NUNEATON 2 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 5

As every game is vital for Nuneaton if they are to remain in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division this season, this was a must win game against Northampton Saints.

Unfortunately the visitors did not read the script and with a few defensive errors at the back from the Nuns I did not take long for Saints to take a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

After going a goal down Nuneaton started to press forward creating a couple of half chances that went begging (on another day they may have gone the other side of the post). They were then awarded a penalty flick for a deliberate stop on the line but after some deliberation with the other official the decision was reversed.

It didn’t help the situation when the away side played a long ball up front to the centre forward who found himself with a one on one and made no mistake by slotting the ball home. Saints scored again from a short corner just before half time to go in 3-0 up at the break.

With nothing to lose, Nuneaton started the second half with a flurry of changes and were rewarded with a short corner only five minutes after the re-start. With a well-rehearsed short corner the ball fell to Ally JONES on the top of the area and he lashed the ball into the bottom corner.

Shortly afterwards another corner was awarded and the ball was struck towards the right post where Andy Parker deflected the ball towards goal and Dave ECCLES was on hand for an easy tap in.

This created a frantic last quarter, and with the home side pushing forward trying to salvage something from the game, gaps were left at the back and Northampton scored two late goals.

On reflection the score line flattered the visitors as Nuneaton deserved to take something out of the game with their spirited second half performance.

LEICESTER WESTLEIGH II 2 NUNEATON II 2

This Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game resulted in a hard fought draw for Nuneaton, but was a fair score line for both sides.

Leicester started the better and took a deserved lead after ten minutes, before Nuneaton pushed forward and a threaded pass from Alan Owens found the in-form Mark HUTCHINSON who scored with a cracking drive from the top right hand side of the “D”.

Nuneaton should have taken the lead just before half time, but the visitors had a penalty flick well saved by the home keeper to leave the score's level at half time.

The away side started well in the second half and were leading within five minutes of the restart after good work and a pass from Mark Hutchinson, leaving Simon PENNINGTON to finish convincingly.

Both sides continued to press hard, but with no joy until the last five minutes when Leicester upped the tempo and scored a well deserved goal to level the scores.

Sadly, top scorer Hutchinson has been posted overseas and the seconds now lose his services for the rest of the season but all wish him a safe return later in the year.

NUNEATON III 1 SIKH UNION III 0

For probably the first time in this season’s Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One campaign, the thirds played with control and skill as well as passion and strength.

Every player did their job superbly and a Ken LAPSLEY strike late in the game gave them just reward for their efforts in a game that was played in fine spirit with excellent umpiring from both officials.

Nuns controlled the first half as Union seemed to sit deep allowing the home side’s midfield to run the game. Despite some good chances, mainly due to Paul Sidwell’s excellent crosses from the right and several penalty corners, the 'greens' were unable to score.

Sikh Union came out in a more positive frame of mind in the second period but strong defending from the Nuneaton back four, with James Pennington, in particular, outstanding, allowed few clear attempts at goal.

A missed penalty by the visitors only spurred Nuns on further and a slick counter attack saw winger Sidwell slip the ball to top marksman Lapsley in space and he did the rest.

Nuneaton now look safe from any relegation threat and if they continue to play in the same style they will be difficult for anyone to overcome.

LOUGHBOROUGH IV 6 NUNEATON IV 0

A sixth successive defeat for Nuneaton’s fourth string, sees the team sliding down the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division at an alarming rate.

Loughborough were made to look world-beaters in the early stages as Nuneaton’s suicidally inept defending plumbed new depths. Four gifted goals in the first quarter put the result beyond doubt, and from that point on, the visitors were playing purely for pride.

Spirited performances from Matt Pegg, Rob Tilley and Matt Cawthorne provided some respite from the general malaise, and the visitors might have earned some consolation with a little luck at the short corner routine.

However, despite an improved effort in the second period, the hosts plugged two further goals as timid defenders stood off their men and allowed them too much time and space in vital areas.

Keeper Mike Loveless was again in outstanding form behind his nervous colleagues, and single-handedly kept the score in single figures. A big improvement is required in coming weeks.

NUNEATON V 2 COALVILLE IV 2

Nuneaton played as well in this Coaching Solutions South East Division Two match as they had performed badly last week and the standard of the hockey was a credit to both teams and the division.

Although the match was an end to affair played at pace Nuneaton felt a little disappointed at he end that they had not just run out the winners. Nuneaton had slightly the better of the early exchanges but neither goalkeeper had been tested when Coalville went ahead from a short corner.

A well struck shot found the near post defender on walk-about and Eric Thomas in goal had no chance of saving. Coalville ahead with their first shot on target! Nuneaton hit back almost immediately as a fine sweeping move, involving half the team, started down the left and was switched back and over to the right before being clinically finished by Phil WHEATLEY.

With Nuneaton pressing forward, they were caught when the attack broke down and with two Coalville forwards skilfully interchanging passes around a hapless Harry Mayou a good shot finished it off. Two shots on target and two goals!

The second half began like the first with Nuneaton pressing. Peter Sidwell in midfield had a fine game winning many good tackles and using the ball well. Having gone close and seeing the ball cleared off the line it was no more than they deserved when Phil WHEATLEY got his second to level the match.

Coalville pressed forward in the last quarter and it took some strong defensive work to keep them at bay. Despite the pressure Thomas was never tested in goal. On the other hand Coalville had cause to be grateful to their keeper on several occasions as Nuneaton looked to snatch the winner.

An excellent game enjoyed by all involved apart from an extremely cold Eric Thomas in goal for Nuneaton.

SIKH UNION IV 3 NUNEATON VI 2

Nuneaton were unfortunate to lose in a well-contested Coaching Solutions South East Division Two game where both sides struggled to overcome the poor lighting conditions.

Heavy pressure from the home side brought a series of early chances but fine defending from Nigel Lawton and Mick Cawthorne plus another inspired display of goalkeeping from Ian Mason, kept the Nuneaton goal intact.

It was against the run of play when Josh WAGG found himself unmarked at the far post and swept the ball into an empty net.

This provided a further spur for the home side who continued to pour forward relentlessly, but a solid Nuneaton defence marshalled by skipper Geoff Wagg, resisted manfully until halftime.

After the break, as Nuneaton legs tired, Sikh Union snatched an equaliser and then edged in front from a fiercely struck short corner.

With Mike Parker and Chris Lynch battling hard to break down an experienced and canny home defence, the visitors saw several half chances go begging before a breakaway resulted in a third goal for the hosts.

As time ticked away, Josh WAGG gave Nuneaton fresh hope as he skilfully deflected a thunderous cross into the roof of the goal, but there was little opportunity to salvage a deserved draw before the final whistle.

This was a fine performance by Nuneaton’s youngsters in particular, and Sam Marston, Mike Parker, Josh Wagg, Nick Perry and Luke Horvath all showed great potential against a side boasting a number of physically bigger and stronger youths.