Solitary Stead Strike Secures Sky Blues 3 points

Jonathan Stead scored the only goal of the game to condemn Jim Gannon to his first home defeat as Coventry City climb to within 3 points of the play offs, whilst Peterborough United find themselves 13 points adrift from safety.

Posh boss Jim Gannon started the match with an unexpected 4-4-2 formation with Mark Little, who joined on loan from Wolves in the week, starting in at right back whilst Gabriel Zakuani made his first start since Boxing Day last year in place of the injured Exodus Geohaghon and Dominic Green, who was recently recalled from a loan spell at Chesterfield, started on the left hand side of midfield in place of George Boyd, who left the club to join Nottingham Forest on loan. Aaron Mclean rejoined the squad after illness to partner Liam Dickenson up front.

Coventry manager Chris Coleman made one change to the team that beat Scunthorpe last week. Marcus Hall was installed at left-back, with Martin Cranie shifting to centre back in place of Leon Barnett who was suspended. Midfielder Sammy Clingan recovered from a virus in time to join Aron Gunnarsson in the centre of City’s midfield.

Peterborough fans wanted to put the away defeat at Swansea last weekend behind them and to continue Jim Gannon’s 100% home record at London Road. They almost made the perfect start too, with Chris Whelpdale firing just wide of Kieran Westwood’s far post after just 11 seconds.

Just before the quarter hour mark, Whelpdale again tested the Republic of Ireland keeper Westwood with a fizzing shot, but the shot stopper was equal to the task.

Posh were finding it hard to break out of their own half with City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson’s bombardment of long throws posing a constant threat but the Posh defence, especially Craig Morgan, were remaining solid under pressure. Coventry still couldn’t penetrate the posh defence as Gunnarsson saw a 30 yard effort deflect comfortably into Joe Lewis’s arms.

At the other end, the Posh came close from a Lee Frecklington set piece. His free kick was inadvertently flicked on by Charlie Lee into the path of Gabriel Zakuani who beat his marker at the far post but was unable to fire his header on target, instead he glanced his header high and wide of the Coventry goal.

It was the Sky Blues however that took the lead moments later after a long ball from deep, from centre half Martin Cranie, found its way into the path of Jon Stead who shook off the challenges of Morgan and Zakuani to fire past the oncoming Lewis to send the 3,000+ travelling fans into raptures.

Posh tried to pressure for an equalizer and came close after Tommy Rowe was unlucky to see his effort sliced over the bar by defender James McPake. From the resulting corner, Dom Green crossed the ball inch perfect onto Charlie Lee’s head that fired to the top corner, only to see Clingan head the ball onto the bar and away from danger. The home crowd screamed for a goal, but the referee and his assistant disagreed.

Just before half time, Posh continued to exert pressure with Lee Frecklington firing over the bar before Chris Whelpdale threatened again after working himself into some space, but he again dragged his shot wide.

At half-time Chris Coleman was forced into a change as Clingan, who had been suffering from a virus in the week, was replaced by Gary Deegan.

The second half started with a slow tempo and it took until 51 minutes for the first real effort on goal as full back Little had a shot blocked after a Dom Green corner had been cleared.

The lacklustre atmosphere in the stadium reflected the standard of the game as neither team could create anything significant. James McPake glanced a header wide of goal however before McIndoe cleared the stadium with a free kick with which he should have produced better.

Coventry, having a one goal advantage, seemed satisfied to sit back on their lead, but they did have an effort from Clinton Morrison deflect wide of Joe Lewis’s goal.

On 68 minutes, Liam Dickinson set up Lee who saw his optimistic shot shoot wide of the City goal. This was before Morrison squandered a brilliant chance to seal the 3 points for the visiting team. Morrison, who beat the offside trap after the Posh defence just froze, found himself just 6 yards out but he couldn’t beat Lewis who made himself big enough to beat the ball away from danger with his legs.

Fans favourite Craig Mackail-Smith was introduced to the action on 74 minutes who replaced Aaron Mclean and he made an instant impact by dribbling down the left to deliver a teasing ball into the box, but no Posh attackers were waiting in the box.

Peterborough continued to threat with a series of set pieces, but Westwood succeeded in claiming the crosses.  Not much was created in the closing stages, only Lee Frecklington clearing the bar on 79 minutes.

The final whistle brought to an end, in truth, a dire game of football which ended with a chorus of boos from the Posh faithful. The standard of the game wasn’t helped by a dreadful playing surface at London Road which prevented any sort of good football being played.

Not only has Jim Gannon’s 100% home record gone, but Posh are now staring relegation in the face as they find themselves 13 points adrift of 21^st placed Crystal Palace. Coventry City on the other hand continue to enjoy their good form and rise up the table and now sit just 3 points and 2 places off the Championship playoff places.

From a Posh fans point of view, the quicker this season finishes the better.