FOOTBALL: HIGHGATE’s physicality proved too much for Coventry United as they fell to a 3-1 defeat in the Midland League Premier Division.
Coventry had entered Saturday’s clash in good spirits having beaten Tividale 5-0 last Tuesday evening, but the home side were not clinical enough in front of goal.
The hosts started strongly and Brendon Bunn had to be alert to turn Josh O’Grady’s attempt at goal over the bar.
At the other end Gate created the first real chance of the game with Aaron Brown heading a long ball into Marco Adaggio’s path and his deflected shot went narrowly over the bar.
Gate went ahead in the 12th minutes when Brown guided Josh Hawker’s corner towards Dave Edwards who fired home a debut goal from close range.
Gate went close to doubling their advantage when Adaggio was not far off target from Lei Brown’s assist but it was not long until a second goal of the highest quality came around.
Having won the ball in midfield Dale Edwards set off on a run down the left exchanging passes with Adaggio before crossing to the far post where Lei Brown scored with a determined diving header.
Coventry should have got themselves back in the game when awarded a 32nd minute penalty for Hayward’s foul on Kevin Thornton but Bunn spread himself for a smart save to keep out Chris Cox’s spot kick.
Gate were forced on the back foot during the opening stages of the second half with Astley on-hand to clear Nduna’s cross and Dave Edwards slid in to block from O’Grady.
But for a second time Coventry were to be handed a life line when a clumsy 52nd minute foul by McCauley Manning lead to a second soft penalty with the fouled Thornton making no mistake from the spot.
Despite the home side enjoying plenty of possession it was the visitors looking the more threatening of the two sides, with Adaggio bursting through at the opposition end only to be stopped in his tracks by Thomas Grasscoe’s late intervention.
There was a let off when Dylan Otshudy lacked composure to keep his shot on target and having survived that brief period of pressure, Gate again upped their game.
The visiting goalkeeper made two outstanding saves before Dale Edwards popped up to score a third with 83 minutes on the clock as Hawker’s corner was powered in off the head off substitute Jagroop to seal a satisfying display for Gate.
