Coventry United reach new heights after FA Vase victory

Coventry United celebrated reaching their first FA Vase second qualifying round tie in the by beating Studley 2-0 on Sunday.

United, who were only established in 2013, took the lead after just ten minutes through Ross Briscoe’s left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

However, their hopes of progressing to the first round proper were dealt a severe blow just two minutes later when Macauley Richards received a straight red card.

Coventry, who play in Midland League Division Two, rallied though and could have gone 2-0 up when Muziwandile Nduna had a shot cleared of the line midway through the first half.

Studley also had a man sent off with 20 minutes remaining when Orrin Pendley was dismissed.

And shortly after Coventry’s Pierre Moudine had a shot saved, Joshua O’Grady secured their progression in the final minute to make it 2-0.

Studley, who play in the league above, flashed a shot across goal in injury-time but Coventry’s debut FA Vase campaign continues.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Southall won 2-0 against west London rivals CB Hounslow United to progress.

Roger Smith had already hit the crossbar for the Spartan South Midlands Division One side when on 67 minutes, Edison Teberen set up Darreon Mark and the frontman opened the scoring with a fantastic strike.

The second came with 12 minutes remaining when Shaber Mohammed also scored a screamer to send Combined Counties Division One side Hounslow out of the competition.

In the third FA Vase second qualifying round tie of the day, Cricklewood Wanderers beat Risborough Rangers 1-0 thanks to a second-half penalty.

Risborough, who also play in Spartan South Midlands Division One, had a number of good chances to score but the tight contest was decided when Jamie Clark gave away a spot kick with half an hour remaining.

Simon Noel subsequently dispatched the penalty to send the Middlesex County League Premier Division side through to the first round proper.