Matchday Memories: On This Pre-Season Day 2014 – Steven’s Sky Blues Make The Gas Gasp
Sky Blues ‘gaffer’ (and now CCFPA member) Steven Pressley’s youngish Sky Blues team came from behind to win their penultimate pre-season game against Bristol Rovers on this first day of August in 2014. These friendly games were to prepare for a Division One campaign that began with the club still in exile at Northampton Town‘s Sixfields Stadium but, thankfully, they returned after three ‘home’ games there back to the Ricoh. There was a decent crowd of 1,821 including 120 members of the Sky Blue Army in the Memorial Stadium Bristol to watch the City win.
Danny Swanson in the Sky Blue
Pressley’s pre-season preparations had produced some unpromising outcomes with only one win in Europe, 2-0 against the second strings of AS Roma. Before they went abroad bad weather caused a second half abandonment of the Sky Blues annual fixture at Nuneaton with CCFC 1-0 down. In Europe there had been no other wins, a defeat against Italian side AC Chievo Verona (0-3) and a goalless draw with AEL Kalloni from Greece (and a further game had been postponed). Back in Britain Newport County had trimmed our sails by the only goal but an excellent 1-0 win against Watford at Boreham Wood improved morale.
Aaron Phillips in the Sky Blue
The Pirates’ Andy Monkhouse (some sources say Matty Taylor) had given the Bristolians their half-time lead just four minutes from the break finishing well stabbing home after Sky Blues ‘keeper Ryan Alsopp had parried his shot. However, a superb equaliser from the Sky Blues Danny Swanson and then a powerful header from Aaron Phillips in three second half minutes turned the game on its head.
Danny’s thoroughly deserved Sky Blue leveller came in the 65 minute when Danny curled a twenty yarder round the Gas’ goalie Steve Mildenhall into the top corner. Three minutes later (now CCFPA member) Ryan Haynes produced a pinpoint corner onto Aaron Phillips‘ head for a powerful finish and the winner!
‘Elvis’- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’
‘Elvis’ fielded the following side (CCFPA members underlined):-
Ryan Allsop, Aaron Phillips, Ryan Haynes, Brian McLean, Jack Finch, Ivor Lawton, Billy Daniels, Adam Barton, Danny Swanson, George Thomas and James Maddison
CCFC 2014-15
The Sky Blues lost their last pre-season game by the odd goal in three at Stevenage which perhaps presaged more trouble to come. In Division One City played their first three ‘home’ games still in exile at Sixfields, Northampton but returned to the Ricoh at an emotional 1-0 win over Gillingham on 5th September 2014.
Manager Mowbray
The Sky Blues managerial ‘musical chairs’ continued, however, as Steve Pressley was sacked in February 2015 to allow Tony Mowbray to take up the hot seat. Tony eventually guided them to safety and a seventeenth spot finish in League One.
