Steve Spooner

Blues under 18's were held to a goalless draw by their Coventry counterparts at the weekend.

The Blues youngsters had by far the better chances, but a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal, combined with some excellent shotstopping by the Coventry keeper conspired to prevent Blues breaking the deadlock.

"It was a massive positive that we've come out of the game with a clean sheet," said Under 18's Coach Steve Spooner.

"But on top of that we could have had a couple of goals and kept a cleansheet as well.

"No disrespect to Coventry but we didn't think they really troubled us too much.

"They had a late flurry but they didn't really create any clearcut chances.

"In the first 15 or 20 minutes we had two great efforts through James O'Brien and Robert Gradwell.

"But the keeper managed to save them both and one of them in particular was a really outstanding save.

"Then ten minutes from the end of the second half Jamie Sheldon had a great chance as well but he hit the keeper.

James O'Brien

"Some of our football was really decent particularly in the first half.

"We knew that they would come and defend and get people behind the ball, so we emphasised to the players the need to move the ball quickly and not let them get set in position.

"In fairness to Coventry in the second half they came out very lively and pegged us back and we took a little bit of time to recover and it all became a bit scrappy.

"Throughout the team they worked very hard, but we didn't score simply because we weren't clinical enough and also because their goalkeeper was exceptional."

Full time: Blues U18's 0 Coventry U18's 0

Blues U18's: Lyness, Rutter (McKerr), Timmins, Mutch, Pearce, Joyce, O'Brien (Sheldon), McPike, Gradwell (Rowe), Osman, Milojevic.
Subs not used: Platt.