LUTON TOWN 1-2 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City picked up their third away win of the season with a well battled victory at Luton Town on Easter Saturday.
Having dispatched Scottish Premier League Champions Celtic in midweek,the mood was good in the Sky Blues camp according to Micky Adams. The City boss opted for change with Andy Whing, Don Hutchison,Andy Morrell and Matt Heath all starting.
Seventeen years ago to the day,City were at Kenilworth Road gaining a 2-2 draw whilst elsewhere Liverpool fans were losing their lives at Hillsborough. In order to mark this sad event in the history of football, players from both teams wore black armbands.
Coventry City picked up their third away win of the season with a well battled victory at Luton Town on Easter Saturday.
Having dispatched Scottish Premier League Champions Celtic in midweek,the mood was good in the Sky Blues camp according to Micky Adams. The City boss opted for change with Andy Whing, Don Hutchison,Andy Morrell and Matt Heath all starting.
Seventeen years ago to the day,City were at Kenilworth Road gaining a 2-2 draw whilst elsewhere Liverpool fans were losing their lives at Hillsborough. In order to mark this sad event in the history of football, players from both teams wore black armbands.
Little appears to have been done to the Kenilworth Road Stadium since that visit in 1989. It's still as ramshackle as ever and although many plans have been muted for a new home, Luton remain in a ground hemmed in by houses and a railway line.
Back in 1989,away fans were banned. Something which cost the Hatters in the long run but for this game,the 866 City fans were as they were in our last visit in 1997 for a League Cup tie in the Oak Road Stand which the Sky Blues attacked in the first half.
In the third minute,Andy Morrell sent Andy Whing on the overlap and the scorer of the last ever league goal at Highfield Road (also the name of the street where we parked),drove in a low shot that Hatters keeper Marlon Beresford had to get down to save.
At the other end,Marton Fulop was in fine form. In the 12th minute,Ahmet Brkovic broke down the left and crossed for one time City target Carlos Edwards to fire in a shot which Fulop superbly pushed away.
Fulop at the second attempt saved from Brkovic but in the 28th minute, City pushed forward,Andy Whing again put in another excellent cross and this time,the diving Stern John beat off the attentions of a defender to volley into the net from close range.
At the other end,Marton Fulop was in fine form. In the 12th minute,Ahmet Brkovic broke down the left and crossed for one time City target Carlos Edwards to fire in a shot which Fulop superbly pushed away.
Fulop at the second attempt saved from Brkovic but in the 28th minute, City pushed forward,Andy Whing again put in another excellent cross and this time,the diving Stern John beat off the attentions of a defender to volley into the net from close range.
There were some jubilant scenes in the away end and they continued for a good bit longer as straight from the game restarting. City scored again. This time,it was Gary McSheffrey who bore down on goal. Beresford got to his shot but McSheffrey was alert to be first to the loose ball and ram it into the net from an acute angle.
Don Hutchison may have a good shout for being offered a new contract by Micky Adams after this game. The Scot was always involved and in the 32nd minute, he was wrestled to the ground but a penalty appeal brought no joy.
Impersonation of the day went to Warren Feeney who suffered a head injury and emerged looking like Luton legend Steve Foster.
Hard work and endeavour kept City in control on a pitch which was watered again at half-time.
Why I don't know as it was not helping Mike Newall's side who were reduced to lumping high balls into the area. These long balls were to no effect as either Doyle and Hughes sorted it or the highly capable back four played the ball away.
Another Whing cross won a corner whilst Stern John fired wide in the 54th minute.
Just after the hour mark,Marton Fulop who had the City fans chanting for him to be signed up, making a superb save to thwart Howard.
Six minutes later,Andy Morrell wasted a good chance to put the game beyond doubt when he fired straight at Beresford following a sublime ball from Stephen Hughes.
It was a poor miss and another in the 73rd minute meant things started to get edgy.
Dele Adebola and James Scowcroft were sent on for Stern John and Gary McSheffrey who received some very generous applause from the home fans with ten to go.
Hard work and endeavour kept City in control on a pitch which was watered again at half-time.
Why I don't know as it was not helping Mike Newall's side who were reduced to lumping high balls into the area. These long balls were to no effect as either Doyle and Hughes sorted it or the highly capable back four played the ball away.
Another Whing cross won a corner whilst Stern John fired wide in the 54th minute.
Just after the hour mark,Marton Fulop who had the City fans chanting for him to be signed up, making a superb save to thwart Howard.
Six minutes later,Andy Morrell wasted a good chance to put the game beyond doubt when he fired straight at Beresford following a sublime ball from Stephen Hughes.
It was a poor miss and another in the 73rd minute meant things started to get edgy.
Dele Adebola and James Scowcroft were sent on for Stern John and Gary McSheffrey who received some very generous applause from the home fans with ten to go.
Luton boss Mike Newall also used up his final substitute and in the 84th minute and just before his side went down to ten men when Barnett limped off injured, the home side pulled one back.
Enoch Showunimi attacked down the right,drove the ball across the face of the goal. Adie Williams went to clear but could only succeed in steering the ball into his own net.
This set up a grandstand finish. Three minutes of added time had just been announced when Don Hutchison was forced to clear Steve Howard shot off his line.
Adebola missed at the other end and Kevin Thornton was sent on but City stayed firm and celebrated a fine victory with the travelling support.
HT LTFC 0-2 CCFC
FT LTFC 1-2 CCFC
ATT 8752
Goals Stern John (28).Gary McSheffrey (29) Adie Williams (84 OG)
Referee R.Beeby
Booked Brkovic,Barnett,Morgan
Team
Fulop,Whing,Hall,Williams,Heath,Hughes,Doyle, McSheffrey (Scowcroft 80), Morrell (Thornton 92), Hutchison,John (Adebola 80). SNU Duffy,Wise.
Luton
Beresford, Foley,Edwards (Keane 57), Barnett, Heikkinen,Showunimi,Feeney,Holmes (Bell 82),Vine (Morgan 57),Brkovic,Howard.Subs Not Used: Stevens, Brill.
Booked Brkovic,Barnett,Morgan
Team
Fulop,Whing,Hall,Williams,Heath,Hughes,Doyle, McSheffrey (Scowcroft 80), Morrell (Thornton 92), Hutchison,John (Adebola 80). SNU Duffy,Wise.
Luton
Beresford, Foley,Edwards (Keane 57), Barnett, Heikkinen,Showunimi,Feeney,Holmes (Bell 82),Vine (Morgan 57),Brkovic,Howard.Subs Not Used: Stevens, Brill.