A Very Costly Defeat

Last updated : 21 April 2012 By Kev Monks at Ricoh Arena

COVENTRY CITY 0-2 DONCASTER ROVERS    SAT APRIL 21ST at Ricoh Arena 

City: Murphy, Clarke, Keogh (sent off 79), Cranie, Hussey, Norwood, McSheffrey, Thomas (Baker 68) , Bigirimana, McDonald, Platt. SNU Dunn, Willis, Roberts, Jeffers 

Doncaster: Woods, O’Connor (Bennett 52), Friend, Oster, Lockwood, Gillett, Hird, Robert, Coppinger (Woods 84), Husband, Brown (Hayter 41). SNU Dumbuya, Bamogo.  

HT CCFC 0-0  DRFC FT CCFC 0-2  DRFC  NOTS 15,124 

Referee C.Foy Assts J.Flynn, D.Richards    

Booked None Sent Off Keogh 79

Goals James Hayter (pen 79), Simon Gillett (87)

Man Of The Match  The City supporters for watching another highly unacceptable performance

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CITY SUPPORT A good turn out which did not deserve this

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CITY TEAM: Injuries again plaqued the Sky Blues with Sammy Clingan out and Conor Thomas and Gael Bigirimana both starting. Andy Thorn decimated the U18’s and had Jordan Willis and Will Roberts on the bench.

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And so the period of mourning begins as Coventry City, the longest serving members of the Championship bid farewell to the division by losing 2-0 at home to already relegated Doncaster Rovers. 

After Tuesday’s defeat to Millwall, there was still hope that a miracle could be achieved by beating both Doncaster Rovers and Southampton and hoping that neither Portsmouth or Bristol City got wins. 

We made our way through an April shower to the Ricoh Arena expecting the Sky Blues to come out charged up and ready to rip the visitors apart. 

But no, City failed to show any signs of urgency, a habit they seem to have acquired of late and the opening exchanges were flat to say the least and not what you would expect from a game that was worth in the region of £5m to the club if you take into account monies paid to the club by the PL, Football League, sponsorship etc. 

The City supporters were making known who they blame for the plight of the club and “SISU Out” chants could be heard from every part of the ground. 

Doncaster had the better of the few chances there were with George Friend firing wide, Simon Gillett firing well over before forcing Joe Murphy down to a low shot in the 19th minute. 

City managed a 21st minute corner which Richard Keogh who scooped all the supporter awards after the game, and as news filtered through that Bristol City had taken the lead against Barnsley, Clive Platt had a header cleared off the line by Friend. 

Jordan Clarke and Chris Hussey both put in plenty of effort and both fired across the goal before the half finished with the team booed off. 

Some members of the 1987 FA Cup winning team were unveiled to the support at half-time not sheltering from the rain,. However, even that failed to lift the team of 2012 and apart from Hussey finding the side netting, the turgidness that had been highly evident in the opening half continued. 

News came through of a second for Bristol and the fact that Coventry City were relegated was starting to hit home. 

City forced three corners in quick succession as attention was divert to an ejection from the scoreboard end which only added to the supporters frustrations. 

Carl Baker came on for Conor Thomas and in the 70th minute, Cody McDonald struck a post with only Gary Woods to beat in the CT Stand goal. 

Baker fired over and a McSheffrey howler incensed the crowd. But Doncaster went up the other end. 

They missed one good chance but in the 79th minute, Richard Keogh blatantly fouled James Hayter and Mr Foy pointed to the spot. Hayter beat Murphy with ease and that was the cue for some of the support to leave. Whether they will be back, who knows. 

Those who stayed were livid and their mood was not helped by the away fans making a good point about how poor City actually were. One fan got onto the pitch before being escorted away whilst a steward was sent flying in the Scoreboard End. 

As that was happening, Simon Gillett got the ball and was able to fire home unchallenged to put Doncaster two goals up and condemn the Sky Blues to joining them in League One football next season. 

Many got up and walked out, whilst others vented their spleen in the direction of the Main Stand where the board are housed. 

There was one incursion on the final whistle and to be honest, the club can count themselves lucky that the City support chose to resort to tears and tantrums over what has been a hugely unacceptable season which has cost the club in the region of £5m.