Tuesday 26th July 2011 – Afan Lido 0 Coventry City 1
Gregor Rioch’s academy side got the game under way, and from the outset looked confident in possession, spreading the play well finding success down both wings as well as through the centre.
Striker Jonson Clarke-Harris was proving to be one of Coventry’s biggest threats early on, with his blistering pace he was at the forefront of numerous Coventry attacks. With 20 minutes gone Clarke-Harris found himself with space to attack Afan Lido’s defence, however some great work from Carl Evans ensured the young striker could not develop the attack.
Mid way through the first half and against the run of play, Afan Lido managed to find the back of the net only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Despite Coventry looking more comfortable on the ball with their simple but effective passing, Lido were proving a threat on the counter attack with former Cardiff and QPR forward Leon Jeanne using his pace out wide to get the better of The Sky Blue’s full backs.
With neither side creating any clear cut chances in what proved to be a quiet first half for both keepers, it was no surprise that the scores were level at the break.
Sky Blue’s midfielder Will Roberts was first to test Chris Curtis in the second half, however his strike was dealt with fairly easily by the Lido keeper.
Courtney Richards came close to providing the opener for Coventry shortly after, displaying great skill and trickery to create space for his shot, the strikers effort fired marginally wide of the target.
The visitors were in control of the contest and were handed the perfect opportunity to make their dominance count when they were awarded a second half penalty after Curtis was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the box.
Billy Daniels stepped up to take and convert the spot kick with what proved to be the only goal of the game.
The whole Coventry side had a great work ethic, with the better spells in possession and great on and off the ball movement, they made it difficult for Dyer’s men to have any real impact on the game.
With very few other chances for either side, Coventry held onto their lead and emerged from the game as 1-0 victors- condemning Lido to their second consecutive friendly defeat.
Full time Afan Lido 0-1 Coventry City
