Rotherham United 0 - 1 Coventry City

Latest team news, results, video clips, interviews and live coverage

Rotherham United 0 - 1 Coventry City

Postby dutchman » Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:58 pm

Ostigard beauty as Sky Blues show mettle with huge three points

Image

Leo Ostigard gave Coventry City a magnificent victory in their epic relegation six-pointer at Rotherham United.

City pressed and battled from the first whistle in a terrific first half from the visitors who had five clear cut chances to score, three of which were denied by some brilliant goalkeeping, and should have been ahead going into the break – Callum O’Hare and Matty Godden somehow unable to beat Viktor Johansson with gilt-edged one on one chances.

The Millers, meanwhile, had nothing to show for their effort apart from a thumping shot off the inside of the post from one of several set-pieces – the home side’s only real threat.

Ostigard finally gave City the lead they deserved in the 70th minute, powering home a header from a Matty James’ free-kick ahead of 20 agonising minutes to the final whistle.

City sent an early warning shot across the bows when a cleared ball from a long Sam McCallum throw into the box fell to Liam Kelly who hit a lovely volley from the edge of the box that looked to be heading for the near top corner until the inspired Johansson tipped it acrobatically onto the bar.

And the Sky Blues looked well up for the challenge in the opening exchanges when they were highly competitive and battling for every ball against the big and physical Millers.

The visitors had another opportunity to score in the eighth minute when McCallum sent in a deep free-kick to the box which fell to Kyle McFadzean who could only shoot wide across the face of goal in a big missed opportunity.

But City were kicking themselves on 11 minutes when another free-kick into the box fell to Kelly who hit another shot that took a deflection and fell kindly to Callum O’Hare who had just the keeper to beat. But the nippy midfielder couldn’t squeeze the ball past him, Johansson making a block as the ball fell to Matty Godden for a second bite of the cherry, only for the striker to lift his shot over the bar.

City then had to weather a couple of Rotherham corners, the second of which saw Lewis Wing thump the inside of the far post with one hell of a shot that fortunately bounced clear.

But Mark Robins’s men were well up for the challenge, getting in their opponents’ faces fro the first whistle and incredibly unlucky not to be in front come the half hour mark after six attempts, two of which were on target, compared to just one chance for the home side.

Tyler Walker couldn’t believe his luck in the 35th minute when another long throw from McCallum fell kindly to him at the far post where he had time to meet and direct a firm header at goal, only to be denied by a brilliant save from the keeper.

The half ended with both sides fuming after a crunching 50-50 tackle between Dom Hyam and Jamie Lindsay, with both players going down hurt but former City skipper Richard Wood doing his best to get Hyam sent off, claiming it was a bad tackle, albeit no cards shown.

The Millers made a more determined start to the second half, again lumping long balls into the box at every opportunity, aided by Coventry who conceded far too many free-kicks in their own half to invite set-piece pressure.

Former Sky Blues wing-back Ryan Giles and striker Freddie Ladapo were thrown on just before the hour as manager Paul Warne looked to increase his side’s threat with more pace and switching to two up top.

But it was City who finally broke the deadlock when Ostigard connected with a Matty James free-kick from the edge of the area to the right of goal, powering a header over the line to finally beat Johansson and give Coventry a deserved lead.

Max Biamou, Viktor Gyokeres and Gus Hamer added fresh legs to help see out the game as City held their narrow lead in a nerve-racking end to the game when Rotherham pushed and City played on the counter attack.

The referee indicated six minutes of agonising stoppage time as Robins’s men defended as if their lives depended on it.

Image
User avatar
dutchman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 50286
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am
Location: Spon End

Re: Rotherham United 0 - 1 Coventry City

Postby dutchman » Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:03 pm

Coventry get vital win at Rotherham

Image

Coventry City climbed six points clear of the Championship relegation zone with a vital win at fellow strugglers Rotherham.

Millers goalkeeper Viktor Johansson made superb saves to deny Liam Kelly and Tyler Walker, while home midfielder Lewis Wing smashed a shot against the post in an entertaining first half.

The Sky Blues took the lead when Leo Ostigard powered in a header that took a deflection on its way past Johansson.

Rotherham, who were playing their second game in 48 hours, could not really create anything in response and they are now four points behind 21st-placed Derby.

They have two games in hand on the Rams and that will be three by the time they host Birmingham on Sunday in what will be their fourth game in nine days.

However, boss Paul Warne will need to pick his players up after a night where they were second best for much of the game and failed to force visiting goalkeeper Ben Wilson into a save.

Norwegian defender Ostigard won it in the 70th minute when he met Matty James's chipped free-kick into the area and his downward header beat Johansson after taking a slight nick off Millers defender Wes Harding.

In truth Coventry, who picked up just their second away win of the season, should have gone in front long before they did. Johansson's second-minute save from Kelly's dipping 20-yard volley was stunning and his reaction stop to keep out Walker's header was also impressive.

Either side of those stops from the Leicester loanee, Matty Godden shot over after Johansson's initial save from a Callum O'Hare effort fell to him 10 yards out as Coventry put in a performance that belied the significance of the game.

Wing's thumping effort that came back off the post was a rare bright moment for the hosts, who competed well but lacked a cutting edge.

Mark Robins' men, who are now up to 18th, host sixth-placed Barnsley on Sunday, while the Millers could potentially be seven points from safety by the time they kick off against Blues on the same day.

Coventry boss Mark Robins:

"I think that is our best away performance of the season. It is really encouraging.

"To stand up against the physical threat Rotherham have and keep them to very little in terms of opportunities in front of your goal is different class.

"It was a great start to the game. Their keeper has made three worldies. I thought Matty James was absolutely magnificent. He ran it for us.

"It gives us a boost. It's huge and it gives us confidence. The level of performance was up there."

:bbc_sport_logo:
User avatar
dutchman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 50286
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am
Location: Spon End


Return to Sky Blues

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests

  • Ads