SOUTH NOTTS 4 NUNEATON 3

Nuneaton suffered their sixth successive league defeat in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division as they went down 4-3 to a South Notts side that were there for the taking.

Nuneaton started the game brightly and had the better of the early exchanges, however it was South Notts who took the lead when a wayward pass presented their attack with a scoring chance that was taken against the run of play.

Undeterred, the visitors continued to make headway and were rewarded when Matt Phillips joined the attack to create a slim chance for Roger STOKES who slotted home from a tight angle at distance to level the scores going into half time.

South Notts struck first in the second half when they took advantage of a static Nuns defence, something that has been a constant problem this season. Nuneaton fought back again and this time it was Justin HADLEY slapping home from close distance.

Yet again, Nuns only had themselves to blame as South Notts scored twice without reply and always seeming to have more players forward than the visitors had back defending. Nuneaton pulled a goal back, again through Justin HADLEY, but it was too little too late.

Nuns should really have taken all three points from this match and the loss leaves them in the relegation positions, with the future starting to look bleak unless the lapses in concentration can be cut out.

Things don’t get any easier for the next fixture as Nuneaton face a Northampton Lions side that has already beaten them this season in the cup.

NUNEATON II 6 LEICESTER UNIVERSITY II 1

Nuneaton came out fighting from the start of this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game and never gave the young and pacey away side time to settle down.

After a couple of short corners, the hosts took the lead with Pete DOYLE firing past the Leicester keeper and soon followed up with a second goal after good work from Mark HUTCHINSON, who drove a low shot past the diving goalie.

The score remained the same until half time and warning bells were sounded when Leicester started well in the second half and scored from a clever move following a short corner.

This seemed to spur the home side who stepped up a gear and extended the lead when Mark HUTCHINSON rattled the backboards with a fierce shot.

Pete DOYLE then bagged his second when he picked up the ball on the twenty five yard line, beat three defenders and smashed the ball into corner of the goal.

A defensive error allowed Mark HUTCHINSON to complete his hat-trick before the same player rounded off a sweeping move to claim his fourth and secure a comfortable victory in a man of the match performance.

TAMWORTH III 2 NUNEATON III 2

Nuneaton travelled to Tamworth on a cold, crisp and sunny afternoon to contest the latest Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game.

The match started at a frenetic pace with both teams having chances to score, but solid defence from Pennington and Ghent kept the home side at bay.

Nuneaton began to control the game with some flowing moves down the right hand side as Forryan and Ghent linked well together, but were unable to put the finishing touch to some excellent approach play.

As the half drew to a close, the home side exploited Nuneaton’s profligacy and fired in two short corner chances to give themselves a two goal cushion.

With a player sent off in the second period, Tamworth struggled to match Nuneaton’s resolve and a brace of goals from Ben DODDS ensured the visitors a share of the points.

NUNEATON IV 0 BELPER IV 4

With two late withdrawals, Nuneaton had the unenviable task of hosting unbeaten leaders Belper in this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division game.

The home side started confidently with Paul Sidwell making encouraging progress on the right and a couple of half chances from short corners were scrambled away by the Belper defence.

After this initial surge, the visitors took command of midfield where too many home players had gone AWOL. A goal from open play and a well drilled penalty corner deflection were just reward and but for some spectacular saves from Peter Sidwell, the halftime situation might have been considerably worse.

Nuneaton showed some improvement in the second period with Matt Cawthorne and John Tilley defending resolutely, but attacking options were restricted despite the best efforts of makeshift centre forward and bloodied debutant Andy Watts.

Two more goals for the visitors gave the scoreline a slightly flattering look, but Nuneaton can have no complaints about the result.

At a vital stage in the season, there are hard decisions to be made at selection as the team are no longer in a position to carry passengers and this will undoubtedly lead to changes in personnel.

LEICESTER IV 4 NUNEATON V 1

Nuneaton came off second best in a sporting, well umpired Coaching Solutions South East Division Two contest against a young and skilful Leicester side.

The opening minutes began with Leicester running the ball at the Nuneaton defence. Despite the pace Nuneaton stuck to their task with Michael Cawthorne doing well against a very good young centre forward. Even so it took a fine save from Eric Thomas, deputising in goal to deny Leicester.

Fifteen minutes into the game, a clever run from midfield finished off with a powerful shot gave Leicester the lead. Five minutes later came their second when a carefully worked short corner, which should have been cleared, went in.

Nuneaton came back almost immediately when, from a short corner, Harry Mayou’s flick was followed up by Phil WHEATLEY to reduce the arrears.

Just before half time Leicester restored their two goal lead when a poor clearance gave a chance which was well taken.

The second half was evenly contested although Leicester continued to show the greater skill and control. Nuneaton were hampered when Cawthorne pulled a muscle and, with no substitute available, was reduced to hobbling around in the circle.

Leicester tried to take advantage but the only breach in Nuneaton’s defence was courtesy of another own goal, their fourth gift of the season so far, to complete the scoring.

NUNEATON VI 1 COVENTRY JAGUAR IV 3

The youngest side yet put out by Nuneaton in the Coaching Solutions South East Division Two, acquitted themselves well against a much older and more experienced Coventry side.

With only three outfield players over the age of sixteen, the youngsters were really put to the test although Craig Gilchrist and Richard Morris in particular had very strong games.

Nuneaton took the lead through Peter SIDWELL after a good pass and run from Simon Pennington before Coventry managed to bring the score level after a period of pressure and then well into the second half took the lead.

The home side then reverted to their starting line up and put Coventry back under pressure but could not get the scores back to level.

The final whistle then sounded just as a short corner was given and the visitors scored to give the final score a flattering appearance.