PREVIEW: Coventry City v Notts County match preview

All you need to know about Saturday's opposition ahead of the League Two opener...

2 August 2017

Coventry City will welcome Notts County to the Ricoh Arena on Saturday looking to kick-start their Sky Bet League Two season...

Venue: Ricoh Arena

Competition: SkyBet League Two

Date: Saturday, August 5th

Kick-off: 3pm

The Sky Blues ended their pre-season on a four-game unbeaten run after wins against Mickleover, MK Dons and Nuneaton along with a goalless draw with Liverpool.

Notts County make the short trip down the M1 on the back of similar form with wins over non-league sides Ilkeston and York City.

The Magpies finished 16^th in League Two last season, but their form picked up dramatically after John Sheridan was sacked on the back of nine successive defeats over the Christmas period.

Since then Kevin Nolan, who initially joined as manager before converting to player-manager once the club’s transfer embargo was lifted, has fared far better than his predecessor winning ten of his last twenty games and dragging his side well out of relegation danger.

The Opponents

The Magpies have three former Sky Blues amongst their ranks. Richard Duffy made 64 appearances over four loan spells with the club including 34 appearances in the 2005-06 season where the Sky Blues finished 8^th in the Championship.

Alongside Duffy in the first-team are Carl Dickinson and Jon Stead who both enjoyed shorter periods at the Ricoh Arena. Dickinson made six appearances at left-back while Stead found the net twice on-loan from Ipswich in 2010.

Up-front with Stead in County’s attack are experiences heads Lewis Alessandra and Jonathan Forte along with former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi. The Nigerian made 312 top flight appearances in the North-East scoring 53 goals along the way including 15 in Europe. Last season Ameobi managed four goals in League Two.

Premier League and League Cup winner with Manchester United plays Alan Smith. The 36-year-old has been a regular since moving to Nottinghamshire in 2014 and even took charge of the side for a single game after the sacking of Sheriden.

Past Meetings

City’s last victory against Notts County came in 2013 when a brace from Leon Clarke and a stunning solo run from Callum Wilson capped off a 3-0 victory at Sixfields. Since then the two-sides have met three times with County coming out the better on two occasions before 2015’s goalless.

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REPORT: Coventry City 3-0 Notts County - Sky Blues kick off League Two campaign with victory

Jodi Jones hits a hat-trick as Mark Robins' side make it a winning start in League Two...

5 August 2017

Sky Blues kick off League Two campaign with victory against Notts County...

Despite the less than favourable weather conditions that delayed kick-off by five minutes, the Sky Blues started brightly. Michael Doyle's lofted free-kick found Dominic Hyam inside the County box, but Adam Collin deflected his effort past the post.

After having the better of the opening ten minutes it was Notts County who came close to opening the scoring. Peter Vincenti's loose ball in midfield presented Shola Ameobi with a chance, and when his effort deflected to Terry Hawkridge, only the post would deny County's number 11.

City resumed control of the contest and were soon rewarded through Jodi Jones. The Sky Blues' number eleven found space on the right-hand side and cut onto his left. With Richard Duffy standing him up, the winger rolled it through his legs and into the bottom corner.

The Sky Blues started the second half on the front foot once more as they looked to double the advantage. Marc McNulty raced onto a ball over the County defence before forcing a solid save from Collin at his near post.

McNulty was again involved as Jack Grimmer worked the overlap on the right-hand side. Fed by Jones, the fullback pulled it towards the striker, but McNulty couldn't get a good enough contact on it to trouble Collin.

The Sky Blues' pressure finally told with a second coming via a counter-attack. Maxime Biamou, on as a second half substitute for Staurt Beavon, fed it towards Jones. The winger turned his defender before slotting into the far corner to double City's advantage.

With time running out for the visitors, City completed the victory as Jodi Jones grabbed his hat-trick. Debutant Duckens Nazon did superbly on the counter, before sliding it towards the winger to apply the finish.

Yellow: Hewitt.

Attendance: 10,350 (1,727)

Teams:

Coventry City XI: O'Brien, Grimmer, Hyam, McDonald, Stokes, Kelly, Doyle (C), Vincenti, McNulty (Nazon 84'), Jones, Beavon (Biamou 72').

Coventry City Subs: Charles-Cook (GK), Pearson, Di. Kelly-Evans, Stevenson, Dev. Kelly-Evans.

Notts County XI: Colin (GK), Tootle, Hewitt, Duffy (C), Alessandra, Ameobi, Hawkridge, Brisley, Walker (Milsom 58'), Jones, Stead (Grant 63').

Notts County Subs: Fitzsimons (GK), Hollis, Smith, Hunt, Saunders.

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