Football: Jerky Gerk lets the Sky Blues soar

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Apr 20, 2008 | by GRAHAM OTWAY

COLCHESTER 1

Vernon 17

COVENTRY 5

Best 48, Fox 51, Ward 78 (pen), 90 (pen), Doyle 80

A SCHOOLBOY howler from Coventry's highly-rated goalkeeper Dean Gerken breathed new life into Coventry's battle to avoid relegation.

The Sky Blues appeared to be heading for League One with barely a whimper of protest. They fell behind after only 16 minutes of the first half at Layer Road to Scott Vernon's goal.

And until Gerken's crucial mistake three minutes after the break, Chris Coleman's side looked incapable of mounting a response.

But after Gerken's blunder City looked a new team, rattling home five goals in the second half.

Coleman said: "That result was exactly what we needed - and what we deserved.

"We went behind but we were calm and kept our patience."

There had looked no danger from Coventry as Leon Best stuck out a boot at a bouncing ball in the United area.

But while his gentle stab of a shot rolled straight to Gerken, the keeper, shockingly, let the ball slip through both his hands and legs.

Their second goal owed as much to skill as the first did to luck.

Danny Potts did not seem to have a shooting opportunity when he picked up a loose ball in the United area. But from an angle 18 yards out, he produced a sweet shot which curled over two defenders and into the far corner.

That was two goals in three minutes. The second brace followed even closer together.

Coventry were gifted their third when Karl Duguid fouled Michael Mifsud and Elliott Ward converted the penalty.

Barely 60 seconds later, Mifsud drove down the right and his cross was converted by Michael Doyle.

For already-relegated Colchester, playing their penultimate match before Layer Road is demolished, it summed up a dismal season.

They had had chances to get back into the game, but Casper Schmeichel produced two fine saves and another shot by Vernon fizzed wide of the goal.

Colchester's afternoon of misery and Coventry's delight was completed in added time when Ward scored his second penalty of the game.

Colchester manager Geraint Williams said: "That match was like the story of our season.

We had three one-onones with their keeper and only managed one goal. They had five shots and scored five."

HOW THEY RATED

COLCHESTER

Gerken 4, Ifill 5, Coyne 6, Belogh 6, White 5 (McLeod 72 ) Duguid 5, Jackson 5, Hammond 6, Elito 5, Lisbie 6, Vernon 6.

MANAGER Williams 5

COVENTRY

Schmeichel 6, Osbourne 5 (Hall 3), Dann 6, Ward 6, FOX 8, M Hughes 5, S Hughes 5, Doyle 6, Tabb 6, Mifsud 7, Best 6 (Hines 3).

MANAGER Coleman 6

REFEREE C Webster 6

MAN OF THE MATCH

DANIEL FOX

Started the rout with a brilliant goal.