SPHINX boss Luke Hopkins could not fault his side despite slipping out of the Birmingham Senior Cup on Monday evening at the hands of Banbury United.
After taking the lead in the 50th minute through Lewis Rankin, Sphinx conceded two goals inside three minutes which allowed Banbury seal the victory and progress into the next round of the competition.
“We played some great stuff and created some great chances but this did bite us on the bottom,” said Hopkins.
“We could have had two or three at half time and this would have allowed us to shut up shop if needed, but it wasn’t to be.
“Lewis Rankin got the goal which was well worked by the lads. I’m happy for them as they spent hours working on bits and bobs and alot came off in the game.
“We did look tired from 80 minutes onwards but two big cup games in three days takes it’s toll.
“It’s coming together. I just hope its not too late for a good push pre-Christmas. I’m not happy to lose, as this Cup was the first I had a good run in as a manager, so I have a soft spot for it, but I’m very happy with the performance and I was definitely more happy with the team display from last night than the win on Saturday.”
On Saturday there was better news for Sphinx after they progressed to the next round of the FA Vase competition thanks to a 4-3 victory over Ellistown and Ibstock United.
Sphinx were 4-1 up by half time but a spirited display by their opponents bought it back to 4-3 which set up a nervous final ten minutes.
“A win is a win,” Hopkins added. “We played some good football in the first half and with winning three penalties the game should have been put to bed.
“However, missing two pens isn’t a good ratio but we created other chances and I don’t think anyone would have been surprised if it was seven or eight at half-time.
“The second half was a big contrast. We stopped playing to the game plan and it showed and we allowed them in.
“Ideally, we stick to the game plan and we don’t get drawn into a battle for the last ten minutes but we did and we dealt with it.”
