Worcester dig deep to edge past Coventry FC

Match report from Coventry City coach

Coventry and Worcester played out a competitive match for the second time running in Warwick. Worcester started the brighter of the two sides, and for the second game running Coventry started significantly poorly with misplaced passes and little urgency in their pressing. They did take the lead against the run of play after 3 minutes however, when Will Warner crossed from the left for Danny Chitten to finish with composure at the far post. Worcester were having the better of the play as the first quarter progressed, and could have had two goals themselves but for misplaced shots.

They did equalise on 15 mins, when Jack Tustin was gifted a simple finish after Coventry failed to clear a simple clearance. Coventry did improve in the second period, and started to assume their gameplan, with a quicker passing tempo and more urgency to their pressing. They got their rewards for the improved performance when Sam Leary hit a well placed shot form 20 yards that hit the post, and Njivwa Ng'ambi reacted quickly to tap home the rebound. Worcester also fashioned a good chance that needed Duncan Van De Top to save well low to his right.

Coventry were now in control, and deservedly took the lead when Jack Boden delivered an excellent cross after an intelligent drive down the right which Elliot Warner finsished cooly at the near post. With Coventry in control they yet again let Worcester back in the game with further poor defending when they allowed a cross from the right that could have simply been put out of play, and then didnt clear the cross leaving Corbin Jarvis to finish well at the far post to make it 3 2. The second two periods saw Worcester take complete control of the game, and Coventry to dissapointedly produce their worst performance of the season. Worcester were attacking from all areas of the pitch, and stretching Coventry with good movement and a heavy barrage of crosses and shots from distance.

They got their rewards for their determination on 65 mins when Scott Wheeler took advantage of yet another piece of poor defending from Coventry to finish after Coventry failed to clear another ball. With Worcester now in complete control, and Coventry failing to produce any possession for long periods, they got themselves in the lead for the first time in the game when Coventry failed to clear yet another ball, this time a corner, leaving Ross Beesley to finish unmarked from close range. Coventry did come close to getting a draw late on when Zak Philomore produced a very positive run from his own half to beat two players,but pulled his shot wide when through with the goalkeeper.

A fully deserved win for Worcester who got their rewards for their determined attitude and positive attacking intent, Coventry were very dissapointing in respect of the level of performance they are capable of and deservedly lost this game for lack of determination, concentration and quality.