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| COVENTRY CITY RESERVES 0-2 SOUTHAMPTON RESERVES City's opening home game of the new season in the FA Premier Reserve League did not go well for the Sky Blues. Both sides fielded strong opening eleven's with Edworthy,Antoelius,Quinn,Gavin Strachan.Martinez, and Guerrero all included in City's line up whilst The Saints featured Neil Moss,Dan Petrescu,Mark Draper and Stuart Ripley in their team. City got off to the worst possible start when after only four minutes. Saints were awarded a corner. The inswinging corner found the head of Scott McDonald who was completely unmarked on the centre spot and he powerfully headed past Sky Blue custodian Gary Montgomery. City rallied and brought the best out of Neil Moss in the 12th minute when he made two fine saves from Gary McSheffrey and Gavin Strachan. After Barry Quinn was harshly cautioned for a foul by referee Penn, Laurent Delorge,who was playing on the right wing broke through but put his shot from 8 yards just wide of the goal. The crowd of 431 was reduced to 429 when two City supporters felt obliged to walk out after a steward complained that they had a 5 month old baby (who was fast asleep) with them in the adults only section where we watched the game. And in the 40th minute,many others felt like heading for home when Saints increased their lead. City lost the ball in midfield, Ripley got wide on the right and whipped over a cross which was firmly volleyed in to the net by Adam Wallace. That was that game over. City offered were unable to offer the home support anything during the second period. The visitors who controlled the game restricted City to four clear chances. The first saw a Jairo Martinez shot well saved by Moss in the 50th minute. This was followed by Calum Davenport heading well over the bar after 70 minutes. Thirteen minutes later, a Barry Quinn free-kick brought a good save from Moss and in the last minute, Jairo Martinez broke free and bore down on goal but put his right footed shot well wide of Moss and the goal. Although Ivan Guerrero,Gary McSheffrey,Laurent Delorge,Craig Strachan and Martinez all did well and coming after the misery of the Wolves game, this was the last thing we needed and City must look to improve. TEAM 1 Gary Montgomery,2 Marc Edworthy,3 Tomas Antoelius,4 Craig Strachan,5 Barry Quinn,6 Calum Davenport,7 Laurent Delorge, 8 Gavin Strachan,9 Jairo Martinez,10 Gary McSheffrey,11 Ivan Guerrero. SNU 12 Richard Spong,13 Per Fahlman,14 Craig Pead,15 Robert Betts,16 Mark Magennis Monks Man Of The Match - Neil Moss (Southampton) |