MARK Robins says the Sky Blues must stay grounded after Matt Godden’s hat-trick inspired Coventry City to an emphatic 4-1 victory away to Tranmere Rovers on New Year’s Day.
It was the second time that Robins’ side recorded a win by the scoreline in four days, having done so at Adams Park against League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers.
The Sky Blues boss understandably paid tribute to hot-shot forward Godden, and believes the 28-year-old’s form is a reflection of the confidence running throughout the team.
“It was very pleasing, Matty’s in good form but so are the other players as well,” Robins said.
“We just want to keep playing with confidence now. We want Matty to do that every game and he’ll want to do that every game – but clearly that doesn’t happen in football.
“What he does do is give us work rate. He’ll find chances because the lads are finding him with good balls.
“I’ve not even mentioned Shipperz [Jordan Shipley] and Zain Westbrooke’s contribution, Marko’s [Marosi] made some good saves as well – throughout the team we were pretty good.”
From the get-go, the visitors were the side in the ascendancy, best showcased by Liam Kelly’s 30-yard drive that drew Aaron Chapman into a save.
Coventry’s momentum grew, and from it came the first goal.
Liam Walsh’s ball directed into the path of Godden was headed out of the reach of the Tranmere keeper and into the back of the net just three minutes into the game.
There was almost a second when Fankaty Dabo’s cross was met by Westbrooke, who could only turn the ball over the bar from a prime shooting position.
Sam McCallum then drove a strike inches past the post as the Sky Blues threatened to extend their advantage, while Shipley was denied by the home stopper.
The second goal that the visitors merited arrived when Shipley received from Liam Kelly and then dispatched into the bottom corner on the 17-minute mark.
Coventry’s desire for goals did not slow despite the two-goal cushion as Godden headed Westbrooke’s centre over, before Tranmere pulled a goal back with their first attack of the game.
After a ball was swept into Connor Jennings, the striker turned and planted his shot into the top-right corner out of Marosi’s reach.
It sent the Sky Blues in at half time a goal to the good, an advantage that was almost wiped out when Jennings’ attempt was saved by Marosi but had to be cleared by Dabo as the bell crept towards the line.
Marosi next tipped Kieran Morris’ ferocious drive over the bar, prior to the awarding of a Tranmere penalty following Dabo’s shove on George Ray.
But when Morgan Ferrier stepped up to take the resulting spot kick, his strike was wild and flew over the crossbar – a turning point in the game that allowed the Sky Blues to regain momentum and finish off the game.
After a couple of close shaves, a chance engineered from deep led to Callum O’Hare slipping the ball through to Godden to nudge the ball into the far corner of the net.
And when substitute Liam Walsh was felled late in stoppage time, Godden naturally took responsibility and put away his penalty to complete his hat-trick and a resounding three points.
Next up for Robins’ men is an FA Cup third round trip to Bristol Rovers on Sunday (2.01pm).
