Three first-half goals fire Coventry City U18s in to National Final...
Coventry City’s young charges have booked themselves a place in the U18s National Final, after a commanding 3-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls were runners-up in the PDL North, while the Sky Blues were crowned champions of the PDL South for the first time in their history.
The Alan Higgs Centre played host to the semi-final tie, as a couple of hundred City fans turned out in the sun to support the U18s.
Three first-half goals meant City entered the break in ascendancy, and the visitors could only muster one second-half goal in reply, as Jason Fardon’s side secured a place in the National Final against Charlton Athletic or Sheffield United.
Billy Stedman had the home side ahead inside seven minutes with an incisive first time finish from close range. Dan Smith worked the ball well down the left, before fizzing an inviting delivery in to the box, where Stedman pounced and drove the ball home.
Midfielder Kyle Finn doubled City’s advantage ten minutes later with a fine finish from 20 yards. The teenager collected the ball in space, before bending an effort with his favoured left foot, which nestled in the far corner of the net.
And the hosts, enjoying much of the possession, had a succession of chances to make it three, before Jordan Ponticelli put the tie out of sight.
Lewis Green had got forward from fullback just before the half-time whistle, and whipped a cross in to the Wednesday technical area. Astute as ever, the PDL’s top scorer Ponticelli evaded his marker with some clever movement, before guiding his header in to the corner of the net.
Chris Camwell was denied by the woodwork in the 50th minute, as his 20 yard drive had the ‘keeper beaten, but crashed off the upright before being turned to safety.
Wednesday’s substitute striker pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 78th minute, finishing low beneath Konrad Scuza, but the day firmly belonged to Coventry City.
The National Final game is likely to take place next Saturday (29th), and the hosts will be decided in due course. The club will post further information once confirmed.