COVENTRY CITY 1-0 LEEDS UNITED BY KEV MONKS
Coventry City marched into the play-off spots with a 1-0 victory at home to Leeds United.
On a cloudy day at the Arena which will host international football on Friday October 6th when England U21's face Germany in a European Championship Play-Off, Micky Adams made two changes from the side which had lost at Ipswich on Tuesday.
Fit again David McNamee replaced the injured Andy Whing whilst Jay Tabb who had been on target for the Reserves in midweek replaced Kev Thornton.
New boy Leon McKenzie again started on a bench which again did not have a keeper despite Micky Adams midweek signing of Rafael Gonzalez.
Leeds, arrived in our historic city, second from bottom in the league following Hull's win last night with some of their supporters calling for the head of manager Kevin Blackwell who said: "I think the fans need to know the real truth about this football club." as a way of pacifying some of the 2,903 Leeds supporters who made their way to the Arena.
City, whose Board had employed some aggressive marketing tactics in order to boost the gate, were straight at Leeds from the outset.
Attacking the CET Stand first, Kevin Kyle nodded over from a peach of a cross from Chris Birchall in only the fourth minute and seconds later the former Port Vale winger sent over another cross which just missed those in the penalty area.
In the eighth minute, City won their first corner of the game, Kevin Kyle headed the ball into the hands of the other former Millwall keeper on the pitch - Tony Warner. Leeds broke up the other end and a header from Ulsterman David Healy who had scored a hat-trick against Spain ten days ago hit the bar with Marshall well beaten.
The behaviour of Leeds supporters in the past and problems at their game with Sunderland on Wednesday night, certainly prompted a big turn-out of police officers. Unfortunately, they were not around when one idiot some three rows behind me started doing Alf Garnett impersonations and hurling racist abuse at Tony Warner.
Thankfully,this was an isolated incident as the miscreant was now abusing referee Iain Williamson who had cautioned Kevin Kyle for protesting after Michael Doyle had been kicked in the face by Kevin Nicholls.
Stern John who, if you believe certain media sources is available for £500,000, looked as lively as Jay Tabb and in the 21st minute, showed a bit of skill to find Tabb who stuck out a leg to meet John;'s cross but could only direct the ball into the grasp of Warner.
Tabb became the second City player booked when he tackled Gary Kelly who went down like he had been pole-axed.
In the 25th minute, the Tabb/John combination finally put City ahead. David McNamee on the right cut inside, Hall and Hughes directed the ball forward to Jay Tabb who played the ball into the path of Stern John and the T&T international was able to poke the ball into the net.
Paul Butler was cautioned in the 35th minute and very lucky not to be testing out the bath in the away dressing rooms as he continued to protest after seeing yellow.
On the stroke of half-time, it was 2-2 on cautions when Matthew Kilgallon threw Stern John to the ground.
City had looked very comfortable and did not really need the half-time break. Blackwell sent his troops out four minutes before the City players and they looked fired up.
However, they came up against a very solid Elliott Ward and Robert Page who were keeping messrs Healy and one time City target Geoff Horsfield in check.
Andy Marshall did have to make one good save in the 56th minute when Kevin Kyle was sent crashing to the ground, allowing Horsfield to advance on goal. Marshall kept his cool and raced out to collect the ball.
In the 68th minute, those who had not been to Ipswich got their first glimpse of new boy Leon McKenzie when he replaced Stern John who walked off straight down the tunnel.
Now,Stern John is the sort of player who is not happy at being substituted but on this occasion, not being happy was an understatement.
Jay Tabb was replaced in the 74th minute and left to generous applause which was not what Kevin Blackwell was getting off the Leeds fans who were asking him what was the score was.
Geoff Horsfield sent a 76th minute volley onto the roof of the net and Leeds picked up a couple of corners.
Things started to get a touch nervy but City held on with Marshall again saving from Horsfield and deserved their victory.
HT CCFC 1-0 LUFC
FT CCFC 1-0 LUFC
ATT 22,146
Goal Stern John 25
Referee Iain Williamson
Booked Kyle,Tabb,Butler,Kilgallon,Crainey
Team
Marshall,McNamee,Hall,Page,Ward,Hughes,Doyle,Tabb (Cameron 74), Birchall,John (McKenzie 68),Kyle (Hutchison 87) SNU Adebola,Thornton
Leeds
Warner,Kelly,Crainey,Butler,Kilgallon, Westlake (Blake 84), Gregan (Douglas 46),Horsfield, Healy,Carole (Stone 68), Nicholls SNU Lewis,Moore