GOD AWFUL TO GODD’S GIFT
Matty delighted at dramatic winner after injury nightmare last season
MATTY GODDEN believes a dramatic late winner in his first match at Coventry’s spiritual home was the ultimate payback for months of injury hell.
But City games could come with a public health warning if they carry on like this.
For the second home match in a row the Sky Blues came from behind to grab all three points deep in stoppage time. This time it was with 98 minutes played – against Nottingham Forest it was 96.
The greatest double substitution of Mark Robins’ career saw first Jamie Allen and then at the death Godden score goals to turn the match on its head.
It was a poignant moment for Godden, who endured an injuryravaged last campaign.
That involved wearing a medical boot in a bid to see off a lump on the sole of his left foot right under the arch he described as “like a Lego block”.
Godden, in whose previous two seasons Coventry had ground-shared with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s, said: “When you come on you have to believe you can change the game.
“And then for me to get a 98thminute winner… it’s what dreams are made of making my debut at the CBS Stadium. The absolute best reward I could have had.
“To see it go in – the roar was deafening. I did about four celebrations in one. I like a knee slide, but this one went for 20 yards and then hit the concrete.
The foot has had what it needed, four months total rest. Last season I kept giving it six weeks, coming back and breaking down. But the specialist told me what was needed.
“I was in a boot for six weeks. But I had to do what I was told, I can’t afford to break down this season. I can’t thank everyone enough. If you could have seen the lump I had under my foot… it was like a block of Lego or a Jenga piece in the arch on the sole of my foot. I just kept tearing it, but it’s all gone now.”
Reading took an undeserved lead in the 40th minute after
John Swift won a soft penalty and converted it himself. But Allen levelled and with City piling on the pressure Reading cracked once more late on.
The crisis-hit Royals have their goal threats Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite out long term, and an EFL embargo has restricted transfer activity.
Boss Veljko Paunovic said: “Let’s hope Tom Mcintyre, who had to go off, isn’t a long-term injury. We’re getting used to those, it looks like we’re cursed.
“We’ve lost more than half the goals we scored last season with Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite.”