Coventry Sphinx boss Luke Hopkins said that his side were brilliant after their 2-0 victory against high flying Lye Town on Saturday.
Speaking to the Sphinx club website, Hopkins said: “I thought we were brilliant”.
“We set ourselves up to be defensive and to not get beaten. Some may think this is a little negative at home but Lye had a very impressive record coming to us and we were missing a few key players. It was a case of the squad showing its strength and depth. We were also aware of their dangers from our previous encounter at their place in September. Looking at the team sheets from both games they haven’t really changed much. On the other hand, eight of our players on that day have now left the club.
“Some might say the game was scrappy and very messy, but I think that’s credit to our game plan of stopping them from playing and us trying to get a foot hold on the game.
Speaking about Ash Jackson's goal in the 34th minute from a free kick into the top right hand corner of the net, Hopkins said: “Ash’s free kick was decent. I was slightly worried that their keeper was waving at his bench instead of catching the ball but maybe that was our bit of luck. I’m sure that Ash would have me believe that there was more pace on it than I thought though!”
Sphinx started the second half in the lead and this was doubled on the hour mark. Jackson Downie hammered the ball into the back of the net after a powerful run.
Hopkins said: “Coming out at half time we wanted to still be in the game at 60 minutes, which might sound strange. There have been numerous weeks when we have been 1 or 2 up at half time but then 1 or 2 down at 60 minutes!
"The lads reacted brilliantly, information was taken on board, we shuffled a few people about and we did what we needed to. Jackson Downie scored a brilliant goal, mostly though his desire and drive. Well done to him.
“It was certainly a result we needed and was a great all team performance. All the lads from keeper Carl O’Neill to Ash Cain up front did a great job.”
Saturday’s match day squad had an average age of 19 and if they continue improving and playing with this commitment then Coventry Sphinx are set to be a real threat in this division next season. Hopkins finished by saying:‘”We are sitting mid table. We’re not going to win the league but we certainly want to finish as high as possible, that is the only pressure on the lads now. We then need to start building for next season."