Matchday Memories: On This Day 2012 – See Sky Blues As Mark’s Men Go Nap At The ‘Pool!
On theis day (17th November) ten years ago in 2012 the Sky Blues had a field day in League One with captain (now CCFPA member) Carl Baker starring in a 5-0 win at Hartlepool United. All City’s goals came in a stunning second half blitz – their first nap hand since April 2008! There were 4,404 in the small Victoria Park ground to watch what unfolded including 519 excited members of the Sky Blue Army.
Sky Blues ‘gaffer’ Mark Robins, who had taken over from the sacked Andy Thorn just three league matches in towards the end of August had had a difficult start in the CCFC managerial hotseat. More recently things had stabilised with a trio of league and cup wins before a blip last time out (a 2-1 home defeat to Scunthorpe United). MR was looking to get back on track and had made three changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Gary McSheffrey and Franck Moussa alongside (in his full debut) new loan signing Blair Adams (all three now CCFPA members).
There was a good number of decent chances for both sides which were saved or squandered leaving the half-time scoreboard showing no goals after a war of attrition in the midfield.
However, it was ‘Bakes’ who began the scoring (the first of a brace) five minutes into the second period with a 25 yard strike out of nowhere. It was 2-0 on 57 minutes though, thanks to Franck who picked up a ball from Blair, burst into the box, and fired a shot which hit Ritchie Humphries on the hand leaving referee Andy D’Urso no choice but to award the penalty, calmly put away by David McGoldrick (for his twelfth of the season).
City found themselves three goals to the good just two minutes later as Blair whipped in a low cross which gave Carl a simple finish at the back post. Franck then got the goal his performance deserved on 74 minutes when the Sky Blues broke away six-on-three with ‘Bakes’ setting up his partner for a confident finish past the ‘Pool’s ‘keeper Scott Flinders to make it 4-0.
In an inspired substitution Mark Robins immeditely called off James Bailey replacing him with (now CCFPA member) Adam Barton who marked his introduction with City’s fifth with his first touch of the ball just thirty seconds after coming onto the pitch. Game, set and match! The victory by five clear goals sent City up to sixteenth in League One table.
Joe Murphy, Cyrus Christie (Jordan Clarke -88), Blair Adams, Richard Wood, William Edjenguele, Carl Baker (c), James Bailey (Adam Barton -76), Steven Jennings, (Roy O’Donovan -83), Franck Moussa and Gary McSheffrey
The rampant Sky Blues scored a further twenty goals over next seven league games, went undefeated until the new year, and rose into the top half of the table. Former Sky Blue defender (and CCFPA member) Steven Pressley went on to take over from Mark Robins as Sky Blues gaffer in March 2013, effectively their fourth of the season! In his third game in charge City completed the double over the ‘Pool, again preventing the visitors scoring at the Ricoh, a 33rd minute goal from Cody McDonald (another Association member now) being enough to beat them.
The Sky Blues striker Leon Clarke‘s goal contribution put him second in the League’s hot shot table and CCFC would have finished firmly mid table in thirteenth with 65 points but for the points penalty and were therefore pleased to survive the season just two places lower in fifteenth spot (though exile in Northampton was in prospect).
For the record AFC Bournemouth ended up in runners up spot in League One and were promoted along with champions Doncaster Rovers and (via the playoffs) fourth placed Yeovil Town. The relegated quartet this season were (in descending order) Scunthorpe United, Bury, our opponents today Hartlepool United and Portsmouth.