ROBINS: MY KIDS ARE READY TO FLY
MARK Robins believes Coventry’s FA Cup run can help their bid for a League Two play-off place despite crashing out to Premier League Brighton.
A first Sky Blues goal from Jonson Clarke-Harris was not enough to stop Coventry’s hopes of a quarter-final place being extinguished in front of 4,300 travelling fans on the south coast.
Manager Robins said: “We did not want to park the bus and wanted to get involved in the game. It was important to do that, because it was a big learning curve to take into our league and give our young players the belief they can finish the season strongly.
“We have got a good group and a reasonable chance of success this season. Today will stand us in good stead moving forward.
“For me this was a positive experience even though we have lost. It should give the players confidence we can play and compete against such a decent side.”
Coventry were the lowest ranked team left in the draw after reaching the last 16 for the first time in nine years.
They almost found themselves behind after only five minutes when Brighton’s club-record signing Jurgen Locadia fired against the post.
Coventry responded well and were denied by the woodwork themselves when the lively Clarke-Harris headed against the crossbar from a corner.
But the visitors were always facing an uphill task once £14m Locadia slotted Brighton into a 15thminute lead after Anthony Knockaert had dragged a cross back for the debutant.
Man-of-the-match Connor Goldson doubled the hosts’ advantage 11 minutes before half-time, rising above Coventry captain Jordan Willis to nod in from a Markus Suttner corner.
Coventry showed Chris Hughton’s men too much respect for long periods of the game and were 3-0 down 15 minutes into the second half.
Veteran Brighton full-back Bruno whipped in a dangerous cross from the right and Leonardo Ulloa planted a bullet header behind goalkeeper Lee Burge.
Clarke-Harris, who impressed throughout, gave the travelling hordes of fans something to cheer about 13 minutes from time by getting Coventry on the scoresheet.
Brighton centre-backs Goldson and Uwe Huenemeier failed to deal with a long punt up field and when the ball broke kindly for ClarkeHarris on the edge of the box he finished neatly with the outside of the boot.
The goal threatened to spark a late rally from Coventry, who were looking to add another Premier League scalp after dumping out Stoke in round three, but Brighton held firm.
It was revenge for home boss Chris Hughton, part of the Tottenham side beaten by Coventry in the 1987 final at Wembley.
“It was important to start well against a team that you know, despite the gulf in the divisions, are going to be working hard and trying to make it as difficult as possible for us,” he said.
“You have to earn the right to play because Coventry are a good side.
“What they showed today and the support they had, it might give them that lift they need for the rest of the campaign. I have seen a bit of them this season and they have been a good side in their division. They will need to go and finish it off now.”