Coventry Sphinx will meet Causeway United in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase after a 2-0 win at Ashby Ivanhoe.

Sphinx boss Danny McSheffrey was forced to change the team which had won so well at Stourport Swifts for this fixture at Hood Park against a team two divisions below when James Holmes suffered an ankle problem before the match.

A strong Sphinx contingent were all applauding within five minutes of the start when Aaron Donaldon used his left foot to steady himself before drilling home a right footed shot from the edge of the area.

The support may have been delighted but in the 11th minute, they were fuming when a penalty claim, following Jerome Murdock being hauled down by the Ivanhoe keeper John Noon, was denied. Murdock was cautioned for his protest.

Ashby were in no mood to role over and die and it was only a brilliant save from Carl O'Neill who dived to his right in the 33rd minute that stopped Richard Hanslow from scoring.

Five minutes before the break, the Sphinx support were again demanding a penalty when Murdock was wrestled to the ground. No action ensued from the official.

But ten minutes into the second half, he did show a yellow and then a red card to Adie Fisher. The Sphinx midfielder had been harshly booked a minute earlier and his tackle on Joe Brockley did not go down well.

A free kick was awarded and met by the head of Ashby's leading scorer Phil Gibson. The Ivanhoe players all celebrated but there was a flag on the far side and the goal was chalked off.

Gary Mead replaced Kelvin Phillips and a re-organised Sphinx side started to gain a momentum they have not had in the first half.

Again, Man Of The Match Terry Ward was not letting anything past him whilst Jamie McAteer worked well at left back.

After Mead had a shot pushed away for a corner, Jerome Murdock danced past his marker before striking the left hand post with a 66th minute shot.

Murdock twice was sent clear only to fire wide or at the 'keeper but in the 80th minute he wrapped up the match when he scored from a very acute angle to lash the ball high into the net.

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Sphinx: O'Neill, Muldoon, McAteer, Fisher (sent off 55), Ward, Kay, Donaldson, Rhodes, Phillips (Mead 59), Murdock (Smith 85), Ruff (Green 76). Subs not used: Goodbody, Holmes

 

Ashby: Noon, Hollis, Poulton, Brown, King, Lock, Nettel, Brockley, Gibson, Bartram: Subs Used Dowling, Hemming, Bott.

 

Attendance: 57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos copyright and courtesy of Mick Evans @ KORU Digital

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