This midweek BotP made the short trip up the M40 and A46 to Coventry. Destination Allard Way, home of Coventry Copsewood. The occasion, a Coventry Telegraph Cup Semi-Final between Copsewood and Central Ajax. Although being played at Copsewood's ground, the game was actually billed as an Ajax home game. Although I have visited Allard Way before, it was way back in 2015 when I last watched a game there. On that evening Highgate United came to town, beating Copsewood 4-0 and claiming the Midland League Division 1 title in the process (Gate End On A High). I've also seen Copsewood play on two other occasion, both of which were cup finals and both of which they won. In 2016 I saw them beat Nuneaton Griff 2-1 in the Midweek Floodlit Cup Final at Stratford Town's ground (Copse Cup Coup). IN 2019 I saw them retain this very cup at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, beating Triumph Athletic 3-2 (Copse No Robbers). I've only had the pleasure of seeing Central Ajax once, an excellent league encounter with Coventrians in 2022 (Ajax Show Their Vim).
Copsewood were coming into this game safe in the knowledge that their Division One status was as good as guaranteed for next season. Currently firmly placed in mid-table they were 18 points above the drop zone and 12 below the play-off places, albeit having played more than the majority. One league below them, Ajax were in a similar position. Eleven points above the bottom two but with games in hand on many around them. They were also unbeaten in their last three in all competitions.
Copsewood have some pedigree in The Coventry Telegraph Cup having won it three times in recent years. As far as I can see, Ajax have not won the trophy.
NB: I will be more than happy to change Copsewood players from shirt numbers to names at a later date.
Copsewood were coming into this game safe in the knowledge that their Division One status was as good as guaranteed for next season. Currently firmly placed in mid-table they were 18 points above the drop zone and 12 below the play-off places, albeit having played more than the majority. One league below them, Ajax were in a similar position. Eleven points above the bottom two but with games in hand on many around them. They were also unbeaten in their last three in all competitions.
Copsewood have some pedigree in The Coventry Telegraph Cup having won it three times in recent years. As far as I can see, Ajax have not won the trophy.
NB: I will be more than happy to change Copsewood players from shirt numbers to names at a later date.
Early Ajax corner It was the higher ranked side who were first to threaten when Eden Mukenge drove a ball across the Ajax penalty area only for the attempt at goal to be deflected for a corner. A few minutes later Ajax had their first sight of goal, even if it was just a half-chance. The ball dropping to Pat Fetherston on the edge of the box, but his effort was well wide of the mark. Just before the quarter-hour mark, Ajax had an even better chance. An absolutely delightful through ball from Josh Kilbride completely bypassed the Copsewood defence, giving Jack Keeling a clear run at goal but once again the Blues goalkeeper was not troubled.
Both sides were working hard but not making too many clear cut chances. Harvey Wells headed an effort over the bar in the 25th minute and three minutes later their Gomes struck a crisp volley wide of Taylor's left-hand post. Copsewood did manufacture a much better opportunity just after the half-hour point. Jean Paul Gomes again causing the problems, this time with a deflected shot that caused Taylor to spill the ball. However, in the ensuing scramble the Ajax defence was able to get the ball clear.
In fact Nathan Taylor in the Ajax goal was far busier than his counterpart even though the game was evenly balanced in terms of possession. It was Copsewood who were making the slightly better chances. Tayler was called upon after 37 minutes, thwarting Sam Ellis with a good stop. Just before the half-time whistle, Taylor was again called into action with another good stop. However, we were still goalless at the break.
HT Central Ajax 0 Coventry Copsewood 0. Not too much to chose between the teams. Copsewood have managed to work the Ajax keeper once or twice. Both teams have enjoyed some good passages of possession but clear-cut chances have been infrequent.
Both sides were working hard but not making too many clear cut chances. Harvey Wells headed an effort over the bar in the 25th minute and three minutes later their Gomes struck a crisp volley wide of Taylor's left-hand post. Copsewood did manufacture a much better opportunity just after the half-hour point. Jean Paul Gomes again causing the problems, this time with a deflected shot that caused Taylor to spill the ball. However, in the ensuing scramble the Ajax defence was able to get the ball clear.
In fact Nathan Taylor in the Ajax goal was far busier than his counterpart even though the game was evenly balanced in terms of possession. It was Copsewood who were making the slightly better chances. Tayler was called upon after 37 minutes, thwarting Sam Ellis with a good stop. Just before the half-time whistle, Taylor was again called into action with another good stop. However, we were still goalless at the break.
HT Central Ajax 0 Coventry Copsewood 0. Not too much to chose between the teams. Copsewood have managed to work the Ajax keeper once or twice. Both teams have enjoyed some good passages of possession but clear-cut chances have been infrequent.
Copsewood corner cleared After posting that the game needed a goal, Copsewood provided it one minute into the second period. Mukenge broke free on the right before squaring to the unmarked Sam Ellis who took a touch before slotting under Natahan Taylor with a composed finish. 0-1. The goal gave Copsewood an added swagger and they came incredibly close to doubling their lead three minutes after going ahead. Gordon's strike from the edge of the box looked as if it is going in before Taylor got a fingertip to it, pushing it against the inside of the post. The ball ricocheted across the line and against the opposite post before Taylor was able to scramble across and fall on it amidst muted cries for a penalty as a striker went down in the melee. Nothing given. It was certainly a stroke of luck that the ball ran across the goal-line and didn't spin into the net but take nothing away from the excellent save from Taylor. that could well have been the deciding point of the game. If Copsewood had gone two goals up it would have been a mountain for Ajax to climb. As it was, ten minutes after going behind, the Division Two side were level when Adam Taylor broke down the right side. There were claims that he had fouled a defender to get to the ball but, in all honesty, he just out-muscled his opponent. Taylor then squared the ball to Josh Kilbride who took a touch before burying a left-foot effort past Olly Manuel. 1-1
The game was really starting to liven up in all ways now. Two goals, both sides pushing for a winner, some 'banter' between players who clearly knew each other and, after a fairly sedate first-half, plenty of tackles flying in. Suddenly we had a cup tie on our hands.
Just past the hour Copsewood produced a lovely passing move that culminated in Charlie Gordon hooking an effort over Taylor's bar. A lovely passage of play that probably deserved a finish, although it wasn't an easy chance by any means. However, the half-chance miss looked even more important two minutes later when Ajax completed the turnaround. A long ball, aimed at Taylor, instead fell into the path of substitute Ryan Palmer who ran on to finish well. 2-1
Now it was the turn of Ajax to be on top. They came very close to adding a third after 72 minutes through another substitute, Freddy Murphy. His disappointment didn't last long though. A minute later a low, driven cross from the right was met at the far post by an unmarked Murphy. 3-1.
The substitutes had made their mark already but Murphy clearly wanted more. Just a few minutes later he flashed a shot inches wide of the mark as Ajax went for the throat. As it happens, they didn't need any more goals despite some late threats from Copsewood, their goal remained untouched.
FT Central Ajax 3 Coventry Copsewood 1. What a result for Ajax. Not only beating higher-ranked opposition, but also coming from behind to do so. There were a few scenes after the final whistle, most likely brought about by the verbals that were being shared throughout the second half especially. Although it was no great surprise that some scores needed to be settled it was something of a shame because the game and the second-half in particular, had been a great advert for the competition. Two sides playing entertaining football. Central Ajax will now face either AFC Coventry Rangers or Dunlop in the final. These two meet, also at Copsewood, on March 19th.
Meanwhile, if you want to catch either of these sides in action, they are both back to league games at the weekend. Central Ajax face one of their possible final rivals, fifth placed AFC Coventry Rangers, at Ajax Park. Their first meeting of the season. Copsewood go to 9th placed OJM Black Country with whom they drew 1-1 earlier in the season.
Central Ajax: N.Taylor, Edgington-Furlong, Kilbride, Ruck, Randall, Dyke(c), Eden, Keeling, A.Taylor, Fetherston, Foley. Subs: Palmer, Murphy, Thwaites-Miles, Caswell, Barnett
Coventry Copsewood: Manuel, Pedley, Lole, Anthony, McIntyre, Upton, Gordon, Wells, Gomes, Ellis, Mukenge
The game was really starting to liven up in all ways now. Two goals, both sides pushing for a winner, some 'banter' between players who clearly knew each other and, after a fairly sedate first-half, plenty of tackles flying in. Suddenly we had a cup tie on our hands.
Just past the hour Copsewood produced a lovely passing move that culminated in Charlie Gordon hooking an effort over Taylor's bar. A lovely passage of play that probably deserved a finish, although it wasn't an easy chance by any means. However, the half-chance miss looked even more important two minutes later when Ajax completed the turnaround. A long ball, aimed at Taylor, instead fell into the path of substitute Ryan Palmer who ran on to finish well. 2-1
Now it was the turn of Ajax to be on top. They came very close to adding a third after 72 minutes through another substitute, Freddy Murphy. His disappointment didn't last long though. A minute later a low, driven cross from the right was met at the far post by an unmarked Murphy. 3-1.
The substitutes had made their mark already but Murphy clearly wanted more. Just a few minutes later he flashed a shot inches wide of the mark as Ajax went for the throat. As it happens, they didn't need any more goals despite some late threats from Copsewood, their goal remained untouched.
FT Central Ajax 3 Coventry Copsewood 1. What a result for Ajax. Not only beating higher-ranked opposition, but also coming from behind to do so. There were a few scenes after the final whistle, most likely brought about by the verbals that were being shared throughout the second half especially. Although it was no great surprise that some scores needed to be settled it was something of a shame because the game and the second-half in particular, had been a great advert for the competition. Two sides playing entertaining football. Central Ajax will now face either AFC Coventry Rangers or Dunlop in the final. These two meet, also at Copsewood, on March 19th.
Meanwhile, if you want to catch either of these sides in action, they are both back to league games at the weekend. Central Ajax face one of their possible final rivals, fifth placed AFC Coventry Rangers, at Ajax Park. Their first meeting of the season. Copsewood go to 9th placed OJM Black Country with whom they drew 1-1 earlier in the season.
Central Ajax: N.Taylor, Edgington-Furlong, Kilbride, Ruck, Randall, Dyke(c), Eden, Keeling, A.Taylor, Fetherston, Foley. Subs: Palmer, Murphy, Thwaites-Miles, Caswell, Barnett
Coventry Copsewood: Manuel, Pedley, Lole, Anthony, McIntyre, Upton, Gordon, Wells, Gomes, Ellis, Mukenge
The Ground
Situated to the South-East of Coventry city centre the Copsewood Sports and Social Club, just off Allard Way, doesn't appear to have changed very much at all since my last visit almost nine years ago. Access from Allard Way is via a fairly long service road that brings you to the main pavilion. There is parking available all around the pavilion and also a secondary car park just the other side of the miniature railway station. Yes, there's a miniature railway station. Not many grounds can say that (I suppose Summertown Stars at Cutteslowe Park?).
The football ground is accessed via a path that runs alongside the Sports & Social club with the pitch being further around the same path. It's another ground where cricket is played in the Summer months, so the clubhouse side of the pitch is open apart from the white plastic fencing that edges the playing area. Opposite this is the main stand, The Ken Naylor Memorial Stand, that seats around 75 people. The dugouts are placed either side of this stand. There is also a covered standing area behind the clubhouse end goal, known as the David Wickens Stand. Interestingly, there is also what looks like the remains of some old shallow terracing behind this goal.
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att:
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
Situated to the South-East of Coventry city centre the Copsewood Sports and Social Club, just off Allard Way, doesn't appear to have changed very much at all since my last visit almost nine years ago. Access from Allard Way is via a fairly long service road that brings you to the main pavilion. There is parking available all around the pavilion and also a secondary car park just the other side of the miniature railway station. Yes, there's a miniature railway station. Not many grounds can say that (I suppose Summertown Stars at Cutteslowe Park?).
The football ground is accessed via a path that runs alongside the Sports & Social club with the pitch being further around the same path. It's another ground where cricket is played in the Summer months, so the clubhouse side of the pitch is open apart from the white plastic fencing that edges the playing area. Opposite this is the main stand, The Ken Naylor Memorial Stand, that seats around 75 people. The dugouts are placed either side of this stand. There is also a covered standing area behind the clubhouse end goal, known as the David Wickens Stand. Interestingly, there is also what looks like the remains of some old shallow terracing behind this goal.
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att:
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
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