COVENTRY & North Warwickshire came from behind to beat high-flying Barton 4-3 in the Midland League Division One.
After being forced to withstand lots of pressure in the opening stages, Coventry stood firm and got their noses in front when Dom Bell unselfishly set up Ed Benfield who bypassed the goalkeeper for an easy tap in.
The hosts almosted scored a second from a short corner but the effort on goal was saved while at the other end Aiden Johnson saved the first effort on goal from Barton but they converted from the rebound to level at 1-1.
The Coventry defence had their hands full from some tricky play by the visitors who poured forward at every opportunity but Austin Pritchard and Sam Clarke relieved the pressure.
Bell then found himself with just the goalkeeper to beat and he duly converted to enable his team to turn round 2-1 to the good.
Barton were not making the best of their short corner opportunities but when Ajan Reginald stepped up a quarter hour into the second half he slid his shot low into the corner for a 3-1 lead.
Barton were not giving up and drew level with goals in quick succession and the pressure suggested more of the same but Johnson made a series of close quarter saves.
Barton’s pressure resulted in a lack of numbers at the back which undid them and Bell won a one on one duel with the keeper for the winner leaving no time for a response.
A fifth win of the season sees Coventry move to within three points of Sutton Coldfield ahead of this Saturday’s clash against Old Halesonians.
