Sky Blues Win At Glentoran

Last updated : 25 July 2007 By Kev Monks
GLENTORAN 1-2 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS

Team
Konstantopolous,McNamee (Hildreth 46),Borrowdale (Hall 75),Osbourne,Hawkins,Page (Giddings 69),Andrews (Cairo 60),Hughes (Doyle 70),Best (Adebola 54),McKenzie (Simpson 63),Tabb

Subs Kyle,Marshall

Glentoran
Dougherty,Nixon,Carson,Hill,Scullion,Simpson,Ward,Hamill,Halliday,McGovern,Fordyce

Subs all used McFrederick,Morgan,McCann,Symthe,McDonagh,Ward,Hamilton.Adamckyz

Att 1200 est
Ref H.Carvill
Goals Hawkins 47,McKenzie (52),Nixon (85)
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GROUND
One big main stand with a small stand opposite. Two banks of open terracing. Nestled in East Belfast close to the ship yards where the Titanic was built.

Supporters very friendly and a nice place to visit.
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WEATHER
A cloudy night,pleasantly warm.
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STARTING TEAM FORMATION
Konstantopoulos
McNamee Hawkins Page Borrowdale

Andrews Osbourne Hughes Tabb

Best McKenzie
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Around eighty City fan were spaced around The Oval,some of us who had flown over to Belfast whilst others lived in the Province and some travelled from the Irish Republic.
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FIRST HALF
After Colin Nixon's whose testimonial game this was,had be welcomed onto the pitch, things were tight on the pitch .

City should have been ahead in the 24th minute. Stephen Hughes played in Wayne Andrews who rifled the ball with his right foot from eight yards only for Dougherty to push over the bar. Tabb missed from the resulting corner and seconds later so did McKenzie from another Hughes cross.

The Glens who celebrate their 125th anniversairy this year,best chance of the half came in the 35th minute when Roy Hamill turned inside the area and forced Dimi to push over as both sides looked lacklustre in front of goal.

HT GFC 0-0 CCFC
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City needed only two minutes in the second half to take the lead.

Issac Osbourne won a corner, Best headed down and Colin Hawkins banged in from close range.

A second goal came five minutes later. This time,Jay Tabb crossed from the left, Leon Best had his shot blocked on the line and Leon McKenzie rammed home from close range.

Best,Andrews and Simpson were replaced during the half which saw Dimi make two saves from Morgan.

Robbie Simpson was one of the subs who impressed,twice he raced through and twice he fired over.

Ellery Cairo was another who looked good making some good crosses and sending one over the bar in the 79th minute.

Four minutes later,there were cries of "Doh" from the City supporters as Simpson played a one two with Adebola and hit the post from three yards.

In the 85th minute,Glentoran were not surprisingly awarded a penalty. Up stepped Man Of The Night Colin Dixon who easily beat Dimi who politely dived the wrong way.

There was a late scramble but City were worthy winners.

Man Of The Match - Isaac Osbourne took the votes with nominations for Jay Tabb,Colin Hawkins and Stephen Hughes.

Supporters View

Norman From Bangor, Northern Ireland said after the game: "A poor first half with the exception of one save each by both keepers. The second half was less of a practice match and City were deservedly 2-0 ahead.

"Again all the changes unsettled the formation and allowed a testimonial penalty but City were comfortable winners."

Goals from the game can be found here
http://www.forzatv.net/Video_coventry_240707.html