Northfield Town V Coventrians (Division Two)

​Northfield were looking to continue their impressive form in division two with a result against Coventrians at Shenley Lane. The Town had won four of their last five matches under manager Ryan Smith and were top of the table and two points ahead of Cadbury Athletic in 2nd.

The Chocolate men currently have a game in hand over Northfield so a consistent run of results could be key in helping them retain their division two title this season.      

The Town have been tough to beat so far with just one loss from eleven matches coming into the weekend. They also had one of the best attacking records in division two with thirty goals scored so far this season.

They were looking to build on last weekend’s eye-catching win at Earlswood Town and make Shenley Lane a fortress over the next few weeks.       

Coventrians have been competitive in division two this season following a summer of change at the club. Former manager Matt Breeze joined Birmingham United with Lee Petch and Lee Walkinshaw coming in as their new management team.

It’s been an encouraging start for the visitors who were sitting comfortably in mid table going into yesterday’s match. Standout results so far include the home wins over Lane Head and Coventry Alvis. They also notably drew against AFC Solihull last weekend away from home. 

Starting line ups

The starting line up for Northfield Town included Tom Walker starting in goal and Chris Tabberner captaining the side up front. The formation looked like a 3-4-3 with a front two of Jamie Molyneux and Chris Tabberner being supported by James Ward in the number ten role.

There were two changes from their match against Earlswood Town last weekend with Robert Shaw coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Lewis McPike.

The starting line up for Coventrians included Tom Gillatt starting in goal and Lewis Barratt captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-1-4-1 with Emmanuel Edogiawerie playing up front and being supported by Michael Kusi and Max Poulton-Rowberry from attacking midfield.

There were three changes from their match against AFC Solihull last weekend with Andersone Lwabeya coming into the team and playing at centre back alongside Lewis Barratt.

​First Half

The match got off to a frantic start with a flurry of goals in the opening ten minutes.

Northfield started the match on the front foot and found the breakthrough in the 2nd minute when James Ward produced a brilliant header at the back post to make it 1-0.

Coventrians showed character and equalised a few minutes later thanks to a moment of quality from Emmanuel Edogiawerie up front. The striker showed brilliant technique to get the ball down on the edge of the box before producing a classy finish into the bottom left corner for 1-1 on 5 minutes.

The hosts kept going in search of a second goal and found it when Lewis McPike beat a few players down the right before finishing into the top left corner for 2-1 on 6 minutes.   

The match started to settle down midway through the first half with Coventrians looking well organised off the ball and competing well with Northfield.

Lewis Barratt was clearing the danger at centre back and leading by example. He gave them something to build from at 2-1 down and they were causing Northfield some problems.  

Emmanuel Edogiawerie impressed in the first half and made some promising runs into the final third. He did a good job of holding up the play for the visitors and stood out yesterday.  

As the match went on Northfield started to show their quality and know how at this level. Lewis McPike had a brilliant game from holding midfield and was constantly starting off attacks for the league leaders.  

He worked some space down the left-hand side before having a shot go just wide of the top right corner on 35 minutes.

Another player who impressed for Northfield was Daniel Wells who was quick to read the danger as part of a back three. He helped the hosts have a control of the match near the end of the first half and did a good job of dealing with the attacking threat of Emmanuel Edogiawerie up front.

Chris Tabberner also had an eye-catching game up front and was making things happen in the final third. He did well to link up the play and was positive on the ball yesterday.

Coventrians competed well with Northfield throughout the first half and had a chance of getting something at half time. They did well to limit the clear-cut chances and were tough to break down. Daniel Ademola also worked hard to shield the back four from holding midfield.           

Second Half

The visitors had a good chance to get an equaliser in the early stages of the second half and were committing players forward.

Lewis Barratt found some space at the back post before having his header hit the crossbar on 48 minutes.

A moment of quality from Northfield made it 3-1 a few minutes later when Daniel Wells had some space from midfield. The defender took a shot from distance that found the top left corner in the 54th minute. It was a spectacular goal and gave Northfield a bit of breathing room for the rest of the second half.     

Coventrians kept going in search of a way back into it and created some notable chances in front of goal. Oliver Whitehouse beat a few players down the left-hand side before squaring the ball to Daniel Ademola who fired wide of the front post on 56 minutes.

Northfield looked dangerous at the other end and came close to making it 4-1 when James Ward squared the ball to Chris Tabberner whose shot was well saved by Tom Gillatt.

The Town extended their lead in the middle of the second half when a corner was played to Daniel Morris who headed in at the back post on 64 minutes.

Northfield looked dangerous from corners throughout the second half and were causing havoc in the box. Jamie Molyneux found some space before heading in from a corner to make it 5-1 on 74 minutes.

Northfield substitute Jake MacDonald had a late chance from the edge of the box before having his shot well saved by Tom Gillatt. Tyler Kavanagh also came on as a substitute and looked a threat down the right-hand side in the closing stages.  

The league leaders showed their experience and quality to close the match out for their third consecutive win in division two.

Upcoming fixtures

Northfield have a tough looking run of fixtures coming up with home matches against Birmingham United (Next Saturday) and Boldmere Falcons (Saturday 25th October) over the next few weeks in division two.

They also play Bartley Reds (Away) in the first round of the Birmingham Saturday Vase on Saturday 18th October.    

Coventrians also have a tough looking run of fixtures in division two with games against Birmingham United (Home, Saturday 18th October) and Cadbury Athletic (Away, Saturday 25th October) coming up.  

They also play Jet Blades Reserves at home in the Bedworth Nursing Cup on Saturday 8th November before playing Nuneaton Griff Reserves (Away) in the Coventry Charity Cup on Saturday 29th November.      

FT score: Northfield Town 5-1 Coventrians

Man of the match: Daniel Wells (Northfield Town)

Attendance: 60

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League