NORTH NOTTS 5 NUNEATON 0

A 5 – 0 defeat for Nuns was not a true reflection of the determination and effort that the away side put in to this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division clash against the runaway league leaders.

This was always going to be a tough match as Nuneaton languish just above the drop zone, however it was difficult in the early stages to see which side was which.

Unfortunately the effort was not matched by the application and Nuneaton could not quite get their passing game going and slowly Notts started to press more and more. Once they breached the Nuneaton goal their own confidence grew and Nuneaton found themselves three goals down at half time.

They stuck to the cause though and continued to press and did manage to create some chances. Steve Fallows came close in his first game of the season for the side and James Owens and Ali Clarke provided good work rate in midfield.

However North Notts were too strong and they added two more goals in the second half to give a score line that flattered them, despite being the better team. Nuneaton stuck at it through the seventy minutes and more performances like this will bring the points they are now desperately starting to need.

SIKH UNION II 1 NUNEATON II 2

This was a good win for the away side with both teams looking to keep up with the top two sides in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division.

Nuneaton started the game with only nine men after losing a car on the way, but started the better and took the lead with fifteen minutes gone after good work from a short corner, which fell to Mark HUTCHINSON who gave the goalkeeper no chance.

By this time Nuneaton had a full side and continued to push forward, but the score stayed 1-0 until half time.

The second half started brightly for the home side, but the Nuneaton defence held firm and with ten minutes to go the visitors scored a second goal after a great run from Chris JESSON who let fly with an unstoppable shot.

The home side did score late on but Nuneaton held on for the win they richly deserved.

NUNEATON III 1 LICHFIELD III 3

Free scoring league leaders Lichfield were the visitors to Etone for the thirds latest Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One clash.

Nuneaton soon found that Lichfield’s league position was well deserved as their pace and movement created large holes in the home defence, and the visitors won a series of penalty corners.

The execution of these opportunities was fortunately amiss as time and again, the same routine was thwarted by Mike Norrington’s classy positioning. However, the constant pressure inevitably led to a goal despite Norrington’s efforts and the home side reached the halfway point with a flattering one goal deficit.

Surprisingly, Lichfield’s youthful enthusiasm waned a little in the second period allowing the home side more possession but the chances were still falling to the visitors with Michael Close reacting superbly to deflect a roof-bound reverse sweep high over the bar.

The respite was short-lived as Lichfield rattled in a second goal although a rare breakaway provided Ian LAWTON with a chance to test and beat the opposing keeper. This seemed to galvanise the visitors into further action, and more sustained offense resulted in a third and final strike to secure the points.

A strong Nuneaton side will be thankful that there will be few, if any, other sides of this quality in the division, and gratified that they made the visitors work hard for the victory.

NUNEATON IV 4 OLD SILS IV 1

Having already trounced Old Sils in a pre-season friendly, Nuneaton went into this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division contest with some confidence.

Unfortunately, this confidence soon developed into complacency as early skirmishes went the home side’s way and players began to hold on to the ball too long. As a result, the whole tempo of Nuneaton’s game slowed and allowed the visitors much more of the play than was merited.

Nuneaton did take the lead before half time when a corner fell to Chris Burnard who drilled it goalwards for Patrick MOORE to deflect home but this was the only bright spot in a lacklustre first period.

A few choice words at the break saw a different Nuneaton emerge in the second half, and a more direct, fast moving approach brought a series of penalty corners, one of which was ruthlessly despatched by Paul SIDWELL to increase the lead.

The game was effectively safe when a quick through ball was deflected into the path of Patrick MOORE who coolly rounded the keeper before slotting into an empty goal.

The visitors then had a spell of possession which resulted in them scoring the goal of the game when a corner was returned to the injector who slapped the ball into the top corner of the goal.

A series of one-twos between Oliver Gazeley and Ed Close along the left touchline saw the latter breach the Old Sils defence in some style, before one final flourish brought the last goal of the game when Oliver GAZELEY fired home at the second attempt.

NUNEATON V 3 MELTON V 0

The fifths hosted Melton at Etone in the latest Coaching Solutions South East Division Two clash and after a series of disappointing results, Nuneaton set out with a purpose.

The scoring was opened halfway through the first half when Phil WHEATLEY was on hand to fire home an excellent Tatum cross, and despite a sustained comeback from Melton, the team held on to the 1-0 lead until halftime.

Concerted defence in the second period saw Nuneaton hold the advantage, with keeper Henry Casement excelling between the posts, before Matt PEGG extended the lead when he nudged the ball over the line.

The scoring was completed by Matt TROTMAN late in the second half when Melton’s legs were tiring and gaps appeared in the visitors’ defence.

ASHBY IV 0 NUNEATON VI 2

Nuneaton sixths were slow to start in this Coaching Solutions South East Division Two game and were put under a lot of pressure by an experienced Ashby side.

For most of the first half they had to endure many raids on their goal and during this period Ian Mason needed to be at his best to keep the score sheet blank.

The second half was as though it was another match as Nuneaton got into their stride right from the off and pushed Ashby back causing them to defend for sustained periods.

The first goal came from a brilliant through ball from Simon Pennington (if only he would play more of them) to Nick PERRY who slipped the ball coolly past the advancing keeper to register his first goal of the season.

The second goal was direct from a short corner and Simon PENNINGTON flicked home past a diving goalkeeper.

This was a good display by the visitors because the Ashby side contained many older players that had obviously been around the block and knew how to play to their strengths.

The young Nuneaton players stuck to their jobs and never gave up; even though some of them were forced to play in positions they were not used to, this will prove to be invaluable experience as they develop their hockey skills.

Hockey Association Trophy – 3^rd Round

NUNEATON 1 NORTHAMPTON LIONS 2

Cup fever came to Etone on Sunday as the first eleven had a break from the Coaching Solutions league and took part in the national HA Trophy competition against a well-drilled and young Lions side.

The pace was quick from the start as Nuneaton played an attacking formation that meant the home side started well. However Lions were soon back in to it and they broke the deadlock with a well executed short corner routine that was slotted home at the near post.

Nuneaton stuck to the task and battled well but did not create many chances whilst Northampton did. It took resolute defending from Jason Taplin and top saves from man of the match, keeper Hubbard, to keep Lions down to one. Then Nuneaton did manage to break free and Ally JONES gave himself space to go at goal before clinically firing the ball in over the advancing keeper. This allowed Nuns to go into the half time break level.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Nuneaton matching Lions for pride and passion but not quite in application, passes not going to a home green shirt as often as they should. Lions then re-took the lead through a penalty flick after they had been allowed too much space to progress into the Nuneaton “D”.

Nuneaton continued to battle and shortly afterwards nearly levelled again when Simon Pennington had an effort cleared off the line. Nuneaton kept pressing but that final ball was lacking and not enough clear chances were being created.

As the day before, Nuneaton showed spirit and a willingness to compete but it just wasn’t quite enough on the day and Lions went through to the next round 2 – 1 winners. However, Nuneaton have nothing to fear when they face Lions again in the league in a few weeks time.