A DAVE Freeman brace sent Coventry Copsewood on the road to a third victory in Midland Football League Division One, after edging NKF Burbage 3-2.
It sends Copsewood up to 13th in the league in their first fixture on home turf at Allard Way this season, with Jac Redhead netting the other goal.
Link-up between the two goalscorers led to Freeman netting his first in the early stages, meeting Redhead’s ball to finish at the near post, though Dave O’Donnell had to ensure parity when making a fine save down the other end on 19 minutes.
The stop allowed the hosts to double their lead 11 minutes before the break, when Freeman latched onto a through ball to finish expertly, moments before Redhead rounded the keeper to make it three.
But for all of Copsewood’s good play to establish a three-goal lead, a strike from range from Burbage reduced the deficit just before the break, setting up for a tougher second half than initially expected.
With chances falling to both sides throughout the half, the visitors were the side to strike next, beating O’Donnell for a second time without reply to set up for a tense finale.
But despite having to contend with an extra 15 minutes of time added on, Copsewood held on.
Neil Collett’s men now look forward to consecutive cup ties, first in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup against Coventry Colliery on Saturday (3pm), before doing battle with Nuneaton Griff in the Coventry Charity Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).
