BOOTS 1 NUNEATON 2

After a bright start by the home side in this latest Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division contest, it did not take long for Nuneaton to get up to speed against their closest rivals at the bottom of the league.

In a crucial basement encounter, there was good approach play down both sides of the pitch with several excellent runs by Steve Fallows down the right and Tom Higginson down the left but unfortunately their team mates were unable to capitalise on some half chances.

It was, however, Nuneaton who scored the opening goal of the game from a short corner; the ball was struck venomously by Ally JONES and took a slight deflection past the helpless Boots keeper.

The second half was again a good start by Nuneaton who should have doubled their lead within the first minute of the re-start after the ball was passed through to James Owens who was one on one against the keeper but unfortunately lost control at the vital moment.

Boots started to get back into the game but it was Nuneaton who were the more attacking of the two sides with some overlapping runs by Lee Marshall and the visitors were rewarded with a long corner that was taken quickly by Ally Jones. The ball fell to Dave ECCLES in the ‘D’ and he coolly slotted the ball home to take a 2-0 lead that proved to be the match winner.

In the last few minutes Boots got a goal back against the run of play and it was an agonising wait until the final whistle but fortunately Nuneaton held on for the win.

NUNEATON II 1 COALVILLE II 2

This was a poor result for Nuneaton who after last week’s disappointing effort, once again started slowly in this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game.

The side fell behind early in the match after some poor defending which allowed an easy goal for the away team. The hosts, with yet more changes to the side, never got going and were soon two goals behind after a well worked short corner.

This further setback finally seemed to lift the home side and Coalville were pushed back for a prolonged period as Nuneaton pressed to reduce the visitors’ lead.

A long ball from Alan Owens found Justin HADLEY who rounded two defenders and the goalkeeper before firing home into an empty goal, and this remained the score until half time.

The second half started in much the same way as the first, with Coalville dominating the play, but the Nuneaton defence played much tighter and restricted the away team to a handful of scoring chances.

It was a similar picture at the other end with the hosts looking to level the game, but Coalville also defended well and Nuneaton’s attack were unable to break them down.

After a frustrating afternoon against local rivals, Nuns will hope for a better result when they travel to Boots next Saturday.

LEAMINGTON III 0 NUNEATON III 0

A much-changed team with a defensive bias arrived at Leamington for the latest Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game expecting a tough challenge.

Nuneaton were not disappointed as an experienced home side pressurised the visitors in the first half. However, the recruits from the fourth team proved more than capable of resisting the wave of attacks that came their way, with Nev Holmes and Ian Nixon superbly marshalling the troops.

Chances for Nuneaton were limited as the game developed into a midfield stalemate, but Matt Cawthorne enhanced his reputation with a fine performance in his accustomed right back role.

Paul Sidwell tried to stimulate the odd attack but lacked support due to the imbalance in the side, and eventually the team were happy to sit out a draw and another hard-earned point.

Skipper Andy Forryan will hope to see the return of key players next week to allow a more positive approach against opponents Boots.

NUNEATON IV 4 BELPER V 7

This Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division match saw Nuneaton capitulate in grand style against an ordinary Belper outfit that has struggled all season away from home.

After a bright start, Nuneaton faded badly and allowed Belper several gilt-edged chances that were initially spurned but eventually taken. Two Glen Wyre efforts were the closest the home side came to scoring, before the visitors snatched two quick goals.

The half time team talk demanded more thoughtful play and within a minute of the restart, the hosts reduced the deficit as Steve TALLIS poked home from short range.

An immediate response from Belper saw them restore the two goal lead before Nuneaton hit a purple patch that saw Roger STOKES bag a brace and Pat MOORE slide the ball home to give the side a 4-3 lead.

The turning point of the game then arrived as first, Roger Stokes fired just wide and from the ensuing Belper attack, both a Nuneaton defender and the keeper inexplicably allowed a tame push from a visiting forward to roll unchallenged into the goal.

Further clueless defending gifted Belper three more goals and Nuneaton will have to go some way to match such an inept and gutless performance. Beeston away next week will be a major test and certainly will require a major improvement in desire and effort.

NUNEATON VI 4 NUNEATON V 1

This Coaching Solutions South East Division Two game was the return match that the sixth team had been waiting for. The first match earlier in the season had seen the fifths run out somewhat flattering 4-1 winners.

This match started with the home side fired up and the visitors were unable to get out of their own half for the first ten minutes. Wave after wave of attack rained in on their goal and they could count themselves fortunate not to concede two or three goals during this period.

The home side scored first after an attack down the left resulted in a cross that was deflected past the keeper and Geoff WAGG was on hand to push the ball over the line.

The visitors then made a couple of changes and brought on quicksilver Phil Wheatley which meant that they started to gain a greater share of possession. A quick free hit saw Sid ORPIN deflect the ball into the net for a deserved equaliser and for the next ten minutes it was their turn to call Ian “The Cat” Mason into making a number of fine saves.

The home side then got back into the match and two quick goals from Cory DAVIES-BURTON saw the sixths make the game safe.

The second half was mainly dominated by the sixths, but they were unable to score again until near the end when Nigel LAWTON deflected a free hit past the unlucky Mike Loveless.

This left the final score 4-1 in favour of the home team and they retired to the club to enjoy a drink with the opposition.

A mention must be made of umpire Peter Sidwell who used this match to be assessed and was pleased to hear that he passed with flying colours and is now a level one qualified umpire.