NUNEATON HOCKEY CLUB

REPORTS - 11th October

NUNEATON 1sts 1 ATHERSTONE ADDERS 5

Nuneaton were looking to carry on their good start to the BodyKraft East Midlands Division One season and despite certain players not being available, skipper Eccles was confident of a good performance.

The game started with Nuneaton controlling possession although never really penetrating the Adders well-marshalled defence. The visitors stuck to their game plain looking to hit Nuneaton on the counter attack and this soon paid dividends as the Adders swept into a 2-0 lead with goals from Graeme WILMOTT and Justin HADLEY.

This seemed to knock the confidence of several of the Nuneaton players and maybe the step up in class was a bit too much for some of the team. With Nuneaton surrendering possession too frequently it was only a matter of time before Leigh Bond rounded Reynolds in goal and set up Justin HADLEY for the Adders third.

Harsh words spoken at half time and Nuneaton came out fighting but skipper Eccles was a little too enthusiastic and was carded for a competitive tackle in the first ten minutes. After a period of constant pressure, Nuneaton scored with James ATKINS showing some much needed belief.

However, this was as good as it was going to get for Nuneaton with Jason Taplin getting a yellow card for a hefty tackle on Martin Webb. The hosts pressed the self-destruct button allowing Atherstone to push on and score another two goals past the helpless Nuneaton defence through Anthony HOBBS and Martin WEBB.

Skipper Eccles will need to go back to the drawing board after finding out about many of his players. The only positive for Eccles was the commitment of some of his senior players with Ally Jones being voted man-of-the-match for his desire to win and never-say-die attitude.

Nuneaton were second best to Atherstone in all areas of this game and a marked improvement will be needed for next week’s game against Ashbourne.

BARTON II 1 NUNEATON II 4

The second team gained their first points of the BodyKraft East Midlands Division One season with a worthy win against a strong Barton side who started the game impressively.

It was Nuneaton, however, who took the lead inside the first fifteen minutes after a run and shot from fit-again James Owens. He took the ball into the “D” and cracked the ball goalwards only for the keeper to parry the ball away. Luckily for the visitors, it found Ryan STOKES who comfortably slotted the ball into the net.

Barton continued to press the away side’s goal and despite a string of penalty corners awarded to them, Nuneaton’s defence kept them at bay. Fifteen minutes before the break, the home side were awarded a penalty flick much to the chagrin of Nuneaton's skipper whose protests cost him a yellow card and a spell on the side.

The flick was duly despatched by the home side and Nuneaton managed to survive the rest of the half with ten men.

The second period started with the away side pressing the Barton and this paid off when James OWENS collected the ball on the twenty-five yard line, danced around two defenders and fired past the helpless keeper.

Nuneaton were now in the ascendancy and should have added more goals but wasted several good opportunities to increase the lead. They were made to pay for their missed chances when Barton drew level from a short corner.

This spurred Nuneaton on and a great run from STOKES saw him take the ball around three defenders before slotting past the oncoming keeper to give the visitors the lead once more.

With only moments remaining, Nuneaton were given a free hit just outside the “D”, which was driven in by Tom Costello and deflected into the hosts’ goal by Ash BARNETT to give the away side all three points and a vital first win.

NUNEATON III 1 BOOTS III 1

In BodyKraft East Midlands Division One, Nuneaton thirds took on a Boots team and showed more confidence and passion than in previous weeks.

However, despite the home side enjoying most of the play, they found themselves a goal behind after a speculative cross deflected past Simon Pennington in the Nuns’ goal. This seemed to fire up Nuneaton even more and the constant pressure forced a succession of short corners.

Ricky Bayliss screamed a series of shots in from the top of the “D”, hitting the post twice but still the hosts were unable to pierce the defiant Boots defence and reached the break still lagging by the single goal.

The second half was much the same with Nuneaton forcing corner after corner, but lacking the killer touch to bring themselves back into the game. The team could only be patient and, finally, a short corner ten minutes from time produced the equaliser. A precise injection from Nigel Lawton and a bullet shot from Ricky BAYLISS saw a Boots player deflect the ball into his own net.

There was a man-of-the-match performance from Mark Lawton, but it was a close call as there were several players in contention. This was easily the thirds’ best game of the season so far, and the team should be pleased with their play and take it into to their next league match at Barton.

NUNEATON IV 2 KETTERING IV 4

Despite a much improved performance, Nuneaton again failed to register their first BodyKraft South East Division One points after gifting their opponents a three goal lead.

The first quarter was all Nuneaton as Craig Gilchrist, Steve Tallis and Roger Stokes weaved a constructive pattern on the right hand side but the expected goal proved elusive as a packed Kettering defence denied any straightforward chances.

A couple of midfield giveaways brought short corners which the opposition gratefully accepted and a further breakaway goal gave the scoreline a surreal appearance. Shortly before the break, a Roger STOKES penalty flick gave the home side hope and the team were still confident of gaining something from the match.

The second half was total Nuneaton dominance but excellent goal-minding and shoddy finishing repeatedly let the visitors off the hook. Gilchrist and Stokes came close on several occasions but it was Josh WAGG who danced through a series of defenders to calmly slot the ball past the keeper with a fine solo effort.

A multitude of short corners and misplaced feet in front of goal added to the hosts’ frustration and inevitably, Kettering seized the opportunity when a long ball from defence found the centre forward who was too wily for the Nuneaton back line and scored easily to extend the lead.

Even at this late stage, Nuneaton pressed forward and Gilchrist netted, although fractionally after a short corner had been signalled. A Stokes pile driver hit the post and Nuneaton ended frustrated after a game that should have secured three points.

Nevertheless, a better showing with strong performances from Wagg and Gilchrist who have become key members of the side. Nuneaton will play worse and win, but must work on eliminating the silly mistakes that too often give the opposition an early advantage.

COVENTRY JAGUAR V 1 NUNEATON V 3

Nuneaton were looking forward to repeating the previous week’s performance in their second match in BodyKraft South East Division Two.

However, midway through the first half Jaguar capitalised on a short corner to take the lead somewhat against the run of play. Nuneaton responded and continued to battle hard to level the score.

A wonderful piece of control from Joshua Pennington as he took the ball into the opposition 'D' resulted in a short corner which was smartly crashed into the back of the net by Paul SIDWELL.

Nuneaton continued to push forward, prompted by skipper James Pennington, and there was a feeling of deja-vu as SIDWELL again thraped the ball into the Jaguar goal from a short corner.

The visitors went into the break a goal up and in control of the game. The second period started well for the home side and, if not for some great defensive play from Steve Williams, and a couple of decisive saves from the Nuneaton keeper, Eric Thomas, Jaguar might have grabbed an equaliser.

The second half saw the in-form SIDWELL score again to complete his hat-trick , and with a two goal cushion, Nuneaton played with composure to ensure that the result stayed 3-1.