Sphinx Injury Woes Increase

Last updated : 16 April 2008 By Kev Monks at Watermead Lane
Coventry Sphinx's already horrendous injury crisis worsened tonight as Sphinx went down to a 5-0 defeat at Midland Alliance promotion chasing Loughborough Dynamo.

Sphnx boss Paul Charnley was with a host of players and again forced to name a side from the players he had available when in the third minute he had to do with the services of keeper Paul Shepherd.

Shepherd had to be carried off with a damaged knee after Andy Tiday lunged at him.

James Halton took over in goal but was rounded in the 8th minute,allowing Tiday to tap into the empty net.

Jerome Murdock and Chris Harris had chances but in the 28th minute. Danny McSheffrey took a free kick too quickly. Possession was lost and Tiday centred for Kris Nurse to stroke home.


Sphinx's Carl Winterbottom tracks Kris Nurse (9)

Chris Harris just missed with a Keith Houchen diving header but in the space of four minutes, Sphinx were hit by a massive hammer blow as Loughborough took the score to 5-0.

Tiday was given too much space and netted with ease for the third. The fourth came with a powerful shot on the turn which gave Halton no chance in the 39th minute and two minutes later, Nurse,who is the top scorer in the league and wanted by a number of clubs allegedly including Leamington and Hinckley United, completed his hat-trick.



Sphinx kept their composure and played some neat football to create chances in the second half. The total of chances had reached eleven by the tie, skipper Dave Drennan had to be stretchered off after twisting his knee and his kneecap popping out with two minutes left.

Stand in custodian Jimmy Halton was also poleaxed in the last seconds to give Paul Charnley even more worries ahead of Saturday's home game with Biddulph Victoria.

Sphinx
Shepherd (off 3, Scott) ,McSheffrey (Elliott 63),Halton,Drennan,
Haywood,Winterbottom,Maguire,Caggini (Woodward 70),Harris,Stevenson,Murdock