FOOTBALL: A FIRST half strike from Duckens Nazon proved enough for the Sky Blues against Crewe on Saturday as Mark Robins’ side marched to a third successive league win.
A fortuitous rebound off the right side corner flag allowed talented youngster Jodi Jones to setup the Wolves loanee, who wasted no time in handing the Sky Blues the early advantage with just nine minutes played.
Though City failed to find the back of the net throughout the remainder of the game, the back four of Grimmer, Willis, McDonald, and Stokes held firm to earn the Sky Blues their seventh clean sheet of the season.
The win leaves Coventry fourth in the league table – after fellow promotion hopefuls Accrington Stanley and Exeter City also won – on 22 points from 11 games, one point short of third-placed Accrington.
Though three wins in seven days sapped the energy out of Robins’ men, the manager was pleased to see another three points recorded and admitted changes will have to be made for tomorrow’s Checkatrade Trophy clash against Walsall.
He said: “The third game in a week is always tough.
“We looked a little off the pace. The pace that we have set, not the pace of the game.
“Although, we created a number of chances and could have won the game by a far greater score.
“You could see that there was a little fatigue in them but I am delighted with the win, delighted with the clean-sheet, and the manner of the victory.”
One cause for concern from Saturday’s game – if there was to be one – was the lack of finishing up front.
Despite having 20 shots, compared to Crewe’s four, Coventry could only convert one strike. Continued efforts from Jodi Jones, Stuart Beavon, and Duckens Nazon all went begging following the opening goal.
But Robins was keen to highlight the performance of his back four.
He said: “Seven clean-sheets is an absolutely outstanding achievement at this stage of the season. We just have to keep that going.
“Crewe’s keeper has made three or four good saves and the lads they have upfront are a handful.
“Their forwards have know-how and goals in them. They have played at Championship level and higher.
“Had we had taken one of those opportunites it would have been a far greater scoreline by the end, I’m sure.”
