NUNEATON 1 SOUTH NOTTS 6

Nuneaton’s poor run of form in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division continued with a 6 – 1 defeat at home to South Nottingham.

Before the match Nuneaton were hoping to take points from a South Notts side that did not play well in the first encounter but the away side were much improved while Nuns have not advanced this season as they might have hoped.

However the early exchanges were even although South Notts showed more energy and application and as a result took the lead inside the first ten minutes. Nuneaton did continue to press and finally an attack brought rewards in the shape of a penalty stroke.

Unfortunately the stroke was missed and it probably summed up the way the season has gone. From there South Notts dominated and went into half time at three up with no reply from Nuneaton.

The second half saw Nuneaton failing to respond to the threat of their bottom of the table predicament and South Notts continued to add goals.

Nuneaton did manage to get one back when Ally JONES struck a short corner sweetly into the far corner. The goal did not inspire the comeback that was needed, however, and South Notts added two more before the final whistle.

The only consolation was that both teams above Nuneaton also lost, but with only two games remaining Nuneaton played like a team already doomed to relegation.

LEICESTER UNIV. II 2 NUNEATON II 4

This was a good win for Nuneaton who had not won in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One league for five games but it took a great deal of hard work from the away team to overcome a useful university side.

The first half was end to end hockey with both sides really going for it and Nuneaton took the lead after good work from Andy Forryan who got to the by line and crossed for Rob MASON to finish.

This spurred on the home side who within ten minutes had drawn level after a fine move themselves. Nuneaton retook the lead a few minutes before the break when a quick free hit by Chris Jesson, found brother Stuart JESSON who finished from close range.

Nuneaton looked to be going into the break 2-1 up, but a poor ball out of defence fell to the home side who despatched it comprehensively into the back of the net.

The visitors started the second half at a fast pace and five minutes after the restart, the away side took the lead once again after a good finish from Simon PENNINGTON, but this time the home side were unable to respond.

Ten minutes later, Nuneaton scored their fourth goal when Rob MASON grabbed his second of the game.

This seemed to deflate the home side who never looked like getting back into the game, allowing Nuneaton to leave with all three points.

NUNEATON III 1 TAMWORTH III 3

Nuneaton’s recent spell of controlled hockey in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One ended with a bump and they got exactly what they deserved against a struggling Tamworth side - nothing!

The home side seemed unable to pass the ball accurately, were frequently caught in possession and pulled out of shape constantly by a Tamworth side who were more determined and deserved their victory.

A quick break and some poor marking led to the visitors first and an uncharacteristic error by Mike Norrington in his last game for the club allowed the second.

Nuns did pull one back after a powerful free hit into the “D” was deflected over the line by Patrick MOORE but Tamworth soon replied when a penalty corner flick was calmly placed inside the post to seal the game and three valuable points for the visitors in their desperate scramble for survival in the Coaching Solutions League Division One.

BELPER IV 4 NUNEATON IV 0

A depleted fourth eleven travelled to table topping Belper for the penultimate away fixture in this season’s Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division and despite a brave effort, were comfortably beaten.

Matters started off badly en-route to the match as the goalkeeper and midfield playmaker both headed towards Nottingham, oblivious to the fact that Belper is situated in Derbyshire, thus delaying the start by some twenty minutes.

Once the game finally began, the visitors started in promising fashion with Nigel Rixon marauding in midfield and frustrating the home team’s attempts to dominate the play.

However, Belper had the stroke of luck they needed when a mis-hit from the top of the “D” bounced over a prostrate Loveless in the Nuns’ goal and followed this up shortly after with a well-worked goal from a frequently practiced corner routine.

Jon Tatum foraged eagerly up front and was unfortunate to see his driven effort drift wide of the post after working an opening for himself.

Nuneaton fought hard in the second period and a solitary short corner was scant reward for some dogged play but this was mainly due to a lack of guile around the Belper “D”.

Two more goals secured the game for the hosts who are now in pole position for the divisional title but Nuneaton can be encouraged by the performance of Richard Morris who continues to impress in his defensive role.

NUNEATON V 1 LEICESTER IV 6

Nuneaton were confronted by a lively Leicester team in this Coaching Solutions South East Division Two game, and found themselves outgunned for skill and speed.

The first twenty minutes were competitive with both sides probing for an early opening, but the away team drew first blood and never looked back, scoring a further three goals before the break.

Nuneaton’s hopes were boosted when Phil Wheatley burst through and set up Matt PEGG to deflect the ball past the visitors’ keeper, but this proved to be a short-lived respite as Leicester powered a further two goals to secure the victory.

JAGUAR COVENTRY IV 1 NUNEATON VI 1

This was a Coaching Solutions South East Division Two match that Nuneaton could have and probably should have won, but a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping meant the best they could do was draw.

Nuneaton started strongly and were in total control of the game during the first half but the home keeper pulled of the first of a number of fine saves from a Nigel Lawton short corner strike.

The pattern continued with the visitors raining down on the home defence, and eventually, one such attack led to Nigel LAWTON pouncing on a loose ball to bundle it over the line.

The first half carried on in this vein, but poor finishing meant no more goals, a fact that Nuneaton were to rue during the second half.

What a change came over the game in the second half as Coventry brought on a new player who started to get them competing and it was Nuneaton’s turn to defend.

Midway through the half Coventry scored and during this period also hit the post twice.

Nuneaton still managed to mount a few attacks of their own, but they were not as dangerous as in the first half.

The side should learn from this match that goals must be scored when the chances are given, otherwise wins will surely turn into losses.