Despite a blistering start to the season Copsewood have since dropped off their top of the league status and are instead contending in the middle of the table. Redemption. A climax necessary for Copsewood’s narrow defeat at Racing Club Warwick earlier this week which stranded them away from the metaphoric heaven, which is the top spot in the league. Up against Stafford Town, who similarly to Copsewood find themselves hunting amongst the mid-table pack of wolves.

First Half

Copsewood commenced the game in good fashion playing at a high intensity tempo and regularly stretching the play to open up gaps in Stafford’s defence, evenly so Stafford also started impressively matching Copsewood’s high tempo and thus providing an equal end-to-end beginning to the game. The first real chance of the game came when Copsewood’s Laurence Rawlings latched onto a ball played down the left channel and squared it across to Jordan Caarruthers who shot just wide of the left post, Copsewood soon asserted dominance playing numerous balls into the box, though to no effect. Stafford’s introductory chance came when Montell Brown cut-inside from the left channel and stroked the ball straight into the hands of Copsewood Keeper Dale O’Donnell.
Notwithstanding Copsewood’s dominance, Stafford Striker Montell Brown, with back to goal, picked the ball up centrally from an estimated 25 yards and under no pressure turned and eccentrically blasted the ball into the bottom left corner to provide Stafford the lead. Stafford attempted to create space by holding up the ball in wide areas which attracted the full back to close down which subsequently created space in behind; albeit that proved insignificant as Copsewood always utilised a player to cover. In spite of this when Copsewood regained possession of the ball Stafford pressed forward, no midfield option would offer support for teammates in their third which ensued long-balls being forced forward, and that in turn recycled possession in Stafford’s favour. Soon possession was overturned when Daniel Fraser looped an over-the-top ball on the half volley to Laurence Rawlings making a run through the centre, still, Rawlings was pulled down in the box by Stafford defenders in what looked a dubious call by the referee to not award a penalty.
Stafford were quick to close down opposition players as soon as they’ve entered their half, leaving minimal space for individual manoeuvre and forcing Copsewood to either retreat the ball backwards or force it forward via a direct pass into the box. The game’s next chance came Stafford’s way when a brilliant dummy by Montell Browns set the ball for a cross down the right flank for Stafford’s captain, Jasper Johns, the cross however was poor and whizzed out for a goal kick. The final ultimatum of the first half came Copsewood’s way when Dale O’Donnell’s clearance set Laurence Rawlings through on goal on the left side of the penalty box, nonetheless, an on-rushing keeper put pressure on Rawlings who narrowly poked the ball onto the post.
Half Time: Coventry Copsewood 0-1 Stafford Town
Substitutes:
Coventry Copsewood: Jimmy Holton(16) for Jordan Carruthers(11)

Second Half

After a stern ‘talking to’ at half time, the Copsewood lads quickly regrouped and made a very promising start to the second half getting crosses in at bay and proving troublesome to Stafford’s back line. Soon after the dominance continued as a goal kick from Dale O’Donnell found its way to Daniel Fraser in Stafford’s penalty box, Fraser then adequately flicked the ball into the path of Liam Davis who serenely tapped it past the oncoming keeper to equalise for Copsewood.
Another lapse in concentration on Stafford’s part led to Laurence Rawling playing an incisive pass from the right flank across to Daniel Fraser who took one touch outside the box and technically executed a finish that had the ball go into the bottom right corner to give Copsewood the lead; Fraser proved to be a pest in Stafford’s backside; incessantly winning free kicks and turning defenders away with his acceleration and agility.
A shift of momentum followed as Copsewood retained their ascendancy by forcing Stafford to drop deeper into their own half. Copsewood were on the verge of adding a third not long after when Captain Daniel Civzelis played a ball to Liam Davis inside the box, however the shot was blocked by a sliding challenge. Contrary to the first half, Stafford looked complacent, apathetic and indolent in comparison to Copsewood who seemed well-orchestrated and enthused. This shown in the game, as Copsewood ravaged the newly incompetent Stafford; and hold only their ravenous moments in front of goal for not winning by more.
Anyhow, a momentary instance of Déjà vu for Copsewood as Daniel Civzelis flicks on a header for Daniel Fraser who narrowly miss-anticipates it. Copsewood weren’t done there with their anarchy yet as a ball laid off by Daniel Civzelis to Callum O’Sullivan went over the bar in an instance of good supporting play by Copsewood. Moments later Daniel Fraser was put through by a direct ball from midfield into the left side of the penalty, with two supporting players running to the right of him, Fraser made the wrong decision to shoot which resulted in a comfortable save for the keeper. The final good chance of the game again came Copsewood’s way when debutant Callum O’Sullivan was through on goal from the left side of the box, and similarly to Fraser, he chose to neglect the run through the middle and instead shoot on goal himself which consequently resulted in a save by the keeper.

Final Score: Coventry Copsewood 2-1 Stafford Town

Goal scorers: Coventry Copsewood (Liam Davis, Daniel Fraser), Stafford Town (Montell Brown)

Substitutions:
Coventry Copsewood: Callum O’Sullivan(12) for Liam Davies(9), Sleiman ‘Sully’ Leluu(14) for George Whitelaw(2)

Stafford Town: Josh Moreton(17) for Arnold Chaponda(10), Romano Graham(12) for Kirk Lowe(5), Jordan Dodd(16) for Josh Moreton(17)

MOTM: Daniel Fraser (Coventry Copsewood)