The Coventry Building Society Arena, home of Coventry City based in the West Midlands and play their trade in the Championship. Nicknamed the “Sky Blues” I wonder what colour they play in?
For a number of years, this club was a top flight club! They were in the Premier League when it first started but dropped out in 2001 and sadly haven’t been back since… Just 4 years ago this club was playing the likes of Mansfield Town in the LEAGUE! I saw them draw 1-1 at Field Mill in what was Steve Evans’ last game for Mansfield…
Coventry were only in League 2 for that one season and 2 years later were back in the Championship where they have been ever since, could we see this club back in the Premier League one day soon?
4 days before Christmas and it’s a cold Wednesday night for Coventry City vs West Bromwich Albion in a West Midlands Derby and a packed out away end being reported!
So it’s straight down the M1 again and off at Fosse Park in Leicester for the second night running but this time it’s on to the M69 and to the M6 and here we are in the Coach & Horses car park… How many bars are named the “Coach & Horses” in this country?
Now for a dark walk across Coventry Canal and here I am at the ground. Will Burford will be here in the away end, let’s see if I can find him. A quick walk around here he is in the queue, great to catch up with him and hopefully soon we will catch up at another ground in a new vlog!
£33 to watch this Championship tie! Rubbish… Out come the teams here tonight! Let’s keep the Christmas crackers coming!!
Kick Off! “Everywhere we go!” Both sets of fans going for it so far! 5 minutes in and Coventry play down the left, it’s played across into the box for Callum O’Hare to place it… Just wide! Big chance in the early stages of the game!
11 minutes now and Coventry play down the right hand side, Jack Burroughs cuts inside and plays it into the box, it’s flicked on by O’Hare and it comes for Viktor Gyökeres who heads goalwards… Keeper gets his foot to it and West Brom get it away. Close!
19th minute now and West Brom play down the left wing, it’s played into the middle, Coventry don’t deal with it and here’s Tom Rogic for West Brom and he shoots… OFF THE LINE! Brilliant defending there by Callum Doyle with the sliding block!
35 minutes on the clock and Coventry play Jamie Allen through down the right and he’s away, he gets into the box and he shoots… Keeper makes the save! It’s a corner for Coventry, in it comes… West Brom clear and they break, Jed Wallace drives at goal and he shoots from just outside the box… Keeper saves!
41 minutes now and Coventry come forward, Gustavo Hamer has it and he goes for goal from around 30 yards… Brilliant save by the keeper who tips it over for a corner, in it comes… It’s pinball in the six yard box with West Brom scrambling…… Keeper claims it. No goals here at half time with the score at 0-0.
Second half, “Allez Allez Allez!” The travelling West Brom fans are making themselves heard here tonight! “Let’s all sing together!” Coventry fans making themselves heard as well!
58 minutes gone and Coventry have a corner, in it comes… Jonathan Panzo gets there… OH! He’s hit the bar from point blank… What a chance that is! How has he not scored!?
4 minutes later and Gustavo Hamer picks up the loose ball in the West Brom half and drives at goal, he shoots from 25 yards… Keeper parries! Gyökeres picks it up on the right hand side, he wins a corner, in it comes… West Brom clear and they break down the left, they win a free kick on the left just outside the box, it’s played into the middle, it’s flicked on… It’s headed at goal by Darnell Furlong… Saved… The flag is up! There was an Offside in there somewhere and Coventry are reprieved.
78th minute and Coventry have a corner, it’s played short to Gustavo Hamer on the edge of the box and he’ll strike at goal… Saved again by the keeper!
It’s looking like my third 0-0 in a matter of weeks… Surely something has to give in this game! 88th minute… Why? Just why? A pitch invader wearing sky blue… What’s the point!? A huge ban coming his way!
We’re into Stoppage time now and Coventry come forward, Viktor Gyökeres gets into the box, he beats his man and he’s still going… He goes down… PENALTY!! Coventry have a penalty in stoppage time to win the game here! I have to agree with the Referee there, you can’t go in like that in the box! Viktor Gyökeres will step up…… AND SCORE!!!! Coventry have surely won it here!! 1-0!
The Coventry fans are at their best now and look what it means!! Play goes on… AND THAT’S IT! Late drama here at the CBS Arena and Coventry snatch the 3 points at the death!!
FT: Coventry City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8/10 – Fantastic in here tonight!! Both sets of fans did themselves proud but Coventry really are one of the most underrated fan bases in this country in my opinion! Just brilliant!
- The Ground: 8/10 – I like this ground! It’s a Premier League ground in my book but my only criticism and one which I’m sure the Coventry fans will agree with me on is it’s a little too big… Other than that it does generate a good atmosphere with the echo around the ground!
- Expense: 6/10 – £33 is a bit much for the Championship along with £30 fuel, it wasn’t worth it sadly but a bit of late drama certainly helps.
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – I really enjoyed tonight! Glad we got a goal in the end but just wish the game had a bit more.
31/40