Macmillan Cancer Support Wins On the Day

Coventry City did Brakes the honour of fielding a strong team from their first team squad and, of course, the difference showed. Dele Adebola is the sort of player who looks dangerous even when he hasn’t got the ball and Ryan Parisi had his work cut out as the Sky Blues pinned Brakes in their own half.

But Jon Adams, in the 7th, and Ryan Howell, 15th, both had chances before McSheffrey blasted home for 0-1 in the 21st from an Adebola pass and Morrell converted with an overhead kick for 0-2 in the 23rd.

Leon Morgan broke clear in the 35th but overstretched and went off soon after as a precaution though he is expected to be OK for Monday. Adebola finally got the goal he deserved to make it 0-3 in the 45th and after all the earlier powerful stuff it came from a delicate flick inside the post.

It was all change in the second half and two further goals, Davis in the 52nd, 0-4 and the impressive, young Thornton who made it 0-5 in the 76th after running half the length of the pitch wrapped it up for Cov. But the real winner was the mayor’s nominated charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, who made about £3,000 from this event; full figures will be released when it’s all been worked out.

Very special thanks go to all the Coventry folk, especially to Micky Adams, Alan Cork and director Joe Elliott. Assorted chains and councillors were there, including Iain Jermond, the mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, of course, who made it all happen. And, most impressive, Bernadette Halton, fundraiser for the charity, who seemed indefatigable talking to everyone, moving buckets around the ground yet managing to get roped in to make tea for a roomful of people, players et al for the whole evening whilst others wilted in her wake.

Leamington Morris (Shepherd 64), Care (R Adams 80), S Thompson, Parisi (Eden 52), Cudworth, Howell, Morgan (Feely 42), Herlihy (Rodman 58), J Adams, M Thompson (McKay 58), Husband (Coleman)

Attendance: 973

Match photographs»

The Sky Blues beat Leamington 5-0 on Tuesday night to win the Mayor's Charity Cup.

City fielded a strong side at the New Windmill in front of a crowd of nearly 1,000 and they took the lead in the 20th minute through top scorer Gary McSheffrey, who connected with Dele Adebola's pass and finished with a low shot from inside the area.

Three minutes later, City went further ahead when Andy Morrell produced an acrobatic scissor kick from close range.

The Sky Blues continued to press and on the stroke of half-time, Adebola added a third, flicking the ball home following Andy Whing's good cross.

Darren Robinson made nine changes at the interval sending on youngsters such as Thornton, Heath, Lynch, Turner, Davis and Reid.

And the young charges did not disappoint as Liam Davis turned smartly and curled a sublime shot past Morris from the edge of the area.

Craig Reid had a number of chances before the Sky Blues wrapped up the match in the 75th minute. Lee Hildreth shielded the ball inside his own half and fed Kevin Thornton who raced over 40 yards before slotting the ball past the substitute Brakes keeper.

Matt Heath lifted the trophy for the Sky Blues but the real winner from an enjoyable night was the MacMillan Cancer Support Charity which made £3,900 from the evening's takings.

Coventry (first half): Tuffey, Whing, Hall, Howard, Williams, Hughes, Morrell, Doyle, Adebola, McSheffrey, Scowcroft

Second half: Tuffey (Belford 60), Ogarro (Burtoft 79), Turner, Howard, Heath, Osbourne, Hildreth (Lourougnon), Thornton, Reid, Davis, Lynch

Leamington: Morris (Coleman 56), Care (Adams 70)),Thompson (Feely 43),Parish, Cudworth, Howells, Morgan, Herlihy (Rodman 56),Adams, Thompson, Husband (Shepherd 63)