BRIGHT RUN SPARKS TOP SIX HOPES
MARK Robins says Coventry’s victory over Accrington Stanley will be a massive boost in their bid for a play-off place.
The Sky Blues moved up to eighth – five points outside the top six – and extended their unbeaten run to five games.
Wolves loan striker Bright Enobakhare scored the only goal of the game with a superb solo effort after 60 minutes, evading a number of tackles before firing into the bottom of the net.
Coventry’s future is up in the air as their lease at the Ricoh Arena is up in the summer and the EFL wants to know where they will be playing next season, but Robins is just focusing on results.
“I thought we played some good stuff on a difficult pitch,” said Robins. “We didn’t take anything off Accrington last season, they are a good side and were the champions, but this season we have taken four points off them so it shows the step forward we have made.
“It was a great ball from Brandon Mason to find Bright and he skipped past three players and then had the calmness to slot it in to the corner.
“It was a really good performance and a clean sheet,
we have a young team, but we handled it well.
“That’s five unbeaten and we have to keep it up. We have got the momentum. and this is a big boost winning at Accrington as I know how difficult it is to win here. Now we have three of our next four games at home and we have to build on it.”
Tom Bayliss came close for Coventry in the opening minute with a 20-yard effort which was just wide.
The Sky Blues pressed after the break and got their rewards when Enobakhare went on a superb solo run to celebrate his opener.
Coventry looked the more likely to add to their tally with
sub Luke Thomas denied a Coventry second by keeper Dimitar Evtimov’s legs in injury time.
Stanley boss John Coleman admits his side are looking over their shoulders – four points off the bottom four but with games in hand.
They created little in the game, with a Sean McConville strike in the opening seconds, well-saved by Lee Burge, their best chance.
“They are a good side, but neither keeper really had a lot to do,” said Coleman. “We were flat, we lacked guile, although you can’t fault the players for their effort.
“Coventry probably shaded it because they got the goal and they had a couple of chances after that when we were chasing the game. “What’s disappointing is when they scored, we didn’t respond. There wasn’t any ‘oos’ and ‘ahs’ and we know we have to improve. He added: “We have got to be better as otherwise we are in for a long slog.”
ACCRINGTON STANLEY: Evtimov 7, Johnson 6, Hughes 6, Donacien 6, Gibson 6 (Zanzala 80, 6), Clark 6, Finley 5 (Brown 62, 6), Barlaser 6, McConville 7, Kee 6, Smyth 5 (Armstrong 62, 6). Subs not used: Maxted, Richards-Everton, Rodgers, Shah. COVENTRY CITY: Burge 7, Sterling 6, Hyam 7, Willis 7, Mason 7, Kelly 7, Bayliss 8, Shipley 6 (Thomas 58, 7), Enobakhare 8, Hiwula 6, Bakayoko 6. Subs not used: Grimmer, Davies, Meyler, Westbrooke, Addai, Bremang.