ASHBOURNE 3 NUNEATON 3

Nuneaton were looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing result in last weekend’s BodyKraft East Midlands Division One game.

Skipper Eccles chose not to drop any players and the inclusion of Tim Bowdon, Kev Edwards and Pete Sidwell meant a strong squad travelling up to Ashbourne. The game started with the hosts’ youthful side playing some quick attacking hockey. Nuneaton withstood the early onslaught and started to get into the game with some good possession and hard work.

Ashbourne were awarded a short corner, and with a clever set up they had a direct shot at goal which rolled into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead. Nuneaton dug deep and started playing attacking hockey with Dave Eccles and James Atkins looking dangerous down the flanks.The visitors won a short corner and with an unrehearsed routine, Dave Holmes set up Paul WHITEHEAD to sweep in the equaliser.

Nuneaton compressed the game with Jason Taplin and Rich Morris working hard to subdue the hosts’ attack and soon earned themselves another short corner. With a more familiar routine Ally JONES played a one two with Whitehead and slammed the ball home.

Nuneaton went into the second half expecting Ashbourne to come at them like Billy Elliot at a barn dance, but Nuneaton matched them all over the field, with Andy Forryan working hard in midfield. Ashbourne skilfully won another short corner, and with a powerful shot through keeper Sidwell's legs, drew the game level.

In a frantic last fifteen minutes Nuneaton handed the lead to Ashbourne with Ally Jones being caught short in his own “D” and leaving an open goal for the home side’s centre forward.

Nuneaton pushed hard for an equaliser and in the last five minutes earned themselves another short corner, Ally Jones played another one two with man-of-the-match Paul Whitehead only to see his shot stopped on the line by an Ashbourne defender’s foot. A penalty stroke was awarded and up stepped Ally JONES to flick the ball low into the goal.

The game finished a fair draw with both sides creating plenty of scoring chances. Skipper Eccles, although unhappy with the draw, saw enough quality from his side to be confident going into next week’s game against Newark.

BARTON III 1 NUNEATON III 3

Nuneaton thirds visited Barton for the BodyKraft East Midlands Division One game with the same mind set from the previous week.

The visitors were encouraged to play in a positive manner and were soon all over the Barton defence going goal ahead after only five minutes when a string of passes ended up with Tom COSTELLO planting the ball into the back of the net.

Despite Nuneaton playing superb hockey at this point, a lapse in concentration from the defence gifted the home side an equaliser. Happily, the away team were and were soon on top again when another superb move left Pat MOORE in just the right postion to slap the ball into the bottom corner.

Barton tried to come back with a short corner that hit the post but Nuneaton had a number of short corners that the hosts just could not clear. One produced a shot from the top of the “D” which Nigel Lawton stick deftly flicked goalwards but an opposition back stick prevented it going over the line.

Pat Moore stepped up to take the resulting flick which he proceeded to push wide of the post. Undeterred, Nuneaton carried on with a positive attitude and a quick taken free hit was driven to man-of-the-match Tom Costello who drilled the ball into the “D” where Pat MOORE was again on hand to glance the ball between the advancing goalkeeper’s legs to finally kill off Barton.

Nuneaton deserved the win with a well-organised defence marshalled by Nigel Lawton and Ed Nixon and some fantastic passing moves and support from midfield.

PLAYERS IV 0 NUNEATON IV 8

With a free week from the rigours of the BodyKraft league, Nuneaton travelled to Players in Nottingham for a friendly game against their old sparring partners.

The first half was an even but scrappy affair as the away side pushed forward but left large gaps in midfield that Players sought to exploit.

After several near misses Steve TALLIS settled the early nerves with a close range finish after good work from Ryan Stokes. Tallis then turned provider with an inch perfect pass that was nestled into the goal by Josh WAGG.

Players responded with a number of breakaway attacks but Harry Taylor in the Nuneaton goal was alert to the danger and comfortably dealt with the sporadic advances.

The second half saw the away side play a more structured game and this soon reaped dividends as Ryan Stokes dominated the midfield arena with some penetrating and incisive running. Josh WAGG benefited from a blocked Stokes effort before Steve TALLIS forced a high backhand into the Players net.

Man-of-the-match Ryan STOKES then fired a deserved goal from the edge of the “D” before Matt PEGG followed up his own saved strike and lobbed the keeper to record the side’s sixth goal.

Ian LAWTON rounded off a fine game with a clinical finish before Josh WAGG completed his hat-trick with a deft reverse stick deflection from Stokes’ free hit.

Credit must go to the Players keeper who was outstanding throughout but was overwhelmed by an excellent second half performance from a spirited and hungry Nuneaton team.

NUNEATON V 2 LEICESTER V 3

The latest BodyKraft South East Division Two fixture saw Nuneaton play hosts to Leicester fifths, and with both teams unbeaten this season, Nuneaton knew that it was going to be a hard game.

As expected, the first half saw Leicester take control of the game and Nuneaton struggled to get out of their own half. With Nuneaton regularly failing to clear the ball, Leicester took advantage and drilled home to take a slender halftime lead.

The break was eagerly awaited and the opportunity taken to have a much needed team talk.

The second half was a greatly improved performance from the Nuneaton team, as passing the ball with more forethought and precision paid off. Seeing more play and making good runs into the opposition 'D', Nuneaton began to take control. Good work from Paul SIDWELL resulted in another goal to his tally this season and further good work during the second half saw Phil WHEATLEY put the ball into the back of the Leicester goal.

Nuneaton started to press more and it was evident from the increased activity from key players in the very skilful Leicester side that they were not willing to risk losing or drawing the game. Good defending from Steve Williams, Roger Stokes, John Raywood and Eric Thomas in goal managed to keep the score down.

The final score was a fair reflection of the game, with Leicester winning 3-2 but this was a good performance from Nuneaton against an extremely good opposition.