Reaction from Spalding United manager Elliot Sandy after their win over Coventry Sphinx

Manager Elliot Sandy praised a professional and solid performance as Spalding United's winning run in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division continued on Saturday.

The Tulips secured their third league victory of the season after a comfortable 4-0 home success over Coventry Sphinx.

It maintained their 100 per cent start to the league campaign and unbeaten opening to the season after also progressing in the FA Cup.

Sandy said: "The performance was what realistically we've shown over the four games but we haven't taken our chances which have made the matches more even.

"We finished the chances which we created this time whereas, on other occasions, we've created more but haven't put them away and then the game becomes a bit nervy.

"We have started fast in every game which is the main thing because we want people to know that they're in a game with us and we're going to work hard and be on it from minute one.

"I think it showed because we had a lot of play in their half which is where we want to play our football.

"Obviously once the goal goes in quite early, we can relax a little bit and I thought we played really well.

"It was a real professional and solid performance and the clean sheet is massive for us as well.

"Realistically, in all of the games, we probably should have kept clean sheets but there's only been one. We defended well as a group and it was an all-round performance with everyone doing their jobs."

Midfielder James Clifton struck twice for the Tulips with Lewis Hilliard and Jordan Graham also netting.

Marquee summer signing Dan Sweeney provided the assist for Clifton to break the deadlock but the former Macclesfield and Bromsgrove striker is yet to open his home goalscoring account after an opening day double at Walsall Wood.

Sandy said: "It's the thing that we're missing because his performances have been very good. He is getting better and better and just needs that goal.

"A lot of the good stuff which we do comes through him and he got a lot of rough treatment but he shrugged it off, just carries on and runs by players.

"Jordan came off the bench and scored as well while Mikey Taylor got two in midweek so the strikers are scoring goals which is great to see.

"James Clifton also had a fantastic game and he's really stepping up and showing what he can do.

"Most of the teams who come here will see the centre forwards which we have as being very good and dangerous.

"Their defence is always under pressure for 90 minutes which is why we targeted these sort of players at the start of the season as the ones we wanted because of how we wanted to play.

"We managed to get them in and they're doing the things which we've asked of them. My job is to get the best out of them and improve them as players because they can only get better."

The Tulips now turn their attention to a quick turnaround in league action as they travel to face Cambridge City on Monday.

The Lilywhites ended Spalding's long unbeaten run last season as they took four points off the Tulips

Ex-Spalding duo Stefan Broccoli and Brad Rolt will also face their former club in the first of six successive away games for the Tulips.

They travel to Stratford Town at the weekend in the FA Cup before an FA Trophy tie at Sheffield which is followed by a Lincolnshire Senior Cup clash at Grantham Town on Tuesday, September 12.

Away matches against Gresley Rovers and Anstey Nomads then follow before the Tulips return home on Saturday, September 30, against Bedworth United.

Sandy said: "It was a great win on Saturday but it means nothing if we don't go on Monday and put in a positive performance.

"It was good to leave the fans with a nice memory on Saturday before we face the away games and I hope we can travel well again.

"The fans are starting to travel more and more to support us. I know it's six games in a row and there's a lot of travel involved but it does mean a lot to the lads if they can make the journeys to be there for us."

Defender Gianluca Bucci has left the Tulips to join league rivals Loughborough Dynamo and scored their winning goal against Cambridge City on Saturday.