Stern John lifts Coventry gloom

LONDON: TRINIDAD and Tobago football international Stern John improved the chances of stand-in Coventry boss Adrian Heath landing the job on a permanent basis yesterday. John’s goal yesterday helped his side lift some of the gloom around Highfield Road with a 3-0 English FA Cup third-round victory over Crewe. Just three days after manager Peter Reid departed, the Sky Blues flew into the fourth round as two goals from Gary McSheffrey and one from John ripped Crewe apart.

The Sky Blues have slipped to 20th in the Coca Cola Championship with just two wins in their last eight matches, but their chances of FA Cup survival were boosted before kick-off with Crewe’s leading scorer Dean Ashton left out with his transfer to Norwich apparently imminent. City started with vigour and energy with the fit-again Andy Morrell looking lively up front with John. In contrast, Crewe striker Mark Rivers —  back in the side after illness —  cut a lonely figure up front as the visitors were pushed back in their own half. So it was no surprise when City took the lead on 24 minutes. John almost stabbed the ball home from close range, only for it to be cleared as far as in-form midfielder McSheffrey, who fired in off the post to claim his third goal of the season. But, despite maintaining much of the pressure, Sky Blues were let off the hook when Crewe’s Luke Varney headed just wide nine minutes before half-time.

City, though, finished the half strongly and deservedly went 2-0 up when John picked up Morrell’s drive from the right and fired home with aplomb from eight yards on the stroke of half-time. Crewe boss Dario Gradi pushed Varney up front with Rivers in the second half, but it did little to ignite his side’s attack. City keeper Luke Steele spilled midfielder Neil Sorvel’s 25-yard effort but, in truth, it was all the home side in the second half. Coventry sealed their passage to the fourth round with McSheffrey’s second goal on 69 minutes. It came from a peach of a pass with the outside of former Arsenal man Stephen Hughes’ left foot to find McSheffrey unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, where he made no mistake with the finish. With City now cruising, the visitors offered little and caretaker boss Heath can look forward to his team going into the hat for Monday’s fourth-round draw.