COVENTRY CITY 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED
City: Allsop, Willis, Webster, Johnson, Fleck (Thomas 84), McQuoid (Miller 61), Swanson (Daniels 74), O'Brien, Tudgay, Clarke, Haynes. Subs: Burge, Coulibaly, Daniels, Phillips, Finch.
Sheffield United: Howard, Alcock, Harris, Basham, Flynn (McEvelet 61)Murphy, Scougall (Baxter 61), Davies, McHale, Higdon, Reed (Doyle 70),. Subs: McNulty, Collins, Campbell-Ryce, Turner.
HT CCFC 0-0 SUFC FT CCFC 1-0 SUFC ATT 2,279
Goals Rob Harris OG
Referee G.Scott
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Coventry City recorded their first win of the season with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Sheffield United.
After City did their teabag impersonation (out of one cup, League Cup v Cardiff City and into another, with the draw away to Wycombe Wanderers) this week, they took on a side who don't give a hoot for The Owls in Sheffield United at Sixfields.
The mood amongst those present was pretty downbeat. Not because the Sky Blues had lost their first two matches of the season but because hopes of a quick return to the Ricoh Arena (by September 6th, according to The Sun), had been dashed by the news that for some reason known only to them, that SISU are going to the Court Of Appeal over the Judicial Review decision.
The City team, which has not won in nine consecutive matches, was not a surprise and saw Allsop in goal, Reda Johnson in defence along with Ryan Haynes and the still not well Marcus Tudgay up front.
With the floodlights on, City attacked the North Stand with its new seats for the first half of a game played in a town which was also hosting Rugby Union and cricket, probably to a bigger audience,
The 931 United fans were making the noise, claiming that Johnson had a weight problem as a United free kick was blocked in the 6th minute by the City wall.
Danny Swanson showed some good feet but in the 15th minute, City's midfield gave away the ball and it took a great parry from Allsop to deny Higdon's header and concede a corner.
Four minutes later and another Davies corner was over hit and when the ball came in, Allsop had to get down to smother.
Talking of over-hit, there were groans from the City fans when Josh McQuoid wasted what was a good ball to him.
Steven Pressley, in his red hoodie and black book in hand, watched on as City won a 25th minute free kick which fell to O'Brien but was blocked.
In the 32nd minute, City had two successive free kicks. O'Brien took the kick, curled it over the wall but to the waiting Mark Howard.
Basham lived up to his name and was booked before Swanson had a curler which Howard went to his left to push away for a corner. Johnson had his 37th minute header deflected for a corner but a foul in the box, gave the Blades a free kick.
Ryan Haynes worked well to get in a cross which Howard had to deal with and in the 40th minute, he sent over a great cross for Jordan Clarke at the far post to head over in front of a crowd which included for Sky Blue Brian Harry Roberts and former finance man Mal Brannigan who is employed by The Blades.
Steven Pressley who hopes, to sign Simeon Jackson, the former Norwich, Millwall and Rushden striker this week according to various rumours, did not make any changes at the break which saw the ill looking Tim Fisher flanked by two stewards.
Three minutes in and Jordan Clarke won a corner which O'Brien eventually volleyed wide from.
Changes needed to be made and Shaun Miller was sent on for the hapless McQuoid whilst the vocal Nigel Clough brought on new signing from Swindon - Jay McEveley as well as Jose Baxter.
Fleck fired wide from long and O'Brien curled at Howard from a free kick that had seen Harris cautioned.
With the likes of Willis and Clarke solid, the excellent Ryan Haynes able to bomb on and Tudgay holding the front line, Clough used his final substitute bringing on Michael Doyle for the last twenty minutes against his former club who had Tudgay blast over and Clarke fire at Howard.
For the last fifteen minutes, Billy Daniels was sent on in place of Danny Swanson and the young midfielder worked well.
In the 77th minute, a good move saw City get down the left and Ryan Haynes crossed. In came Jim O'Brien with a header and the ball was deflected by Rob Harris and into the net.
Pressley sent on his final substitute with seven minutes left and it was Conor Thomas who came on for the industrious John Fleck.
United briefly hussled and bussled but the City defence which was well led by Reda Johnson and Andy Webster, were not unduly bothered and the Sky Blues, were able to their first League One win of the season.