The Sky Blues were handed their first loss of Pre-Season after a 3-2 defeat against French side Valenciennes in Spain...
Valenciennes started quickly, with the Sky Blues behind in just the fourth minute. Cherif Quenum found space inside the right channel before firing a ball across the six-yard box for Steve Ambri to tap in.
The Sky Blues looked to retain possession after the early setback, but it was Valenciennes who threatened once more. A lovely interchange saw Gween Foulon in behind the City defence, but the offside flag was raised despite a Lee Burge save.
City began to grow into the game and were soon given the opportunity to level. A good passage of play led to Stuart Beavon being taken down inside the penalty area, with Marc McNulty converting from twelve yards to restore parity.
a much-changed XI came out for the second half, with Michael Doyle the only player to remain, and it was Jordan Ponticelli who nearly put the Sky Blues ahead within 30 seconds of the restart.
Doyle pounced on a loose ball and fed it to Ponticelli, the striker took one touch before wrong footing the 'keeper, but was denied by the goalpost.
City continued to come forward, with Trialist the latest to go close, angling a superb volleyed effort towards the top corner that fell just wide.
The Sky Blues soon got the goal their play had warranted, and it was youngster Jordan Ponticelli with his first for the senior side. A corner fell his way at the back post, before emphatically firing the ball into the roof of the net.
Despite the superiority in the second half, the Sky Blues were pegged back. A ball played along the six-yard box was turned in by City defender Dominic Hyam.
Valenciennes completed the turnaround with ten minutes to go, as Loic Nestor scored a superb winner, finding the top corner with a curling effort from 25-yards.
Teams:
Coventry City XI First Half: Burge (GK), Grimmer, Willis, McDonald, Leahy, Stevenson, Doyle (C), Jones, McNulty, Vincenti, Beavon.
Coventry City XI Second Half: O'Brien (GK), Dev. Kelly-Evans, Hyam, Leahy, Camwell, Doyle (Kelly 70'), Shipley, Trialist, Finn, Biamou, Ponticelli.
Valenciennes XI: Perquis (GK), Dabo, Ntim, Nery, Quenum, Enza Yamissi, Azbague, Diarra, Ndao, Foulon, Ambri.
Valenciennes Subs: Kocik (GK), Dos Santos, Nestor, Niakate, Pierre Charles, Thiago, Ramare, Roudet, Romil, Mothiba.