Coventry City were promoted back to League One with a 3-1 win at Wembley. The Sky Blues beat Exeter City with two stunning strikes and a slice of good fortune. Jordan Willis and Jack Grimmer scored superb goals either side of a fortuitous finish from Jordan Shipley that deflected into the net off Pierce Sweeney. Coventry City head back to League One whilst Exeter are consigned to another season in League Two. It could also mark the end of Paul Tisdale’s time in charge.
Coventry City Promoted Back to League One
Coventry City started quickly and Marc McNulty forced a corner within the first two minutes of the game. The corner came to nothing but Coventry started with high intensity and high pressing. On 14 minutes, it was Coventry and McNulty again involved as he failed to fully control the ball. The lack of control should not take away from a superb tackle by Jordan Storey who was arguably Exeter City’s best player on the afternoon.
The 40,000 Coventry City fans even started to ‘Ole!’ after 18 minutes as a 40-pass move ended with McNulty firing straight at Christy Pym in the Exeter goal.
It took for Coventry to go down to ten men briefly for Exeter to press forward. Chris Stokes was caught above his left eye and headed down the tunnel for stitches. Without really testing the Coventry keeper, the game dropped into a lull. The best chance came from Jordan Shipley who hit a well-struck effort but Pym did what Loris Karius couldn’t on Saturday and held onto the shot.
Half-time arrived with the game still goalless. There was controversy on 29 minutes when Michael Doyle of Coventry used an elbow. The officials missed it but the half-time replays showed it should have been a straight red card for the Coventry player.
Coventry Give Exeter The Blues
It was Coventry City who started sharpest again in the second half and on 49 minutes they took the lead. Jordan Willis controlled the ball on the left of the box and curled home from 19 yards. It was some way to score your first goal of the season.
Exeter didn’t have a chance to gather breath before Coventry were further ahead. Man of the Match McNulty played the ball to Shipley who hit it first time and the ball ricocheted off Sweeney and into the corner of the goal. The keeper stood no chance.
Coventry were in the ascendancy and Jack Grimmer made it three with a gorgeous left foot effort that nestled in top corner. Exeter pushed men forward, hit the post and Kyle Edwards found the net but it wasn’t enough to stop Coventry being promoted back to League One.
Robins Bobbing Along
Mark Robins had been manager of Coventry City in 2012 and felt he had unfinished business. A sixth-placed finish meant Coventry were in the play-offs and victory over Notts County meant they would return to Wembley Stadium. In 1987 Coventry beat Spurs in perhaps their finest hour. At Wembley today, the Coventry fans were again ecstatic and hope they are on their way back.
Paul Tisdale
Paul Tisdale now has to decide where his future lies. He was given notice 18 months ago and now looks certain to leave with MK Dons his likely destination.
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