FOOTBALL – Coventry City held to goalless draw by Getafe in latest pre-season outing
COVENTRY City played out a goalless draw with Spanish side Getafe in their latest pre-season outing.
City also welcomed back Joel Latibeaudiere, Kasey Palmer and Haji Wright after the trio appeared at the recent Copa America.
However, USA international Wright lasted only three minutes before being replaced as a precaution.
Chances were at a premium in the first half as Ben Sheaf went close with a strike from distance.
City had the ball in the back of the net on the half-hour mark courtesy of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto only for the referee to pull the play back for a foul.
Mark Robins made 11 changes at the interval with Fabio Tavares returning to the pitch for the first time since last season’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley.
Sky Blues stopper Ben Wilson made a fine save and produced a fine stop to keep out an effort at his near post.
From the resulting corner, Getafe almost broke the deadlock with a shot which whistled past the post.
And City went close to a winner as the Getafe goalkeeper clawed away Liam Kitching’s header from Jake Bidwell’s free-kick.
Kitching went close again at the death when he headed wide after Ellis Simms could only head the ball straight into the arms of the Getafe goalkeeper.
Coventry continue their pre-season campaign against Stevenage on Tuesday, July 23 with kick-off at 7pm at Lamex Stadium.