COVENTRY CITY 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON BY KEV MONKS
City
Konstantopolous,Ward,Doyle,McKenzie (Gray 69),Mifsud,McNamee,Tabb (Osbourne 78),Best (Adebola 72),M.Hughes,Turner,Borrowdale Subs Marshall,S.Hughes
Southampton
Davis.Wright,Bennett,Davies,Skacel.Euell,Surman,Hamill (Viafar 68),Safri,John,
Wright-Phillips (Saganoski 83) Subs Bialowsaki,Powell,Rasiak
Goals Tabb (17),Wright-Phillips (58)
Referee N.Swarbrick
Booked M.Hughes,McNamee
Att 19143
Man Of The Match - David McNamee
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Coventry City finally scored a goal in the first half at home from open play but it was only good enough for a 1-1 draw with Southampton.
With the threat of administration lifted by a very late deal yesterday by Ray Ranson and SISU,the Sky Blues emerged out of another crisis into a brand new day.
It is one that may bring joys or sorrow but if the new board can maintain all levels of dialogue including AGM's with supporters and shareholders then there is no reason not to believe that a common goal can achieved.
Iain Dowie, who is expected to meet with Ranson later, to discuss his position at the club and what players he wants when the transfer embargo is finally lifted,had Michael Mifsud back for this game against Southampton who are fraught with the same financial worries,that City faced some twenty six hours ago.
Whilst hoping that The Saints find their saviour, we hoped that when it came to on the pitch activities that City would be the ones with something to celebrate come the time of the final whistle.
Now either the effect of Ikea opening in town or the fact that that Christmas is on the horizon as the crowd of 19,143 which included 1200 visitors, was way less than expected.
Those there gave a standing ovation to Joe Elliott and welcomed Ray Ranson to the Arena before Southampton with Stern John and Youseff Safri both starting, kicked off and went on the attack.
The Saints had the ball in the net in the fifth minute when Stern John,who was roundly booed by some CT Standers,nodded home only for Assistant Referee Ollie Langford to raise his flag for offside.
In the 17th minute,City took the lead thanks to Jay Tabb heading home from two yards out after a cross by McKenzie had resulted in a blocked shot by Michael Mifsud and the ball rising up off the keepers legs perfectly for the former Brentford man to nod in.
Tabb,who seems to be enjoying the free role in midfield,again ran his heart out whilst Ward,Turner and Borrowdale made some good tackles at the back.
Possession wise,City were on top and if someone had been on the end of Leon McKenzie's crosses then City would have been ahead by more at the break.
Leon Best looked determined to score against his former club and had a low drive saved early in the second half.
Then out of nothing,Southampton drew level. David McNamee conceded a 57th minute free kick. The ball was played out to the right and swung back for Bradley Wright-Phillips who rose to head home.
With Youseff Safri still as mobile in midfield,the Saints briefly controlled the play before City had Leon McKenzie limp off with twenty minutes to go.
Dele Adebola and Isaac Osbourne were sent on as the cold started to bite the pretty quiet Sky Blue support and City failed to look anywhere near the team which had played in the first half.
Wright Philips should have wrapped the game up with twelve minutes left when he was clean through but he didn't and the game finished in a disappointing draw.
City U18's lost 3-2 at Spurs. Adam Walker and Jermaine Grandison scored.