FULHAM RESERVES 0-2 COVENTRY CITY RESERVES BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City put in a superb battling performance to win 2-0 at Fulham.
In a game to open the new floodlights at Fulham's training ground at Motspur Park, Steve Ogrizovic fielded a mixture of Academy players and more experienced players such as Bjarni Gudjonsson,Craig Pead,Andy Whing and Neil Wood.
Fulham who gave a run-out to Sylvain Legwinski,won an eighth minute throw in front of the small stand. A throw by Robert Milsom found Elvis Hammond who hit a close range shot and City keeper Jonny Tuffey dived to his right to push the ball round the post for a corner. When Michael Timbling's flag kick came in,Kevin Thornton cleared off the line and the ball fell for Malik Buari's to blast over.
In the tenth minute, Coventry who had been linked to a loan move for Zesh Rehman, had the ball in the net when Craig Reid lashed the ball past the home keeper. The eight City fans jumped up but a late flag from the assistant ruled out the stunning strike.
With Jonny Tuffey,on his first away game for City Reserves, growing in confidence with every touch,City started to find players with their passes.
One such pass allowed a Bjarni Gudjonsson to create some spaced in a packed midfield and launch an audacious forty yard lob which just crept over the crossbar.
In the fifteenth minute,a free kick for City was struck by Kevin Thornton. It fell for Ben Mackey who send a header into the net at the far post. Again, we jumped up but another very late flag ruled out what looked to be a good goal.
Steve Ogrizovic was forced to make a change in the 20th minute when a tackle left Bjarni Gudjonsson with a dead leg. Despite treatment, the Icelander was unable to continue and was replaced by Antony Barry.
Paul Nevin's side were also trying to play some exciting football for their supporters including some members of the highly successful Fulham Ladies,in a crowd of 52.
A neat move between Liam Rosenior and Hammond fell for Neil McDermott to hit a sixteen yard shot that Tuffey dived to his right to push away.
The young Northern Irish international keeper then had to be alert to confidently punch away a cross from the impressive Fulham left back Robert Milsom.
City continued to stick to their task with Neil Wood and Claus Jorgensen always looking to drive the ball forward. Liam Nicell who started the game at right back was another and in the 35th minute,a cross just the missed highly dangerous Craig Reid.
Fulham counter attacked,Hammond got past Whing for the only time in the game and drilled a low effort that forced Tuffey to dive and parry the ball away for a corner.
This was cleared but Fulham soon won back possession and fed Hammond who advanced before hitting a shot that Tuffey blocked with his feet.
Neil McDermott drew a save with his legs by Tuffey. The ball fell for Neil Wood who sent a 43rd minute through ball for Craig Reid to run onto. The Coventry kid cleverly jinked his way past two defenders before coolly stroking the ball into the net.
Coventry City put in a superb battling performance to win 2-0 at Fulham.
In a game to open the new floodlights at Fulham's training ground at Motspur Park, Steve Ogrizovic fielded a mixture of Academy players and more experienced players such as Bjarni Gudjonsson,Craig Pead,Andy Whing and Neil Wood.
Fulham who gave a run-out to Sylvain Legwinski,won an eighth minute throw in front of the small stand. A throw by Robert Milsom found Elvis Hammond who hit a close range shot and City keeper Jonny Tuffey dived to his right to push the ball round the post for a corner. When Michael Timbling's flag kick came in,Kevin Thornton cleared off the line and the ball fell for Malik Buari's to blast over.
In the tenth minute, Coventry who had been linked to a loan move for Zesh Rehman, had the ball in the net when Craig Reid lashed the ball past the home keeper. The eight City fans jumped up but a late flag from the assistant ruled out the stunning strike.
With Jonny Tuffey,on his first away game for City Reserves, growing in confidence with every touch,City started to find players with their passes.
One such pass allowed a Bjarni Gudjonsson to create some spaced in a packed midfield and launch an audacious forty yard lob which just crept over the crossbar.
In the fifteenth minute,a free kick for City was struck by Kevin Thornton. It fell for Ben Mackey who send a header into the net at the far post. Again, we jumped up but another very late flag ruled out what looked to be a good goal.
Steve Ogrizovic was forced to make a change in the 20th minute when a tackle left Bjarni Gudjonsson with a dead leg. Despite treatment, the Icelander was unable to continue and was replaced by Antony Barry.
Paul Nevin's side were also trying to play some exciting football for their supporters including some members of the highly successful Fulham Ladies,in a crowd of 52.
A neat move between Liam Rosenior and Hammond fell for Neil McDermott to hit a sixteen yard shot that Tuffey dived to his right to push away.
The young Northern Irish international keeper then had to be alert to confidently punch away a cross from the impressive Fulham left back Robert Milsom.
City continued to stick to their task with Neil Wood and Claus Jorgensen always looking to drive the ball forward. Liam Nicell who started the game at right back was another and in the 35th minute,a cross just the missed highly dangerous Craig Reid.
Fulham counter attacked,Hammond got past Whing for the only time in the game and drilled a low effort that forced Tuffey to dive and parry the ball away for a corner.
This was cleared but Fulham soon won back possession and fed Hammond who advanced before hitting a shot that Tuffey blocked with his feet.
Neil McDermott drew a save with his legs by Tuffey. The ball fell for Neil Wood who sent a 43rd minute through ball for Craig Reid to run onto. The Coventry kid cleverly jinked his way past two defenders before coolly stroking the ball into the net.
Legwinski was replaced at half-time by Matt Collins and City were straight on the attack when a low cross from Thornton on the left, was met by Reid at the far post. Reid managed to get his foot to the ball,Fulham keeper Ross Flitney did brilliantly to get across and get a touch on the ball as it went out of play. It was certainly a corner but referee John Cordy did not have a good as angle as I did and awarded the home side a goal kick.
The referee did give a corner seconds later when Flitney push a low drive from Reid around his left hand post.
Hammond blazed over as we sat shocked after hearing that one of the stewards admitted that he earns £42 for stewarding a reserve game. To be fair they were helpful and friendly as were all the Fulham officials we spoke to.
The shock turned to joy in the 53rd minute as City doubled their tally when Claus Jorgensen got on the end of a Thornton cross and headed in from five yards.
Another Tuffey save this time from Milsom was followed by an injury to Craig Reid who was clattered by Malik Buari who was cautioned. Reid later admitted that he thought his leg was going to break but was fit enough to soldier on.
Back in action,some lovely work by Reid in the 63rd minute, saw him control the ball and find Ben Mackey who drove a low shot which Flitney got down to save.
Fulham were clearly rattled at being controlled by the hard working Sky blues and Neil McDermott fouled Andy Whing a minute later. Players squared up to each other before Mr Cordy regained control and cautioned Neil McDermott who was then promptly replaced by his manager.
Claus Jorgensen was another having a fine game and after doing well to stop the ball going out of play,he hit a cross which just missed the incoming Mackey and Reid.
The home side replaced Adam Green with Sean Doherty and then won a 77th minute corner.
When the kick was swung in,Hammond headed down,Ben Mackey caught the full power of it and crashed to the ground before Andy Whing cleared the danger.
Mackey lasted for three minutes before Ogrizovic made his second substitution sending on Andy Hall.
Two more corners for City followed before the end with shots from Ricky Bains and Kevin Thornton failing to trouble Flitney as City ran out comfortable winners.
HT FFC 0-1 CCFC FT FFC 0-2 CCFC
ATT 52
GOALS Craig Reid (42),Claus Jorgensen (53)
Booked Buari,McDermott.
Man Of The Match - Craig Reid in what was a good team performance, Jonny Tuffey also deserves a mention for some excellent saves.
TEAMS
Tuffey,Pead,Nicell,Jorgensen,Bains,Whing, Gudjonsson (Barry 19),Wood,Mackey (Hall 80),Reid,Thornton SNU Belford,Partridge,Wall
Fulham
Flitney,Rosenior,Milsom,Watkins,Green (Doherty 75),Legwinski (Collins 46),Buari, Pratley,Hammond,McDermott (Noble 65),Timbling SNU Davidson,Lawless