COVENTRY CITY U18's 3-1 CARDIFF CITY U18's BY KEV MONKS
Team
Collett,Jones,Robinson,Walker,Burgess,Grandison,Fraser (Clarke 92),Richie,Ashraf,Jeffers (Cain 79),Marshall (Greenaway 89)
CARDIFF
Magennis,Hudson,Smith,Evans,Achampeng,Middleton,Kelleher,Carlile,Kaid,Mason,Lipcott Subs Buswell,Herning,Wheatle,Bloom,Webb
Ref T.Holling
Goals Dean Marshall (25), Reis Ashraf (31 & 70), Zak Evans (48)
Booked Jeffers
HT CCFC 2-0 CCFC FT CCFC 3-1 CCFC
Man Of The Match. Liam Robinson just pipped the votes with nominations for Adam Walker,Callum Burgess and Andy Richie.
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"I'll have to tape X Factor tonight as I'll be out celebrating," joked a delighted Greg Rioch after Coventry City U18's recorded their first Academy League win of the season with a fine 3-1 win over Cardiff City.
In front of a large crowd at the Alan Higgs Centre which also included Michael Doyle, Rioch's side started without Keiran Fitzharris who had played very well in last week's draw at Birmingham.
The City boss was left seething in the seventh minute when Gary Twose's side were awarded a highly contentious free kick deep on the right. Matt Smith took the kick which crashed off the bar and dropped for Zak Evans to stab wide.
Bouyed by this let off, Coventry regained their composure and started to play some decent football.
Adam Walker and Andy Richie did the box to box role well and in the 25th minute,Walker played a lovely through ball to Dean Marshall on the left. The young Irishman got the ball on his right, some fifteen yards out and drilled home a shot which hit one post and went in off the other.
Six minutes later, Marshall turned provider with a deep cross for Reis Ashraf, on the penalty spot, who rose to plant a header into the roof of the net.
City's back four all defended well but three minutes into the second half,Zak Evans was allowed to get in a header which went in at the far post.
Cardiff were workmanlike, but City showed far more determination and purpose.
Sean Jeffers and Jermaine Grandison both had chances as did Marshall and with twenty minutes left,a third goal for the Sky Blues wrapped up a fine victory.
Josh Magennis in the Cardiff goal, dropped the ball at the feet of Reis Ashraf who gratefully banged home the gift.
City who leap-frogged Cardiff in the table, travel to MK Dons next week.