COVENTRY CITY 1-0 DONCASTER ROVERS BY KEV MONKS
Date 26/12/09 At The Ricoh Arena Championship
Coventry
Westwood, Cranie, McPake (Wood 78), Barnett, van Aanholt, Bell, Cork, Gunnarsson, McIndoe, Best (Morrison 80), Eastwood (Madine 80) SNU Ward, Ireland, Clingan, Wright
Doncaster
Sullivan, O'Connor (Guy 86), Chambers, Roberts, Shackell, Coppinger, Gillett, Wilson (Spicer 86), Oster, Sharp, Shiels (Hayter 66), SNU Webster, Smith, Hird, Stock
HT CCFC 0-0 DRFC FT CCFC 1-0 DRFC ATT 19,221
Goal Clinton Morrison (84 pen)
Referee R.Shoebridge
Man Of The Match James McPake took the votes .
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Coventry City made it three wins out of three with a late Clinton Morrison penalty against Doncaster Rovers at the Ricoh Arena.
City, who will sign Gary Deegan from Bohemians on January 4th, fielded the team that had beaten Plymouth Argyle a week ago for this Boxing Day fixture that was played on a sunny but cold afternoon.
The crowd that was swelled by school tickets and 1,411 visiting supporters had watched the sprinklers soak some of the Sky Blue Crew and Santa Claus giving out sweets to kids, before the match kicked off.
Attacking the Jewson Stand for the first half, the match was a lively affair with the supporters more on their feet than City manager Chris Coleman who again sat in the dug-out.
In the eight minute, it was the Donny fans who were first to their feet when Dean Shiels got through. However, Keiren Westwood, who has been linked with another move to Sunderland this week, saved with his feet.
That was a rare attack from the visitors who had gone into the game with a fine run and striker Billy Sharp in form. Today, Sharp, looked more blunt as James McPake superbly led the City defence to ensure that every time he got the ball, it was properly dealt with.
In front of the Scot, the City midfield also did their jobs well. David Bell may have saved his taking on the full- back until the second half but the entire four man midfield with Gunnarsson and McIndoe battling and some excellent foot work from Jack Cork.
In the 12th minute, We thought City were going to take the lead when Freddy Eastwood, who ran his socks off, got his head to an Patrick van Aanholt cross. His header beat Sullivan but came hit the far post and the score stayed at nil each.
Leon Best, in what could be his last home game before a January move, nearly scored in the 26th minute when trying to play the ball back to the keeper. To everyone's amazement, he hit the cross bar.
The oohs from the City fans at this striking of the woodwork, turned to boos for the referee Mr Shoebridge as play was stopped every time a Doncaster player went down.
The Doncaster fans were making some noise as James Chambers got through on the right and sent a ball across the face of the goal. But in the 41st minute, it was the City fans that were cheering as a penalty was awarded for Neil Sullivan pulling down Leon Best. The Republic Of Ireland international got up to take the spot kick but struck Sullivan's left hand post.
Then just before the break, proof if it were needed that it was not Best's afternoon came when he missed from three yards out after a Gunnarsson throw had been directed into his path.
Six minutes after the restart, Best had a volley pushed round for a corner, two minutes before Sharp played in Dean Shiels who was blasted over.
Bell and Cork won corners either side of a Gunnarsson curler as City looked the more likely to score.
With twelve minutes left, James McPake received a good ovation when he was replaced and two minutes later, Chris Coleman let Best have his final home bow when he was replaced by Morrison and Eastwood made way for Gary Madine.
Both strikers received good applause but it was the two players who came on who swung the match in the direction of the Sky Blues.
There was six minutes remaining as the ball came into the penalty area. Gary Madine was six yards out and went down. Everyone looked at the referee who pointed to the penalty spot. This time, Clinton Morrison took the kick and easily beat Sullivan before running to the corner of the CT and Main Stand close to the Press Box.
Doncaster sent Neil Sullivan up for a stoppage time corner. This 91st minute flag kick was hacked away and fell to Michael McIndoe. The Scot inside his own half aimed for the empty goal but sent the ball wide. Aron Gunnarsson chased it but it was eventually cleared by the time, Sullivan got back to his goal.
The former Wimbledon FC keeper made a good save from a toe poke from Morrison after a good Bell cross before the final whistle went and we celebrated a third consecutive win.