HOCKEY: ANOTHER positive performance saw a resurgent Coventry & North Warwickshire team beat Old Silhillians 4-2 in a match that provided plenty of drama on Saturday.
As well as six goals, the Midland League Division Two clash also included an unprecedented red card to Coventry’s Pakistani international Waqas Akbar with the home side down to nine players.
There was a shock goal in the early stages for Old Silhillians which came from an aerial ball pinpointed to the deep lying forward, but the hosts soon tried to make amends.
Dom Bell won a short corner that was saved on the line by a stick and the same thing happened again a few minutes later.
Old Silhillians were unlucky to hit a post, but as the half was coming to a close Sam Clarke robbed a defender and advanced along the back line to squeeze his shot through the goalkeeper’s legs for the equaliser.
George Hollingsworth was rewarded for his effort to earn a goal from close range and take the hosts into a 2-1 lead at the midway point.
As the second half started an emphatic reverse hit shot from Bell gave Coventry a two-goal cushion and although the visitors had some short corner chances it was not until the red card decision, soon followed by a yellow for Bell, that the result seemed in any doubt.
Under pressure, Coventry conceded but when back to ten men, the hosts scored again from a short corner just before the final whistle to wrap up a 4-2 win.
