NUNEATON 0 COALVILLE 2

After a couple of good results against Hampton and Burton in the Christmas friendlies, it was back to the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division where some solid performances are required from Nuneaton.

The home side started brightly with some good passing moves down both wings but unfortunately could not break down the well-organised Coalville defence. As the game progressed, the away side started to turn the screw and took full advantage of a questionable short corner decision with the last hit of the first half.

The second half was more of the same with the hosts pressing forward but unable to penetrate the visitors back line. This did, however, cause gaps to appear in the midfield which led to Coalville’s second goal.

From a free hit outside the ‘D’, the centre forward was unmarked and easily guided the ball past the helpless Jon Hubbard in the home goal.

Without outstanding performances from Paul Whitehead and Jason Taplin, the scoreline could have been much worse and given Nuneaton’s precarious position, it is vital that the team responds positively and starts to gather precious points

DERBY II 2 NUNEATON II 4

This was a good start to the second half of the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One league for Nuneaton who managed to play their “get out of jail free” card as the score line flattered the away side.

Starting slowly, the Nuneaton were a goal down in the second minute, and it took a further twenty minutes to trouble the Derby side with a couple of short corners, neither on target.

The visitors hung on till half time, only down by the single goal, but a few harsh words from the skipper during the break seemed to do the trick and Nuneaton were level after five minutes of the restart.

A well worked short corner was finished by Mark HUTCHINSON and.encouraged by this the visitors continued to push forward, only to be caught on the break by Derby who retook the lead.

Nuneaton persevered and were awarded a free hit just outside the “D” which was crashed in by Alan Owens for Mark HUTCHINSON to flick into the goal for his second of the game.

Derby continued to push Nuneaton back and only some dogged defending from the away side kept the hosts out, but with five minutes remaining, the visitors broke out of their half and allowed debutant Sam WIGGINS to slot the ball into an empty goal.

One final break from defence gave Dave HOLMES the chance to fire an unstoppable shot past a forlorn goalkeeper, a welcome return for him after his recent appendix operation.

Nuneaton were grateful for the win after a poor display, and hope for a better display next week.

NUNEATON III 4 DERBY III 2

Nuneaton never really looked like losing the first Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One league fixture of the New Year despite going behind from a penalty corner early in the game.

After losing a goal completely against the run of play, Nuns showed a vast improvement from the previous weeks' debacle with sharper passing, determined tackling and more physical effort.

Even the unfortunate loss of midfielder Oliver Gazeley with a suspected broken finger did little to reduce the home sides dominance and high level of possession.

Patrick MOORE deservedly gained the equaliser with a subtle flick past the keeper and Steve FALLOWS gave the home side the lead with a forceful push that left the goal line defenders little chance.

Derby responded almost immediately and scored a 'soft' goal with the help of a defenders deflection but Nuns were not to be denied and their almost constant pressure in the second half saw Paul SIDWELL ghost in unmarked on the right to rifle in a trademark shot through the Derby keepers legs.

Steve FALLOWS then wrapped the game, and the points, up with an almost identical goal to his first to cap a fine individual performance and a solid team effort in which Nigel Rixon was outstanding in the middle and the defence stuck to their tasks well with Ed Nixon also able to push forward in support.

WEST BRIDGFORD VI 5 NUNEATON IV 1

As expected, Nuneaton encountered a lively West Bridgford team in the first Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division match of 2006.

Despite Sid Orpin being drafted in at late notice to provide an attacking option, Nuneaton’s team had a defensive bias that clearly affected the balance of the side.

Nevertheless, Nuneaton matched the home side in the early exchanges with Orpin and Matt Cawthorne working hard to fire some useful balls across the “D”. Unfortunately, this early encouragement proved Nuneaton’s undoing as the home side broke quickly and found the extra man to open the scoring.

A second goal soon followed when a fine block by Burton, sat up perfectly for the Bridgford player to drill home past a static defence.

A series of fine saves by keeper Casement denied the home side further success before Nuneaton enjoyed a fifteen minute spell of dominance in the second half, during which Nev HOLMES was on hand to push in a firmly struck corner attempt.

The moment was short-lived as Bridgford responded with another fine drive and as Nuneaton tried to respond and claw back a goal, the home side took full advantage of flagging limbs and rifled a couple of late additions.

Keeper Casement and hard working John Tilley were the pick of the Nuneaton side, with Matt Cawthorne showing some excellent touches in his unaccustomed right wing role.

NUNEATON V 3 COVENTRY NW V 6

This Coaching Solutions South East Division Two match began badly for Nuneaton as they started with just ten men and a grateful Coventry took full advantage of the extra space and were a goal up within five minutes.

Although the home side were at full strength after ten minutes, Coventry added two further goals following some quality, sustained pressure. However, Nuneaton’s first threatening attack resulted in Phil WHEATLEY adding to his season’s goal tally but this seemed to stir Coventry and they hit back almost immediately to restore their three goal margin.

At this point Nuneaton looked down and out and it was mainly thanks to Mike Norrington in goal that Nuneaton had ‘only’ conceded five at half time.

The half time talk had been about sticking to the task and the side giving a good account of themselves. No-one could have foreseen how an enforced tactical change meant they did more than this.

An injury meant that Peter Sidwell brought a fresh set of young legs into midfield and resulted in veteran defender Harry Mayou switching back to sweeper. Thereafter,Nuneaton dominated the second half and pulled a goal back five minutes into the half through Glen WYRE after which the team played the kind of hockey that Coventry had played in the first half.

Ryan Stokes proved a real thorn in Coventry’s side down the right and from his cross, Glen WYRE got his second and Nuneaton’s third. With Coventry finding it much more difficult to penetrate the home defence, Norrington was able to take a breather and at this point it looked as if Nuneaton might even manage a draw.

The pressure resulted in Coventry having to bring back their very talented young centre forward who they were resting ready for a Midlands match. He showed great physical strength and skill to score a fine individual goal with ten minutes to go which put the result beyond doubt.

However what had started off being a very one sided affair ended being a well-fought contest enjoyed by everyone.

MELTON V 1 NUNEATON VI 1

Another decent display from Nuneaton earned them a point in this Coaching Solutions South East Division Two league fixture at Melton.

Nuneaton stared well but were soon under pressure from the well organised home side but fine defending by Richard Morris and a couple of outstanding saves by Ian Mason kept them at bay.

Probably against the run of play Nuneaton scored first. Following a break away, Nigel LAWTON struck a powerful shot past the home keeper and although this sent the visitors in at half time with a one goal advantage, they realised that the game was far from won.

The home side came straight at Nuns from the start of the second half and again Nuneaton were made to defend for long periods, during which time Nigel Lawton and Mike Cawthorne were in fine form repelling the attacks.

It could not last though and following a surprise decision by the umpire, Melton took a quick free hit which caught Nuneaton napping. A cross followed and the centre forward was on hand to fire home.

Nuneaton woke up and decided to compete again and from a short corner Geoff Wagg’s shot was tipped round the post to prevent them pinching the game.

A special mention should be made of Mark Lawton as the past three weeks have all seen man of the match performances from him and he shows great promise for the future.