Coventry United

Butts Park Arena, home of Coventry United based in the West Midlands and play their trade in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the United Counties League Premier Division South. Nicknamed the “Reds and Greens” not to give away what colour the team plays in…

Also the home of Coventry Rugby Football Club who play in the league below the English Rugby Union top tier.

It’s a rare Sunday afternoon non league tie this afternoon but we’ve got one! It’s an FA Vase tie between Coventry United and Romulus FC! Too good to miss… Although I certainly hope so! Let’s roll! Onto the M1, onto the M69 and into Coventry with about 45 minutes to kick off. £5 for parking and £8 to watch this FA Vase tie! Ok!

They’ve got a man on the tannoy here which is certainly giving this ground a Football League feel to it and they’ve even got a countdown to kick off playlist! The teams are ready and out they come, the FA Vase is back, let’s hope for some cup magic!! “If the kids are United! They will never be divided!”

Kick Off! 3 minutes in and Coventry play down the left hand side, the cross comes in, Romulus get a foot on it, it’s fallen nicely to Bradley Coleman running in… He doesn’t connect with it properly and it’s high, wide and not very handsome…

3 minutes later and Romulus hit the ball long, it comes to Dylan Hadley for Romulus and he gets past his man, he goes for goal from 20 yards… OHHHHH YES!!! What a fantastic hit!! Top corner!! Romulus lead here in the Vase! 0-1!

It’s an even game here so far with both teams utilising the long ball very well. 21 minutes now and Coventry have the ball on the right hand side, it’s played into the middle, it falls for Adam Miles who controls… And he finishes!!! Coventry are level! 1-1!

28th minute and Coventry work it down the left wing with David Gbehe, he gets past his man and he’s into the box, he drills it across goal… But no one is gambling on it for Coventry… They do retrieve it on the right, it’s played back in low, Ghebe is there… GOAL!! Coventry have turned it around here!! 2-1!

2 minutes later and Coventry have it at the back and they play it forward… But Jordan Edwards intercepts and he charges at goal, he gets into the box and shoots… Good block… It falls to a Romulus man… But he can’t get a hold of it and the keeper collects comfortably.

33 minutes on the clock and Romulus have a free kick on the left, it’s played into the box, it’s coming straight to the keeper… He’s spilled it straight to Jordan Edwards… OH! He’s blazed it over… What a chance!!

40th minute and Ryan Andrews gets to the ball for Romulus in the Coventry half, he goes for goal from 25 yards… OH! Brilliant save!! Kris Roscoe tips it wide for a corner for Romulus, in it comes… Coventry clear. At half time the score remains 2-1.

Second half, 57 minutes now and Romulus hit the ball long looking for Jordan Edwards on the left, he doesn’t get there but Owen Watkins will pick it up and he cuts inside in the box and he’ll shoot… AND HE’LL SCORE!!!! Romulus are level!! It’s 2-2!

61st minute and Romulus are looking the more likely here! They’ve got a corner, in it comes… Ryan Andrews is FREE… OFF THE POST!! From inside the six yard box… What a chance but here come Coventry on the break straight away down the left, it’s played across to David Ghebe and he’s through on goal here, he’s around the keeper in the box and he shoots… Blocked! Romulus get it clear for a throw in, it’s played in and Coventry get a cross in… All the way over and out.

73rd minute and Romulus have a corner, it’s whipped in… Keeper comes… Cameron Lee will get there… IN OFF THE POST!! Romulus lead… Wait no they don’t… The Referee has given a foul and Coventry are reprieved.

78th minute and Coventry come forward, it’s played through to Charlie Faulkner and he’s in, he gets a toe end on it… Keeper saves… Romulus clear… The Referee has given a Penalty! Was that for a follow through there? Maybe a handball? I’m not too sure personally but Coventry have a penalty. Referee goes over to his assistant… Over to the bench and… It’s a Red Card to one of the Romulus coaching staff… “Cheerio cheerio cheerio!” From the Coventry fans.

Riley Davoile will take the Penalty for Coventry… SAVED! Keeper gets his leg to it! Poor Penalty… But the Assistant Referee is flagging… Uh-oh! The Penalty will be re-taken. Keeper off his line… Riley Davoile will get a second chance, will he redeem himself…? YES! He rolls it into the bottom corner this time!! 3-2!

87th minute and Romulus have a throw in on the right, it’s a long throw into the middle, Romulus get to it, they work it out to Jordan Kondo in the box on the left, he drills it across goal… It’s Jordan EDWARDS… THEY’VE GOT IT!!! Keeper can’t keep it out and Romulus are level again!!! They just won’t let go here!! 3-3!

“Ladies & Gentleman, we might be going to extra time and Penalties!” The man on the Tannoy is keeping us informed but me and the man on the gate are certain that it’s straight to penalties…? “I’ve just heard on the grapevine that it might go to a replay…” What the hell? “We might actually be going straight to penalties!” He’s been having us on hasn’t he!? The game does finish 3-3 and it will be straight to penalties.

It’s Romulus to go first, Ryan Andrews steps up… SAVED!! Charlie Faulkner is next up for Coventry… Good Penalty!! Advantage Coventry!

Khali Harrison takes the walk for Romulus, he steps up… ROSCOE SAVES AGAIN!!! Kyle Carey is next for Coventry, can he double Coventry’s advantage… NO! He’s skied it! That was an ugly penalty…

Dean Morris is next for Romulus who haven’t scored yet, here he comes… He’s hit the post… Romulus still haven’t scored yet… Riley Davoile is next for Coventry, if he scores then Coventry are at match point, here he comes… It’s just in! Keeper got a hand to it but it’s match point Coventry.

Jack Whelan must score for Romulus now! He steps up… He’s scored! Romulus are off the mark but it’s probably going to be too little too late… Ashton Demulder is giving the chance to send Coventry into the next round. Is this the moment for Coventry…? IT IS!! He rolls it in and Coventry are through to the next round! A show of appreciation from the players to the fans, it’s Coventry’s day!

FT: Coventry United 3-3 Romulus (Coventry United win 3-1 on Penalties)

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 4/10 – A really good little community spirit here! Coventry fans in good spirits throughout today.
• The Ground: 9/10 – Great ground! The stand is amazing!! It offers a great view as well! It would be a 10 from me if it was accessible all the way around.
• Expense: 10/10 – £30 for fuel, £5 for parking, £8 to get in, £3 for a pin badge and £6.50 for food. £52.50 altogether. Was it worth it? Every penny!
• Overall Experience: 10/10 – A truly fabulous game of football here today! 6 goals, a red card and a Penalty Shootout! Great to meet the man on the gate as well today!

33/40