Matchday Memories: On This Day 2012 – See Sky Blues As Mark’s Men Go Nap At The ‘Pool!

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

Bakes in the Sky Blue

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.

David McGoldrick in the Sky Blue

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).

Image

Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Franck in the Sky Blue

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.

Adam in the Sky Blue

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.

A contemporary match report from BBC Sport can be found here.  Thanks to CCFPA’s Dean Nelson you can also watch match highlights (including comments from CCFPA committee member Dave Bennett) by clicking on the link or image below:-
Mark Robins‘ Sky Blues fielded the following team (CCFPA members underlined):-

Sky Blue gaffer Mark Robins

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

Unused Subs: Nathan Cameron, Cody McDonald, Callum Ball and Chris Dunn (gk),
 
John HughesHartlepool United put out the following players:-
Scott Flinders, Neil Austin, Ritchie Humphreys (Simon Walton 66), Darren Holden, Sam Collins, Peter Hartley (c), Jonathan Franks, Anthony Sweeney, Ryan Noble, James Poole (Charlie Wyke -76) and Paul Murray (Andy Monkhouse -66),  Unused Subs: Nathan Luscombe, Jack Baldwin, Jordan Richards and Mark Foden (gk)       Referee: Andy D’Urso (Essex)
 

‘Elvis’- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’

 

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).

CCFC 2012-13 (between Thorn & Robins)

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.

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

Comments

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...


*
= 5 + 1