The Sky Blues' development side claim their first win in six matches against the Robins at the AHC...
Ex-City skipper Samuel Ricketts oversaw the U23s as they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against Bristol City in the Development League South.With first teamers Jodi Jones and Ruben Lameiras included in City's starting XI, the home side looked threatening from the off, as Jones' pace was causing problems down the right.
And it was the 19-year old who held it up well for the overlapping Bilal Sayoud in the 14th minute. The fullback whipped a ball into the back post, but U18s starlet Jordan Ponticelli couldn't divert his header goalward.
Jones was once again at the centre of the City attack, as he linked well with Jak Hickman. The U18s defender drove at the opposition defence, beating two men before laying it towards the winger. He cut inside onto his left foot and fired an effort straight at 'keeper Joe Wollacott.
As City poured forward again, it was the turn of skipper Devon Kelly-Evans to try his luck on goal. Callum Maycock, tenacious in midfield, won the ball back and played it towards the free-scoring Ponticelli. The striker flicked the ball around the corner, but Kelly-Evans couldn't test the opposition 'keeper.
With the Sky Blues in control, Bristol had a rare sight of goal through midfielder Jake Andrews. He stepped up to whip a 25-yard free-kick narrowly wide of Corey Addai's far post.
As the game looked to be heading in to the interval goalless, up stepped Jak Hickman to break the deadlock. The fullback jinked past three defenders before curling an effort into the top corner to give the home side a deserved lead.
Despite controlling large amounts of the first half, the visitors nearly equalised within minutes of the restart. Addai clawed a superb 20-yard effort to safety, before watching the rebound crash against his upright.
Addai was called in to action once more moments later, this time denying Freddie Hinds' backpost header with a smart save down low, before Diego De Girolamo picked up the rebound but couldn't find enough space to test the 'keeper.
Pushed further forward in the second half, Bilal Sayoud went close to scoring a fantastic solo effort. He cut inside onto his unfavored right foot, beating multiple defenders before smashing an effort back off the post.
And Sayoud would soon turn creator as the 23s wrapped up the three points through centre-half Cian Harries. Sayoud delivered a low cross that was swept home by the defender to give City an unassailable lead.
Yellow: Kelly-Evans, Ponticelli.
Team:
Coventry City: Addai (GK), Hickman, Harries, Finch, Sayoud, Lameiras (Spence 60'), Maycock, Shipley, Jones (Camwell 60'), Dev. Kelly-Evans (C) (Finn 60'), Ponticelli.
Subs: Scuza (GK).