Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup
Thursday 27th September - Sphinx Drive
RESULT: Coventry Sphinx U18 4-0 Cheltenham Town U18
GOALS:
25’ Alex Pearson (Coventry Sphinx)
34’ Alex Pearson (Coventry Sphinx)
39’ Dan Kelly (Coventry Sphinx)
88’ T’ahje Smith (Coventry Sphinx)
ATTENDANCE: 25
Coventry Sphinx Under 18s were amongst the goals again with a four goal victory against Cheltenham Town at Sphinx Drive. They will now take their place in the next round of the League Cup after a fine display under the lights on Thursday night. Alex Pearson set them on their way with a quick fire double before Dan Kelly extended the lead from the penalty spot. Substitute T’ahje Smith then added a fine goal late on to complete the scoring.
The game was a close contest but Sphinx got their noses in front midway through the first half with Pearson picking out the bottom corner from inside the penalty area. Sphinx continued with their positive play and Pearson struck again with a magnificent hit into the top corner that left the keeper with no chance. Cheltenham were still reeling from the second goal when they conceded a penalty for hand ball and Dan Kelly stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot. Three goals in 14 minutes had put Sphinx in control of the game but Cheltenham continued to look for that one goal that could turn the momentum around.
HALF TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX U18 3-0 CHELTENHAM TOWN U18
Manager Dave Bull made full use of his substitutes and the depth of his squad made sure there was no way back for Cheltenham. T’ahje Smith came on and gave us a demonstration of his power and pace on more than one occasion. Attacking talent such as Semwanga, Wassall and Kuatche also made an impact but it was Smith who got the goal with a fine finish into the corner after a blistering counter attack.
Cheltenham had showed no signs of conceding defeat and Sphinx had to perform for 90 minutes to get the job done. They got the job done in style and that was just reward for the excellent attitudes on display all over the pitch. Young keeper Hart had his best game for the Youth team and was rightly rewarded with a clean sheet. The attacking talent was there for all to see but centre midfield pair Max Howard and Callum Maspers were outstanding in the congested space in the middle of the pitch. If the squad can maintain that level of performance throughout the season then they will give themselves a chance of a successful season and continue to catch the eye of the watching first team manager Lee Knibbs.
FULL TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX U18 4-0 CHELTENHAM TOWN U18

COVENTRY SPHINX TEAM: HART, MACK, WHITEHOUSE, HOWARD, TURRELL, MOORE ©, GORMAN, MASPERS, KELLY, PEARSON, FRASER-WALTERS. Subs: BULL, SEMWANGA, SMITH, KUATCHE, WASSALL
The Coventry Sphinx Youth team are next in action on Thursday 4th October. They will welcome Coton Green to Sphinx Drive for a MFYL fixture.