Coventry Sphinx Bench Talk

Welcome to everyone for this afternoons game against Coventry Sphinx. I am not sure we will be able to match up to the excitement of their midweek fixture against league leaders Rugby Town to whom they lost 5-8. I don't know what the story was but it is not often you see a score line like that.

We ourselves managed to net four goals away to Southam United on Tuesday to begin the process of stabilising the results following a horrendous October. The injury situation has only improved marginally but the players have shown a fighting spirit, which bodes well for the future. Unfortunately Lee Wharmby is the latest serious injury victim having torn knee ligaments in the Southam game and is likely to be out for about three months.

We should have won the game at Southam by a wider margin but I was still satisfied with the outcome. Richard Knott stepped in goal for the injured Darren Carmell and Richard Whitehouse made a last minute dash to the ground to cover for the loss of three players to work commitments late in the afternoon. Dave Harnett hit the bar with a header in the first few minutes but was not be denied 15 minutes later when he tucked home a right wing cross from Dave Blake on the far post. Ten minutes later Dave repaid the compliment when he provided a left wing cross for Dave Blake to tuck home on the far post. A couple of minutes later Richard Whitehouse intercepted a gift of a pass from a Southam defender in front of goal and he calmly dummied the keeper and chipped it over his prostate body to put us three up.

We never reached the same heights in the second period and at times were very sloppy in our play. Nevertheless we went four goals up midway through the half when Dave Harnett converted another right wing cross. Southam pulled a goal back with 15 minutes and put us under some pressure but we held out for a pleasing result.

Last Saturday saw us lose 1-0 at Pershore Town in the Challenge Cup in what was a pretty even contest. We showed total commitment and were a little unlucky not to grab an equalizer in the closing stages. I was happy with the performance if not with the result.

Our last home match was the 3-2 victory over Kings Heath a fortnight ago when Gavin Smith notched the winner in the very last minute. Mark Delaney notched two first half goals but very sloppy defending allowed Kings Heath to go all square at the interval. Once again we failed to take our chances but were perhaps a little unfortunate having hit the woodwork on four occasions.

Today's team will once again have a considerable number of changes from that of Tuesday. Definitely out are the injured Lee Wharmby and unavailable Richard Whitehouse with Dave Harnett and Dave Blake both doubtful. Hopefully Paul Webb and Andy Reece will be back in the fold and at the time of writing this article Lyndon Price is doubtful with an injured knee. Our squad rotation policy continues apace!

We hope that you enjoy the game and can make it down her to support us next Saturday for our fixture against Cheslyn Hay.