Continental Star V Coventry Colliery (Division Three)

​Continental Star were looking for a statement result yesterday against league leaders Coventry Colliery at the Holford Drive Community Hub. It’s been an interesting season for the hosts so far with eye catching wins against Walsall Wood and Arden Forest Sporting to sit comfortably in mid table. 

There also through to the second round of the LJ Challenge Cup following a 5-0 away win over Birmingham Tigers last month.  

They were looking to bounce back from last weekend’s narrow loss to AFC Balsall and break the visitors’ unbeaten start to the season.  

Coventry Colliery were a side in form coming into yesterday’s match and have carried on their momentum following promotion from the Coventry Football Alliance (Premier Division) last season. 

The visitors were on an eight-match unbeaten streak in the league with six wins and two losses to sit top of division three. 

It’s been an impressive start to the season under manager Rhys Lyons with the best defensive record in the league with only four goals conceded going into yesterday’s match. 

They notably beat Kenilworth Sporting 2-0 away from home last month and are also through to the second round of the LJ Challenge Cup following a 5-0 home win over BNJS. 

Starting line ups

The starting line up for Continental Star included Kemar Marsh starting in goal and Kymani Hunter captaining the team up front. The formation looked like a 5-3-2 with a front two of Qadeer Parvaiz and Kymani Hunter being supported by Eric Thanoj in the number ten role.

There were four changes from their match against AFC Balsall last weekend with Cyril Eze coming into the team and playing in a back three alongside Asadullah Iqbal and Kona Campbell.

The starting line-up for Coventry Colliery included Nathan Pearce starting in goal and Callum Regan captaining the side from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 3-5-2 with a front two of Cruz Williamson and Ashley Piper being supported by Bryan Badu in the number ten role.

There were three changes from their match against Gornal last weekend with Sam Knight coming into the team and playing in a back three alongside Benedict Winkless and Jamie Tiff. 

First Half

Continental Star got off to a positive start in the early stages of the first half and were taking the game to the visitors. Qadeer Parvaiz looked a threat down the right-hand side and was taking players on. He delivered a good cross into the box that just missed Kymani Hunter on 17 minutes.

​The visitors looked a threat at the other end and were causing a few problems for Continental Star at the back. Ashley Piper was making some good runs down the left-hand side and starting off attacks in the final third. Cruz Williamson also looked a threat and was getting into some dangerous positions around the box.

The hosts had the momentum though and were looking to make it 1-0. Eric Thanoj beat a few players down the left before cutting inside and having a shot tipped over the bar by Nathan Pearce on 20 minutes.

It was all clicking for the hosts throughout the first half with Khadim Fall helping to build up the play from midfield and Cyril Eze reading the danger well at the back.

Coventry Colliery gradually grew into the match and created some momentum in the final ten minutes of the first half. Bryan Badu found some space in the box before crossing to Ashley Piper who couldn’t get his header on target on 38 minutes.

The visitors managed to find the breakthrough a few minutes later following a mistake at the back. A free kick was delivered into the box and Kemar Marsh struggled to claim the ball which broke free in the box. Jamie Tiff was alert and reacted well to finish in an empty net to make it 1-0 on 43 minutes.   

The league leaders pressed home their advantage at the end of the first half to take a decisive 2-0 lead going into the break. A well delivered corner from Ashley Piper found Jamie Tiff at the back post who headed into the top left corner on 46 minutes.

Second Half

Coventry Colliery continued where they left off at the start of the second half and created a notable chance on 55 minutes when Sebastian Duffy cut inside before having a shot go narrowly wide of the left-hand post.     

The visitors were well organised off the ball throughout the second half and did a good job of managing the match. Callum Regan stepped up in holding midfield and helped to break up the play which made it more difficult for Continental Star to build pressure up front.

Jamie Tiff also impressed at the centre of a back three and stood out for the visitors. He was constantly clearing the ball away from danger and leading by example.

There was an unfortunate injury to Sam Knight in the middle of the second half who also had a good game as part of a back three for Coventry Colliery. Liam Cawley came on and filled in admirably at the back. He put in some good blocks and helped win the ball back in the final half hour.

Continental Star had a few half chances to get back into the match at 2-0 down with the best one falling to Kymani Hunter on the edge of the box who had a shot saved by Nathan Pearce on 63 minutes.

The visitors put in a professional performance to see the game out in the second half and made it 3-0 late on. Substitute Edgars Nikolajevs capitalised on a loose ball in the final third and ran into the box with just the keeper to beat. He rounded Kemar Marsh before finishing into the bottom left corner on 88 minutes.

It was a textbook away performance from the league leaders who took their chances and defended well throughout the ninety minutes against a dangerous Continental Star side. 

Upcoming fixtures

Continental Star round off September with a run of home games against Castle Vale Town and BNJS over the next few weeks in division three before playing Wrens Nest (Away) in the JW Hunt Cup on Tuesday 30th September.   

Coventry Colliery will be looking to keep their momentum going against Leamington Hibernian (Away) and Arden Forest Sporting (Home) over the next few weeks in division three.

​They also play division two side Coventry Alvis (Away) in the Coventry Charity Cup next month on Saturday 11th October.   

FT score: Continental Star 0-3 Coventry Colliery

Man of the match: Jamie Tiff (Coventry Colliery)

Attendance: 16

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League