Robins delighted with Sky Blues’ professional display at Cheltenham

Posted Sunday, April 29, 2018 by PA

Boss Mark Robins praised the energy levels his Coventry City side showed in the 6-1 drubbing of Cheltenham Town.

They had gone down 4-2 at home to Lincoln City on Tuesday, but they ensured their play-off destiny is in their own hands on the final day with a superb display of finishing at Whaddon Road, Marc McNulty leading the way with a hat-trick.

“It was a good day because we wanted the three points and needed the three points,” Robins said.

“We have leapfrogged Lincoln and we are happy about that going into the game next week.

“After the energy they expended on Tuesday night it was absolutely magnificent.

“We showed desire and Cheltenham are no mugs. They have taken points from Luton, Mansfield and other top teams this season, but we have demolished them.”

Robins boss Gary Johnson admitted his side were totally outclassed by the Sky Blues, who inflicted Cheltenham’s heaviest home defeat since 1992.

“They were a lot livelier than us,” he said.

“They did score against the run of play at bit, funnily enough.

“We had some play, but unfortunately we didn’t look to have the power and the pace of them as the half went on.

“In the second half we were playing for pride really as individuals and when you put it onto them in a personal level, they all picked up a little bit.

“Getting the goal was good, but their two strikes in the second half were fantastic.

“Their goals were really good, well worked goals and we didn’t do enough to get anywhere near them.”

Lee Burge parried a shot from Mohamed Eisa in the ninth minute, but Coventry soon took complete control.

Tom Bayliss scored the first after a neat free-kick ended with Jordan Shipley supplying the cross that was well finished in the 11th minute.

McNulty headed in the second from a Jack Grimmer cross in the 27th minute.

A low ball in from Maxime Biamou was dummied by McNulty and Shipley fired in to make it 3-0 in the 38th minute.

It was 4-0 two minutes before half-time as McNulty lifted the ball over goalkeeper Scott Flinders after Jordan Willis’ ball forward.

Cheltenham pulled one back in the 58th minute from a penalty after Eisa was brought down by Burge.

Eisa converted from the spot for his 23rd league goal of the season.

But Biamou’s stunning overhead kick from McNulty’s cross made it 5-1 in the 74th minute and McNulty completed his hat-trick with another fine finish four minutes later.