On a day where the weather was sunny in periods and heavy rain in others Sphinx were found to be to strong for their opponents from the Midland Combination Premier.

Sphinx welcomed back Liam Kay at centre half and Jack Cudworth up front. There was also a home debut for new signing and former Daventry Captain Paul Saunders.

Castle Vale started the stronger of the two sides and had the majority of possession for the first 15 minutes of the game without worrying Simon Holland in the Sphinx goal. Sphinx gradually started to click into gear and a cross from Ruff was just headed over by the impressive Kyle Rhodes. The breakthrough came in the 26th minute with a lovely flowing move, Ruff found the overlapping Muldoon who beat 2 men before firing in a low cross which the advancing Kyle Rohdes finished with aplomb.

Sphinx were now dictating the run of play and went close to doubling there lead on 31 minutes when Kyle Rhodes hit the post with a delightful curling shot which Maguire in the Castle Vale goal could only admire. Ruff also went close in the 40th minute when his low drive was pushed round the post by Maguire.

Half Time Sphinx 1 Castle Vale 0

No changes by either side saw the second half start well for Sphinx with Jack Cudworth causing the Castle Vale defence all sorts of problems with his guile and strength. On 56 minutes Sphinx doubled there lead when Jamie McAteer headed in Callum Woodward's curling free-kick.

Castle Vale for all there hard work and endeavour could not break down a resolute Sphinx defence with McAteer snuffing out the threat of former Atherstone marksman Ryan Allmark.

Sphinx made 2 quick substitutions with Donaldson replacing Ruff and Hopkins replacing Cudworth and it was this double substitutions that reaped the rewards with a 3rd goal for Sphinx. Hopkins received the ball in midfield and played the ball into Donaldson inside the box, Donaldson shaped to shoot but cut inside before placing the ball inside Maguire's left hand post.

Sphinx made there 3rd and final substitution when 17 year old Danny Fraser replaced Mick Husserbury. In a final last few minutes Fraser crossed dangerously for McAteer who could not get enough control in his header and fired over. It was another Fraser cross which caused problems and again Rhodes went close but he was beaten to a goal line header by Arrowsmith who bravely cleared the danger to safety.

This was to prove to be the last of the action and though not a vintage display it was 100% better than Tuesday nights 2nd half performance and gives Danny McSheffrey and his Management team something to build on as they travel to Malvern this coming Tuesday.

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Sphinx: Simon Holland, Tom Muldoon, Liam Kay, Jamie McAteer, Tom Cudworth, Kyle Rhodes, Paul Saunders, Callum Woodward (Capt), Josh Ruff (73 mins), Jack Cudworth (70 mins), Mick Husserbury (82 mins).

Substitutes: Aaron Donaldson (73 mins) Luke Hopkins (70 mins), Danny Fraser (82 mins), Kelvin Phillips, Adam Knibbs, Craig Goodbody, Chris Daffern (GK)

 

Castle Vale: Maguire, Wilson, Arrowsmith,Hasall, McPhierson, Ponders,

Crowley, Douglas, Allmark, Carpenter, Tymon
Substitutes: Maraqh, King, Crisp, Robinson, Nash
 

 

Attendance: 69

 

Sphinx Bookings: J. Cudworth, Liam Kay

 

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