Derby Men’s 1st XI 2-0 Coventry Men’s 1st XI: Hosts off the mark with first win of the season

Words by Alfie Burley.

Strikes from Adam Prusa and Karel Tvorah sealed a comfortable and deserved victory for Derby as they downed Coventry 2-0.

It could have all been so different for Coventry had their striker converted from the spot early in the first period. However it wasn’t to be for the away side as Derby dominated the rest of the contest.

In what was an all-action first half the hosts started the better after hitting the post from a corner kick. Yet, it was their opponents who had the best chance to open the scoring when Tvorah was adjudged to have barged over his opposite number in the box. Although Ondrej Sacko-Lysak was equal to the spot kick as he stooped low to his right to preserve his clean sheet and keep the scoreline goalless.

The visitors would go on to rue that miss as Derby took the lead midway through the first period. The lively Tvorah showed his superb trickery down the right flank and pulled the ball back to the waiting Adam Prusa. The midfielder made no mistake in his strike, sweeping past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

In the second half, Tvorah continued to cause havoc in the Coventry defence as his heavily deflected shot inside the box cannoned back off the crossbar before being scrambled to safety.

Despite looking dangerous in the first half, Coventry were devoid of attacking flair in the second. The home side took full advantage of this, doubling their lead nine minutes from the end when an inch-perfect delivery from Tom Eccleshaw was met by the lively Tvorah who directed his header into the bottom corner.

It could have been three for Derby but Tadeas Madej failed to take advantage of a big opportunity. That had little relevance though as the job was already done, giving the hosts their first three points of the campaign.