Zain Westbrooke fires Coventry to opening-day win in Birmingham

Just over 6,500 fans watched Coventry’s first game at temporary home St Andrews as the Sky Blues beat lacklustre Southend 1-0 thanks to a 20-yard effort from Zain Westbrooke.

Coventry were in control from the off. Early chances for Jordan Shipley and Jordy Hiwula were not converted, and it was goalless at half-time.

The deadlock was broken in the 52nd minute as Jordy Hiwula drifted in from the left to tee up Westbrooke, the midfielder drilling an effort into the bottom corner from just outside the box to register his first goal for Coventry.

Southend strived to give their fans something to cheer late on, as Nathan Ralph’s effort was tipped over the bar by Mark Morosi and Stephen Humphries hit the bar moments later.

Despite this it was a relatively comfortable victory for the home side, made easier by Southend, who lacked creativity for the majority of the game.