Matchday Memories: On This Day 2006 – A Sky Blue Dennis Brace & Brighton Wise Up!

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Manager Micky

On this day (4th January) in 2006 manager Micky Adams (a former Sky Blue player) enthused by his struggling team’s 6-1 thrashing of Derby County last time at the Ricoh in the league and the subsequent 2-1 victory at Hull City in the last game was looking for a win treble and evidence of a turned corner.

Today City were playing fellow Championship strugglers Brighton (currently 21st) at Ricoh. Both teams were aware that City had beaten the Seagulls 1-0 only last month on the south coast in the Third Round of the F.A.Cup, thanks to a 50th goal from Gary McSheffrey. Back in mid September the two teams had shared the spoils 2-2 in the league at the Withdean! Micky’s men got their win over Mark McGhee‘s men!

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Dennis salutes his brace

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Dennis outjumps the Brighton defence

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Congratulations all round

Midfielder (and now CCFPA member) Stephen Hughes was back today in the defence having recovered from an Achilles injury. However it was in the Sky Blues midfield that the game was won thanks to another superlative performance from diminutive loanee Dennis Wise who grabbed a brace. The former Wimbledon ‘Crazy Gang’ member, last with Southampton,  who had signed a six month deal only in January made it four goals in three games in another cameo.

His exemplar midfielder performance earned him a standing ovation from the 20,589 crowd. Dennis was defending one minute, creating the next and scoried two, one in each half. A scrappy first half ended with Dennis heading home in a cross from ‘Cov.Kid’ (now CCFPA member) Marcus Hall three minutes from the half time whistle. The ebullient midfilder’s second came from a 68th minute tap in after (now CCFPA member) Andy Whing‘s shot was merely parried by Brighton‘s ‘keeper Wayne Henderson.
 

The contemporary BBC Sport match report (including comments from the respective management staff) can be accessed here. The two teams lined up as follows:-

 

Marcus in the Sky Blue

Andy Whing

Sky Blues (CCFPA members underlined):-

Marton Fulop, Andy Whing, Robert Page, Ady Williams, Marcus Hall, James Scowcroft, Michael Doyle, Dennis Wise (sub. Andrew Impey -90), Gary McSheffrey (sub. Andy Morrell -30), Stern John, ‘Dele Adebola (sub. Don Hutchison -70).

Unused Subs: Richard Shaw and Clayton Ince (gk)

Brighton:

Wayne Henderson, Adam El-Abd, Paul McShane, Guy Butters, Joel Lynch, Sebastien Carole, Richard Carpenter, Dean Hammond, Alexandre Frutos (sub. Colin Kazim-Richards -70), Gary Hart, Jake Robinson (sub. Chris McPhee 70). Unused Subs: Paul Reid, Adam Hinshelwood and Richard Martin (gk)   Referee: Uriah Rennie (S. Yorkshire).

The league honours this year went to Champions Reading on a massive 106 points, sixteen points clear of the also promoted Sheffield United.  Third placed Watford also went up after the playoffs. The Sky Blues missed out on the playoffs in eighth spot – not a bad season in the circumstances! 

CCFC 2005-06

The relegated trio included in 22nd, Crewe Alexandra, Millwall in 23rd place along with today’s opponents, bottom club Brighton in 24th.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for the images.

 

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