GOALS RED CARDS PENALTIES AND A GLORIOUS AFTERNOON IN COVENTRY

COVENTRY UNITED 6 SELSTON 0
MFL PREMIER @ BUTTS PARK ARENA
21 SEPTEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

COVENTRY UNITED TAKE THE LEAD THROUGH CHRIS CAMWELL

A glorious afternoon in Coventry, there's something that you probably don't get in a sentence very often but this game produced nearly everything and most of it was crammed into the opening 45 minutes that threatened to boil over just before half time.  But by just short of five o'clock Coventry United had comfortably secured three points in a display that even with ten men they managed to double their tally and for Selston the little village side battling the odds against the big boys they know they are in a mini league with the bottom eight or so to secure step five status come next May.

MINI HISTORY TOUR OF SPON END

Sent to Coventry or there of my own accord?  Well it was the latter and although the city has been visited quite a few times the last time for football was a Sphinx game and the chance to revisit the old centre spot at Highfield Road this would be a first visit to see Coventry United.  A side formed out of the frustration of Coventry City's departure to play home games at Northampton and sadly after a brief spell back at The Ricoh they now find themselves back out of the area again at St Andrews the home of Birmingham City.  So it remains more important than ever that United keep on with their advancement that has seem them rise to step five status in a short and sensibly measured progression.
Having opted for the mid day '125' service to secure a seat to Birmingham just over an hour later the connection to Coventry was managed and arrival just before 1.45pm would allow for a brief look around.

2 FOR 1 THE IMPRESSIVE STAND AND THE EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE SELSTON MANAGEMENT

Having covered the delights of Lady Godiva, Coventry Cathedral and the shopping centre before I decided to make a brief sprint around Spon End an adjacent area to the city and the home of Butts Park Arena.
Formerly one of the major entrance roads into the city it was noted for its watchmaking industry and indeed 102 Spon End has a blue plaque displayed to W H Christie a former watch case and movement cap maker who lived in the property.  The Coventry ring road as very much split the area in half with the historical wooden beamed buildings mainly now on the city side.  Having started on this side on Spon Street while taking pictures I was approached by a tourist who in broken English informed me that The Old Windmill pub welcomed visitors inside to take pictures I did decline this kind offer otherwise I may have been in there for the afternoon and I had other plans!  Moving through the underpass and passing The Old Weavers House, now a museum, the road ended into the small shopping area and immediately over the road was Butts Park Arena.

THE NUNEATON TO COVENTRY SERVICE PASSES OVER THE SOVEREIGN ROAD VIADUCT

The home of Coventry Rugby Union and Bears Rugby League side also welcome today's hosts Coventry United and their associated sides.  Having purchased a small ticket to gain access and purchase a shiny smart programme the first thing I noticed was the new addition of 4G which apparently I'm informed just United's third game on the surface today.  The most striking piece of furniture about the ground is the 3,000 seated stand with large colourfully clad apartment blocks rising from behind.  The stand features all you could want with executive boxes, bar area and changing rooms.  The club have a club shop set up alongside the catering at the far end of the function room/bar area which is underneath the stand.
Moving around the ground there is a good view from all areas with hard standing around the other three sides with the far end and opposite touchline supported by a collection of rugby influenced temporary watering holes.  At the far corner of the ground a railway viaduct which carries the Coventry to Nuneaton line via The Ricoh sits proudly.  Overall it has the typical feel of a rugby union ground not a non league football ground but the facilities are superb and as long as its not too much of a strain on the football clubs resources then its a massive positive for Coventry as a city to have a senior football club within its boundaries.

UNITED KEEPER FRANCIS CLEARS WELL FROM A WESTON LONG THROW

It always adds interest to attend a game with a side not too far away from base on show as the visiting side and upon arrival it was a pleasure to be greeted by manager and assistant of Selston Craig and Richard, cheers guys.  During the afternoon it was also welcoming to strike up a chat with home club photographer Jeff Bennett who has some excellent pictures from the game on social media.
This season has comprised of some more local re visits and consequently today has produce a few notes on the area but the games notes are the most that have been jotted down so far this season, so hopefully I can be brief but the first half was full of chances and by the end of this game it really could have finished 15-5!

CHRIS CAMWELL HIS CONGRATULATED AFTER HIS WONDERFUL OPENER

Coventry started strongly Josh O'Grady fired over in the opening minutes, Tyler Haddow went cross goal with his effort that fell inches wide moments later and at the other end Sam Weston put in a long throw that the home keeper punched away.  The opening exchanges had seem referee Kiely seem to penalise the visitors on most occasions but by half time this would not be the opinion of United, watch this space.
The inevitable opener came when former Coventry City player Chris Camwell took a short tapped free kick and lashed home a glorious finish into the visitors net for 1-0.  Selston came back and Scott Taylor saw his shot well saved by Reece Francis in the United goal and from the corner Selston headed just over.

TYLER HADDOW RECEIVES A RED CARD JUST BEFORE HALF TIME

But it would be Coventry who doubled their lead with a lovely strike from O'Grady who made space for himself before despatching the ball into the bottom corner of the Selston goal.  Both Francis and Alfie-Smith Eccles pulled of good sides as both teams chased this open game but it was Selston who were looking susceptible and it was 3-0 ten minutes before the break when Smith-Eccles raced out to clear the ball it struck Haddow and Matt Gardner was on hand to slot home into the unguarded goal.  Still the chances flowed and O'Grady struck a post before but in the first minute of stoppage time the whole thing threatened to go up.
Kyle Hempshall and Haddow were side by side in the box with both attempting to reach the ball first Haddow went down referee Kiely pointed to the spot it looked soft and Hempshall probably told the Coventry striker so, Haddow rose to his feet and inexplicably head butted the defender who fell back to the floor clutching his head.  The referee had no option in the choice of a red card and as Coventry who were 3-0 up at this time and cruising looked to lose their heads their keeper had jogged 80 yards up the field of play to give his opinion. 
In this time Aaron Williams had anxiously waited to dispatch goal number four from the spot and when his moment came he fired it over the cross bar.  Play restarted with moments to go to the break but upon the ball going out of play the dug out side assistant referee was flagging and after a moments consultation Coventry assistant manager Luke Morton was also shown the red card.  Manager Terry Anderson and players protested and the home side were losing their cool which continued at the half time whistle as the officials were escorted off as a selection of home players and management team went on the pitch to question the decisions.
Wow what happened there and breathe.

ASSISTANT MANAGER LUKE MORTON [CENTRE] IS ALSO SHOWN A RED CARD

The fracas seemed to take a lot out of the game and although the second half produced still more action it wasn't as frantic as the first 45 minutes.  For the visitors Kenan Layton fired in a 20 yard shot that Francis pushed over.  But five minutes later any doubts were put to bed when Lewis Ison tapped home at the back stick while at the other end Kane Hempshall put a stooping header over the United bar but normal service was resumed on 85 minutes when a lovely strike from Joseph Cairns was hit well enough that even though Smith Eccles got a hand to it he could not deny Coventry their fifth.

COVENTRY UNITED RISING HIGHEST TODAY

To add the icing on the cake in the fourth minute of stoppage time O'Grady was brought down by Garren Haslam and Williams this time made no mistake to bring up the half a dozen.
A tremendous first half and even thought the second half was a little more off the pace Coventry United with ten men punished the visitors and on another day it could have been a demolition job with the chances created although probably not as many as their record 28-0 score.

MANAGER WESTON APPEALS SON SAM'S CAUTION ALL IN THE VIEW
OF THE COVENTRY UNITED FLAG SHIRT

Coventry continue to make some quality additions to their squad and you have to expect them to be right up there at the end of the season and I shall watch their progress with increased interest after this visit.  For Selston it just shows the vast difference moving up to this level with no budget and the players, management and staff that continue to put in a shift of never questionable effort deserve credit.
Having bid farewell to the ground the option of local chip shop or a half mile walk away from the city to the big yellow 'M's' and it would be the latter that won the day with the chance to eat on the former site of the Alvis car factory which of course is now a retail park, they all area aren't they[?], on the edge of Spon End all adding to an historical visit to Coventry that didn't even touch the city centre.
The extra time spent in the suburbs allowed for the shopping traffic to disappear or so I thought when I arrived back at Coventry station, which always feels like its taking me back to the seventies, there was a large gathering for the Virgin train.  Although these services offer many carriages it was full so along with a few others we performed a sit down protest in first class, power to the people.
Arrival in Birmingham allowed for a few on train provisions to be collected before departing on a standing 7pm service back to spire town.  It had been great to be back on the travels again and a really enjoyable afternoon in Spon End and with Coventry United.