Sphinx: Prattley, Bannister, Jackson, Bilic, Fletcher, Fowler, Cain, Baxter, Wilks, Towers, Moore (Cutting 72). SNU Dyke, Sockett, Downie, Hindmarsh
Kirby Muxloe: Perry, Wesseldine, Atkinson (L.Allen 72), Hohn (sent off 61), Wilson, Ball (Pacey 72), Marriott, Seal, J.Allen (Armson 82), Darby, McIntosh. SNU Giggs.
HT CSFC 2-1 KMFC FT CSFC 4-2 KMFC ATT 80
Goals Nathaneal McIntosh (2 & 82), Matty Fowler (4), Ashley Wilks (19), Ashley Jackson (79), Ashley Cain 90+2
Referee Richard Cutts. Booked Hohn X2 , Cain
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Coventry Sphinx won a highly entertaining Midland Alliance home clash against Kirby Muxloe 4-2 at Sphinx Drive
Luke Hopkins welcomed back Kyle Baxter from suspension, brought in Matty Bannister and gave a first outing of the season to Sphinx favourite Jamie Towers whilst former Coventry City winger Ashley Cain made his home debut.
In goal for Sphinx was Darren Prattley, replacing the suspended Carl O’Neill but one hundred seconds into the game on a cold but sunny afternoon at Sphinx Drive, the home keeper was picking the ball out of the net when the pacey Nathanael McIntosh broke away and slipped the ball into the net.
Sphinx responded to restore parity in the fourth minute thanks to Matty Fowler heading home an Ashley Cain corner.
The excitement for a crowd of 80 continued as Brett Darby lashed the crossbar with a powerfully struck shot in the tenth minute and Towers had a flick saved at the other end.
In the 19th minute, the Sphinx support had another goal to cheer after Ashley Cain crossed from the left, Aden Moore knocked the ball down and there was Ashley Wilks at the far post to fire past Ross Perry.
The players from the Leicestershire based club appealed for offside but referee Mr Cutts awarded the goal.
Sphinx were working well in midfield with Adam Bilic and Kyle Baxter battling hard to keep Luke Hopkins side pressing.
In the 35th minute, the visitors through Jamie Allen hit the woodwork with a close range shot and three minutes later, Allen got in a good position again but this time, Prattley saved with his legs.
Four minutes into the second half and Kirby Muxloe had Adam Hohn booked for a foul which gave Sphinx a free kick and then a corner.
The visitors came back with Allen getting in a header, Darby firing across the goal and actually getting the ball in the net on the hour mark after the whistle had gone for an offside decision.
A minute later and Kirby Muxloe were down to ten men, when there was a reckless challenge from Adam Hohn and Mr Cutts decided to show another yellow card and then a red, rather than a straight red which some of the Sphinx support felt that this pointless lunge deserved.
The numerical advantage was there to be exploited and a cracking cross from Towers found Moore for a shot on the turn, which brought out a good save from Perry.
Kirby Muxloe still looked to attack and they won a 70th minute kick and then a corner which was met by Wilson. Thankfully, Sphinx had bodies on the line and the danger was cleared.
Aden Moore was replaced by Rickie Cutting and the visitors made two changes as Towers attacked, forcing Perry to save with his feet.
Ashley Cain had been lively throughout the game and he headed a 75th minute cross wide and then crossed for Towers to fire wide.
In the 79th minute, Sphinx won a free kick and up rose Ashley Jackson from close range to extend Sphinx’s lead.
Any thoughts that this was game over, were soon out of the window as three minutes later, Nathaneal McIntosh tore down the left and beat Prattley with a low finish to set up a grandstand finish.
Perry saved from Wilks, who played his part for a Sphinx side that tightened things up and kept control until the second minute of stoppage time when a superb ball over by Towers fell for Ashley Cain, some twenty yards out. Cain steadied himself and rifled a shot into the top of the net to give Coventry Sphinx who travel to Westfields in the FA Vase next Saturday, a 4-2 win.
Source: Coventry MAD
Source: FOOTYMAD
