Coventry Sphinx ended their pre-season campaign unbeaten with a 4-1 victory against an Aston Villa XI.

In a match that came out of the friendship between the two clubs following Connor Taylor's move to Villa from Sphinx Drive, Sphinx managed by Lynton Wilkinson and John Woodward, got straight into a young Villa side.

In the fourth minute, the Sphinx support in a bumper crowd, were the ones cheering when Aaron Donaldson arrived at the far post to fire home a cross from the right.

Two minutes later, Sphinx scored again when the in form Jerome Murdock danced round the keeper to find the net.

Both sides played some good stuff. Villa passed the ball round well with Daniel Johnson catching the eye of the crowd whilst Sphinx defended when they had to but were always looking for a way forward.

Johnson drew a fantastic save from Carl O'Neill who dived to his left as the midfielder advanced into the area.

With twenty minutes of an entertaining opening period gone, Jerome Murdock got to Hopkins flick on and rounded Dau, only to fire into the side netting.

O'Neill saved from Cameron then in the 38th minute, Sphinx went further ahead when Jerome Murdock scored with a low drive.

Scott Furlong took over in the Sphinx goal for the second half and was busy early on. Four minutes after the restart, a Villa corner was cleared off the line and Furlong pushed another corner over the bar seven minutes later.

Sphinx, who now had manager Daniel McSheffey in the technical area, made changes and brought on Brad Taylor to face his brother amongst three other substitutes.

One of those was Paul Green and in the 76th minute, he made it 4-0 when he beat the keeper with a stunning drive from the edge of the area.

Ethan Moore pulled one back for Villa with a low drive, two minutes later, but Sphinx had the game won.

Sphinx: O'Neill (Furlong 46), McAteer, Holmes, Kay (Simmon 54) , Ward, Hayward, Muldoon (Muldoon 54), Rhodes, Hopkins (Phillips 59), Murdock (Taylor 69), Donaldson (Green 62)

Aston Villa XI: Dau, Love, Ciara, Clifton, Williams, Johnson, Nelson Addy, Deeny, Taylor, Cameron. Subs Used Moore, Devine, Ward, Caruthers, Poyser, Garrocott, Dyer.

Attendance: 314

Twins Connor & Bradley Taylor line up in opposition.

Connor creates some space for himself amidst the Sphinx defence.

The bumper crowd watch on, as does Carl O'Neill as he organises his defensive wall.

O'Neill takes one for the team as Jerome Murdock sprints clear.

....and finishes well as he has done all pre-season!

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photos copyright and courtesy of Mick Evans @ KORU Digital