COVENTRY CITY 0-1 PRESTON NORTH END BY KEV MONKS
Preston North End turned City into a bunch of April Fools with a 1-0 win at the Arena.
Micky Adams made two changes from the side which had been so diabolical at Crewe. Richard Shaw was replaced by Adie Williams and the free form suspension Dennis Wise came in for Don Hutchison.
Preston, who have former Sky Blue Julian Darby on their coaching staff, have been plagued by injuries and fielded a side with a good number of reserve teamers.
There was something fishy amongst the match officials with someone in the FL's referees department obviously having a jolly jape by announcing Mr Pike as referee with his assistants Messrs Mackrell and Pollock.
In the tenth minute,Mr Pike proved he was not a stupid boy when he correctly cautioned Adie Williams for a trip.
Preston started to threaten winning two corner and Marcus Stewart headed wide at the far post after being allowed too much space by Adie Williams.
City's defence looked as dodgy as at Crewe and Chris Sedgewick went wide with a long ranger just as two fans were ejected from the CET Stand.
In the 21st minute, City did threaten the Visitors goals with a James Scowcroft who had a reasonable game firing at Nash from the edge of the area.
A corner came for the Sky Blues in the 26th minute but it was easily caught by the PNE custodian.
Two minutes later, the keeper with the slick back hair caught a free kick from a foul on Adebola, sent the ball upfield. Robert Page who has been named as the South Wales Supporters Club Player Of The Year stood off as Simon Whaley got in a low drive from twenty odd yards which went into the bottom corner of the net.
Yet again, there was a complete lack of urgency from the Sky Blues and but in the 40th minute, Stern John nipped on a ball from Wise but could only hit a tame shot which Nash blocked without too much trouble.
It was no surprise that City were again booed off at half-time.
After the restart,City won an early corner and nine minutes in, Micky Adams decided to make a double substitution. Dele Adebola made way for Don Hutchison and then Andy Whing was replaced by Richard Duffy.
For a number of different reasons, many,certainly in the CET Stand and elsewhere in the crowd, did not agree with this change and the decision was booed.
For a number of different reasons, many,certainly in the CET Stand and elsewhere in the crowd, did not agree with this change and the decision was booed.
Scowcroft had another close range effort easily saved by Nash before Billy Davies sent on Dave Hibbert to replace Marcus Stewart.
Gary McSheffrey,a target for Championship Champions Reading, got in a shot before the worst tackle of the day, saw PNE sub Brian Stock sent Dennis Wise flying with a very reckless challenge. Wise went down at the same time as Claude Davis did. Wise went off the pitch to come back on again. Davis received treatment but just stood until he was ordered off. The crowd bayed for action to be taken but nothing was forthcoming.
With fifteen minutes to go, there was one City fan removed by the police in Block 17 and next thing, a father was ejected by an officer with two kids in tow. Hardly the family image, City want to portray on a day they had designated family day with cheaper tickets.
Hutchison,Wise (who was replaced by Heath in stoppage time) and Doyle tried to get City going but it was to no avail and at a time when a cash desperate club are hoping that City supporters will splash out on season tickets in bigger numbers.performances will need to improve.
HT CCFC 0-1 PNE
FT CCFC 0-1 PNE
ATT 21 023
GOAL Simon Whaley (29)
Booked Williams,McKenna,Stock,Mears
TEAM
Fulop, Whing (Duffy 54),Hall,Page,Williams, Doyle,Scowcroft,Wise (Heath 92), Adebola (Hutchison 54),McSheffrey, John SNU Ince,Impey
Preston:
Nash,Alexander,Davis, Mawene,Jarrett, Sedgwick (Stock 65), Agyemang (Wilson 79), Mears,Whaley,McKenna,Stewart (Hibbert 57). SNU Ward,Neal