood saved from Small midway through the second half.
Just a minute later Wednesday's Grant replicated Westwood's efforts in goal as he parried Doyle's left-footed shot.
The two goalkeepers continued to maintain the scoreline and Grant parried wide as Michael Mifsud let fly from 20 yards.
Gunnarsson once again had the opportunity to calm Coventry's increasing nerves but again his heading ability left much to be desired.
Although both sides were creating chances they were struggling to find a way past the respective defences and Grant again proved his worth for the visitors by saving from Best's right-footed effort to keep his team in the hunt.
But any aspirations for a point were shattered when Best had his revenge in the 82nd minute when he set up Simpson to fire home from 12 yards out.
CCFC
The Sky Blues ended their long awaited barron spell at the Ricoh Arena with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday to lift them to within a point of the top half of the Championship table.
Strikes from Clinton Morrison and Robbie Simpson handed City their first home win since the start of October, banishing the Sky Blues home hoodoo which has blighted their season thus far.
The Sky Blues, hampered by injury and illness which saw Elliott Ward out of the team with a leg injury, enjoyed the majority of the first half attacking opportunities and were responsible for taking much of the game to the visitors.
Morrison supplied an almost inch-perfect cross from the right corner flag just three minutes in, the delivery just too high for Leon Best.
But Morrison did not have to wait long to be involved again when Beuzelin stroked a superb pass with the outside of his boot to the Republic of Ireland international who took one touch and slid the ball past Lee Grant from the corner of the six-yard area.
Sean McAllister had a half chance to get Wednesday level four minutes later when he was found unmarked on the right hand side of Keiren Westwood's area, only for the Coventry 'keeper to rush off his line and block McAllister's effort.
Wednesday skipper Richard Wood flashed a low across into the Coventry area after 20 minutes which evaded all except Marcus Tudgay who lashed a first time effort over the bar.
City also made plenty of headway down the flanks with Michael Mifsud and Leon McKenzie who both were repeatedly able to find their way to the Wednesday goal line.
But some good sacrificial defending from Wednesday prevented the Sky Blues from making the best of their progress as Wood and Beevers threw themselves at some close range crosses to hand City a series of ultimately fruitless corners.
Coventry continued the second half in the same vein as the first and Ben Turner could have got a second for City much earlier when his glancing header from Doyle's cornertwo minutes after the restart flashed past Grant's far post.
Wade Small made City supporters' hearts flutter on 54 minutes when he dribbled inside the Sky Blues' penalty area and smashed a shot at goal, palmed away for a corner by Westwood.
But that was as close as Wednesday got to troubling the scorers and the Sky Blues remained resolute at the back and continued to hassle the visiting front four when they were in possession.
Gunnarsson could have netted for City with 20 minutes to go, getting on the end of another troubling Doyle delivery but heading inches wide of Grant's goal.
And Best also forced a good low save from Grant with an effort from the corner of the penalty area after substitute Freddy Eastwood rolled the ball into his path.
Best played a crucial role in City's second though, fighting off attention from Beevers and Wood to come across the Wednesday area and roll the ball into the path of Simpson who took one touch and fired low across Grant into the far corner.
It was also a good night for the City academy as youngster Adam Walker was handed his first senior appearance, coming on for the final three minutes for Michael Mifsud who had spent the majority of the afternoon tormenting Wednesday left back Wood on flank.
All in all a good night for Chris Coleman and his side who now bring themselves within touching distance of the Championship top 12.
4thegame
Coventry City recorded their first home win since October in a battling display against Sheffield Wednesday.
The Sky Blues' barren spell at the Ricoh Arena had lasted seven matches, but the 2-0 win achieves manager Chris Coleman's target of mid-table at the turn of the year.
Both sides struggled with injuries, with Coventry forced to field two players out of position due to the absences of Dan Fox and Elliott Ward.
Wednesday almost took advantage of the uncomfortable back-line in the tenth minute when James O'Connor's ball fell to Richard Wood eight yards from goal.
However, the centre-back demonstrated why he is restricted to a place in the back four after slicing a volley embarrassingly wide.
Coventry punished the miss a minute later when Guillaume Beuzelin played a through ball with the outside of his boot to the unmarked Clinton Morrison.
The striker fired a low-drive past keeper Lee Grant to notch his tenth of the season.
Wednesday battled and had a good chance five minutes later when the ball fell to Sean McAllister in the box, but highly-rated Sky Blues keeper Keiren Westwood produced an excellent block to deny a goal.
Owls left-back Tommy Spurr broke down the left in the 20th minute and put a dangerous effort into the City box only for Marcus Tudgay to fluff his effort wide.
Coventry continued to sit back and Wade Small came close twice in two minutes for Wednesday.
In the 55th minute his half-volley from the edge of the area whizzed past the post, before his shot inside the area produced another good save from Westwood.
The chances sparked the Sky Blues to life and after Grant tipped a Michael Doyle cross away from the feet of Leon Best, Michael Mifsud fired in a bouncing shot for the Owls number one to push wide.
As the clock ran down, Wednesday committed more bodies forward and were punished by an 82nd minute counter-attack.
Best received the ball deep in opposition territory and after laying the ball off for oncoming Robbie Simpson, the former non-league star placed a low shot into the corner of the net.
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Ben Turner, Marcus Hall, Stephen Wright, Guillaume Beuzelin, Michael Doyle, Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Mifsud (Adam Walker 87), Leon Best, Leon McKenzie (Robbie Simpson 63), Clinton Morrison (Freddy Eastwood 69)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Curtis Wynter
Booked: -
Goals: Clinton Morrison 11, Robbie Simpson 82
Sheffield Wednesday: Lee Grant, Mark Beevers, Steve Watson, Lewis Buxton, Richard Wood, Tommy Spur, Sean McAllister (Francis Jeffers 72), James O'Connor (Luke Boden 88), Wade Small (Rocky Lekej 73), Bartosz Slusarki, Marcus Tudgay
Subs not used: Jimmy Smith, Nathan Modest
Booked: -
Goals: -
Attendance: 19602
Referee: G Laws
Teamtalk
Clinton Morrison set Coventry on their way to a first home win in eight attempts as they overcame Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday 2-0.
Morrison, who has now netted eight goals in the league this season, converted Guillaume Beuzelin's centre as Coventry demonstrated their desire to record a victory after three defeats and four draws at home.
Despite a sound display from Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant, Coventry wrapped up the win with a late goal from Robbie Simpson.
After drawing a blank at Swansea on Boxing Day, Coventry manager Chris Coleman bolstered his forward line with Leon Best and Leon McKenzie coming in alongside Morrison.
Best, who had a loan spell with the Owls during the 2005/06 campaign, impressed enough in a 13-minute cameo against the Swans to earn his first start in over a month while McKenzie made the starting XI having only recently recovered from a torn thigh muscle.
For Sheffield Wednesday Sean McAllister was recalled while Steve Watson and Wade Small retained their places after the 1-1 draw with Blackpool.
Marcus Tudgay had the first sight of goal after two minutes, but the Sheffield Wednesday forward fired wide from 12 yards out.
Coventry then took the lead in the 11th minute through Morrison.
Midfielder Beuzelin found room on the left and fed the ball in to the 29-year-old striker who calmly finished from six yards out.
Tudgay attempted to hit back immediately but failed to hit the target from 20 yards and McAllister was denied by a fantastic save from Coventry goalkeeper Kieren Westwood.
Aron Gunnarsson could have extended Coventry's advantage but his header from close range was too weak to trouble Grant.
Tudgay continued to be Wednesday's greatest goal threat.
But as Sheffield Wednesday's radar got closer to the target Coventry's resistance got more formidable.
First Michael Doyle made a crucial block from Tudgay and then Westwood saved from Small midway through the second half.
Just a minute later Wednesday's Grant replicated Westwood's efforts in goal as he parried Doyle's left-footed shot.
The two goalkeepers continued to maintain the scoreline and Grant parried wide as Michael Mifsud let fly from 20 yards.
Gunnarsson once again had the opportunity to calm Coventry's increasing nerves but again his heading ability left much to be desired.
Although both sides were creating chances they were struggling to find a way past the respective defences and Grant again proved his worth for the visitors by saving from Best's right-footed effort to keep his team in the hunt.
But any aspirations for a point were shattered when Best had his revenge in the 82nd minute when he set up Simpson to fire home from 12 yards out.
CCFC
The Sky Blues ended their long awaited barron spell at the Ricoh Arena with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday to lift them to within a point of the top half of the Championship table.
Strikes from Clinton Morrison and Robbie Simpson handed City their first home win since the start of October, banishing the Sky Blues home hoodoo which has blighted their season thus far.
The Sky Blues, hampered by injury and illness which saw Elliott Ward out of the team with a leg injury, enjoyed the majority of the first half attacking opportunities and were responsible for taking much of the game to the visitors.
Morrison supplied an almost inch-perfect cross from the right corner flag just three minutes in, the delivery just too high for Leon Best.
But Morrison did not have to wait long to be involved again when Beuzelin stroked a superb pass with the outside of his boot to the Republic of Ireland international who took one touch and slid the ball past Lee Grant from the corner of the six-yard area.
Sean McAllister had a half chance to get Wednesday level four minutes later when he was found unmarked on the right hand side of Keiren Westwood's area, only for the Coventry 'keeper to rush off his line and block McAllister's effort.
Wednesday skipper Richard Wood flashed a low across into the Coventry area after 20 minutes which evaded all except Marcus Tudgay who lashed a first time effort over the bar.
City also made plenty of headway down the flanks with Michael Mifsud and Leon McKenzie who both were repeatedly able to find their way to the Wednesday goal line.
But some good sacrificial defending from Wednesday prevented the Sky Blues from making the best of their progress as Wood and Beevers threw themselves at some close range crosses to hand City a series of ultimately fruitless corners.
Coventry continued the second half in the same vein as the first and Ben Turner could have got a second for City much earlier when his glancing header from Doyle's cornertwo minutes after the restart flashed past Grant's far post.
Wade Small made City supporters' hearts flutter on 54 minutes when he dribbled inside the Sky Blues' penalty area and smashed a shot at goal, palmed away for a corner by Westwood.
But that was as close as Wednesday got to troubling the scorers and the Sky Blues remained resolute at the back and continued to hassle the visiting front four when they were in possession.
Gunnarsson could have netted for City with 20 minutes to go, getting on the end of another troubling Doyle delivery but heading inches wide of Grant's goal.
And Best also forced a good low save from Grant with an effort from the corner of the penalty area after substitute Freddy Eastwood rolled the ball into his path.
Best played a crucial role in City's second though, fighting off attention from Beevers and Wood to come across the Wednesday area and roll the ball into the path of Simpson who took one touch and fired low across Grant into the far corner.
It was also a good night for the City academy as youngster Adam Walker was handed his first senior appearance, coming on for the final three minutes for Michael Mifsud who had spent the majority of the afternoon tormenting Wednesday left back Wood on flank.
All in all a good night for Chris Coleman and his side who now bring themselves within touching distance of the Championship top 12.
4thegame
Coventry City recorded their first home win since October in a battling display against Sheffield Wednesday.
The Sky Blues' barren spell at the Ricoh Arena had lasted seven matches, but the 2-0 win achieves manager Chris Coleman's target of mid-table at the turn of the year.
Both sides struggled with injuries, with Coventry forced to field two players out of position due to the absences of Dan Fox and Elliott Ward.
Wednesday almost took advantage of the uncomfortable back-line in the tenth minute when James O'Connor's ball fell to Richard Wood eight yards from goal.
However, the centre-back demonstrated why he is restricted to a place in the back four after slicing a volley embarrassingly wide.
Coventry punished the miss a minute later when Guillaume Beuzelin played a through ball with the outside of his boot to the unmarked Clinton Morrison.
The striker fired a low-drive past keeper Lee Grant to notch his tenth of the season.
Wednesday battled and had a good chance five minutes later when the ball fell to Sean McAllister in the box, but highly-rated Sky Blues keeper Keiren Westwood produced an excellent block to deny a goal.
Owls left-back Tommy Spurr broke down the left in the 20th minute and put a dangerous effort into the City box only for Marcus Tudgay to fluff his effort wide.
Coventry continued to sit back and Wade Small came close twice in two minutes for Wednesday.
In the 55th minute his half-volley from the edge of the area whizzed past the post, before his shot inside the area produced another good save from Westwood.
The chances sparked the Sky Blues to life and after Grant tipped a Michael Doyle cross away from the feet of Leon Best, Michael Mifsud fired in a bouncing shot for the Owls number one to push wide.
As the clock ran down, Wednesday committed more bodies forward and were punished by an 82nd minute counter-attack.
Best received the ball deep in opposition territory and after laying the ball off for oncoming Robbie Simpson, the former non-league star placed a low shot into the corner of the net.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 9:33 pm
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