In the battle of the top two, Luke Tisdale’s side came away as 2-0 winners against Sheffield United at the Alan Higgs Centre this afternoon.
The Sky Blues took the lead with five minutes on the clock when Fabio Tavares passed to Josh Reid who drilled a shot across goal into the far corner.
Moments later that lead was doubled when Jordan Shipley collected the ball in the middle of the pitch, finding Blaine Rowe whose cross into the six yard box was converted by Tyler Walker.
The Blades first few chances came through Will Osula, who had a couple of headed chances for the visitors but he couldn’t get either on target as they looked to half the deficit.
Jodi Jones then created opportunity by weaving his way through the Blades’ box but no one could get on the end of his low cross.
As United looked the build up some pressure, Andre Brooks' cross was headed away by George Burroughs and the ball dropped to Frankie Maguire who fired his volley wide.
Hassan Ayari then drove at the hosts back line but Tyler was equal to his low shot.
Josh Reid almost had a second when Tavares’ back heel found the left-back and he almost found the back of the net, but he was denied Harrison Neal who cleared off the line.
Josh Eccles’ well worked corner to Shipley almost saw the Sky Blues score a third but his shot went just over the bar.
Burroughs then did well to block another Brooks effort before Capello whipped the ball in but Eccles was on hand to clear this time to ensure the hosts went into the break with a clean sheet.
HALF TIME: Sky Blues U23s 2-0 Sheffield United U23s
The half began with each side struggling to create a clear cut chance with Walker unable to get the ball out of his feet when under pressure.
Ayari picked out Osula but Declan Drysdale cleared the danger before the striker could get his shot away.
The Blades were awarded an indirect free kick when Tyler picked up Drysdale’s back pass with Nickseon Gomes passing to Ayari who blasted the ball towards goal but Reid heroically got in the way.
Next, Capello intercepted Howley out wide before shooting across goal but his effort went flying wide of the far post.
As the game came close to an end, Reid found Walker but Gomis blocked his shot before at the other end City 'keeper Cian Tyler denied Ayari when he attempted to round the ‘keeper.
City went close to wrapping up the match with Eccles’ low drive but Amissah prevented the midfielder from getting his name on the scoresheet.
Sheffield United were then forced to play the rest of the match with ten-men as Kamarl Grant earned his second yellow for a foul on Tavares.
FULL TIME: Sky Blues U23s 2-0 Sheffield United U23s
GOALS: Josh Reid (5’), Tyler Walker (12’)
YELLOW CARDS: Blaine Rowe (35’), Cian Tyler (62’) Marco Rus (81’), Josh Reid (82’); Will Osula (53’), Kamarl Grant (57’), Kurt Havenhand (83’), Kamarl Grant (87’)
RED CARD: Kamarl Grant (87’)
Sky Blues XI: Cian Tyler (GK), Blaine Rowe, Declan Drysdale, George Burroughs, Josh Reid (C), Josh Eccles, Jordan Shipley (Jonny Ngandu 67’) Ryan Howley (Marco Rus 80’), Jodi Jones (Aaron Evans-Harriott 90’), Tyler Walker, Fabio Tavares.
Unused subs: Trialist, Fionn O’Brien.
Sheffield United XI: Jordan Amissah (GK), Joe Starbuck, Kamarl Grant, Harrison Neal, Nickseon Gomis, Angello Capello, Hassan Ayari, Frankie Maguire, George Dickinson, Will Osula (Kurt Havenhand 66’), Andre Brooks.
Unused subs: Ethan Slater, Luke Faxon, Owen Hampson.
