Coventry City 0 - 0 Shrewsbury Town

[dutchman]

[dutchman]

Alan Poole's full time match report



Coventry's first goalless draw of the season stopped the rot after three consecutive defeats.

But it was anything but an inspiring performance as they failed to get a single shot on target while goalkeeper Joe Murphy had to pull off excellent stops to thwart two of five clear-cut opportunities for the visitors.

City boss Steven Pressley was able to field two specialist strikers for the first time since New Year’s Day, fit-again Callum Wilson joining on-loan Arsenal prospect Chuba Akpom up front.

Skipper Carl Baker dropped to the bench to accommodate the arrivals – QPR youngster Michael Petrasso retaining his midfield spot as Danny Seaborne took over the armband – while Jordan Willis replaced Cyrus Christie at right-back.

Wilson signalled his intentions by dashing in to win the ball from Shrewsbury’s kick-off and City poured forward in the opening minutes – Wilson’s shot charged down, Akpom pulling an effort wide of the near post and Wilson miscuing when his partner rolled over a low cross.

Shrewsbury survived, however, and Murphy had to be alert in the tenth minute when Taylor’s corner picked out Goldson for a close-range header at the far post.

And it was Shrewsbury who passed up a golden opportunity in the 21st minute, Parry dispossessing Seaborne to tee up Eaves eight yards out but Murphy showing superb reflexes to turn his full-blooded shot round the post.

City weren’t at their fluent best but they had their moments, Wilson glancing a header wide from Fleck’s corner and then combining cleverly with Akpom to set up a shot that the young Gunner sliced wide.

Moussa then blasted wide from 20 yards after a storming run from Willis but there was no breakthrough before the half-time whistle.

The pitch, which looked in reasonable nick at the start, began to cut up after a sharp interval shower but City had the stiff breeze at their backs.

Akpom threatened for the Sky Blues when he cut inside and fired into the side netting but Shrewsbury passed up the best chance of the match two minutes later, the overlapping Woods clipping in a perfect cross but Eaves and McAllister getting in each other’s way as they both climbed four yards out.

Substitute Marshall added fresh legs to the home attack, cutting in for a shot that was headed clear by Mkandawire, and Baker replaced Akpom for the final 20 minutes – announcing his arrival with a shot that was blocked by Goldson.

Marshall popped up on the right to whip in a low cross that was flicked on by Wilson but although Petrasso spun cleverly he lifted his shot over the bar.

But it was the visitors who nearly snatched it as the match ticked into four minutes of overtime, Murphy again reacting splendidly when Atajic teed up McAllister.

And there was still time for one more Shrewsbury opportunity, Taylor cutting inside well but slashing his shot high over.

COVENTRY CITY (4-4-2):

Joe Murphy; Jordan Willis, Andy Webster, Danny Seaborne, Jordan Clarke; Michael Petrasso, Conor Thomas, John Fleck, Franck Moussa (60 mins, Mark Marshall), Callum Wilson, Chuba Akpom (72 mins, Carl Baker). Substitutes not used: Lee Burge (goalkeeper), Blair Adams, Cyrus Christie, Billy Daniels, Dylan McGeouch.

SHREWSBURY TOWN (4-4-2):

Joe Anyon; Ryan Woods, Tamika Mkandawire, Connor Goldson, Joseph Mills; Jon Taylor, David McAllister, Asa Hall, Paul Parry (90mins, Joe Jacobson); Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (43 mins, Miles Storey), Tom Eaves (80 mins, Bahrudin Atajic). Substitutes not used: Chris Weale (goalkeeper), Jermaine Grandison, Dave Winfield, Dominic Smith.