Coventry City fell to a 3-0 defeat at Highbury against Fleetwood Town following goals from Dean Marney, Wes Burns and Ched Evans.
Three second half goals for the hosts meant Mark Robin’s side went home empty handed. Dean Marney opened the scoring before, clinical strikes by Wes Burns and Ched Evans secured their points.
Conor Chaplin had chance to salvage a comeback late-on, however couldn’t convert his penalty, after Jonson Clarke-Harris was fouled in the area.
The Sky Blues had the first glaring opportunity eight minutes in, a slick through ball by Chaplin saw Jordy Hiwula burst through one-on-one from the corner of the area, however his effort forced Alex Cairns into a fine save.
Joey Barton’s side came close straight after, good work from the hosts saw Evans find space on the edge of the area, but his effort was drilled over Lee Burge’s net.
As Coventry looked to open the scoring, quick feet by Tom Bayliss saw him brought down on the edge of the area. Chaplin stepped up to take the free kick but couldn’t aim it on target.
The visitors continued to press and a skilful run down the right wing by Luke Thomas saw him beat two opposition men before cutting in and teeing it off for Chaplin. Chaplin’s shot saw Cairns make another great save as it remained scoreless 30 minutes in.
James Husband went into the referee’s book on the 38-minute mark, after Thomas looked to break a late challenge saw Husband go straight through the winger and receive a caution. Just a minute later Husband shoved Chaplin off the ball on the edge of the area and was fortunate not to receive a second yellow.
Paddy Madden broke through on goal just before half-time and made Lee Burge produce a fine save; the resulting corner saw the ball fall kindly to Coyle whose powerful effort also saw Burge make another amazing save diving low to his right.
HT: 0-0.
The hosts came close to the opener five minutes into the second half, Burns broke into the area and fired it straight at Burge, then the follow up saw a ball played directly across the face of goal, but Evans couldn’t get it under control and take advantage and scuffs the ball out for a goal-kick.
Persistence from Fleetwood paid off, 53 minutes in Marney found a yard of space just inside the area and his finish into the top corner done well to beat Burge to make it 1-0.
The Sky Blues fought straight back, and Luke Thomas nearly pulled City level. Great link up play saw Chaplin eventually play-in Thomas who drove forward and unleashed a good effort which was parried for a corner.
Tom Bayliss came close to equalising for Mark Robins’ men, a deflected shot by Hiwula saw the ball fall to Junior Brown, his deep cross was well-met by Bayliss, but was safely held by Cairns.
Fleetwood doubled their lead 71 minutes in, a through ball by Paddy Madden saw Burns through on goal as he slotted past Burge to make it 2-0.
Two minutes later Evans made it 3-0, a quick free kick over the top saw Evans latch on to it, cut inside and fire into the far corner leaving Burge helpless.
Coventry had chance to pull one back on the 77-minute mark, Clarke-Harris was fouled in the area and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Chaplin stepped up, however his spot kick went over.
Tom Davies came close to scoring a couple of minutes later, a corner found its way to him, but the resulting header was tipped around the post.
Clarke-Harris came close to scoring late on, after creating some space he pulled off a fierce shot from the corner of the box which was well-saved by Cairns. The Sky Blues couldn’t force anything past Fleetwood as they saw the game out 3-0.
FT: 3-0.
Goals: Dean Marney, Wes Burns, Ched Evans.
Yellows: James Husband.
Attendance: TBA.
Sky Blues XI: Lee Burge (GK), Jack Grimmer, Jordan Willis (Davies 62’), Dom Hyam, Junior Brown, Michael Doyle (C), Tom Bayliss, Luke Thomas, Jordy Hiwula (Andreu 69’), Conor Chaplin (Bakayoko 81’), Jonson Clarke-Harris.
Unused subs: Corey Addai (GK), Brandon Mason, Liam Kelly, Abu Ogogo.
Fleetwood Town XI: Alex Cairns (GK), Lewie Coyle, Ashley Eastham (Bolger 52’), Wes Burns, Ched Evans, Conor McAleny (Wallace 68’), Paddy Madden, Craig Morgan(C), Dean Marney, James Husband, James Wallace (Holt 78’).
Unused subs: Paul Jones (GK), Jason Holt, Ashley Hunter, Natahan Sheron, Gerard Garner.