OAs win fifth game in a row

Old Albanian 20

Coventry 3

National League One

OLD ALBANIAN continued their fine run of form with their fifth win in a row on Saturday, writes Brian Quinn.

This was the first really miserable day of the season and this was definitely reflected in the way the game was played. There were also 21 penalties dished out between the two sides and two yellow cards. It was not a good day to be a back.

Coventry had first use of the prevailing wind and rain and their slight dominance in possession and territory bore fruit on twelve minutes when Cliff Hodgson put over the second of two penalties awarded in virtually the same spot, forty metres out. Richard Gregg equalised six minutes later but play stayed mostly in midfield as forwards struggled to maintain possession.

Mike Cade was sent to the bin after half an hour but he returned with the score still the same and thus it remained until the interval.

The elements now favoured the hosts and most of the rest of the match was played in Coventry territory although the visitors tried any number of times to release powerful inside centre James Otutaha. He was bottled up by the Albanian midfield defence.

Brett McNamee charged forty metres after collecting Stefan Liebenberg’s neat box kick but was too quick for the support.

Fourteen minutes into the half Coventry’s Greg Evans found himself with a yellow card and play moved inexorably towards the visitor’s line. Oliver Cooper-Millar found the gap after 21 minutes and Gregg converted off the left hand upright. Five minutes from the end Stefan Liebenberg darted over from close range and Gregg obliged with the extras. He was also successful with a penalty three minutes later which ensured Albanian’s fifth win in a row.