NUNEATON 2 COVENTRY JAGUAR 4

Nuneaton crashed to a 4-2 defeat at home to Coventry Jaguar despite playing some of their best Coaching Solutions East Midlands` Premier Division hockey of the season.

Having beaten Coventry in a pre-season friendly, the home side were in confident mood and started the game brightly, having the better of the opening exchanges. However, Coventry persevered and were the first to open the scoring after Nuneaton failed to clear the ball effectively.

Nuneaton kept on fighting and were rewarded with a penalty stroke that Ally JONES converted to level the scores. Just as it looked as though the teams would go in level at half time Coventry took the lead through a controversial goal.

Initially this seemed to spur Nuneaton on and the home team came out flying for the second half. The good work paid off when Andy PARKER slotted home a slick short corner routine to again level the scores.

But in what is becoming a familiar story for Nuneaton, this hard work was undone by some wayward passing and lapses in concentration and Coventry turned the screws and added two more goals before the end of the game to inflict yet another defeat on Nuneaton.

The results will have to start coming for the Etone based side if they are to pull themselves clear of the relegation battle they are finding themselves in. On this evidence the hockey they are playing is good enough if the mistakes can be ironed out of the sides game.

NUNEATON II 1 SIKH UNION II 2

This was a battle of the top sides in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division with Nuneaton taking on the league leaders and the outcome going to the away side after a great hockey match of end to end hockey.

Nuneaton started well and took the game to the visitors, deservedly taking the lead from a penalty flick after twenty minutes. The penalty was well dispatched by Pete DOYLE, low to the keeper’s left.

The home side continued to press and had the ball in the net once again only for it to be disallowed for a harsh tackle just outside the “D” and the score remained 1-0 until half time with Nuneaton looking well placed.

Sikh Union changed their formation at the break and pressed from the start of the second half getting back into the game after fifteen minutes with a well taken short corner to level the scores.

Both sides continued to play good, attacking hockey, but it was the away side who scored to seal the result. Nevertheless, Nuneaton never stopped pushing forward trying to draw level but the finishing touch was just not there.

This was however, a good display by the home side which will give them confidence for coming games.

NORTH NOTTS III 3 NUNEATON III 1

Nuneaton travelled to Mansfield expecting a tough Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game against North Notts but in confident mood.

The home side scored first after both umpires had missed an offence but Nuneaton soon replied when striker Ken LAPSLEY latched on to an accurate free hit from vice-captain Robin Entecott to thread the ball between the keepers legs.

The visiting Nuneaton side had much the better of the first half but were unable to find the net again to give them the necessary advantage.

The second period was a different matter as Nuns seemed to go to sleep and allow Notts to take control. They went ahead with the help of the umpire keeping the ball in play and then were even more unlucky to see their keeper wrong footed as a strike from the edge of the area was deflected by Heath Ghent into the far corner of the Nuneaton goal.

The score flattered the home side as Nuneaton had defended well, marshalled as ever by Ian Nixon, with Michael Close and Ben Dodds both working hard for no reward.

SUTTON IV 3 NUNEATON IV 1

Nuneaton travelled to Saltley for this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division game against Sutton, and were unfortunate to come away empty handed after a fine performance against strong opposition.

The visitors started enthusiastically and spent the first fifteen minutes well in command as Paul Sidwell and Pat Moore made inroads on the right hand side.

It was this combination that saw Nuneaton take the lead when a deep cross was nudged home at the far post by Pat MOORE after the Sutton defence allowed the ball to run between them.

The hosts came back strongly and the constant pressure finally told as Nuneaton failed to clear a corner and the ball was swept wide of Mike Loveless. More chances fell to both sides as the bumpy, twig-ridden pitch played its part but there were no further goals before halftime.

The second half saw both sides push hard for victory but it was Sutton who made the telling break after a fine passing move, and a further goal from the second phase of a corner routine secured the points.

Nuneaton still attacked strongly through Ryan Stokes and Dave Ellingworth but knew it was not their day when an Oliver Gazeley sweep shot was deflected high over the bar by the prostrate keeper’s reflex save.

This was an encouraging performance from Nuns with youngsters Stokes and Gazeley again showing their potential and Pat Moore putting in another man of the match display.

COVENTRY JAGUAR IV 10 NUNEATON V 0

Due to higher team cancellations Jaguar, who have been struggling to put out a fourth team, were able to field their strongest team of the season in the Coaching Solutions South East Division Two.

Their clinical finishing meant that Nuneaton were on the receiving end their worst defeat of the season, although the five-nil score line at half time flattered Jaguar.

Although Jaguar had taken their chances well Nuneaton had also created chances. The difference was the quality of finishing as they found the Jaguar keeper in good form and also had the ball cleared off the line.

Jaguar kept up the pressure in the second half and Nuneaton were restricted to opportunities on the break. Once again the difference was the precision of the final effort as Nuneaton missed ‘open’ goals and Jaguar’s sharpness resulted in one of the goals being an ‘own goal’ as the Nuneaton defence panicked under pressure.

Ian Mason, in goal, did very little wrong and Nuneaton, although well beaten, were left feeling the score line had not done them justice.

NUNEATON VI 2 COVENTRY NW IV 3

This was an excellent and competitive Coaching Solutions South East Division Two league match. Coventry were top of the table and played like that, but were given a good run for their money.

Nuneaton took the lead midway through the first half after an excellent pass from Dave Harris found Nigel LAWTON who coolly fired the ball home. The visitors then equalised, but Nuns did not give up and as before, Nigel LAWTON scored after a pass from Dave Harris.

This caused Coventry to redouble their efforts but the Nuns defence stood firm until the last ten minutes of the match. First a beautiful lob from the young Coventry centre forward found the net off the inside of the post, before a fierce shot following a short corner also found the corner of the net.

Nuneaton then threw caution to the wind and all but equalised in the last seconds following a string of short corners.

This was a real test for a young Nuneaton side which came through with flying colours. Yet again, Matty Pegg and Richard Morris worked tirelessly and played well above their young ages.