The SSAFC came out victorious in what was a tough encounter against Coventry supporters in what turned out to be a sunny Saturday morning at Marriotts 3G.
The SSAFC started very very slowly and Coventry got the upper hand in the early parts of the game and perhaps could have taken the lead if not for the linesman flag which saw a goal ruled out for offside. The post then denied Coventry from the edge of the box, the SSAFC were struggling to keep the ball in the early parts of the match. The SSAFC then started to play with Dixie having a volley go wide and a series of corners which no one was able to get on going through the 6 yard box. A few pot shots were blocked and it didnt seem like it was going to be the SSAFC day.
It wasnt much of a suprise that Coventry took the lead when a mistake from Bradshaw saw him disposed in a bad area and the ball fell to the striker who scored despite the hand Court in goal got on it, he couldnt prevent it going in. The SSAFC kept plugging away but didnt test the Coventry keeper as much as they would have liked. Coventry had some more chances but long range ones which went wide or over.
The half time whistle went and the SSAFC knew that they needed to raise their game for the second half.
The second half started a lot more positive for the SSAFC who decided to turn up for the second half and started to play with a bit of confidence with Gentleman on the right wing starting to create problems and it didnt take long for the SSAFC to level it up when the effective Gentleman on the wing took on their left back and floated a cross which Swales controlled into the path of Wedge who's thunderous left footed shot flew straight into the top corner leaving the Coventry keeper no chance to make it 1-1.
That goal lifted the SSAFC, Bradshaw & Bell now started to get a grip in the middle of the park and started the ball moving for a good move which ended up to Sapsed in an advance position who's shot was blocked. The SSAFC then took the lead when quick thinking from Swales found an unmarked Carl Pike in the box who's cross was deflected into a danagerous area and with the defender about to clear, Wedge flug himself to block the ball which hit him and flew into the net! Wedge didnt even know where the ball went but celebrated when he actually realised it went in!
Coventry didnt have much in the second half & Warren in the goal was mainly kept quiet but cleared up when needed. Swales then had a golden chance when good play from the midfield set Gentleman up on the right and his cross found Swales who's cheeky flick went wide. Gentleman then had a mazy run which ended with the Coventry keeper making an excellent save to keep it out. He was left helpless then when good play for Gentleman again, set up Wedge on the left and his cross found Swales who cooly finished despite the efforts of the Coventry defender. 3-1 and game over.
The full time whistle went and the SSAFC can look back on a fantastic second half performance to build on for the season.
Team:
Court, Wishart, Tutton, Minnis, Sapsed, Bell, Bradshaw, Carroll, Dixie, Wedge, Swales
Subs: Warren, Pike, Storey, Gentleman
