U23: THEY TRIED BUT FAILED IN THE FINAL MINUTES . COVENTRY STRONGER . BRISTOL CITY – COVENTRY CITY 2 – 3 .Second place and promotion to the semi-finals of the Professional Development League 2 South.

Two goals in eight minutes opened the way for Coventry City U23s to win the Professional Development League play-off cup final against Bristol City.

Marco Rus scored after a clever play by Fabio Tavares in the fourth minute and Ryan Howley doubled the lead four minutes later, shooting hard and low from an acute angle in a breathtaking start to the match at Ashton Gate.

Will Bapaga drove down the right, cut inside and fired a shot against the near post as the Sky Blues threatened to increase their lead further.

However, Cian Tyler kept the visitors in the game as the hosts struggled under sustained pressure. Marley Rose missed a 25-yard free kick and Tommy Conway was blocked from close range.

Tyler was put to the test, however, when Sam Bell was able to send in a centre from the right and Owura Edwards’ clever first-ball shot inside the penalty area reduced the deficit before the break.

Coventry started the second half of the game in fine style – Howley came close to scoring when he fired an errant shot in the 48th minute, before a free kick from Josh Reid sent a great ball into the net and it looked like the ball was going into the goal until Bristol goalkeeper Will Buse deflected it in at the last minute.

The visitors regretted their missed opportunities when Tommy Conway broke forward down the right and hit Tyler perfectly and hit the post, bringing the score to 2-2.

Luke Tisdale’s charges restored their lead 15 minutes before the end of the game when Jay McGrath’s shot in the penalty area deflected off central defender George Burroughs, who mis-hit the goalkeeper and gave City a 3-2 lead.

Tyler showed even more heroism in the 85th minute when he came out on the field and did much to prevent Bell scoring a second goal for Bristol. However, the visitors put their bodies on the line and defended with great courage to take the win and secure the Cup in six long minutes of added time.

U23: BRISTOL CITY – COVENTRY CITY 2 – 3

Coventry City goals : Marco Rus, Ryan Howley, George Burroughs;
Bristol City goals : Tommy Conway, Owura Edwards.

Bristol City : Cian Tyler; Evan Eghosa (Lelsey Duru, 57 mins), George Burroughs, Jay McGrath, Josh Reid; Richardo Dinanga, Marco Rus (Harrison Nee, 75 mins), Jonny Ngandu, Ryan Howley,

Coventry City: Cian Tyler (GK), Josh Reid, George Burroughs, Jay McGrath, Evan Eghosa, Marco Rus, Ryan Howley, Jonny Ngandu, Ricardo Dinanga, Will Bapaga, Fabio Tavares.

Yellows: Callum Wood, Harrison Nee

subs : Josey Casa Grande (GK), Tommy Backwell, Seb Palmer Houlden, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Olly Thomas.

subs: Luke Bell (GK), Trialist, Charlie Manners, Aidan Finnegan, Harrison Nee.