Mo Billy nets on debut for Sphinx Youth

Midland Floodlit Youth League Eastern Division
Thursday 4th October - Sphinx Drive
RESULT: Coventry Sphinx U18 2-0 Coton Green U18
GOALS:
41’ Dan Kelly (Coventry Sphinx)
87’ Mo Billy (Coventry Sphinx)
ATTENDANCE: 45
Coventry Sphinx Under 18s highlighted their continuing improvement with victory over a side that had recently beaten them in the FA Youth Cup. A goal late in both halves gave them the points and moved them up to third place in the division. Dan Kelly showed his goal scoring instincts again and debutant Mo Billy came up with a beautiful finish to seal the points late on.
Sphinx made just one change from the side that had beaten Cheltenham by four goals last week with Calvin Kuatche replacing Jevon Fraser-Walters on the left. A new addition to the substitute’s bench was striker Mo Billy who made the step up from the impressive Coventry Sphinx Under 16’s side managed by Dan Burke and Martin Ascroft.
The settled look to the squad has been an important factor in the form of the team this season and the depth of the squad is also contributing to the mainly positive results so far. Tonight’s performance was particularly satisfying because of a second consecutive clean sheet. Not conceding goals comes from a variety of factors with the keeper Kieran Hart growing in stature game by game. The defence look a solid and organised unit and they had the support of a talented and hardworking midfield. Dan Kelly was always alive to any kind of chance up front with the support of Alex Pearson who is growing in self-belief.
It was Dan Kelly who got Sphinx in front just before half time in what had been a very tight contest. That opening goal was to prove crucial and it was a great time to get it as we approached the break.
HALF TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX U18 1-0 COTON GREEN U18
Mackey had proven to be particularly threatening for the visitors and a tactical tweak from the Sphinx management meant his threat was reduced by Owen Gorman. Not a familiar role for Owen but he gave it everything he had and showed a tremendous team ethic to do what was required. James Semwanga gave Sphinx another dimension with his refusal to stop running catching the eye. Mo Billy also joined the action to make his under 18s debut. Mo has been with the club a number of years and he took the step up in his stride. The striker didn’t have to wait long for his first goal with a sublime finish from a magnificent Alex Pearson set piece delivery. Before Sphinx got the second critical goal, they had two superb saves from Kieran Hart to admire that kept Sphinx in front. The first was an athletic dive at the foot of the left post to tip a shot round the post. The second was a save as spectacular as the overhead kick that forced it!
Every player contributed to this win and the stand out characteristics were the willingness of every player to work hard for the team. The Sphinx lads got their reward and Manager Dave Bull must have been pleased with another win and clean sheet. The style of football that Sphinx produce is very easy on the eye and the attendances for the Youth team matches have been highly encouraging as more people come and take a look at the Sphinx youngsters.
FULL TIME: COVENTRY SPHINX U18 2-0 COTON GREEN U18
COVENTRY SPHINX TEAM: HART, MACK, WHITEHOUSE, HOWARD, TURRELL, MOORE ©, GORMAN, MASPERS, KELLY, PEARSON, KUATCHE. Subs: BULL, SEMWANGA, FRASER-WALTERS, BILLY, WASSALL
The Coventry Sphinx Youth team are next in action on Thursday 11th October. They will make the short trip up the A444 to take on Bedworth United in a Joel Richards Memorial Cup tie.

Updated 11:11 - 30 Aug 2019 by Sharon Taylor