FOOTBALL: FOUR goals proved enough for Coventry United at the weekend as they Terry Anderson’s men started their Midland Football League Premier Division campaign in winning fashion.
After the disappointment of losing to Rugby Town in the opening round of the FA Cup a week earlier, Anderson’s side quickly turned their fortunes around with a 4-2 win against Boldmere St Michaels.
United couldn’t have wished for a better start when a through ball from Lewis Rankin found Craig Reid. Reid’s shot beat Boldmere keeper Lewis Fenney to hand United the lead after just two minutes.
Boldmere reacted to United’s opening goal and were soon pressing for an equaliser. However nothing came from multiple corners before influential midfielder Joe Lyng had to be taken off in an ambulance.
Without Lyng, Boldmere struggled breaking down United’s forward pressure.
The Butts Park Arena outfit soon doubled their lead when Mitch Piggon and Lewis Hudson setup Joshua O’Grady who toe-poked home United’s second goal from 12 yards out.
Free flowing play helped United enter the break without conceding despite Stuart Capaldi going close for the home side on 38 minutes.
It didn’t take long for United to add a third to their tally when Geoff Woodward broke down the right.
Woodward’s low cross found Piggon in the box who calmly converted to make it 3-0.
Four minutes later and United added a fourth goal when a free kick on the edge of the area led to skipper Chris Cox unleashing a powerful shot which was buried into the bottom corner.
Though United held a four goal lead, Boldmere refused to throw the towel in as a penalty from Joe Smith before a 76th minute strike from Ryan Nesbitt brought the home side back into the game with 14 minutes of play remaining.
Boldmere were dealt another blow in the 80th minutes when Remi Ball was forced off injured, leaving the home side with only ten men as all substitutes had already been used.
Using the man advantage, United played out the concluding ten minutes to win 4-2.
The club’s Midland League campaign continues tomorrow night, August 15, at Loughborough University.