FOOTBALL: A DIFFICULT trip to second-placed Lye Town ended on a positive not for Coventry United after they came away from Saturday’s Midland League Premier Division encounter with a hard-earned point following a 0-0 draw.
Jimmy Halton impressed on his Coventry debut after joining from Sphinx and he made an immediate impact by receiving an early caution for a series of fouls early on.
The midfielder did tread a tightrope for the rest of the match before being substituted after 51 minutes, presumably to save him from a red card having received a final talking to.
United went close early on in the match when Muziwandile Nduna found himself through on goal, but he fluffed his lines with a tamely hit shot that was easily saved by goalkeeper Dean Coleman.
The visitors remained organised as a unit for the full 90 minutes and restricted Lye Town to chances from set pieces, which looked the only way they might score.
A free kick midway through the first half was met by Luke Paskin who was slightly unlucky to thunder his headed effort onto the bar and clear.
Although ending goalless the match still managed to entertain as both teams worked the ball forwards in an end-to-end affair.
With less than half an hour remaining United manager introduced Kai Williams and Ben Mackey, both returning to fitness following injuries.
As they got into the game United’s football looked more penetrating and for the last 15 minutes they created several chances that on a different day could have won the match, but Lye just about clung onto a point.
Williams linked up well with Kevin Thornton finding him space to run into the box, but his terrific shot was saved well. A Robert Prinzel shot from a corner was blasted wide, and an injury time free kick taken by Josh O’Grady saw Prinzel find the side netting.
