Just back from Coventry; My Views...

Well, it feels like we've just had a dagger through the heart. What an awful end, to a dogged, gutsy display.

We got off to the perfect start, JCR went on a mazy run down the left and his left footed cross found Bogdanovic 10 yards out. He did well to hold off his marker, before turning and firing into the bottom corner past the despairing Westwood. It could've and should've been 2-0 only minutes later. Some good work down the right from Hassell and Hammill found Macken in space down the right hand side of the box. His cross found Bogdanovic in acres of space some 5 yards out and when it looked harder to miss, he somehow miskicked the ball, and allowed Westwood to make the save when he should've ripped the net.

Coventry came out of the blocks after this, and nearly levelled when a corner from the right found Elliot Ward who's thumping header bounced down off the bar and out. Steele was called into action for the first time when a mazy run from the right by a Cov player, resulted in Steele making a fine one handed save. It was Coventry who were now in the ascendancy, and only a superb goal line clearance by Kozluk kept the score at 1-0.

Adam Hammill nearly made the score 2-0 when he went on a weaving run, but his 20 yard drive just dipped past Westwoods right hand post. JCR nearly created a carbon copy chance, but again, his shot dribbled agonosingly wide.

The second half started with the Reds on top. Colace forced Westwood into a comfortable save down by his right, and Hammill had 3 strikes, 2 of which had Westwood scrambling and the other which deflected easily into the keepers hands.

The Barnsley rearguard looked more than comfortable with the Coventry attack, and quite a few of the home fans (who had been silent through out the match - official, WORST fans EVER!!!) had decided to leave early.

Steele's kicking was leaving a lot to be desired, with at least 4 kicks going astray, but he was called into action just before the 90 minute mark, saving well from Simpson.

Just when the Reds looked to be hanging on for the victory - they were dealt a sucker punch, 4 minutes into stoppage time. A cross from the right found Eastwood 18 yards out. His thunderous volley gave Kozluk NO chance, as the ball smashed against his flailing arm - the referee awarded a FREE KICK......before consulting with his linesman. After 2 agonising minutes, a penalty was given. Ward stepped up and made no mistake in smashing the ball into the top corner past the dive of Steele - cruel on the Reds; very cruel.

Conclusion:

1. Worked hard - deserved 3 points.
2. Dodgy, dodgy decision that has cost us (Coventry would never have scored).
3. Again, lack of cutting edge in the box. Both Macken and Bogdanovic missed very good chances from close range, and tons of half chances went begging.

Man of the Match: Bobby Hassell

Another couple of points have gotten away from, unjustly - but they've gotten away all the same. Roll on Saturday!

COME ON YOU REDS!!!

 

Love reading you match reports mate you\'re one of the very few that talks sense (Y)

 

Can't argue with any of that except

Kozluk's header off the line was before the one that hit the crossbar.