Robins praises Coventry’s flying start at Tranmere

Posted Thursday, January 02, 2020 by PA

Mark Robins hailed Coventry’s strong start after they claimed a 4-1 victory at Tranmere.

Matt Godden’s hat-trick – his second in two matches – was supplemented by a Jordan Shipley goal against struggling Rovers, who responded through Connor Jennings but also saw Morgan Ferrier miss a penalty that could have pulled the sides level at 2-2 early in the second half.

Robins said: “I think we started off brilliantly, got two goals up. We gave away a rubbish goal, didn’t adjust properly, didn’t get in quickly and they ran off the back and scored with really what was their first attempt on target.

“They continued to play, try and put pressure on. It gets the crowd up. The pitch is awful. We managed that pretty well throughout the afternoon.

“We were saying at half-time, the next goal is really important. They nearly got it because we gave away a stupid penalty again. Fortunately for us they didn’t hit the target, which gave us the game.

“We then just got more of a foothold in it, made a couple of changes. We stretched them more and got a third goal, which was really well worked, and then we got the penalty through brilliant work by Callum (O’Hare) and Matty’s tucked it away for his second hat-trick in two games away from home.”

Godden gave the Sky Blues the lead in the third minute, before static defending allowed Jordan Shipley to double their advantage.

Jennings pulled one back for the hosts before half-time, but with Tranmere applying heavy pressure early in the second half, Ferrier missed the chance to restore parity, blazing a penalty over the bar.

Having been let off the hook, City capitalised with Godden grabbing his second of the match on the counter attack 23 minutes from time, effectively ending the contest, before wrapping up his hat-trick from the spot in stoppage time.

Rovers boss Micky Mellon said: “I’m disappointed with the goals we gave away. Without a doubt. First half we were not quite at it. Then we came out second half and really turned the screw on a good Coventry side.

“Then we missed the penalty, which we’ll never know if it’s a big turning point, but it gets you back to 2-2 with your tails up.

“And then we just gave away soft goals, we really did. At this level you just can’t. So that’s really where it is.

“In terms of endeavour, we had a lot of lads out there who performed really well, but the defending and the goals that we gave away are not of this level.”