Coventry Sphinx manager Luke Hopkins described his side’s 3-1 win at Highgate United as one of the best performances of the season.
“That was one of the best performances this season, to give us a league double of six points over a team who have been sat top of the table for a long period of the season,” said Hopkins.
“We set up differently to normal and we were very pleased with the way the lads took the information on board and carried out the game plan we had. The whole team played brilliantly and for me, we certainly dominated the game at the right times and scored the goals when needed.
“We grew into the game and the confidence was built up. The last time, we went there it was a close game and a silly incident over shadowed the game and it was a mistake from that gifted them the game 1-0.
“This time we were switched on and limited them to one real chance in the first half which is brilliant when you looking at the top goals-coring charts and the top two play for Highgate. We had a number of chances and they all fell to Ashley Jackson our defensive midfielder, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. We took the lead with some brilliant football and it allowed Adam Bilic a tap in at the back post and we then followed up with a Kyle Baxter corner right onto Ashley Jackson’s head and this time it found the net.
“Half time came as we were on top and happy to carry on and the second half started well with us playing the better football.
“Adam Bilic was really getting hold the game and being the player we’ve known for years and stepping up the plate as he’s not the youngster anymore and what makes it even more is his passion and desire and will to win for the club itself.
“On the hour mark, Highgate made some changes and it took us a little while to adapt to their shape change and personnel. But, with this, came a passage of play where Highgate applied some pressure and won a penalty, which was slotted away,
“This didn’t affect our lads and they carried on with the job they had come to do and we added a third goal from another Kyle Baxter corner and this time, Ash Wilks headed home,
“I think the third goal killed any thoughts of a come-back on the Highgate part and if could have been four or five if the Highgate keeper had not pulled off two good saves to keep the score-line at 3-1.
“That was the league double over them this season and considering they were sat top of the league for so long, it shows to me and the management team that we can be competing at the top end of the table and perhaps lessons learnt from mistakes earlier in the season have shown what could have been.
“But, we move on and all of a sudden, we are four games unbeaten and travelling to Tividale at the weekend where we have already been this season and beaten them in the FA Cup.
“Tividale on Saturday followed by AFC Wulfrunians on Monday at home, is another tough weekend ahead but are two games from which we would love maximum points.”