COVENTRY CITY 4 CITY 0
League Division 1
12th February 1983
Attendance 9,527
Scorers Melrose(30), Hateley(38), Gillespie(55), Hunt(70)
Ref M Dimblebee
City Williams, Ranson, McDonald, Reid, Bond, Caton, May, Reeves, Cross, Hartford, Bodak – Sub Park(65)
Coventry Sealey, Thomas, Roberts, Butterworth, Dyson, Gillespie, Whitton, Francis, Hateley, Melrose, Hunt – Sub Thompson(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PATRICK BARCLAY WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 14TH FEBRUARY 1983
There must be times when Coventry wonder if its all worth the efiort. Their stadium is all-seated, their welcome warm. They pay attention to every detail of public relations. And yet, even when they have an attractive young team reaching out for Europe. they
still cannot record the modest 11,000 attendance required to break even.
On Saturday 9,527 Saw Coventry tear apart an admittedly threadbare Manchester City, the only flaw in their performance being mercy in front of goal. However, as Gerry Francis said afterwards, it’s a familiar story; the money is just not there. Coventry, like a few others will have to be patient and hope that their capacity to entertain outlasts the recession.
Even allowing for the fact that they were playing John Benson‘s motley inheritance, Coventry looked a most promising side. with Dyson and Gillespie solid in defence, Hunt a fountain of skill in midfield, and Hateley and Melrose resourceful front-runners.
There was also Whitton a burly right-flanker with a Lorimer-like readiness to shoot from long range.
Above all there was Francis, 31 but rejuvenated by the verve around him. The former England captain crowned a splendid performance by runing 50 yards to set up the fourth goal for Hunt.
A clipped drive from 30 yards by Hateley was the pick of the first three as Coventry repeatedly sliced through the opposition. Observers blinked at Benson’s selection, which had Reeves in midfield and Bond up front, but his team lacked a lot more than balance. In the absence of the injured Corrigan, Tueart, Power and Baker, professional prlde seemed to go out the window. Only the young reserve May
enhanced his reputation.