Sphinx
Daffern, Wilks, Holmes (Kay 75), Drennan,Ward,McAteer,Halton,Fisher, Harris (Rhodes 74),Stevenson (Barrett 82), Murdock SNU Orth
Stratford
Jay,Robinson,Petty,Mowl (Niblett 46),Mundy,Crawford,Blair, Faulds,May, Adams (Rawlings 61),Stephens (Casper 85) SNU Dovey,Tilbury
HT STFC 1-0 CSFC FT STFC 2-1 CSFC ATT 156
Referee M.Foden Booked Fisher x2, Mundy, Halton,Murdock
Goals Rory May 15, OG 68,Rhodes 83
Sphinx Man Of The Match - Jamie McAteer Stratford Matty Blair.
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Coventry Sphinx were beaten 2-1 in a enthralling game Midland Football Alliance game at Stratford Town.
Sphinx had battled pretty well in the opening exchanges but it was Micky Moore's side who took the lead in the 15th minute. Faulds made his way into the area but was blocked and the ball fell for former Coventry City reserve teamer Rory May to chip the ball from twenty two yards high into the net.
Paul Charnley's side almost levelled fifteen minutes later when Jerome Murdock raced through and hit a shot which Jay got a hand to. The ball got close to the line but Richard Mundy, got back to clear off the line.
In the 38th minute, Murdock did get the ball in the net but was flagged offside.
With youngster Jamie McAteer superb at the back,Sphinx kept up the pressure until the break.
Sphinx did not start the second half well and by the time they had got themselves organised, they had conceded a second goal in the 68th minute. A long corner from Matt Blair went to the far post, Rory May knocked the ball on and it went over the line off a Sphinx defender.
Things went from bad to worse in the 78th minute when Adie Fisher was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
But Sphinx,who are known for their abilty to start playing when they are losing, got back into the match. The Stratford players clearly were starting to tire and Sphinx capitalised on this, playing some good football.
They got their reward in the 83rd minute when substitute Kyle Rhodes drilled home from the edge of the area. This lifted Sphinx and in the dying seconds, the Sphinx support in the crowd were cursing when a Jerome Murdock shot on the turn inside the area in the last minute of normal time hit the bottom of Chris Jay's left hand post.
But it was not to be Sphinx's night and although their support felt they were worth a draw, it was a defeat that they left Knights Lane with.
Sphinx are at home to Barwell in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday. Kick off at Sphinx Drive is at 3pm. If a replay is needed it will be at Barwell on Tuesday night at 7.45pm. If not Sphinx are at home in a League Match to Highgate United.
Other Midland Alliance Scores tonight
ALVECHURCH 0 RACING CLUB WARWICK 0 Attendance 83
BARWELL 5 FRIAR LANE & EPWORTH 2 Attendance 119
BIDDULPH VICTORIA 1 MARKET DRAYTON TOWN 8 Attendance 61
BRIDGNORTH TOWN 1 CAUSEWAY UNITED 2 Attendance 127
COLESHILL TOWN 4 STUDLEY 1 Attendance 75
CRADLEY TOWN 3 WESTFIELDS 2 Attendance 53
HIGHGATE UNITED 0 BOLDMERE ST. MICHAELS 2 Attendance 72
OADBY TOWN 4 COALVILLE TOWN 2 Attendance 147
SHIFNAL TOWN 3 ROCESTER 1 Attendance 91