FOOTBALL: NEW Coventry Alvis boss Jason Pyott faced a baptism of fire during his first game in charge when losing 7-0 to promotion hopefuls Walsall Wood.
Though the scoreline suggests a 90 minute domination job, Alvis were still in contention with 20 minutes remaining.
But an avalanche of five goals in the last part of the second half – including a hat-trick by substitute Paul Sullivan – put pay to any hopes Alvis had of scrapping a point.
Alvis were put on the back foot in the opening moments of the game when Peter Till’s strike smashed off Alvis’ crossbar.
Pyott’s side responded well, though, when skipper Ryan Isherwood’s shot flashed narrowly over the bar.
Jack Tregarth made two fine saves in the Coventry Alvis goal, but could do little on 35 minutes when Tony Clarke fed Stan Magisha, who rounded the keeper to score into an empty net.
Four minutes later, a bad Coventry Alvis defensive error let in Lee Butler who scored with ease to double Walsall’s lead.
Alvis more than matched their illustrious opponents after the break for the first 20 minutes, but a goal on 70 minutes opened the floodgates when Clarke swivelled round two defenders to score into the corner of the net.
Then, in the space of 16 minutes, substitute Sullivan registered a hat trick with two neatly taken goals before scoring from the spot.
Clarke scored in the last minute to emphasise his sides superiority.
Coventry Alvis manager, Jason Pyott, said “With three new signings I was proud of the lads who did not give up against a very good side.
“Our passing completion has to be better, and in the end we ran out of steam.”
On Saturday Coventry Alvis visit Pershore Town in a league fixture.
