STOKE CITY 0
COVENTRY CITY 1
Simms 51
MARK Robins saluted Ellis Simms after his matchwinner kept Coventry in the play-off places at struggling Stoke.
Simms, a summer signing from Everton, followed up his goal in the 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle on Wednesday by settling the contest at the Bet365 Stadium.
Victory consolidates the Sky Blues’ sixth-place standing to keep the dream of promotion alive.
“We’ve had to dig in because it wasn’t a great game,” Robins said. “There wasn’t really much quality on show.
“I think really the bits of quality that were on show, Ellis Simms I thought was involved in all of them.
“I think he’s got confidence from the goal on Wednesday, and really they’re not easy those because you’ve got a lot of time to look at it and he found the net really well to complete the move.
“Hadji on the back of him (Hoever) has nicked it from him, Callum O’Hare releases him really quickly and he goes and puts it into the net – a brilliant finish.”
Coventry went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute with Stoke keeper Jack Bonham forced to save well from Haji Wright’s header via a deflection off Ben Wilmot, before blocking Simms’ effort.
The rebound fell kindly to O’Hare, who looked certain to score, but Wilmot – making his 100th appearance for Stoke – was on the line to divert the ball on to a post and away.
Stoke’s first shot on target came just after half-time as Lewis Baker’s tame effort was found themselves behind in comfortably held by visiting the 51st minute when Wright keeper Ben Wilson. But they caught Ki-Jana Hoever in possession and prodded the ball to O’Hare, who played in Simms to slot home from close range.
Stoke manager Steven Schumacher made a triple substitution just after the hour mark in an attempt to inject some life into the home side’s performance, and moments later Nathan Lowe’s left-footed shot on the turn went just over the bar to lift the crowd’s spirits somewhat.
There was further reason for encouragement in the 68th minute as Baker’s goalbound attempt deflected behind for a corner off Sky Blues defender Bobby Thomas.
Down at the other end, Wright had a glorious chance to double Coventry’s lead in the 81st minute but, after a nice one-two with Josh Eccles, he blazed his shot over.
Minutes later, Stoke sub Million Manhoef took the ball down well and drove into the visitors’ box, but he could only find the side-netting.
That was the last real opportunity o
