Matchday Memories: On This Day 2011 – See Sky Blues Stop The Rot With Watford Win

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CCFC gaffer- Andy Thorn,

On this day (2nd April) in 2011 the Sky Blues had been managed most of the season by Aidy Boothroyd. Sadly, however, the performances of the team that Aidy built gradually but substantially deteriorated particularly in this second half of the season. Aidy was replaced by Chief Scout Andy Thorn in March as (initially) caretaker ‘gaffer’ to the end of the season. The Sky Blues were currently on a run of eighteen Championship games with only one win, had lost 2-1 at bottom club Preston North End last time out, and Andy was hoping, in his third game in charge to finally stop the rot!

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Sky Blue tough guys celebrate the win – Chris Hussey, Gary McSheffrey, Freddie Eastwood and Michael Doyle

Gary McSheffrey in Sky Blue action

In the end that’s what the Sky Blues managed to do registering a 2-0 home win over  play-off chasing Watford in front of a 16,519 Ricoh crowd (including 1,646 from Herts). This was their first three point win in eight games. Still threatened by administration the Sky Blues win left them ten points clear of the relegation zone. City’s attack was boosted by the return of striker Marlon King from suspension but it was fellow strikers Gary McSheffrey and Lukas Jutkiewicz who got the City’s goals.

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Sky Blue Lukas

Now CCFPA member ‘Sheffers’ netted three minutes before the half hour after being set up by fairly recent CCFPA recruit David Bell and Lukas made it 2-0 with his first touch off the subs’ bench six minutes after the hour mark from a cross from (now CCFPA member) Aron Gunnarsson. The Sky Blues could have had more as Aron also headed against the bar and the Hornet’s keeper Scott Loach played a blinder. City’s goalie (and now CCFPA member) Kieren Westwood also had a good game. The win kicked off a run of five unbeaten games which steadied the ship somewhat.

A contemporary match report from BBC Sport can be found by clicking here.   An unusual ‘fans eye’ view of the game’s highlights from the Ricoh (by Lee Lennon) can be viewed by clicking the link or image below.
Andy Thorn‘s Sky Blues lined up (CCFPA members underlined):-

Kieren Westwood, Jordan Clarke (sub. Nathan Cameron – 53), Chris Hussey, Richard Keogh, Martin Crainie, Sammy Clingan, Aron Gunnarsson, David Bell (sub. Michael McIndoe -76), Marlon King, Freddy Eastwood (sub. Lukas Jutciewitz -64) and Gary McSheffrey

Unused subs: Clive Platt, Stephen O’Halloran, Roy O’Donovan and Michael Quirke (gk)
 
Malky Mackay‘s Hornets team was as follows:-
Scott Loach, Lee Hodson, John Eustace, Martin Taylor, Don Cowie, Danny Graham, Ross Jenkins (sub. Danny Drinkwater -46), Dale Bennett, Andrew Weimann (sub. Troy Deeney -77), Matthew Whichelow (sub. Will Buckley -46) and Adam Thompson  Unused subs: Marvin Sordell, Peiro Mingoia, Tom Aldred and Rene Gilmartin (gk)
Referee: Carl Boyeson (East Yorkshire)
 
As well as starter John Eustace (now a CCFPA member), who started his career at Highfield Road and went on to play nearly a century of Sky Blue games between 1998-2003, on the bench was future Sky Blue Marvin Sordell who netted seven times in his 26 appearances during 2016-17.

CCFC 2010-11 (under Aidy Boothroyd)

The team ultimately ended up their 2010-11 season safe in a lowly eighteenth spot with Crystal Palace twentieth. Nevertheless, City were a full thirteen points clear (and Palace six clear) of the relegated trio, Preston North End, Sheffield United and, at the very bottom, Scunthorpe United.

Queens Park Rangers (Champions) and Norwich City got the automatic promotion spots and were Premier League bound along with play-off victors, third placed Swansea City.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.

 

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