COVENTRY CITY 1 CITY 1

League Division 1

17th August 1985

Attendance 14,550

Scorers
City McIlroy(10)
Coventry McNab(23 og)

Ref Alf Buksh

City Williams, Phillips, Power, Clements, N Johnson, Wilson, Lillis, McNab, Kinsey, McIlroy, Simpson – sub Barrett(unused)

Coventry Ogrizovic, Borrows, Downs, Bowman, Kilcline, Peake, Bennett, Gynn, Regis, Gibson, Adams – sub Hibbitt(74)

Sammy McIlroy scores in just 10 minutes of his debut to go some way in trying to win over the City fans who were still finding it hard to believe that the former Old Trafford star was now a Blue.

FROM THE PRESS BOX

RUSSELL THOMAS WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 19TH AUGUST 1995
Coventry and Manchester City, who staged cliff-hanging finishes to last season. opened the new in suitably nerve-jangling style at Highfield Road. Judged by the defensive errors and missed chances on Saturday. nails in both camps will soon be worn very low.
A draw seemed to satisfy both teams, though City, with six men out through injury or suspension, extracted more pride from the day. While Coventry at times appeared to be grateful to be still in the First Division, their promoted opponents wore a well-primed hungry look.
But for McNab’s extraordinary own goal, a header under no pressure, and some near misses at the end, City’s fans would have gone home even happier. MeNab’s mishap quickly neutralised Coventry’s ill-fortune as the referee Alf Buksh overruled a linesman’s flag when McIlroy exploded a 25-yard shot past Ogrizovic. Mr Buksh would not comment afterwards.
Rarely can Mcllroy. veteran of nearly 500 First Division games, have scored a better goal: it matched the one he got on his first League appearance, against City, for Manchester United, many years ago.

Coventry saw reassuring performances from the new full backs, Burrows and Downs, and a reinvigorated one by Bennett, who switched flanks with equal menace against his old club. The winger is seeking an improved contract:: this committed display may secure it.
Bennett (twice), and Regis rising with his old majesty were denied by goal-line clearances early on as Williams seemed unnerved by a stream of Coventry crosses. City, looking stronger as the game wore on, failed narrowly to profit at the last from chances for Wilson and Lillis.