SWINDON TOWN.1-0 COVENTRY CITY
City::Charles-Cook (GK), Willis, Rose, Harries, Ricketts (C), Jones (Lameiras 66), Gadzhev, Sordell (Reid 46), G.Thomas (K. Thomas.72), Haynes, Di. Kelly-Evans. SUBS: Burge (GK), Tudgay, Finch, Stevenson
Swindon:: Vigouroux, Barry, Thompson (C), Sendles-White, Brophy, Rodgers, Kasim, Thomas, Doughty, Goddard (Young 63), Obika.
Subs: Henry, Evans, Smith, Iandolo, Stewart, Hylton
HT STFC 0-0 CCFC FT STFC 0-1 CCFC
ATT 9023
Goals Kasim 86
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Coventry City got their 2016/2017 Leauge One season off to a bad start with a 1-0 defeat at Swindon Town
It may well been a lovely day but things on the Sky Blues front have been decidedly gloomy with the manager Tony Mowbray prevented from signing the players he needs by cash restraints and this week, Wasps being recommended for planning permission on the premises used by the club's Academy and Development sides.
Tony Mowbray fielded his strongest possible side with only one debutant in Marvin Sordell in front of 1956 City supporters, some of who had got through the traffic jams on the Fosse Way and through the Cotswolds to Wiltshire against a Swindon team which included former City youngster Conor Thomas.
As City in their Tesco carrier bag kit, took to the pitch, the noise was excellent from the City support who saw a third minute foul on Jodi Jones give City, playing a 5-2-3 formation, a free kick
That was cleared but it came back to Marvin Sordell who curled a shot the the edge of the area on to the keeper's right hand post, which helped to win a corner.
Swindon's Doughty fired over. City went up the other end and Sordell, flicked to Jones, who found George Thomas but his shot went wide of the far post.
In the 20th minute, Sordell fed Dion Kelly Evans who had his pile driver pushed over for a corner.
Five minutes later and the Swindon seven fired over again from 25 yards as their five.
Rose put in a great tackle in the 28th minute whilst Dion Kelly-Evans kept Brophy , who seemed to call over excessively easily, in check.
Sordell got booked for a tackle from behind as the game moved into the last fifteen minutes of the first half.
Charles-Cook saved from James Brophy and Jonathan Obika drove wide from 24 yards in the 36th minute.
Jodi Jones attacked again and won a corner which led to a throw
Two minutes later and George Thomas was through but fluffed his shot. City attacked and Harries this time won a corner.
Swindon had a 41st minute corner which eluded everyone and a free which they wasted as the half ended level and the City support booing referee Darren Hendley.
At the break, Mowbray sent on Kyel Reid for Sordell who had worked hard.
After the Robins had their six booked, Jones had a 54th minute shot saved by the keeper's legs and that led to a corner before Jones jinked inside and shot wide from the edge of the area.
Jones was leading the Swindon defence a merry dance when he could with Ryan Haynes at the other end making a great block in the 59th minute.
On the hour mark, a corner to the home was headed across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick.
In the 66th minute, Ruben Lameiras came on for Jones, who looked to have cramp.
Swindon should have opened the scoring in the 70th minute but their chance was blazed over.
A minute later and George Thomas helped to win a corrner. That was the last of him as Kwame Thomas replaced him.
Doughty got through with 15 left but his shot was blocked by Rose who had a solid game.
Dion Kelly-Evans got in another good tackle on Brophy as Tony Mowbray came out to urge his side to try and find the goal this game needed.
There was a goal but it went to Swindon who went ahead when Kasim was allowed room inside the area to score and send City to a 1-0 defeat.