Vital Posh looks at previous matches between Posh and Coventry City.
Peterborough United face another close midlands neighbour on Saturday when npower Championship basement outfit Coventry City visit London Road.
Just as Posh had only ever played eight League games against last weeks opponents Leicester City, they have played eight League games against this weeks opponents Coventry City!
The Sky Blues having the upperhand on Posh having won 5 out of the 8 League games; with Posh only winning twice.
Coventry did the double over Posh the last time these two teams met in the League during the 2009/10 season. Prior to that season, it was back in the 1960`s that the other six games took place.
1961/62 23-Sep Coventry 1 – 3 Peterborough Third Division
1961/62 10-Feb Peterborough 2 – 3 Coventry Third Division
1962/63 26-Dec Peterborough 0 – 3 Coventry Third Division
1962/63 29-Dec Coventry 3 – 3 Peterborough Third Division
1963/64 09-Nov Coventry 3 – 2 Peterborough Third Division
1963/64 20-Apr Peterborough 2 – 0 Coventry Third Division
2009/10 12-Dec Coventry 3 – 2 Peterborough Championship
2009/10 06-Mar Peterborough 0 – 1 Coventry Championship
Last Time Out
The last time Coventry travelled to London Road to meet Posh was two seasons. Posh were already resigned to the fact they were going to be relegated, but they were still putting up the best fight possible.
Sitting in last place, ten points from safety and with just 13 games remaining of the season, Posh were looking to make the most of their remaining games in the Championship. Jim Gannon was the third manager of the season for Posh having taken over the hotseat from Mark Cooper. Gannon`s Posh had won both their previous home games and were looking to keep that run going.
Coventry on the other hand were having a successful season sitting in 10th place, just 3 points outside the play-offs. This was a game City needed to pick up 3 points to stay in touch with the play-off teams.
Over three thousand City fans made the relatively short journey to London Road to back their team but they nearly saw their team go behind with less than 10 seconds on the clock as neat play set up Chris Whelpdale, but his effort went wide of the post.
Jon Stead caused problems for the Posh defence as Craig Morgan headed away the first corner of the game. Whelpdale then had another effort after the ball was fed into his path by Liam Dickinson but his shot was saved by Kieran Westwood in the City goal.
Craig Morgan again came to Posh`s defence following numerous huge throws from Gunnarsson caused the back line problems. Gunnarsson then had an effort deflected which was saved easily by Joe Lewis.
Gaby Zakuani nearly got his name on the scoresheet on 22 minutes when a Frecklington free-kick was nodded on to the Posh defender, but he couldn`t keep his header from going over the bar.
The Sky Blues took the lead on 24 minutes after a long ball from Cranie found Jon STEAD who held off a strong challenge from Morgan to plant his shot past Lewis.
Posh nearly got back into the game when firstly City nearly scored an own goal when a cross-cum-shot from Tommy Rowe was sliced away by James McPake for a corner. From the resulting corner, Charlie Lee headed the ball goalwards only to see Clingan divert the ball onto the underside of the crossbar.
Lee Frecklington then volleyed over the bar as Posh continued to threaten before Whelpdale dragged another shot wide on the stroke of half-time.
Half-time: Posh 0 – 1 Coventry City
Clingan, who had been booked in the first half, was substituted at half-time with Gary Deegan coming on.
Six minues after the restart, a Dominic Green corner provided an opportunity for new signing Mark Little, but his effort was blocked.
A McPake header was glanced wide on 58 minutes before Posh Whelpdale made way for Josh Simpson.
Clinton Morrison had a couple of efforts on the Posh goal. Firstly, on 65 minutes, he had a shot from 25-yards which was deflected wide before beating the offside trap and, only 6 yards from goal, couldn`t beat the advancing Lewis.
Another good lay off from Dickinson provided an opportunity for Lee bu he fired well wide of the target.
Posh legend Craig Mackail-Smith came on for Aaron McLean with just 20 minutes remaining. His drive, pace and harassment caused the City backline no end of problems and his energy seemed to lift the Posh faithful.
Several set-pieces caused a few problems for City while Westwood did well to come from his line to gather on several occasions.
Posh couldn`t find a way through for the levelled as a shot from Frecklington sailed over the bar on 79 minutes was Posh`s last significant effort of the game.
Final Score: Posh 0 – 1 Coventry City
Posh: Lewis, Little, Morgan, Zakuani, Rowe, Green, Frecklington, Lee, Whelpdale (sub Simpson 59min), Dickinson, Mclean (sub Mackail-Smith 74min).
Unused subs: McKeown, Day, Torres, Koranteng, Geohaghon.
Coventry: Westwood, Wright, Hall, Clingan (sub Deegan 46min), McPake, Stead, Morrison (sub Sears 86min), Cranie, Gunnarsson, Baker, McIndoe.
Unused subs: Konstantopoulos, Hussey, Eastwood, Wynter, Grandison.
Attendance: 10,469 (3,126 City fans)
The defeat saw Posh remain in last place, 13 points from safety while Coventry moved up to 8th place, 3 points from the final play-off place.
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