The Wait Continues

Last updated : 26 April 2008 By Kev Monks at the Ricoh Arena
COVENTRY CITY 1-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS BY KEV MONKS

Team
Schmeichel,Osbourne,Fox,Ward,Dann,M.Hughes (Hines 92),S.Hughes, Doyle,Mifsud,Best,Tabb SNU Simpson,Gray, Marshall, Hall

WOLVES
Hennessey,Foley,Breen,Elokabi,Kightly M.Gray 77),Seyi,Gibson (Elliott 88),Jarvis (Ward 89),Keogh,Ebanks-Blake,Craddock SNU Collins,Stack

HT CCFC 1-0 WWFC
FT CCFC 1-1 WWFC
Goals Elliott Ward (16), Sylvain Ebanks-Blake (51 pen)
Ref P.Armstrong
Booked Gibson,Seyi,Dann,S.Hughes
Att 27,992
Man Of The Match Jay Tabb took the votes from Leon Best,Kasper Schmeichel and both Hughes
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STARTING LINE UP
Chris Coleman kept the same team which had won at Colchester.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy fielded former Sky Blue Gary Breen but left out City target Freddie Eastwood.

Best
Tabb Doyle S.Hughes Mifsud
M.Hughes
Fox Dann Ward Osbourne
Schmeichel
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CITY SUPPORT
Supporters came from as far away as Hong Kong and Australasia with good numbers from Northern Ireland,the Republic Of Ireland and Wales
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And so the waiting for the staying up party rumbles on as Coventry City failed to get the victory they needed in a 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Boosted by the 5-1 win at Colchester, City went into the game knowing that a win would be enough. However,it 5,400 Wolves fans in the Jewson Stand who wanted a victory that would lift their side into the play-offs.

On one of the sunniest Saturdays in Coventry this year, the Arena was full of noise as the match kicked over.

Wolves had the early play with Ebanks Blake firing over and two corners.

Scores from other Championships were being relayed throughout the stands and with Barnsley,Norwich and Leicester all winning, City needed a goal.

In the 16th minute,Elliott Ward was tripped by Seyi Olofinijana. Ward got up and raced forward. Fox took the resulting free kick after Seyi had been cautioned and superbly picked out the head of Elliott Ward. His header beat Hennessey and the Sky Blues were ahead.

Wolves,with Keogh,Kightly and Ebanks-Blake looked dangerous but they were up against a robust City defence which was in no mood to concede a soft goal which has blighted their season.

Michael Hughes kept things steady playing the ball out of any possible trouble whilst the midfield including Stephen Hughes, who is attracting interest from other clubs, always looked to play in Leon Best.

Wolves did have one chance in the 37th minute when Andy Keogh's header bounced over, but City up on the ascendency going into the break.

It was a break that City realy did not need as all it did was give Wolves a chance to come out more positive in the second half.

Attacking the CT Stand, the late flags from the linesman on the Tesco Stand side was feeling the wrath of the City support.

But in the 51st minute,we sat with our heads in our hands as a clumsy challenge by Scott Dann brought down Keogh and referee Mr Armstrong awarded a penalty. Ebanks-Blake made no mistake to level the match.

This was a fascinating tie but the emphasis was now shifting to the abilities of the two goalkeepers.

In the 59th minute,Kasper Schmeichel who could be a City player next season if a deal could be worked out, made a smart save from the left foot of Kightly.

Having stopped a Keogh shot six minutes later,Schmeichel started the move which saw Leon Best play the ball inside the area for Michael Mifsud. The Maltese striker bore down on goal some ten yards out but Hennessey brilliantly made his body big and blocked the shot.

City kept looking for the win and in the 71st minute,Jay Tabb's cross was sent agonisingly over the bar by Michael Doyle.

Tabb had a shot blocked by Breen before Hennessey got the ball at the second attempt after a Best toe poke.

Mick McCarthy went for broke making three chances before the game went into four minutes of stoppage time.

One last chorus of the "Sky Blue Song" went round the ground but with seconds left,Ebanks-Blake got through on the right. He advanced into the area and thumped a shot. Schmeichel reacted quickly and made a tremendous save to keep the ball out and City hoping that a West Brom win on Monday will kick start the staying up party.