WARWICK 2 NUNEATON 1

Nuneaton had a tough start to the seasons preparations, being without their coach and their skipper and having to start the game a man down due to traffic problems getting to the match.

This meant that for the first quarter of an hour Nuneaton soaked up pressure from a well drilled Warwick side and Jon Hubbard was called upon to make a couple of saves at short corners.

Nuneaton did manage to relieve the pressure with a couple of counter attacks but could not create any scoring opportunities. Before the first half was out Nuneaton were back up to full strength and had forced a couple of short corners of their own, but pre-season rust showed.

Nuneaton started the second half brightly and Ali Clarke was unlucky not to cap a flowing move down the left hand side with a goal. However this sparked Warwick and their pressure finally told as they took the lead through a breakaway despite an initial good save from Hubbard.

They then strengthened the lead five minutes later when they converted a penalty flick for bad tackling in the “D”. Nuneaton showed resilience and pulled one back when Ally JONES banged the ball in to the bottom corner from far out following further good approach play down the left.

Nuneaton tired towards the end but stayed tight to restrict any further scoring opportunities. The manner of play from the Nuns suggests that a promising season could be in the offing.

COVENTRY NW II 1 NUNEATON II 4

The new season started well for Nuneaton’s second team as a number of new players made their debuts and soon began to take the game to the opposition.

Despite the new faces in the side, there was an immediate fluency to Nuneaton’s play and this created some early chances for Stokes and Moore up front ,but it was from the midfield that the first goal came midway through the first half. A sweeping move started deep in Nuneaton's half, and three passes later the ball was in the back of Coventry's goal after a fine finish from Dave HOLMES.

Nuneaton reached half time with no real worries from Coventry for new keeper Mike Norrington and the second half continued in much the same vein as the first.

Within ten minutes of the re-start the visitors were two up thanks to a fine strike from centre forward Roger STOKES, who deflected a long through ball past the wrong-footed keeper, before a defensive error let in Coventry for their goal.

This spurred Nuneaton to go straight up to the other end and score a third goal with Dave HOLMES hitting a fine shot from a very tight angle.

Nuneaton continued to press forward and Roger STOKES scored his second of the game just minutes from the end, stroking home a loose ball from the penalty spot.

This was a fine display from Nuneaton against a solid Coventry side and new skipper Alan Owens will hope for further improvement ahead of the league season.

NUNEATON III 2 COVENTRY NW III 1

Nuneaton’s first game of the new season started off with some good interplay from each team, and the home side were awarded the opening short corner of the game but failed to convert.

The Coventry defence stood firm with the goalie making fine saves from the Nuneaton forwards before Nuns keeper Peter Sidwell was called into action with a full length save to deny an outstanding move.

Coventry did however open the scoring shortly after but a cracking strike from skipper Andy FORRYAN, who netted top right hand corner, soon levelled matters.

Nuneaton then took the lead with Ed Close passing into the “D” for Andy FORRYAN to again find the net.

Ian Lawton and Ben Dodds were both denied goals due to outstanding defending and Nuneaton eventually ran out worthy winners.

NUNEATON V 1 WARWICK V 6

Nuneaton met a strong Warwick side on a blisteringly hot day more suited to cricket than hockey, although the visitors soon took a firm grip on the game and pressed on the Nuneaton goal.

The skill and youthfulness of the Warwick side took them into a clear lead and at half time Nuneaton found themselves three goals behind.

The second half followed much the same pattern, although a re-organisation in mid field did produce a much needed goal from Ian LAWTON after good work by Ken Lapsley, who performedtirelessly in very trying circumstances.

The final score reflected Warwick’s superiority in the game and the visitors ran out 6-1 winners.

Nuneaton fifths will certainly improve in the coming weeks as this proved a rude wake up call.