Matchday Memories: On This Day 2013 – See SF JPT Drama As Mark’s Men Pip Preston!
Steven Jennings in the Sky Blue
On this day (10th January) in 2013, what a night, and what a comeback as the Sky Blues scored two goals in the last minute to beat Preston North End 3-2 in the Johnson’s Paint Trophy (Northern Semi-Final).
The JPT campaign had begun in early September with the Sky Blues under the caretaker management of CCFPA member Richard Shaw, his ‘gaffer’ (and now fellow CCFPA member Andy Thorn having been sacked on 26th August). Burton Albion were defeated 10-9 on penalties at the Ricoh after no score at full-time.
Bakes in the Sky Blue
With Mark Robins now in the Manager’s chair, York City were despatched 4-0 at their place in the second round. It then required penalties again (4-1) after a 1-1 Ricoh draw at Highfield Road to remove Sheffield United in the regional quarter final.
In this regional semi-final the visitors looked all on for a win though Steven Jennings had given the Sky Blues the advantage with a near post finish four minutes before the break.
North End then scored twice in the second half through a Luke Foster header (67) and a deflected effort after eighty minutes from future Sky Blue (and CCFPA member) Stuart Beavon to take an apparent 2-1 winning lead.
Finally, quick fire strikes in added on time from Carl Baker and Leon Clarke sent the fans wild as the Sky Blues snatched victory from the jaws of defeat!
Leon in the Sky Blue
‘Bakes’ produced a decisive finish powered through the ‘keeper from a narrow angle two minutes over the ninety and, on his home debut, Leon was on hand (90+4 mins.) to knock in a ball merely parried by Preston‘s ‘keeper Steve Simonsen. This was an exciting game for the 12,655 crowd (which included a decent sized following from Preston of 485 fans).
Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the highlights by clicking on the image below.
Current Sky Blue manager Mark Robins was on his first stint for the club. His team was (CCFPA members underlined):-
Manager Mark
Joe Murphy, Jordan Clarke, Blair Adams, Richard Wood, William Edjenguele, Jamie Bailey (sub. Conor Thomas -53), Steven Jennings (sub. Franck Moussa -75), Carl Baker, Leon Clarke, John Fleck and Gary McSheffrey (sub. Steven Elliott -86)
Unused subs: Nathan Cameron and Chris Dunn (gk)
Graham Westley‘s North End XI lined up as follows:-
Steve Simonsen, Joel Byrom (sub. Jeffrey Monokama -55), Joe Garner, David Buchanan, John Welsh (c), Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (sub. Chris Robertson -17), Jack King, Nicky Wroe, Luke Foster, Stuart Beavon (sub. Andrew Procter -81) and Lee Holmes Unused subs:- Chris Beardsley and Thorsten Stuckmann (gk) Referee: R.Madeley
CCFC 2012-13 (between Thorn & Robins)
‘Elvis’- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’
The Sky Blues faced Crewe Alexandra in the two legged regional Final. They were well beaten in the first leg at Gresty Road in early February losing by three clear goals, too much to claw back later in the month at Highfield Road. Though the Sky Blues won that one 2-0 both goals (an own goal and one from Leon Clarke) came in injury time – too late!
In between the two legs Mark Robins resigned to manage Huddersfield Town and former Sky Blue (and CCFPA member) Steven Pressley took over.
In League One City met North End twice drawing both games. The score was 1-1 just before Christmas at the Ricoh and 2-2 in Lancashire at the end of February. Without the ten points deduction received in March for going into administration City finished thirteenth under ‘Elvis’ (or fifteenth with the deduction applied)! North End finished fourteenth!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
