Second half strikes from John Hartson, John Eustace and Jay Bothroyd earned Coventry City a well-deserved victory over UCD at Belfield in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon. However, the win came with a price as the Welsh international striker who opened the scoring for the Nationwide Division One side with a spot-kick in the 46th minute hobbled off with just over ten minutes remaining after picking up an ankle injury and will miss Sunday's match against Bray Wanderers.
Coventry were well on top in the first-half but with the introduction of no fewer than nine substitutes at the start of the second period of 45 minutes they took immediate control. A foul on Bothroyd by UCD's centre-back Clive Delaney was punished with referee Ian Stokes pointing to the penalty spot. Once Gordon Strachan's men had finally broken the deadlock, the outcome of this game was a foregone conclusion. However, UCD keeper Barry Ryan was in good form and UCD have him to thank for not losing by a greater margin.
Ten minutes from time, Coventry added their second when Swedish defender Roland Nilsson booted the ball up the field and Eustace coolly lobbed the ball into the back of the net. Five minutes later Coventry sealed their victory when Eustace, Guerrero and Marcus Hall all combined to set up Bothroyd who poked the ball over the line.
Meanwhile, in today's other pre-season friendly, Athlone Town drew 0-0 with Cardiff City.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
