DRAMA IN NON-LEAGUE: LEICESTER ROAD 1-2 COVENTRY UNITED (2015)...

2015: Leicester Road 1-2 Coventry United

Often, TV programmes irritate viewers because although their plots are often intriguing, the final fifteen minutes of the story can be so remarkably conveniently staged, that you feel totally pigged off by the ridiculous simplicity of it all. This game in rainy Hinckley, the knitting town, was panning out to be the achingly typical footy story: a fortunate free-kick for the hosts and a subsequent goal scored, then the opposition being unable to finish their own promising attacks. Even when the visiting goalie saved a penalty and it seemed that that would change the game (the turning point and all that) it didn’t and the Coventry United offense continued to flatter to deceive. 

The Leicester Road defence was gradually overrun, as if a herd of wildebeest was on the rampage, but the story still didn’t pan out. Coventry failed to score a goal and the final moments arrived with frustration all around, melees in the Leicester goalmouth and disappointment for the travelling supporters. And then, spookily, fate took a hand: Charlie Cook’s free-kick skipped off various legs, like it was on a pinball machine and Coventry were level, then they were awarded a corner in the final minute of added time. Connoll Farrell, United’s new signing from Coventry Copsewood, benefited from the Leicester goalie’s second punch in a terrible goalmouth scramble, like it was a skirmish outside a night club in Broad Street, Birmingham. The wide-player slammed the loose ball deep into the Leicester net to demonstrate just how those TV programmes should really end: in thrills and unexpectedness… Victory, amazement, joy and disbelief for Coventry; defeat, shock, distress and disbelief for Leicester Road…

CHARLIE COOK, LEFT, IS ABOUT TO EQUALISE...

CONNOLL FARRELL'S LEFT FOOT &...

...1-2 TO THE CAGEMEN...

Leicester had led when a remarkable long run from his own half by Farrell had ended with a loose touch, a slide, a foul and a caution, before the referee angered Coventry, surprised the spectators and scorned United skipper Callum Burgess by adjudging the defender to have handled the ball deliberately, as he controlled it 20 yards out. In truth the ball had skidded up against his arm quite accidentally but Leicester didn’t mind, sniggered a lot and skipper Greg Downes curled a brilliant free-kick into the top left corner of the net, with goalkeeper Rich Morris helpless, to give the hosts a fortunate and surprise lead.

GREG DOWNES' FREE-KICK HITS THE NET FOR LEICESTER ROAD...

In a trance, The Cagemen from Coventry were then guilty of failing to track the elusive Amarvir Sandhu, who avoided Pierre Moudime’s ‘hang a flailing leg’ challenge at inside-left but was then floored inside the 18 yard box by the defender’s second but badly mistimed tackle. Striker James Hicks stepped forth to shoot the spot-kick but Morris guessed correctly, plunged down and right like a bear onto a young elk and turned the ball past the upright. 

RICH MORRIS SAVES JAMES HICKS' PENALTY...

This had been a great win for the visitors but a terribly upsetting defeat for Leicester Road. The effort by Coventry to steal the points was exemplary, even if sometimes the offense was cloaked in inaccuracy. The team didn’t stop believing however and Leicester suffered. Josh Smith, ‘keeper Will Highland and Sandhu impressed for the hosts but certainly their lone-forward Hicks, despite his penalty-miss, was notable for his work-rate and unfailing effort. The Cagemen were fairly solid in defence, where skipper Burgess was unflappable and the mean-eyed Jamie Coleman had struck a vein of fine form. There was no faulting Coventry’s Gift Mussa and Jean Dakouri, for they didn’t stop in midfield, whilst Ben Vallance was stylish in defence. Farrell and Cook finally scored to win the contest and replacement Muzi Nduna’s brief appearance added something a little different to the party… 

TRICKY O'GRADY & MORRIS CELEBRATE...

FARRELL & COOK: THE WINNERS...

TEAMS:

LEICESTER ROAD:

Will Highland, Lloyd Gamble, Jack Harrison, Jake Holt, Josh Smith, Callum Riley, Sam Munton, Tom McGlinchey, James Hicks, Greg Downes (Capt), Amarvir Sandhu.

SUBS:

Andy Farren, James Awodiya, Jack Humphries, Joseph Lyne, Ricky Blewitt (gk).

COVENTRY UNITED:

Rich Morris, Pierre Moudime, Ben Vallance, Gift Mussa, Jamie Coleman, Callum Burgess (Capt), Josh O’Grady, Jean Dakouri, Josh Blake, Ross Briscoe, Connoll Farrell.

SUBS: 

Muzzy Nduna, Charlie Cook, Kiam Galdins, Nathan Stoute, Joe Connor (gk).