COVENTRY UNITED GOALKEEPER DAVID ALLEN ASSESSES THE 2-2 DRAW WITH HINCKLEY AFC...

"I think there was a sense of anticipation before the game, everyone was up for it and with Bromsgrove playing Griff, a result could be massive in the grand scheme of things. 


It was a pretty frantic opening 20 minutes, with both teams trying to get a foothold in the game. I felt that it was Hinckley that established themselves the quicker, creating a couple of decent chances, without managing to score. We also had a great chance when Matty teed up Josh, but their keeper did well. 


Their early pressure eventually told when their skipper was played through and slotted past me with a tidy finish into the bottom corner. We definitely needed to respond quickly. The lads reacted brilliantly to going a goal down and as the half wore on we grew into the game and began to start putting our stamp on it. We got back into the game with a great finish from Callum and we were pleased to get in at half-time with parity, having spent the half going into the wind. We felt we were in a great position to go on and win the game. 


The opening 15/20 minutes of the second-half we were by far the better side. Hinckley weren't threatening us at all and the back four were having a comfortable period. We created several good chances and had the ball in the net twice, only for marginal offsides to go against us. It felt like it was a matter of time before we scored. Hinckley were still very much in the game though and began pressing as gaps appeared with us looking to push on. They were causing us problems from set pieces and had a couple of chances as a result. They finally broke the stalemate with a fantastic goal, smashed into the top corner from just outside the box. As soon as it left the lad's foot, I was a mere spectator as it flew past me. 

It was a sucker punch, but the way we were playing, you just got the feeling we would still have chances. Shortly afterwards, Josh, who I felt had the better of the full-back for the majority of the second-half, beat his man, and got himself into the box, the midfielder's attempted recovery challenge was rash and a penalty was given. 

I thought Blythey was definitely going to slot it home and couldn't believe it when it was saved. The belief seemed to drain away, surely that was game over. Injury-time came and we were still pressing forwards. A corner in the dying minutes, and Blythey got his chance for redemption, a smart turn and finish in the box and we were level! 

The celebrations showed just what it meant to everyone involved. 


Overall I think a draw was a fair result in what was a great local derby and a fantastic advert for non-league football. With other results going our way, this point could prove vital and not many teams are going to turn a very good Hinckley side over."

David Allen, goalkeeper, Coventry United...

DAVID ALLEN FOLLOWS SKIPPER CHRIS COX ONTO THE FIELD...