Another Pre-season Draw For City

Last updated : 21 July 2007 By Covsupport
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1-1 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS

Team
Konstantopolous,McNamee,(Hildreth 46) Borrowdale (Giddings 62),S.Hughes (Osbourne 67,Page (Hall 75),Ward (Sent off 73),Birchall (Andrews 62),Thornton (Doyle 67),Kyle (Mifsud 62),Best (Hawkins 73),Gray(Davis 46,Simpson 77)

Northampton
Bunn,Crowe,Dolman,M Hughes,Jackman,Henderson (Aiston 7), Burnell (Gilligan 54),Johnson,Holt,Larkin (Howe 62),Kirk
Referee D.Whitestone
Att 2576
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WEATHER
Cloudy,a bit of sunshine,touch of rain,not too unpleasant afternoon.
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Starting Formation
                           Konstantopoulos
McNamee                Page Ward                           Borrowdale
Birchall               Thornton S.Hughes                    Gray
                             Kyle Best
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An excellent turn out of City supporters who made up nearly 40% of the gate at Sixfields,witnessed another draw for the Sky Blues.

City got off to a good start with Kevin Kyle and Leon Best linking well with Julian Gray in his first outing and Chris Birchall on the right wing.

The Trinidadian sent an early free kick wide and was involved in the move which led to Julian Gray delivering a cross which Kyle met. It looked a goal all the way but Brown got a hand to push it over for a corner.

The Scot had suffered a bang on the nose and was off the pitch when the Sky Blues took a 21st minute lead.

Chris Birchall delivered a pinpoint corner to Leon Best on the edge of the area. The new boy steadied himself before driving low into the net.

More efforts followed from Best and Kyle whose header was again pushed over.

Mark Hughes had the Cobblers best effort with a dipping 25 yard shot in the 36th minute, but City were well ahead at the break.



HT NTFC 0-1 CCFC
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SECOND HALF
As Liam Davis and Lee Hildreth came on at the break.hopes were high that City would take this good form into the second half.
In the 48th minute,Kevin Kyle nodded a Birchall corner goalwards only for Burnell to head off the line.

City did get the ball in the net again when Liam Davis and Best combined to find Birchall who stroked the ball into the net only for the linesman on the stand where some of the City supporters were housed to raise his flag.


Three changes were made in the 62nd minute with Michael Mifsud coming on to good applause from the City support who had been taunting a group of Northampton chavs in the Main Stand.

In the 71st minute, Dimi Konstantopoulos made two terrific saves on the line.

The ball came back in from the right and with the Greek keeper from Hartlepool stranded, Elliott Ward got his hand to the ball on the line although many City supporters thought he had got his head to it. Mr Whitestone felt a hand had been used and Ward was sent off.

Northern Irishman Andy Kirk took the kick and scored from the spot to give Northampton the draw.

FT NTFC 1-1 CCFC
Goals Leon Best (21),Andy Kirk pen (73)
Man Of The Match Leon Best took the share of the votes.

Supporters View
We caught up with Anthony from Hinckley after the game. He said: "It was a good work out for the team. Kevin Kyle and Leon Best stood out for me."