By CovSid67
August 7 2005

Game 1 of 46, and our first decent result of the season! Adebola was the scorer, but Bywater, Page, and McSheffrey were the stars of the show, in what was a solid Coventry City performance. And a warning to Norwich: DON'T Take this division lightly.... A 9am start on the first of "DJ's Fun Bus" trips saw just over a dozen fairly knackered looking, unenthusiastic Coventry City supporters set off on a trek to Norwich, with a number of "no shows" meaning there were spaces on the bus - and probably spaces in the wallet of the kindly sir that organised said coach. Shame on those that didn't turn up, and who didn't bother saying they weren't going to turn up....

Following a fairly poor pre-season, there seemed little by way of optimism throughout the journey, with my prediction of a "cheeky 2-1 win" being about as good as it got (Though I did also suggest we could be on the wrong end of a 6-0/6-1 drubbing too....).

There were times when we thought we might not get to watch any crushing defeat, as crash after crash and/or tractor after tractor turned a three hour journey into a five hour marathon trek (Not helped by the coach driver stopping off for a full English breakfast either!). It might seem harsh, but unless Norwich can guarantee away fans can get to their ground trouble free, then maybe they shouldn't be allowed to play in either of the top two divisions....*

As a result, we arrived outside Carrow Road at 1.45 (At the same time as the team!), with - after a quick jog up the road! - only one hour's worth of drinking time left. The "Compleat Angler" being the pub of choice....

We arrived at the ground with the match having just started, to see that Bywater, Heath, and Scowcroft, were all given their Coventry City debuts (In a "proper" match), with all looking capable of doing a job for the side too. Late (But very worthwhile!) addition to the squad Stephen Bywater was rarely called upon, but when he was did enough to suggest he will be the No. 1 keeper, at least until his contract ends on December 31st.

If Norwich thought promotion back to the Premiership was going to be easy, this game must have been a rude awakening for them! And, had Coventry City shown just a bit more daring (Or Stern John worn a pair of football boots with decent studs in!), they could have left this match with all three points. No matter - we took one more point from this match than most thought we would....

Adebola and Scowcroft got in each others way when a call from one of them could have given Coventry City a seventh minute lead (After a great cross from McSheffrey had evaded the entire Norwich defence), and one of several fouls on McSheffrey gave Coventry City a free kick in a dangerous position. The free-kick came to nothing, and was one of a series of disappointing first half efforts, which really should have tested Green (Who conceded six goals in his last competitive match!).

After a couple of near misses for Norwich, Ashton was allowed a free header to gift Norwich the lead, momentarily waking the home sides supporters - it didn't last long, with the home fans making Crewe's supporters seem positively riotous by comparison.

After going a goal down, an onslaught was expected from the home side, but it just never happened. A Page header just failed to give Coventry City an equaliser, with Bywater then proving his worth with a cracking save from the always dangerous looking McKenzie.

Coventry City old-boy Darren Huckerby, booed each and every time he touched the ball (Only by the away supporters, of course!), enjoyed a lively battle with Richard Duffy, and was given a far tougher contest than the last time the two sides met, when Andrew Whing was given the runaround. Unlike the DH we're used to seeing, this one was caught offside a number of times....**

Amongst the first half's comedy moments came the funniest chant of the day, as Coventry City supporter sang "You're Supposed To Be At Home" at the Norwich fans - I think you'll find Coventry City SHOULD have been at home! But that's another story....

The second half saw McSheffrey take over free kick duties (Only fair, as he won most of them!), with one forcing Green into making a quality save, and another effort hitting the post (According to commentary - I thought it went just wide).

The goal Coventry deserved came in the 65th minute, with a superb McSheffrey cross smashed past Green by Adebola. The Coventry support, a mere 1,400 in a crowd of over 25,000 (Apparently the small amount of away support allowed was due to an agreement after Norwich allowed the game to be switched, rather than through a lack of interest by Coventry City fans), who had out-sung the home supporters throughout, went ballistic!

Both sides had the chance to steal a 2-1 win, with Ashton hitting the top of Bywater's bar (Note: "top of", so it wasn't THAT close), with a draw being the fairest result (Though as out-and-out under-dogs, Coventry City probably just shaded the match).

McSheffrey was replaced by Jorgensen with minutes on the clock, and the final whistle was greeted by a few Norwich boos - contrast and compare with the prolonged round of applause from the away support!

With their pacy attack, Norwich will more than likely be up there with the Premiership contenders come the end of the season (This is presuming Norwich don't treat every opposition side with contempt), so if Coventry City can finish above them (As they currently are now!), we should be looking to re-joining the "licence to print money league".

As the home side, and as the side up until recently playing against the creme-de-la-creme (And Aston Villa) in English football, this is not the result Norwich would have expected, with the usually fairly fair-minded Nigel Worthington resorting to crass comments about being disappointed his team "allowed themselves to be dragged down to Coventry's level in the second half!"

With the coach driver searching around the streets of Norwich for the supposed police escort out of the area, the radio was tuned to a local after-match phone-in (Which actually consisted of only one caller!), with the radio shows commentary team suggesting Norwich should have won - not so! It seems their entire club is going to have to have to under-go a severe reality check if they don't want to spend more than one season in this league....

Chugging along the A14 (I think), the surprise site of the team coach came into view (And, like so many other vehicles on the road, soon over-took us and left us miles behind!), and noticing the flags on the window, somebody at the front of the coach gave us a clenched fist salute, with silhouettes of jubilant players through the (Fairly) blacked out windows clapping and applauding us clapping and applauding them! To be on the road so soon, they obviously didn't stop behind for an after-match beer - possibly as the only thing on offer at Carrow Road was "bitter"....

The only downer(s) of the day (As I've just been reminded of by reading CovCityFC.com !!) was the attitude of one or two Norwich stewards, threatening to kick people out for standing up - plus the "plum" sitting two seats away from me, who was lucky he didn't get a right-hook from mild-mannered DJ! And just as the "Hitlers" in orange jackets got their way, some bright spark started the "Stand Up If You Love City" chant, just to get us all on our feet again....

Championship football is back, and it's so far so good!!

* Tongue firmly in cheek....!!
** Tongue firmly in cheek too!!