Ten-men Coventry City were made to share the spoils in a 0-0 draw against a dogged Accrington Stanley at St Andrews.
Coventry City v Accrington Stanely
Chances came at a premium throughout the game, with only three strikes hitting the target, but the hosts will have accepted a point after Max Diamou was shown a straight red card midway through the second half.
First Half
Both sides came bursting out of the blocks for the first half; however, it was the hosts who looked the most threatening.
Accrington Stanley almost gifted the home side an early goal when goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov delayed his clearance; fortunately, he dispatched the ball out to Callum Johnson just ahead of Max Biamou’s pressure.
The hosts continued to be on top inside the opening ten minutes as Biamou came millimetres away from connecting with a teasing Amadou Bakayogo cross.
Joe Pritchard should have capitalised on sloppy home defending on nine minutes when he was given time and space in the penalty area, but instead, he shot straight into Marko Marosi’s grasps.
It was a half which lacked any amount of prolonged pressure from either side.
The two teams shared a total of seven shots throughout the 45 minutes, but the hosts will have felt most hard done by referee Ollie Yates’ decision to wave away claims for a spot-kick after Sam McCallum went down in the penalty area.
Stanley striker Colby Bishop failed to convert Jerome Opoku’s whipped cross into the box, he somehow headed over the bar from three yards as the game headed towards half-time.
The hosts ended the half on top when Callum O’Hare found space inside the box, but Ajibola Alese was quickly down to the floor to block and send the two sides into the break level.
Second Half
Biamou came close with a sharp effort two minutes into the second half.
The 28-year-old let the ball bounce inside the penalty area before forcing Evtimov into a save with a powerful left-footed half-volley.
In what seemed an incredibly subdued opening to the half, chances were at a premium with both sides wastefully losing possession.
The hosts came closest to scoring just before the hour-mark after good passing play.
O’Hare did well to send Biamou into space on the right-wing, the tricky forward then slid the ball to Bakayogo but, after pushing the ball onto his right foot, the striker was unable to convert from close range.
The Sky Blues would have felt hard done by after their first-half penalty claims were waved away; however, the home support had little to protest on 68 minutes. Biamou was given his marching orders for a high challenge on Callum Johnson.
Bakayogo had a great chance to seal victory late in added time. He wasted another opportunity to score by striking into Evtimov.
The Verdict
This is a game Coventry City will regret letting end as a draw.
The optimists among the Sky Blues support will regard this as another point gained in their challenge for the play-offs.
However, the vast majority of the home supporters will feel that it’s two points dropped.
On multiple occasions, they could have taken the lead. Also, had Biamou not been sent off in the second half, perhaps they could have gone on to register the victory.
For Accrington Stanley, meanwhile, they will regard this as a hard-earned point.
The Lancashire side spoke about their top form at bigger stadiums ahead of their trip to the West Midlands; however, having recorded just one shot on target throughout the ninety minutes, they will be pleased with the returns.
Coventry City: Marosi, Watson (Walsh 73), Rose, McFadzean, Kelly (C), Biamou, Hyam, O’Hare, Bakayogo, Westbrooke (Shipley 62), McCallum.
Unused subs: Wilson, Mason, Kastaneer, Drysdale, Eccles.
Accrington Stanley: Evtimov, Johnson, Hughes, Clark, Finley, Pritchard (Zanzala 62), McConville, Bishop, Conneely, Alese, Opoku.
Unused subs: Bursik, Edwards, Rodgers, Charles, Martin, Diallo.
Main Photo
