Matchday Memories: On This Day 2017 – Sky Blues Unveil A Valiants Victory!
CCFC gaffer Tony Mowbray
Russell Slade
There were protests galore against the club’s owners and management performance as City were bumping along in the relegation zone. In mid February a 2-1 Ricoh win against Gillingham was the club’s first in sixteen (a record) and Slade’s first victory in nine games!
Manager Mark
A further two defeats and a draw followed before former Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Mark Robins returned to the club for what City fans soon recognised was the start of a revival, indeed a true a ‘second coming’. It didn’t start immediately as Mark’s tenure started with three straight defeats but, after that, starting with today’s 2-1 win at the Ricoh over Port Vale, City won five out of their last nine games. Of, course this was not enough to prevent the club going down in penultimate spot with four games to go but the improved run included that emotional 2-1 Checkatrade Trophy Final victory over Oxford United at Wembley, so City had something to show for the season!
Kyel in the Sky Blue
On this particular day the Sky Blues game was against the Valiants at the Ricoh (in a fixture that had been moved twice to today). City were actually on a ‘double’ having defeated the Potteries club 2-0 back in October 1st at Vale Park in Mark Venus‘ first game in charge. That win took away their 100% home record thanks to a Sky Blue goal in each half, by Marvin Sordell (36 minutes) and loanee Chris McCann (72 mins). Today only 7,695 loyal fans had turned up (including 516 from Staffordshire) to watch proceedings.
Kwame in the Sky Blue
Two Sky Blues goals in three minutes just before the break set City up for their important win. First, winger Kyel Reid netted on 37 minutes with a delightful turn and long range volley past the Port Vale ‘keeper Deniz Mehmet. Then young central attacker Kwame Thomas got our second with a cheeky back-heel three minutes later after Mehmet had parried a goal bound shot. A 74th minute headed goal from the Vale’s Nathan Smith set up a tense final quarter but City hung on for the win. Nevertheless, they were still bottom fourteen points from safety – a gap they would prove unable to close subsequently.
Kyel about to volley home
