BURTON 3 NUNEATON 1

Nuneaton showed their Jekyll and Hyde nature with a poor performance on their visit to Burton in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division, that saw them go down to a 3 – 1 defeat.

Given last weeks convincing win the home side should have done better against a less than convincing Burton team whose main attacking threat was a slick penalty corner routine.

The visitors never really got going throughout the whole match and were lucky to go into the half time break only one goal down. Following what is looking like a worrying trend it was a mistake in the Nuns defence that eventually led to the short corner from which Burton scored.

The second half was much of the same as Nuneaton still failed to get their attacking play moving, for some reason the flowing passing was missing on the day. Burton went on to add a second and then their final goal came via the penalty spot after the award of a flick that seemed harsh on Nuneaton.

The score line could have been a lot wider but for a great performance from Jon Hubbard in goal, who had to be at his best given the exposure his own team were giving him.

Nuneaton pulled a consolation goal back near the end as they poured forward trying to salvage the result, James OWENS rounding off one of the few moves Nuneaton managed to put together.

The team will have to greatly improve on this performance if they are not to get quickly dragged into another battle to avoid relegation and both skipper and coach will be demanding greater commitment and application in coming weeks.

NUNEATON II 1 BOOTS II 5

Nuneaton’s second string came down to earth with a bang after this heavy Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division defeat at home to Boots, after an impressive display the previous week.

Nuneaton, hampered by the bare eleven players, never really got started in this match, and it was clear from the start that Boots were a tough side who fancied their chances.

Boots took the lead on the quarter hour and a further goal five minutes later, proved a decisive blow that had Nuneaton chasing the game. This gave the visitors the opportunity to further extend their lead on the stroke of halftime with a finely crafted goal.

The hosts started the second half in strong fashion and spent long periods around the opposition “D”, but failed to score the early goal that may have changed the course of the game, despite being reduced to ten men with Patrick Moore pulling a hamstring, and no substitute to call on.

Eventually, Steve FALLOWS pirouetted to strike home after Boots failed to clear a short corner but joy was short-lived as the away side scored a further two goals to leave Nuneaton heavily disappointed and glad to hear the final whistle.

BOOTS III 1 NUNEATON III 5

Nuneaton thirds travelled to Boots for this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game with a thirteen man squad and enjoyed a somewhat flattering result against useful opponents.

After losing an early goal, Nuneaton were grateful for a Ken LAPSLEY hat-trick in the second half that secured the points.

Andy FORRYAN was on hand to score a brace but no doubt there will be sterner tests ahead as the season progresses.

NUNEATON IV 3 BEESTON V 8

Nuneaton fourths found themselves on the wrong end of a comprehensive beating in the latest Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division game as they entertained a young, athletic and skilful Beeston side.

With a much changed side for the second successive week and the bare eleven players, Nuneaton soaked up relentless early pressure as Beeston poured forward, before taking the lead against the run of play when Dave Harris found Oliver GAZELEY who calmly slotted home.

Unfortunately, the lead was short lived as Beeston rattled in four goals in a twelve minute spell when the home defence crumbled in the face of sustained offensive play and might have had more but for some agile keeping by Mike Loveless.

Nuneaton attempted to recover some pride in the second half, prompted by Harris and Moreton, but were susceptible to Beeston’s high speed breaks and powerful finishing.

A run along the goal line by Dave Ellingworth gave Ryan STOKES the chance to open his fourth team account, before Oliver GAZELEY enhanced his growing reputation with another cool finish.

However, despite encouraging performances from the newer members of the team, there must be a raising of standards if the fourths are to achieve mid-table status at the end of the season.

BELPER VII 5 NUNEATON V 0

Nuneaton travelled to Belper for a tough match in the Coaching Solutions South East Division Two without the luxury of a substitute and found the home team too hot to handle.

Despite heroics from keeper Henry Casement, the visitors were unable to stem the flow as Belper attacked in force, and the halftime score of 1-0 barely reflected the possession enjoyed by the home side.

The fierce resistance of Harry Mayou and his fellow defenders proved inadequate as the game wore on, and the second half saw the home side rattle in a further four goals.

Ken Burke battled hard in midfield and is improving with every game but the result was a fair reflection of Belper’s supremacy.

NUNEATON VI 0 LEICESTER IV 0

Nuneaton sixths came up against a Leicester fourth team that had won both of their previous matches in the Coaching Solutions South East Division Two league.

The visitors were a well-drilled side with a good mix of youth and experience but yet again, the young home side refused to be overawed by their older counterparts, with solid displays from Mark Lawton and Sam Marston.

Richard Morris, playing his first game of the season had a fine game looking particularly comfortable at right back whilst for the third game running, Matty Pegg was commanding at left midfield and constantly harried his more experienced opponents into mistakes.

Although the score was 0-0 it was a far from boring encounter and was yet another one under the belt for this team who are prepared to work tirelessly for each other.

A special mention should be made of the veteran goalkeeper Ian Mason, who this week pulled of three fine saves to thwart Leicester and secure a valuable point for Nuneaton.

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