FOOTBALL: LOCAL bragging rights belong to United as they overcame Sphinx by a single goal in the battle of Coventry in the Midland League Premier Division.
Chris Cox scored the only goal of the game six minutes from time as United completed the league double over their close neighbours at Sphinx Drive on Saturday.
United went into the match high in confidence following an impressive 5-0 victory over Stourport Swifts, while Sphinx were also in good form after claiming back-to-back wins at the beginning of the month.
The last time the two sides met it was United who ran out narrow 2-1 winners and Saturday’s clash turned out to be another close affair.
The opening period ended goalless but there were chances for both sides to make a breakthrough.
Muziwandile Nduna broke into the area and played the ball across goal when perhaps he should have opted for a shot on goal in the ninth minute and moments later Chris Cox headed wide.
Ryan Harkin had Sphinx’s first chance on goal but his effort was comfortable for the United keeper while at the other end Scott Dutton was called into action to keep out Cox’s close range shot.
A mistake by Ben Vallance in the 23rd minute allowed Nathan McGarrity a clean sight on goal but he shot wide of the target and ten minutes before the break Rhys Deehan send a free kick narrowly wide.
United came close with a free kick of their own soon after but Joshua O’Grady’s effort sailed inches past the post.
Both sides could have taken the minutes before half-time but Nduna’s shot was tame after being put through on goal, while Deehan fired wide after racing clear.
It took a while for both sides to get going after the break and the first notable chance fell to Nduna again in the 54th minute when he found himself in space once again. The United player unleashed a shot at goal but Dutton got down well to turn the ball round the post.
Cox brought out another good save from Dutton just past the hour mark but chances soon started to dry up and the game turned into a scrappy affair.
With six minutes remaining Tommy Glasscoe delivered an inviting free kick into the area which the Sphinx defence failed to clear and there to stab the ball in for the opening goal was Cox who claimed his third goal of the week.
Sphinx pressed for an equaliser with Tom King forcing Richard Morris into a save from a free kick but United could have wrapped it up when a quick break saw Scott Hammond create space and shoot at goal but Dutton made another excellent save and it finished 1-0.
Next up for United is a home match against league leaders Alvechurch while Sphinx will be looking to bounce back to winning ways at Heanor Town.
