Freddy's hat-trick gave Coventry their first win for ten games

Sadly, all those who had hopes that Freddy may be loaned out in the January shopping window back to Roots Hall have had their hopes hit when the former Shrimpers striker struck a hat-trick for his new club Coventry, the first to be scored at the Ricoh Arena, after seasons in the doldrums since he left Roots Hall in the summer of 2007.

First with Wolves, then with the Sky Blues, being involved in two million-plus transfers. It still only took his tally to 8 goals in 60 Coventry appearances, he scored 65 in 122 games for Southend.

Whether this is at last the turning point for Eastwood to prove his Championship worth we will have to see, the Posh at the moment are not the sternest test, but congrats all the same, Freddy doing what he does best.

Freddy spoke to www.ccfc.co.uk after the game: "I really thought there was a cloud over me since I moved to the club so to get on the pitch and score a hat-trick means a lot to me and hopefully I can go on and get more. I normally say before a game if I feel confident but I didn't say anything today so to get the first two goals early doors set me up for the rest of the game.

There has been criticism of Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman playing Eastwood out of position, sometimes in left midfield, but Freddy would have none of it.

He continued: "No matter where I've played this season I've always put the effort in to do a good job for the team so hopefully we can use this result to kick on up the table."

Coventry City 3 Peterborough United 2

A Freddy Eastwood hat-trick sealed all three points for Coventry as they saw off Peterborough in a thrilling five-goal encounter at the Ricoh Arena.

Eastwood opened the scoring from close range after 34 minutes and doubled his tally moments later with a header from six yards.

Craig Mackail-Smith scored a quickfire double midway through the second period but Eastwood's third made it three goals in six minutes to seal the win for the hosts.

Coventry's first chance of any note came after 17 minutes when a long Stephen Wright throw found Eastwood, but his effort from the edge of the area was tame and Joe Lewis collected the ball with ease.

The visitors broke quickly but George Boyd's fierce shot was palmed over the bar by Keiren Westwood.

The game started to become very scrappy before Coventry took the lead after 34 minutes.

A David Bell corner was flicked on by Martin Cranie and Eastwood was unmarked at the back post to tap the ball home.

A minute later Eastwood added his second of the game. Aron Gunnarsson's long throw was flicked on by Leon Barnett and the former Wolves striker headed home.

Gunnarsson then tested Lewis with an effort from the edge of the area before a superb snap-shot from Leon Best was clutched at the second attempt by the Posh goalkeeper.

The visitors pushed forward early in the second half and Mclean could have pulled a goal back but fluffed his lines six yards out and sliced the ball wide.

Lee Frecklington then delivered an inch-perfect corner which was headed over by Craig Morgan as the visiting fans started to get behind their side.

The visitors were given a lifeline with 24 minutes left when a long throw from Exodus Geohaghon caused confusion in the Coventry area and Mackail-Smith was on hand to slot the ball home.

In similar fashion to Peterborough's capitulation after Coventry's opener, the hosts themselves fell apart following Mackail-Smith's strike and within five minutes the scores were level.

Boyd unleashed a low strike at goal which Westwood was unable to hold and Mackail-Smith followed up to complete a simple finish from 12 yards.

The scores remained level for all of 60 seconds before Eastwood completed his hat-trick.

A foul by Frecklington on Gunnarsson saw McIndoe deliver a long ball deep into the Posh penalty area and Eastwood was there to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

Frecklington had the best chance to equalise in the closing stages but his long-range effort curled wide of the upright as Mark Cooper continues to search for his first win since taking charge of Peterborough.

(Report supplied by www.coventrytelegraph.net)