COALVILLE 3 NUNEATON 1

After a promising pre-season, Nuneaton had high hopes of success in the first Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division game of the season.

Unfortunately, local rivals Coalville had other ideas and surprised the visitors with an early onslaught which culminated in a goal from open play after some ten minutes.

Further pressure from the home side was unrewarded as Nuneaton fought a desperate rearguard action, and it was clearly against the run of play when Peter DOYLE finished a flowing right wing move to pull the visitors level, after a fine run and cross from James Owens.

Despite a lacklustre first half, Nuneaton reached the midway point on level terms and were still hopeful of a result given the opposition’s inability to turn possession into goals.

Sadly, the second half was an anti-climax as the visitors failed to come to terms with Coalville’s surging attacks. Doyle and Eccles went close for Nuneaton but there was a certain inevitability about the hosts’ second goal, firmly despatched from the penalty spot after a defensive infringement.

As Nuneaton were forced to commit men forward, Coalville delivered the killer blow with a breakaway goal that put the result beyond doubt and sealed the visitors’ fate.

If Nuneaton are to meet their own high standards in this league, there will need to be a great improvement in coming games.

NUNEATON II 5 DERBY ASTERDALE II 0

This was a good start to the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One league campaign with Nuneaton’s second string getting hold of the game from the start.

Derby had an unlucky break when losing a player through injury in the first few minutes and with no substitute, were forced to play the rest of the game with only ten men.

Nuneaton took advantage of this and took the lead from a short corner, Stu JESSON firing home with aplomb. A second goal came with a great move starting deep in the Nuneaton half and with five slick passes and a great finish from Rob TILLEY, the home side were two goals to the good.

Nuneaton continued to push forward in the second half and scored the third goal through a good short corner routine, which resulted in a low, crisp shot into the corner of the goal from Roger STOKES.

Derby worked hard to stem the flow of home attacks, but this was short lived when Mark HUTCHINSON picked up the ball midway inside the opposition’s half and ran through the derby defence before firing a low shot past the Derby keeper.

The home side continued to press forward and a shot from Dave Holmes was stopped on the line by a Derby defender’s body, resulting in a penalty flick which was dispatched into the goal by skipper Alan OWENS.

This was a great start for the home side who can look forward to the next league game against Coalville with some confidence.

DERBY ASTERDALE III 2 NUNEATON III 1

An early start at Derby left Nuneaton with a somewhat depleted side for the opening Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game, but the team were unfortunate to travel home pointless.

Nuneaton began brightly and dominated the early exchanges but were frustrated to fall a goal behind after the hosts capitalised on some slack defending and forced the ball over the line.

The feeling of injustice was doubled when Derby scored their second goal with a heavy deflection off a Nuneaton stick, leaving keeper Peter Sidwell wrong-footed and helpless.

Despite the setbacks, Nuneaton continued to drive forward in the second half and received just reward when Graham FRISTON was able to crash the ball home to provide a thrilling finale.

As the visitors pressed for an equaliser, Derby found the opportunity to counter attack, making a compelling climax to the contest, both sides slugging it out in search of another goal.

Unfortunately, time ran out for Nuneaton who will aim to gain maximum points in next week’s game against Leamington.

NUNEATON IV 4 WEST BRIDGFORD VI 1

The new Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier season saw Nuneaton put in a sound performance against a spirited West Bridgford side that battled hard throughout but lacked the final penetration of their hosts.

With some old faces welcomed back to the fold, Nuneaton were quickly out of the blocks and right winger Steve Tallis was particularly effective in the opening minutes as he repeatedly left his marker in his wake.

The scoring was opened with a trademark Ken LAPSLEY goal as he twisted and turned to his favoured position and slammed home on the reverse side.

Several more chances went begging as Tallis and Ghent fired high velocity crosses into the “D” before Dave ELLINGWORTH hung out a stick to deflect home from close range.

After firing two glorious chances wide of the mark, Ken LAPSLEY notched another score when he fired past the keeper at the third attempt after the ball had pinballed around the visitors’ goal line.

With a 3-0 halftime lead, Nuneaton were coasting but suffered the ignominy of conceding a sloppy goal early in the second period, when some casual defending allowed the Bridgford striker to race through and shoot confidently past keeper Loveless.

The visitors then enjoyed a twenty minute period where Nuneaton were confined largely to their own half, but solid defending from Holmes, Tilley and Moreton prevented any real threat to the home goal.

The game was eventually secured with a breakaway goal when Ken LAPSLEY completed his hat-trick after performing more of his anti-gravity heroics to forge his favourite angle and fire into the unprotected goal.

COVENTRY NW V 7 NUNEATON V 0

Nuneaton fifths travelled to their first league game of the season in the Coaching Solutions South East Division Two full of hope, but missing several key players.

From the start it soon became apparent that Nuneaton were in for a torrid time as it was a rarity that the ball ended in the opposition third of the pitch. However stout defensive work, ably led by Harry Mayou, kept the opposition at bay for much of the game and Nuneaton reached the interval only one goal in deficit.

Nuneaton were not downhearted and realised that they could get back into the game if they could sneak a break away goal. However Coventry NW also realised this and strengthened their side further by bringing on two excellent players of a class that Nuneaton found hard to live with.

This tipped the balance and Nuneaton soon found themselves several further goals behind.

Nuneaton continued to battle, but as they pushed forward to pressurise the home goal, gaps were left at the back which were exploited by the fast and youthful players of the opposition.

Nuneaton even contrived to miss a couple of open goals when it would have been easier
score than miss.

It has to be said that despite the one sided score line Nuneaton, with two new, untried players, never let their heads drop. A special mention must go to Oliver Gazeley, who found himself marking an ex-Wales international and did a fine job. Also, keeper Henry Casement made several excellent saves despite being under severe pressure most of the game.

NUNEATON VI 4 MELTON V 1

A great start to the Coaching Solutions South East Division Two season for a new side made up of a few “old heads” (and legs) and what is hoped, the future of the club.

Nuneaton dominated the first half playing attractive one touch hockey, but due to a combination of fine goalkeeping and poor finishing were only able to score once. This was through Matty PEGG a youngster who worked tirelessly through out the game.

The second half followed much the same pattern with Nuneaton well on top. They received a wake up call though when Melton, on a rare foray into Nuns circle scored to bring the game level.

This redoubled the home sides efforts and soon after two goals were scored by Geoff WAGG following a string of short corners.

Late in the game Josh WAGG scored a tap in to make it 4-1 following a strong run and through ball from man of the match Ryan Stokes.