Sky Blues Under-18s continued their unbeaten start to the new season, with a draw at home to Cardiff City last weekend.
The 18s were held to a goalless draw against the Bluebirds, as City were frustrated on more than one occasion, including a missed penalty in the first half.
Cardiff were reduced to ten men in the latter stages of the second half, in a game where the momentum swung on more than one occasion.
Reflecting on the draw, Under-18s coach John Dempster believes there was a lot to learn from the 90 minutes.
“I thought it was a real battle, there wasn’t a lot of quality on show from both sides and that probably reflects on the score-line. We have got back to work this week to get the basics of technique right.
“I though throughout the game, the momentum definitely shifted from one team to another. We didn’t start very well, and Cardiff put us under a lot of pressure and we kind of rode the storm and grew into the game.
“We were a little bit disappointed after they went down to ten men that we became a little bit desperate to try and score a goal to win the football match, but really when you have the spare man that’s the time for composure and calm to make the most of your overload on the pitch.”
Despite initial disappointment in not coming away with three points, another point on the board counts for a good start to the season for the Under-18s, as well as another clean sheet.
“You don’t often see a 0-0 in under-18s football, and it can be something brushed aside as sides always play out from the back and look to score as many goals as possible.
“However, clean sheets are vitally important at any level and if our players can get into a habit of keeping clean sheets it will bode well for the future.”
A reason for the clean sheet will go down to the performances of both Luke Bell and his counterpart, with the City ‘keeper making a string of saves and his opposition producing a good stop to deny City’s Trialist from the spot.
“I think both goalkeepers played well, so credit to them.
“I think are attacking players lacked that ruthless edge in the final third and that composure that’s needed.
“You can’t fault the players effort, it’s just sometimes that little bit of extra quality that wins football matches wasn’t there.”