Coventry Away Won 1 – 2
As expected, Scienza and Stewart didn’t make the trip to Coventry because of injury. Also out was Charles as replacements Bragg and Jander (plus Larin up front, of course) formed part of what is being portrayed as a cunning plan to emasculate the home team’s midfield. The result showed that it worked, as did the opening 20 minutes where Saints looked good. It didn’t really last as Coventry worked their way into the game, but some good moments again in the run-up to the interval meant that the 0-0 scoreline reflected an even half; we had to thank Peretz with a very good save from Kitching for maintaining parity, though, while Wright shot narrowly wide just before the whistle. Things changed, and for the better, almost as soon as we got back underway as Larin got a faint touch on Matsuki’s cross to send it onto the post via Rushworth, and Downes gleefully slammed in the rebound. Larin thought that Woolfenden should have seen red rather than yellow for a challenge near the box and the Canadian’s mood wasn’t helped when he and Bragg were hauled off after 67 minutes, Charles and Archer entering the game. Maybe the aim was to make us more mobile, but some of Southampton’s approach play had been excellent anyway, with Jander finishing inexpertly when played in by Azaz and then failing to get past Rushworth when Saints forced the keeper to rush well out of his area to stop another break. Coventry’s poor imitation of Steven Gerrard made his own moves off the bench, and he did have attacking resources there, but Saints were equal to what they had to face and then they doubled their lead with time running out when Bree’s corner fell at Matsuki‘s feet in the six yard box. It should have been a stroll to the finish but Torp managed to find a bit of Charles to fall over for what looked like a home town decision penalty on the stroke of 90 minutes. Once Peretz was booked for timewasting and Torp had beaten the keeper’s dive from the spot, there were six or seven additional minutes to survive… and survive we did, thanks to some great blocking and a close range shot from Thomas-Assante that went straight into the keeper’s arms – he did well to cling on (as did Saints).
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
4. Flynn Downes, part of the crucial midfield unit, plus a goal thanks to Matsuki and Larin.
6. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, at the heart of a resilient defence.
41. Daniel Peretz. Pretty well flawless, and contributing one outstanding save.
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