City Academy Draw With Watford

Last updated : 12 February 2005 By Kev Monks
COVENTRY CITY U18'S 0-0 WATFORD BY KEV MONKS
City's U18 fought out a goal-less draw against Watford on Saturday morning.

On a very blustery day at the Alan Higgs Centre and with reserve team boss Alan Cork looking on, Steve Ogrizovic's side struggled in the opening period to gain any advantage against a side which had already beaten them twice this season.

Watford took until the 24th minute to create their first chance when Andrew Chapman raced through to fire over.

The visitors forced a number of free kicks which the capable Rikki Bains and keeper Jonny Tuffey easily dealt with before the Sky Blues broke in the 42nd minute through Ben Mackey who crossed for Vijay Sidhu to hit a looping shot from fourteen yards that hung in the air before Hornets keeper Rees Kirk threw himself at the ball and punched it over for a corner.

Tim Partridge was injured on the stroke of half-time and only lasted three minutes after the restart before having to make way for Aaron Stringfellow.

Despite the conditions, both sides were putting together some neat passing moves and on in the 64th minute,lead to an Anthony Barry free kick which had the visiting keeper in all sorts of trouble.
Liam Davis who has started to break into the reserve side was finding some good space down the left flank and in the 70th minute, his ball allowed Rikki Bains to get in a shot that Aaron Mariamppa cleared off the goal-line.

That was the last of the action as both sides settled for a draw.

HT CCFC 0-0 WFC FT CCFC 0-0 WFC
BOOKED Kavina Diafutura (84 mins dissent)
Man Of The Match - Liam Davis with a good performance from Rikki Bains

TEAMS
Coventry: Tuffey,Partridge (Stringfellow 48), Lynch,Barry,Turner.Bains,Gooding,Sidhu (O'Toole 62),Mackey,McCrink,Davies SNU Higgins,Wall,Kelly

Watford: Kirk,Osbourne,Bradley,Mariamppa, Hermand,Diagouraga (Camper 46),Matthews (Gwyther 77),Bangura,Grant,Diafuta (Gader 89),Chapman SNu Frost