Saturday 22nd December - Sphinx Drive
RESULT: COVENTRY SPHINX 2-1 SHEPSHED DYNAMO
GOALS:
61’ Michael Quirke (Coventry Sphinx)
65’ Pearson Mwanyongo (Shepshed Dynamo)
73’ Ryan Harkin (Coventry Sphinx)
ATTENDANCE: 140
Report by Martin Sutton
Coventry Sphinx were in top form last weekend and this weekend they had to demonstrate their battling qualities in order to take the points at Sphinx Drive. A tight game was expected and that’s exactly what we got with two of the leading sides in the division coming up against each other. Both sides were in the top 6 ahead of kick off, Shepshed were top of the current form table and Sphinx had previously beaten the league leaders 4-0 so we had every reason to believe that a positive result would be hard earned for either side.
Sphinx manager Lee Knibbs made just one change from the team that overwhelmed Ilkeston with Jackson Downie replacing Callum Woodward in the centre of the Sphinx midfield. Joel Grandison returned to the squad and new signing Rhys Hilton also took a place on the bench. Sphinx had early half chances with Charlie Faulkner just failing to control a Hudson cross and Michael Quirke heading narrowly wide. At the other end, Shepshed had a penalty shout turned down. Sphinx then had a Matty Gardner goal disallowed after a Charlie Faulkner free kick as both sides pushed for the crucial opening goal. Shepshed gradually took more of a hold on proceedings although Tom Cross remained largely untroubled in the Sphinx goal. Half time came and that provided Sphinx with an opportunity to regroup and consider their options ahead of the second half.
HALF TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX 0-0 SHEPSHED DYNAMO
Sphinx could see they would need to step up their performance in this half if they were to get the better of a very good Shepshed side and it was easy to see why the visitors were currently on an 18 game unbeaten run. Ryan Harkin had a sight of goal early in the half and his instant shot very nearly caught out the keeper who collected the ball at the second attempt. Just after the hour mark Coventry Sphinx then opened the scoring. A Coventry Sphinx free kick near the edge of the box on the by-line was lifted into the box by Charlie Faulkner and Michael QUIRKE was on hand to drive in the opening goal at the back post. That was the second goal in two games for the centre back and Sphinx had found the all important breakthrough. The celebrations had barely died down when the constant menace Mwanyongo equalised for the visitors in spectacular fashion. He received the ball on the right, cut inside and unleashed a bullet of a shot which beat Tom Cross with pure power. After a tight first hour we had two goals in just a few minutes and another one was soon to follow. The 74th minute goal from Ryan Harkin turned out to be the winner. Charlie Faulkner swung in the corner and Ryan HARKIN leapt well to guide a wonderfully controlled header beyond the keeper. Ryan Harkin doesn’t score many headers but that’s two in his last two games now. Shepshed were still well in this game and the Sphinx defending would have to remain focused. Ryan Harkin was really providing a threat now and he had a penalty shout dismissed and then watched a shot beat the keeper but thud against the base of the near post. Shepshed had opportunities too with Sphinx clearing one off the line and Cross getting down well to save from close range. Shepshed ensured Sphinx were unable to relax right up to the final whistle but Sphinx got over the line and added another big three points to their tally.
The 18 game unbeaten run was over for the visitors but they demonstrated why they have proven so difficult to beat in recent months. Sphinx had to work very hard for that result but it kept them in fourth place and reduced the gap to the leaders to 7 points.
FULL TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX 2-1 SHEPSHED DYNAMO
COVENTRY SPHINX MAN OF THE MATCH: MICHAEL QUIRKE
It was a solid team performance today where every player contributed. Tom Cross was only beaten by a sensational strike and he was an authoritative presence between the sticks again. The midfield worked hard and Ryan Harkin scored a well taken goal which could have been more if it wasn’t for a superb save and the width of the post. The defence were severely tested at times today and Louis Guest did well at the back but his defensive partner Michael Quirke takes the honour today. Quirke took on the Captains armband, led the team superbly and got the opening goal for Sphinx too.
COVENTRY SPHINX TEAM: CROSS, STRINGFELLOW, HUDSON, CAIRNS, QUIRKE ©, GUEST, PHILLIPS, DOWNIE (Jackson 90 mins), HARKIN, GARDNER (Lower 85 mins), FAULKNER (Grandison 76 mins)
Coventry Sphinx are back in action on Wednesday 26th December when they make the short trip to The Butts Park Arena for the Boxing Day derby against Coventry Utd.