Winter Sky Blues

Winter arrived on Saturday or so it felt for those on the pitch and the touchlines but there was plenty to warm the coaching team and parents about City’s performance despite defeat in this close-fought friendly against Coventry Sky Blues.

Incessant rain throughout a cold morning provided difficult playing and spectating conditions, which were combined with a heavily sloped pitch that also had a huge bearing on the game.

Kicking down the slope, City started very brightly with their midfield quartet in the ascendency and Kyle Shaw causing all kinds of problems upfront for the home defence. He drew a foul which led to the free-kick curled home by Jamie Hill for the first goal, whilst another of his jinking runs and pull back provided a simple chance for Saaed Khattak to double the visitors’ lead.

Quarter 3 saw City kicking uphill and go very close to adding a third, which could well have put the game beyond the Sky Blues’ reach but Khattak’s effort rebounded off the bar.

The let-off appeared to inspire the hosts who, with the slope now in their favour, then laid siege to the Worcester goal forcing keeper Christian Carter to pull off several excellent good saves and he was very unlucky that another of his blocks fell to an onrushing forward to pull the score back to 1-2.

With three players not travelling and two further injuries, City ran out of steam in the final quarter as Coventry took advantage of some tired tackles and hesitant defending to score three times to clinch the win.

Despite the conditions, it was a good run-out for both sides, who received byes in the cup, and City in particular can take much encouragement from this spirited display.