Sky Blues held in pre-season stalemate

Coventry City were held to a goalless draw by Northampton Town in a closely contested pre-season friendly at Sixfields Stadium.

Neither side was able to establish sustained control during a cagey first half, although Northampton created several promising openings and Coventry gradually became more threatening before the interval. The teams went into half-time level after both defences protected their goalkeepers effectively.

Coventry made eight changes at the break as Frank Lampard used the fixture to build fitness and assess his squad. Kai Andrews, Jay Dasilva, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Liam Kitching, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jahnoah Markelo, Frank Onyeka and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto were among those introduced.

The visitors’ best opportunities arrived late in the match. Markelo delivered a dangerous cross towards Norman Bassette, whose first-time effort was saved, before the striker broke through again and saw a low shot smothered by the Northampton goalkeeper.

Northampton finished the final 13 minutes with 10 men after Conor McCarthy suffered a knock and was unable to continue, but Coventry could not take advantage. Bassette headed narrowly wide in the closing stages as the Cobblers preserved the draw.