COVENTRY UNITED ensured their name was in the hat for the next round of the FA Vase thanks to a 2-0 victory over Wednesfield on Saturday.
Expectations were high as United came up against a team placed in the league below and taking nothing for granted manager Terry Anderson fielded a strong side.
The home team fought hard to carve out decent opportunities throughout the match, with opposing goalkeeper Ben Holden keeping his team in the tie on at least two occasions.
Kai Williams shot wide early on for United, before Holden saved bravely at the feet of oncoming home striker Ben Mackey.
Further pressure from the hosts finally paid dividends half-way through the first half with some great link up play between Kevin Thornton and Mykel Beckley on the right wing presenting an opportunity for Mackey and the forward turned his marker before finishing brilliantly.
United could not translate their possession into chances with Wednesfield working tirelessly to close them down at every opportunity and their hard work almost reaping the ultimate reward just before half time with a shot just wide of the target.
A Thornton cross was headed over the bar by Mackey from close range at the start of the second half and more pressure came from the hosts.
They eventually scored again after Mackey missed another close range effort when Josh O’Grady, who was introduced as sub in the 69th minute, wasted no time imposing himself on the tie as his corner picked out Chris Cox for a trademark header powered home from about 14 yards out.
As the match drew towards a close Beckley drilled a Thornton through ball onto the far post but it remained 2-0 to set up an away tie against Long Eaton United on October 22.
A LATE injury-time goal ended COVENTRY SPHINX’s run in the FA Vase competition after they lost 3-2 away at Shawbury United.
Jamie Towers had put the visitors into a 1-0 lead after just three minutes and that is the way it stayed at the break.
Goals from Liam Taylor and Charles Knowles turned the game on its head before Darren Eggleton pull Sphinx back on level terms with ten minutes to go.
But deep into injury-time Nathan Hodge broke Sphinx hearts by scoring the winner.
