PREVIEW: Coventry City v Cheltenham - The Sky Blues look to bounce back against the Robins

Mark Robins' side welcome Cheltenham to the Ricoh...

15 December 2017

The Sky Blues face Cheltenham Town for the first time in a competitive fixture as Mark Robins' side look to make up for last weekend's defeat to Morecambe.

Gary Johnson's side have only lost one of the last six, and come to Ricoh on the back of a 1-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra last time out, with Jamie Grimes scoring the winner in that one.

Striker Brian Graham could return for the Robins after a few weeks out with a hamstring injury to partner top scorer Mohamed Eisa in attack.

Elsewhere Jordan Cranston (hamstring), Jaanai Gordon (knee) and Jordon Forster (achillies) are all also out with long term absences.

Jordan Willis looks likely to make his 150th appearance for Coventry. Willis made his debut in 2011 replacing James McPake in a defeat to Southampton at the Ricoh Arena.

The Sky Blues are still without Liam Kelly as he continues to fight back from a heel injury.

Jodi Jones, who has now had his operation, and Tony Andreu also both continue their fight back from ACL injuries.

The Opponents

Mohamed Eisa will be Cheltenham's main threat at the Ricoh. The Sudanese forward has scored nine goals this season since joining from Greenwich Borough in the summer.

Northern Ireland international Carl Winchester was another summer signing. The midfielder has been filling in pretty much anywhere for the Robins all season

Jamie Grimes notched the winner last week from central defence. The Swansea Academy graduate joined from Dover in the summer after 77 appearances for the Whites.

Jordan Willis' Sky Blues career in numbers

Played: 149

Won: 65

Drew: 31

Lost: 53

Clean sheets: 43

Goals: 5

Yellows: 5

Reds: 1

Tickets

Tickets are available to buy on the gate at cash turnstiles 24 to 27 from 1:30pm, or the Matchday Ticket Office from 11am at the Ricoh Arena. Full details here

Match Previews

Match Reports

REPORT: Coventry City 2-1 Cheltenham Town - Bayliss debut goal and McNulty winner gives City victory

Victory for Coventry at the Ricoh...

16 December 2017

Goals from Tom Bayliss and Marc McNulty help the Sky Blues a 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town at the Ricoh.

Mark Robins side took the lead after just 70 seconds when Bayliss' effort, on target, was deflected into the far corner.

Mohamed Eisa cancelled out the late on in the half but it was McNulty, the Sky Blues' main threat all game, who popped up late on to get the game's winner.

The Sky Blues have been criticised for their slow starts this season, but were not guilty of that in this one. Bayliss was only 70 seconds into his first Coventry start when he saw his shot defelcted up and over the keeper to give City the lead. A dream start for the 18-year-old.

Cheltenham came back quickly though. Mohamed Eisa's curled free kick had Lee Burge well beaten, but the 'keeper was saved by the crossbar to deny an instant equaliser.

Only Luton have created more chances in the league than the Robins this season, and it was clear to see why. Eisa and Dawson both shown pace down the wings to get in and behind on a number of occassions, with Eisa missing his bestt chance of he half so far when he forced a strong save from Burge at close range.

For a moment, Cheltenham's pressare eased, but the equaliser came just before half-time. A ball deep into the area found Eisa, who turned beating his man and fired past Burge with ease to draw his side level.

Max Biamou came close to restoring City's lead after the break. The Frenchman did well to break away and find Peter Vincenti down the right, who crossed from deeper onto his head, but the big number nine headed wide.

Next it was Cheltenham 'keeper Scott Flinders' turn to take center stage. Biamou climbed highest and flicked on brilliantly for McNulty, who then forced a contender for save of the season from the Robins' number 24 diving to his right. City were growing into the second half.

Mark Robins' side were now on top, and capitallized through McNulty. Duckens Nazon played a perfect ball over he top which the former Sheffield United man brought down with ease to charge in on goal, draw the keeper out, and dink the ball over him and into the net. 2-1.

Goals: Bayliss (1'), Eisa (34'), McNulty (74')

Yellows: Bayliss (41'), Pell (59'), O'Shaughnessy (79')

Reds:

Attendance: 6,457.

Coventry City XI: Burge; Grimmer, Willis, McDonald (Davies 45'), Stokes; Bayliss, Doyle (C) Shipley; McNulty (Dev. Kelly-Evans 85'), Biamou, Vincenti (Nazon 70').

Subs: O'Brien (GK), Stokes, Stevenson, Beavon.

Cheltenham XI: Flinders (GK); Storer (C), Pell, Dawson, Wright, Winchester, O'Shaughnessy, Boyle, Eisa, Morrell.

Subs: Lovett, Atangana, Page, Bower, Dawes.

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