Matchday Memories: On This Day 2007 – Sky Blues Squeeze Past Ten Man Wolves
Iain Dowie when Sky Blue ‘gaffer
On this Tuesday evening (13th April) in 2007 the Sky Blues had changed managerial leadership since February 20th with Iain Dowie now City boss having replaced former Sky Blues defender turned ‘gaffer’ (and now Association member) Micky Adams.
A new manager bounce was under way with Iain’s charges gaining two league wins and two draws prior to today’s Championship match against old local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The unbeaten run continued with the Sky Blues winning the game at the Ricoh against Mick McCarthy‘s men on this day by the odd goal in three in front of a crowd of 22,099.
Michael in the Sky Blue
The Sky Blues had diminutive Maltese striker (and now Association member) Michael Mifsud in the side making his first start in CCFC colours and the ‘pace of the so-called ‘Maltese Messi’ put the team in Old Gold under sustained pressure. The points, however, were not settled until the second half.
In the first period ‘Dele Adebola prodded CCFC into a 26th minute lead following a bouncing free kick from (‘Dele’s now fellow CCFPA member) Stephen Hughes. The Sky Blues win looked set when the Wolves’ McNamara was red-carded on 44 minutes after successive yellows on Michael and his fellow recent CCFPA recruit Isaac Osbourne. However, wouldn’t you know it, the ten man visitors found an equaliser almost immediately with a strike from Michael Kightly. So it was 1-1 at half-time!
Elliott Ward
Dele in the Sky Blue
It was another recent CCFPA recruit, central defender Elliott Ward who grabbed the Sky Blues their victory and all the points with nineteen minutes of the game left, producing a smart volley from a corner. This made up for his own goal against the Wolbes in the first match at Molineux a 1-0 defeat in mid October. This made up for the defenders’ own goal in the first game between the two clubs in mid October which gave Wolves their 1-0 victory!
The Sky Blues win ended Wolves’ six match winning streak leaving them fifth and the Sky Blues fourteenth!
A contemporary match report from BBC Sport (including comments from the respective managers) can be accessed here.
The key match details can be found in the graphic below with Sky Blues team in the left hand column. The Referee was Mr. P Walton (Northamptonshire).
Andy in the Sky Blue Yellow
Isaac in Sky Blue action
Of the Sky Blues players on show on this day (and on the bench) only Adam Virgo, Colin Hawkins and ‘keeper Luke Steele as yet have not gone on to join this Association. The same is true for three Wolves players on the day with Sky Blue connections, Gary Breen, Jay Bothroyd and Michael McIndoe!
CCFC 2006-07
Sunderland were Champs two points ahead of also promoted Birmingham City. They were joined in the top flight by third placed Derby County after the play-offs.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images & graphic.
