HAMPTON II 2 NUNEATON 5

With a break from the rigours of the Coaching Solutions league, Nuneaton gave themselves some well-deserved Christmas cheer with a 5 – 2 victory over a skilful Hampton in Arden side.

While only a friendly, the game was played in a competitive spirit and the pitch conditions made things difficult for both sides. However it was Nuneaton who started strongly and quickly got into a passing rhythm that saw them create several chances early on.

Although Hampton played their way into the game it was Simon PENNINGTON for Nuns who took the first goal of the game. The away side then stretched their lead when James OWENS showed great composure to tuck away a rebound.

Nuneaton took their foot off the gas a bit and started the second half slowly, allowing Hampton to get a goal back. The teams then traded goals with Simon PENNINGTON adding his second and Hampton responding again.

By this time Nuneaton had stepped up a gear again and Adrian POPE sent the fourth goal crashing into the roof of the net past the stunned Hampton keeper. The visitors then rounded off the performance with a final goal from Andy PARKER following a well-worked short corner routine.

Nuneaton will need to repeat this sort of form after the holiday break if they are to drag themselves off the foot of the table but this match was a welcome break from the relegation battle they face.

HAMPTON IV 0 NUNEATON III 1

This was a typical pre-Christmas match played in excellent spirit but still with a competitive edge, as Nuneaton put out a mixed team with an age difference of almost forty years from youngest to oldest against Hamptons veterans.

Nuneaton started strongly with Roger Stokes and Ed Nixon combining well in midfield to provide some accurate passes to their forwards who used their pace well against the older home defenders.

Ken Lapsley was a constant thorn in the Hampton side and it was from a penalty corner he created that Roger STOKES smashed the ball into the far corner leaving the keeper stranded and well beaten.

Hampton responded strongly and it took some resolute defending by Pennington, Cawthorne Jnr and Holmes Snr to ensure that the Nuneaton goalie Jonathan Hubbard had little to do. Evergreen John Raywood in particular had a storming game marking the opposition captain on a side of the pitch that was still frozen in places but he used his vast experience to good effect and totally justified the confidence that captain Robin Entecott had placed in him.

Despite some excellent passing moves and positive attacking play, Nuns were unable to increase their lead and Hampton almost stole a point at the death when some inept marking allowed the oppositions centre forward space in the “D”, but keeper Hubbard earned his beer with a fine double save and clearance to ensure that this half of the season ended with a rare victory.

The afternoon was rounded off on a festive note with a visit from the local carol singers in the Hampton club house to send everyone into the break with a smile.

NUNEATON IV 2 ATHERSTONE IV 1

With the mid-season break in the Coaching Solutions League, local rivals Nuneaton and Atherstone took the field in a friendly match that was played in a sporting atmosphere, with Nuneaton’s fourth team running out winners in a close encounter with Atherstone’s first eleven.

The Adders fielding a team of first team players and guests dominated the opening encounters and should have gone ahead after ten minutes when Chris Davies managed to squirt the ball wide of the post though it looked easier to score.

The visitors were playing fluid hockey and put together some excellent moves but could not breach the experienced Nuneaton defence, well-marshalled by sweeper Andy Mahon. The Adders defence also looked comfortable with the veteran Alan Webb looking particularly composed in its heart.

The half time whistle saw an exchange of mulled wine and mince pies, but no goals for either side.

The second half saw the introduction of Mick Thomas in midfield and a reshaping of the defence, while the game itself took much the same the pattern as the first half. The Adders dominated possession but were unable to find the killer instinct in front of goal and Nuneaton always looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Nuneaton took the lead against the run of play, when Adders skipper, Richard Stubbs was caught in possession by Dave ELLINGWORTH who coolly drew the Adders keeper out of goal before calmly sliding the ball past him.

This was the cue for the Adders to push players forward in search of an equaliser, while Nuneaton sat back and absorbed the pressure. Nuneaton then made their own substitution which led to their second goal as their game plan of counter attack undid the Adders defence once more.

A fierce Ally Jones hit was controlled by Troy Burton and quickly transferred to man of the match Nigel RIXON who had time to pick his spot before rifling home.

With ten minutes left the Adders did pull a goal back when James MEER nudged the ball over the line in a crowded goal mouth, and this led to an all out assault on the Nuneaton goal as the visitors went in search of an equaliser.

However, the Nuneaton defence held firm as time ran out for the Adders with Mike Loveless largely untroubled in the home goal.

On balance Nuneaton will feel that they probably did enough to win this one, although the Adders will know that with a little more composure in front of goal and a goal hungry striker, the scoreline would have been much different.