COVENTRY City under-18s coach Dave Rogers praised the ‘resilience’ of the club’s youngsters after the Sky Blues advanced in the FA Youth Cup.
The young Sky Blues claimed a 4-1 victory against 10-player Birmingham City at the Coventry Building Society Arena to reach the fourth round of the competition.
Coventry will play Blackburn Rovers at home in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
And Rogers heaped praise on the club’s young players for rising to the challenge despite Coventry’s under-18s facing a number of challenges this season.
Rogers said: “I’m delighted for the boys, they’ve worked ever so hard.
“They’re a really good group, they’re an energetic group and we’ve been challenged a lot this year.
“We’ve been stretched from 21s down to 18s so a lot of the younger players have had opportunities.
“Again, it’s all about the resilience of the group of players.
“We started really well, first 10 minutes we could have scored one or two but Birmingham equalised with a really good free-kick after we’ve gone 1-0 up with the penalty.
“I’m so pleased for the staff, the players and their families because to play at the CBS Arena is an accomplishment in itself and I’m delighted to be in the next round.”
A penalty from Alfie Wright put the young Sky Blues ahead only for Louie Rea to draw the visitors level at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
However, Birmingham goalkeeper Alfie Smith saw red early in the second half and Coventry took full advantage of the extra player.
Further goals from Will Russon, Josh Stidder and Kah’Vanni Lincoln sealed Coventry’s place in the fourth round of the competition.
And Rogers thanked the Sky Blues supporters for turning out in their numbers as just under 1,000 spectators watched Coventry progress to the next round.
Rogers added: “I’m delighted for the lads who came on, we call them finishers, because they came on and finish the game strongly for us.
“To get 15 and 16 year-olds on the pitch was a credit to what we do as a group of staff and what we do as a club and an academy.
“For everybody involved, it’s outstanding to be in the next round and I’m pleased for everyone.
“I want to thank each and every supporter.
“I can’t do that personally but as a collective, thank you so much for everyone who turned out for us.
“It was raining but to come to the CBS Arena and show support for such a young team and show that togetherness is great so thank you to the 914 fans from myself, all the staff and the players.
“The togetherness throughout the club is fantastic and long may it continue.”
