Saturday 10^th September 2005

NUNEATON II 6 OLD SILHILLIANS II 1

Nuneaton seconds proved too strong for a young team and were rarely threatened in a totally one-sided game.

After Old Sils scored an opener within five minutes, it was one-way traffic as Nuns pushed forward and soon levelled the score through the prolific Roger STOKES.

Desperate defending and poor finishing left the home side with only one more goal to show before the break, as Stu JESSON rifled home after good work by Dave Holmes.

A series of fine saves by the visiting keeper kept Nuns at bay for a period, but a flowing move allowed Dave ECCLES to increase the advantage before another Dave Holmes cross gave Patrick MOORE the chance to extend the lead yet further.

The best goal of the game was scored with a firm sweep into the goal by Tom HIGGINSON after good work by James Owens before Steve FALLOWS wrapped up the game with a cool sidestep around the keeper.

OLD SILHILLIANS III 0 NUNEATON III 7

Travelling to Solihull with a strong team, Nuneaton expected to perform well in this early season friendly and the final scoreline certainly reflected the superiority enjoyed throughout the game.

Nuneaton opened the scoring when Ken LAPSLEY deflected a driven cross past the home keeper before Ben DODDS cracked home a short corner on the half hour mark.

As the visitors piled on the pressure, Simon PENNINGTON was quick to pounce on a Ben Dodds corner attempt and the first half finished with Ken LAPSLEY bagging his second with an impressive reverse stick shot that rebounded off the post and into the goal.

Simon PENNINGTON was able to score two more past the home keeper and earn a well deserved hat trick before the coup de gras from Andy PARKER who slotted the ball into the net with panache.

NUNEATON IV 6 OLD SILHILLIANS IV 1

Nuneaton fourths returned to action after the summer break with an emphatic victory over fellow East Midlands Premier rivals Old Sils.

First blood went to Nuneaton in the first few minutes when Paul WHITEHEAD twisted and turned through the Old Sils packed defence before casually flicking the ball high past the keeper’s outstretched grasp.

This signalled constant pressure from Nuneaton who were unable to turn dominance into goals as final passes failed to break through the busy defensive barrier.

A more positive approach from the visitors in the second half proved to be their downfall as by pushing an extra man forward, the back line was exposed to Nuneaton’s greater attacking threat.

Dave ELLINGWORTH was quick to seize two early opportunities and extend the home side’s lead and after several goalmouth skirmishes, Steve TALLIS crashed the ball home comprehensively to put the result beyond doubt.

The award of a penalty provided a hat trick for Dave ELLINGWORTH whose bobbled attempt crept under the keeper’s Jurassic fall before the visitors enjoyed a short period of action in the Nuneaton “D” and grabbed a fine consolation goal with a deflected shot past Mike Loveless.

Nuneaton then had a late flurry culminating in a precise through ball from young Josh Wagg, gratefully converted by Geoff WAGG to open his account for the season.

OLD SILHILLIANS V 1 NUNEATON V 2

Despite taking the pretty route to the Old Sils game (2 hour journey), and only having nine players, Nuneaton came away with a hard fought and enjoyable victory.

Arriving at the pitch Old Sills loaned a player to Nuneaton but this generosity was to backfire on the home team.

The first ten minutes was pretty even, but as the half progressed Nuneaton pressed on the Old Sils defence Good work from Phil Wheatley set up Sam JONES (the borrowed player from Old Sills) who slotted two goals smartly for Nuneaton.

The visitors were well pleased with their 2-0 lead when the half time whistle came.

Old Sills lost one of their players for the second half and took back their player. However Nuneaton, under the generalship of veteran defender Harry Mayou, held out most of the attacks and It wasn't until Buster Aspley decided to desert his post and let an Old Sils player have a free run on Keeper Henry Casement that Old Sils managed to grab a goal.

Strangely enough this was Sam again, completing a rather unusual hat trick.

Praise must go to Henry Casement in goal for his second half performance under continual pressure, keeping out a host of attempts.