Coventry Sphinx manager Luke Hopkins was pleased with his side’s performance as Coventry Sphinx started their Midland Football League Premier Division campaign with a 2-2 draw against Brocton.
Hopkins told the Sphinx website: “We started with a team we thought would go and win us our first game of the season against a confident Brocton team who made it obvious in the way they turned up, they were used to winning, but it didn’t happen for either team.
“The game started very jittery with lads playing not to be beat. We played some good football first half and got plenty of balls in the box and had half chances, as well as a brilliant penalty claim that was not given.
“In the end, we got what we deserved a good worked goal and strike from Luke Downes. Ash Cain was a constant threat to their back line creating chances that their keeper saved or missed the net.
“Second half, Brocton hit back with an early goal and it was sloppy defending from my point of view. Their forward was allowed to turn 20 yards out and get a strike off far too easily after heavy rain on a hard pitch which added a bit of zip to the game.
“Our response was good and we got the ball down and played and took the lead again straight away within a couple of minutes.
“Brocton equalised again with another piece of sloppy defending from a ball down the left hand side and another easy ball into the box. It is a shame, as apart from the two goals, the defence did well, but it shows you how the level has improved as the team had two chances and two goals.
“We pressed on and changed our shape and personnel and went for the win which we thought we deserved. But their goalkeeper had a worldie and saved shot after shot as chances kept coming. We scored and no one complained, moaned or even tried to ask for anything, even the oppositation but the referee had seen a foul. He was the only man in the ground to and the goal was disallowed.
"That was it and the winner just didn’t come. Fair play to Brocton for holding on and getting their first point at this level. We will look forward to playing them again.
"Their keeper was their Man of match. Our MOM was a tough one as so many played well, but the stand out was Ash Cain who was a constant threat all game."