Match Report: Jackson stunner caps a fine Sphinx performance

Match Report: Jackson stunner caps a fine Sphinx performance
Midland Football League Premier Division
Saturday 8th September - Sphinx Drive
RESULT: COVENTRY SPHINX 3-0 LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
GOALS -
31’ Towers - Coventry Sphinx
41’ Harkin - Coventry Sphinx
84’ Jackson - Coventry Sphinx
Attendance: 110
Coventry Sphinx returned to league action at Sphinx Drive on Saturday and they were right back in the groove with a three goal win. Towers opened the scoring with a well taken goal and Harkin’s poachers instinct ensured Sphinx went into the break with a two goal advantage. Substitute Sam Jackson capped off a good team performance with arguably the goal of the season so far to seal the three points. This victory lifts Coventry Sphinx to 3rd place in the league and they now have just one defeat in their opening seven league games.
Manager Lee Knibbs brought back striker Jamie Towers and also gave Ryan Harkin his first start since his return from injury. A positive team selection was rewarded with both players on the scoresheet in the first half. Sphinx started brightly and Loughborough’s desire to play out from the back at all times made it an entertaining football match. Loughborough’s chief threat was Joe Boachie and the number 9 was proving to be a bit of a handful when he received the ball. Sphinx were defensively sound and made sure the work of Cross was limited in the Sphinx goal. Sphinx opened the scoring with a goal entirely of Jamie Towers’ making. A ball down the line was chased by Towers and although Loughborough’s full back appeared the favourite to deal with it, Towers dispossessed him and made his way towards goal. TOWERS cut inside and produced a lovely finish across the keeper and inside the far post to get his name on the scoresheet. Loughborough’s determination to play in dangerous areas was emphatically punished just before half time with Harkin the man to benefit. Loughborough turned down three opportunities to clear the ball as Sphinx pressed them near the corner and the quick thinking of Leigh Phillips saw him shoot at the vulnerable goal. Phillips was highly unfortunate to see his effort rebound off the cross bar but Hudson was quick to follow up and although his effort was blocked the lurking HARKIN made no mistake with an emphatic finish. Loughborough had it all to do now as we headed into the interval.
HALF TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX 2-0 LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Sphinx had an early scare but Michael Quirke was quick to react to clear the ball off the Sphinx goal line. A little warning that Loughborough were not out of this yet and although the visitors had some decent possession, they couldn’t find a way through the Sphinx defence. Sphinx freshened things up on 70 minutes with the introduction of Liam Cairns and young winger Sam Jackson. It didn’t take long for Jackson to announce himself with a superb strike in the 84th minute. Some sharp Sphinx passing created space for Jackson to receive the ball on the corner of the penalty box and he wasted little time in setting himself for a strike on goal and what a strike it was! The keeper could only watch as JACKSON hit a dipping effort that disappeared into the top corner of the goal. A goal worthy of winning any game and a memorable goal to open your Sphinx account. Sphinx comfortably played out the final minutes to take another three points and lift them to 3rd in the division.
FULL TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX 3-0 LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
COVENTRY SPHINX MAN OF THE MATCH: JACKSON DOWNIE
A team performance with no weak link gave Sphinx the points today. The keeper and defence will be delighted with another clean sheet. The forwards worked hard and were a persistent threat to the visitors. In midfield we had some good performances too with Jackson Downie taking the plaudits today. He worked hard, was solid defensively and showed quality on the ball.
COVENTRY SPHINX TEAM: CROSS, STRINGFELLOW (Cairns), HUDSON, DOWNIE, QUIRKE, GUEST, TOWERS (Sterling), WOODWARD, HARKIN, O’GRADY (Jackson), PHILLIPS. Unused subs: Rock, Smikle
Coventry Sphinx will travel to league leaders Westfields on Saturday 15th September.

By Martin Sutton

Updated 12:40 - 30 Aug 2019 by Sharon Taylor