COVENTRY JAGUAR 2 NUNEATON 3

Nuneaton rounded off their pre-season friendlies with a good 3-2 away win against a tough Coventry Jaguar side they will face again in the forthcoming Coaching Solutions league matches.

However they had to work hard for the victory and the cause was not helped when Jaguar were gifted an early goal after some slack defending provided a golden opportunity.

This stirred the away team into action, and once the patiently awaited passing game materialised, Ally JONES was on hand to slot home from a Lee Marshall cross.

This set Jaguar back and Nuneaton capitalised on the momentum they created by going the full length of the pitch in a series of passes for coach Brian GORDON-STABLES to finish the move he started back in his own half.

However Nuneaton relaxed and the home side immediately responded, scoring with a long-range shot that spun viciously off keeper Mike Norrington’s glove and into the net, despite his brave attempt to prevent the ball creeping over the line.

The second half saw Nuneaton defend well against some sustained pressure whilst trying to restore the early match tempo as they fought to gain the upper hand.

This they eventually did and Marshall again provided the cross from the right for Dave ECCLES to slot home the winner.

Either team could have added more before the end in what was an open and entertaining match, but it is Nuneaton who will take the win into the league season and current form shows the promise of a good season ahead.

NUNEATON II 0 COVENTRY JAGUAR II 7

This proved another heavy defeat for Nuneaton seconds who performed poorly against energetic and determined opposition.

Jaguar worked the home defence from the off and scored fifteen minutes into the game with a scrappy goal but never looked back as Nuneaton offered little up front. The visitors continued to push forward and scored a second before the break despite a series of fine saves from keeper Mike Loveless.

In the second half, Jaguar took control of the game and although skipper Alan Owens performed heroically at the back, the visitors bagged a further five goals.

After the seventh goal, Jaguar took their foot off the gas which allowed Nuneaton to push forward and force a series of short corners. Hard working Stu Jesson was unfortunate to see a number of efforts blocked and Patrick Moore deserved a goal after his sterling efforts.

A last minute penalty flick was awarded to the home side but predictably, the keeper managed to fall on a weakly hit push and condemn Nuneaton to an embarrassing defeat.

Nuneaton need to recover quickly from this defeat and give a convincing performance in next week’s league game.

COVENTRY JAGUAR III 3 NUNEATON III 1

A keenly contested match between old rivals saw the home side narrowly edge out a determined Nuneaton third eleven.

A bright start ensured both keepers were called into action with Nuneaton’s Mike Norrington producing some excellent stops. Following two opportunist goals from the Coventry centre-forward when the Nuneaton defence failed to clear their lines, Nuneaton were denied a blatant penalty flick which, if converted, would have given the team a lift their play deserved.

Nuneaton increased the tempo in the second half with the introduction of James Owens and his skilful approach play and measured cross was converted by Steve TALLIS at the far post to reduce the arrears.

Although Nuneaton continued to work hard with Graham Friston and Heath Ghent prompting attacks from midfield, they were unable to find an equaliser. With time running out Friston was mysteriously given a yellow card for questioning a decision which reduced Nuneaton to ten men. Coventry took advantage to score a third goal which put the result beyond doubt.

Generally, the game was played in a good spirit and the two teams look forward to another close encounter when they meet again in December and league points will be at stake.

NUNEATON IV 1 COVENTRY JAGUAR IV 4

A much changed fourth team came second best to a capable Jaguar side with a balanced mix of youth and experience.

Early exchanges were even as both sides attempted to breach the opposition defence, but the visitors took the lead after some sloppy defending from Nuneaton. This was extended when keeper Casement was left exposed and the attacker scored from a tight angle.

Just before half time, Nuneaton’s second penalty corner bore fruit when Eric Thomas reacted to a rebound off the post and had his shot stopped on the line by a Jaguar foot. Geoff WAGG stepped forward to clinically despatch the resulting penalty.

Nuneaton started the second period in search of an equaliser and pushed hard to clear the deficit. Unfortunately, fitness began to tell as aged and tiring midfield legs finally succumbed to the task, and Jaguar exploited the defensive gaps.

Sterling work by Mayou and Pennington could not stem the offensive moves, as the visitors ran in a further two goals to put the result beyond doubt.

With the league season only a week away, Nuneaton will be looking to improve on a disappointing display when they take to the pitch again.