COVENTRY gets sets for a second FA Cup showdown between two of the city’s sides tonight (7.45pm), in an extra preliminary round replay between Coventry United and Coventry Sphinx at Communications Park in Daventry.
A 1-1 draw at Sphinx Drive in Saturday’s fixture was played in front of 480 spectators, who saw 16-year-old Harvey Billing’s strike for the hosts cancelled out by Matty Gardner’s 86th-minute header to keep United in the competition.
Laurence Rawlings thought he had given Sphinx the lead inside the first minute when his long-range header drifted narrowly over the crossbar, but United slowly grew into the game.
The Red and Greens had a goal ruled out for offside after a quarter of an hour, but continued to edge the game, in an opening half of few chances.
Events on the pitch suddenly burst into life when Billing cut inside the United penalty area and pinged a shot against the woodwork and in to send the home faithful delirious.
But the visitors did not give up hope, and continued to venture forward, applying pressure which eventually told when ex-Sphinx player Gardner rose to head home at the far post to snatch a replay.
Tonight’s victors will be set for a trip to Mickleover Sports of the Northern Premier League Premier Division on Saturday August 24.
For directions to Communications Park, on Browns Road, enter post code NN11 4NS into your Sat Nav.
