COVENTRY CITY 2-1 MK DONS
City: Burge, Stokes, Phillips, Pennington, Martin, O'Brien (Finch 79), Fleck, Barton, Williams (Thomas 46),Samuel, Tudgay (Proschwitz 56). Subs: Charles-Cook, Nouble, Turgott, Haynes.
MK Dons: McLaughlin, Lewington, McFadzean, Kay, Potter, Reeves (G.Williams 63)Spence, Baker, Carruthers (L.Baker 70), Cole (Grigg 63) Subs: Burns, Hodson, Green, Andrews,
HT CCFC 2-0 MKD
FT CCFC 2-1 MKD
FT CCFC 2-1 MKD
ATT 9.934
GOALSCORERS Chris Stokes 9, Dominic Samuel 12, Daniel Powell 55
REFEREE R.Clark
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At the end of a difficult week in the club's history, Coventry City got a much needed win with a 2-1 victory over MK Dons.
With Steven Pressley having been dismissed and in a week where questions were asked if the right man was in charge to appoint the Scot's replacement, Neil MacFarlane, Davd Hockaday and Steve Ogrizovic, took charge of the team for the first of fifteen cup final's for a Sky Blues side which had slipped into the relegation zone following last week's draw at Sheffield United.
At the Ricoh Arena, where those who parked in car park C were photographed on arrival, Neil MacFarlane named a side which had Lee Burge in goal, replacing Jamie Jones and latest loanee Nick Proschwitz on the bench.
The high flying Dons without their main striker Dele Alli, included Carl Baker on a grey afternoon which got colder as the time passed and they had the first effort through Ben Reeves but in the ninth minute, City took the lead.
Dominic Samuel using his trusty right foot had a shot saved for a corner. When that flag kick came over, there was Chris Stokes to crown his home debut by heading towards the goal and the ball coming off Dean Lewington and going into the net.
Two minutes later and there was even more for the City support to celebrate when Dominic Samuel bore down on goal from a Fleck pass
and stroked the ball past McLaughlin and into the bottom corner of the net.
Adam Barton made a great last ditch tackle to clear before the visitors, whose support was nothing compared to the numbers City take to stadiummk, won two corners.
In the 18th minute, a crossbox ball was just missed by Devante Cole and served as a warning to the City defence as to be tighter on those coming into the area.
That was shown a couple of minutes later when Pennington cleared but for a game at the Ricoh, this was a lot better from the Sky Blues.
There was booing when Carl Baker whose name was read out so quickly it was impossible to say anything, did not get booked for a foul and it was not until the 37th minute that Mr Clark, who let a lot go, produced the first yellow for Carruthers, which was quite surprising as there had been a number of fouls including three by Tudgay, plus others.
City, who are expected to bring in their new manager on Monday, sent on George Thomas for the second half and knew if they took the win and Colchester, who were losing, got beat, they would be out of the relegation zone.
The visitors were quick to apply the pressure with a corner from a Spence shot that was blocked and a great block by Burge with his legs.
In the 55th minute, much to the delight of their noisy support. Baker, the best player by far for the Dons, got down the left and cut back for
Daniel Powell to finish into the bottom corner.
Nick Proschwitz was introduced in place of Tudgay and Burge made a good save to conceded a 58th minute corner.
Another two corners on the hour mark for the visitors followed by a third in the 65th minute after the Dons had made a double change.
Karl Robinson's side were starting to have the upper hand and were getting balls into the box with relative ease.
In the 69th minute, Carl Baker won a free kick that was charged down by the wall.
Ten minutes later and City made their last change with Jim O'Brien going off to good applause and Jack Finch coming on for a City side which had so far not had a shot in the second half.
MK Dons won a corner that Burge dealt with before there was a big chorus of the Sky Blue Song to try and lift the team.
McFadzean was booked as the Dons had another chance go wide.
Lee Burge, who made a couple of good saves and was not afraid to get in where it counted, was booked for time wasting and John Fleck was booked for a foul but City, held on to win what was their first victory at the Ricoh Arena since October and one that lifted the Sky Blues out of the relegation zone and a victory which saw MacFarlane and Hockday on the pitch clapping and waving to the support which looked to all intent like they were saying their goodbyes.
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service
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