COVENTRY UNITED 2-2 BUGBROOKE ST MICHAEL'S: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT THOUGHTS...

 Foraging Badgers Pegged Back By Flying Dube…

Coventry United 2-2 Bugbrooke St Michael’s

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

It was my first return to the Butts Park Arena since I saw Coventry United lose an FA Cup tie there in 2017, their first ever match in a rugby stadium and unbelievably they played against, er, Rugby Town, who won 1-2. 

I was made to feel very welcome for the Bugbrooke game by Lee Davies and the indefatigable Marian Davis, who is still working for the club after so long, nearly 25 of the 10 year history, I believe… (Only joking…) They were fine hosts and I must thank them both heartily for their kindness.  

THE TOSS...

A slightly cold afternoon ensued with a blustery December wind, which was made evident by the flapping of players’ shirts like washing hung on a clothes line at the top of Jack & Jill’s hill. The contest was made interesting by the approach of the visiting Badgers, who played progressive stuff and caused the home defence some real consternation, especially before the interval. It was thanks to an excellent first-half by United’s ‘keeper Harvey Randle that Coventry disappeared into their locker room level-pegging at 1-1. 

The hosts tested visiting goalie Luke Reeve with an early Zach Tellyn drive but had then survived a scare when the visitors had a goal by Levon Stewart chalked off for a marginal offside decision. However, the Cagemen took the lead against the run of play, when the Badgers thought that home striker Adam Miles might also have been offside before Dan Cassidy almost apologetically converted the striker’s low pass. with Bugbrooke again waving their hands about for offside, It was like they were attempting to direct traffic at an intersection in downtown Cairo. The lines-person didn’t take the hint on either occasion however and kept his little flag down…

THE ASSIST...

...1-0...

Stewart and Aidan Webster had already threatened for the guests before Randle excelled himself with brave saves from Stewart then the surly, effective Badgers’ midfielder Tom Binder twice and after Cassidy’s goal, the ‘keeper flung himself low and right to make a splendid stop from the well placed Stewart. Stewart finally found a deserved equaliser for his team though, poking the ball past Randle and just inside the far right post from left of centre. I was very lucky to capture the goal however, for when I began to film that Bugbrooke attack, my camera wouldn’t focus properly and I had to stop it recording, then start it again quickly, just about managing to film Stewart’s low effort. Unlucky? Yeah, I guess… 

FINE SAVE BY RANDLE...

STEWART EQUALISES...

In all honesty though, the home defenders were finding the powerful Luke Emery’s hold-up/lay-off play rather awkward to deal with and the Badgers were thus regularly dangerous on offense.

THE DEPENDABLE BAMBAH MARKS THE EFFECTIVE EMERY...

After a short rest…

Following the break for sustenance, probably rum punch for Coventry and wild badger food for Bugbrooke, Randle again made a fine low save, this time from Webster and United still struggled to contain Emery, the lithe Stewart and often the other wily wide player, Kevin Shehi.

The Coventry attack still wasn’t really functioning too well, despite the efforts of Tellyn and Miles but the wide forwards were rarely provided with accurate passes, despite finding space. Green did hack a shot by Samir Muzaffar from his goal-line and Tellyn shot into the net although he was pulled up for the use of a hand as he had latched onto the ball. Generally though, the imperious Calvin Green was in control at the back for the plucky visitors. 

The goal which took the lead for the guests was a fine effort by Stewart, who fielded Green’s long pass at inside-left, turned with intent and sent a left-booted shot high past the diving Randle from way downtown. There may have been a slight touch off a defender’s hair but it really was a fine hit.

The introduction of two speedy midfielders subsequently livened up United as they sought parity, with Mitch Mollison and Joe Blowers lifting the untidy atmosphere which always seems to affect matches when a number of substitutions have taken place round about the 60th-70th minute mark.

"I DON'T LIKE HIS SOCKS...)

However, finally, the hosts drew level and it was another replacement Stan Dube, who also scored at Racing Club Warwick on Boxing afternoon, who provided the goods. A smart right-flank centre by the industrious and reliable Abdul Bambah saw Dube leap like a salmon heading upriver, twisting slightly left, beating Badger Joe Malkin to the ball and sending it flashing into the top left corner of the bulging net. Spectacular stuff… 

Neither team could add another goal which would have been decisive and the game ended in even colder, seasonal weather as a tie…

The final words…

Liked Bugbrooke’s approach but three points would surely have been theirs had a couple of those early chances been taken, although in the end, I guess a 2-2 draw at Coventry was just about acceptable for the Badgers. United clearly struggled at times and would have been relieved to grab their equaliser. 

Both teams had problems in defence when facing the wind, for several headers were misjudged but that fact only served to add theatre to the encounter.

Liked Coventry’s red and green kit and I still have the shirt given to me by the club some years ago with ‘Mowdog’ printed on the back…

Good to see that Bugbrooke wore white with black, which was very badgery…