FOOTBALL: KAI Williams bagged a brace as Coventry United made a welcome return to winning ways in the Midland League Premier Division thanks to a 3-1 victory at home to Long Eaton United.
Having recently acquired a new manager along with some fresh quality, Terry Anderson’s side new they had to be at their best to overcome Saturday’s visitors and overcome two successive defeats.
Joshua O’Grady sent a shot over the bar in the fourth minute and O’Grady came close again ten minutes later but his dangerous cross from the right was smothered well by James Mitchison in the Long Eaton goal.
On 26 minutes the deadlock was finally broken when Courtney Cameron left his marker for dead down the left before cutting into the penalty area and unleashing a powerful angled drive into the back of the net.
The lead however lasted all of three minutes as a well taken free kick by Aaron Cole was initially cleared but the ball fell to Andy Todd who beat Richard Morris with a ferocious volley just inside the area.
The hosts finished the first half positively with O’Grady firing narrowly wide after being put through by Courtney Cameron and Chris Cox headed O’Grady’s corner inches over the bar.
Long Eaton were quick out of the blocks after the re-start and Andrew Todd, who was perhaps their most influential player on the day, made space before hitting his shot over the bar on 51 minutes.
At the other end Chris Cox saw his powerful shot saved before on 70 minutes Williams was introduced and it proved to be an inspired substitution.
O’Grady fizzed a shot narrowly wide of the target and Cox saw another effort well saved before Mitchison was finally beaten again with 79 minutes on the clock. Cox flicked on a cross and the ball fell kindly for the lurking Williams who made no mistake in firing United back into the lead.
United did not sit back on their lead and their persistence paid off six minutes from time when Lewis Ison’s shot at goal was blocked but the ball fell kindly for Williams who smashed the rebound home to secure all three points.
This Saturday Coventry United Heanor Town in the League at Sphinx Drive.
