SPHINX boss Luke Hopkins admits he breathed a big sigh of relief after watching his side come from behind to beat Walsall Wood 3-2 in the Midland Premier Division.
First half-goals from Luke Delaney and Daniel Griffiths handed the visitors a 2-0 lead at Sphinx Drive on Saturday.
But Hopkins’ side fought back after the break and Mitch Piggon got Sphinx back into the game with a close range shot before Wood were reduced to ten men.
Luke Downes turned Piggon’s cross home to pull the hosts level and man-of-the-match Piggon scored the winner from the penalty spot the minutes from time after Lewis McBride had been pulled down inside the box.
“Relieved was the word that sums up the game to be honest,” said Hopkins.
“We felt the first goal was handball and the referee didn’t see it. The second goal came thick and fast and we couldn’t settle. It was perhaps a bad 20 minutes from us coming off a bad week and also their target man gave our back four a tough time.
“Half-time gave us a chance to re-group, discuss the situation as adults and go from there.
“An early goal always helps and it was only last week we were 2-0 up and lost 3-2 so the lads knew it was possible and if we even turned up and started we could give it a go.
“Although we were 2-0 down early on, I don’t think there is too much wrong and it’s little tweaks we need to make that will have a knock on effect and improve us.
“There is competition for places which can be good in a team, but that was a big win and restored some faith within ourselves.”
Elsewhere in Division Two, Alvis Sporting marked their long-awaited return to Green Lane in style with a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Austrey Rangers.
Dildale Linton scored two goals before the break with Tommy McGuire being on target on the hour.
Alvis Manager Damian Cassidy said: “It was very pleasing to obtain a clean sheet on our first game at home.
“Whilst Alvis were in full control in the second half, I was particularly impressed by Ashley Hooker who made two vital saves during this period.”
This Saturday Sphinx are back in action when they travel to Lye Town, while Alvis Sporting entertain Enville Athletic in the First Round of the Les James Challenge Cup.
