Wednesday 6th February - Leicester Road Stadium, Hinckley
RESULT: Leicester Road U18s 1-4 Coventry Sphinx U18
GOALS:
13’ Mohamed Billy (Coventry Sphinx)
20’ Dan Kelly (Coventry Sphinx)
68’ Owen Gorman (Coventry Sphinx)
75’ Mohamed Billy (Coventry Sphinx)
88’ (Leicester Road)

Coventry Sphinx Youth maintained the pressure on the league leaders with a comprehensive victory at third place Leicester Road on Wednesday night. Sphinx got off to a flying start with two goals in the opening 20 minutes and made sure of victory with two goals in the second half which extinguished any hope of a Leicester Road comeback. A late consolation goal did little to take the shine off some marvellous finishing from Coventry Sphinx that ensured they stayed within two points of table toppers Barrow Town.

Sphinx had a number of players unavailable tonight but the strength of the squad in these circumstances is largely thanks to the quality in the Coventry Sphinx U16s. In came striker Mohamed Billy for his first start after a number of substitute appearances and Harvey Billing again started in central midfield. Another U16s player, Cameron Welch, also came in for his first start for the U18s. The three of them joined regular U18s goalkeeper Kieran Hart who is also still eligible for the U16s. Mohamed Billy got 30 minutes for the first team on Monday night when they played Coleshill Town in a friendly and tonight he marked his first start for the U18s with a goal of exceptional quality after just 13 minutes. BILLY pursued a bouncing ball wide of the penalty area, was quick to see the keeper charging off his line and in one exquisite touch he lifted the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. An outstanding finish from the young man. Sphinx didn’t have to wait long for a second in front of the watching first team manager and it was a now all too familiar finish from top scorer Dan Kelly. A lovely ball cut open the defence to put Dan Kelly through on goal and as cool as you like, he passed it into the bottom corner past the exposed keeper.

The second half saw Leicester Road come out looking determined to make a comeback and their recent form indicated they were well capable of it. Midway through the second half Owen Gorman removed any doubt with a sensational strike. Collecting the ball well outside the box, GORMAN looked up and powered in a superb dipping drive that thumped the underside of the cross bar before nestling in the net. Sphinx weren’t finished yet and Mohamed Billy produced another goal of the season contender. BILLY received the ball on the left corner of the penalty area with his first touch and with his second touch he whipped an unstoppable shot into the far corner. Every goal was of outstanding quality and Leicester Road added to the quality finishing with a late volleyed finish. Sphinx already had the game won at this point though and they now have six games to play in their chase for the league title.

FULL TIME: LEICESTER ROAD U18 1-4 COVENTRY SPHINX U18

COVENTRY SPHINX TEAM: HART, MACK, WELCH, HOWARD ©, BULL, TURRELL, GORMAN, BILLING, KELLY, PEARSON, BILLY
Subs: KUATCHE, WHITEHOUSE

The Coventry Sphinx Youth team are next in action on Wednesday 13th February. They will travel to Rugby Town for a league fixture that will kick off at 7.45pm.