JAGUAR COVENTRY 4 NUNEATON 0

Nuneaton took a step closer to being relegated from the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division with this 4 – 0 defeat at the hands of local rivals Jaguar Coventry.

It was a match Nuneaton could ill afford to lose but the away side started slowly and never really seemed to get into gear throughout the match.

Jaguar took advantage of this and opened the scoring early on. Whilst Nuneaton were never in danger of being over run, neither were they creating many opportunities to test the Jaguar defence.

Nuns cause was not helped when an injury to Steve Fallows meant the side had to reorganise and this contributed to Nuneaton being two down at the half time interval.

Nuneaton did create chances in the second half where the short corners were always a threat to the Coventry side and Ali Clarke came close on a couple of occasions. However, Jaguar were still in control of the game and they added two further goals in the second half.

Dave Holmes almost grabbed a consolation goal at the death for Nuneaton but by then the result was already assured.

With only three league games remaining, Nuneaton will do well to avoid the drop this season, although it is still within reach if a change in results can be achieved.

SIKH UNION II 4 NUNEATON II 0

This was a comfortable win for side the sitting atop the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One table and in truth, from the outset, they never looked like losing the game.

Sikh Union started well and took the lead within ten minutes of the start, continued to push forward at every opportunity and scored a second shortly after to set alarm bells ringing in the Nuneaton psyche.

The visitors only hope was to stop the leaders running riot and scoring at will, and Nuneaton managed to do this for most of the game although never really troubling the home keeper.

With constant pressure from the home side in the second half, the Nuneaton defence could only hold on for so long before Sikh Union scored again despite a series of fine saves from Pete Sidwell.

The score remained 3-0 until the last two minutes when poor defensive distribution allowed the hosts to rob the ball and score a fourth goal.

This was a well-deserved win for the top team who now look odds on for promotion.

NUNEATON III 0 NORTH NOTTS III 1

Despite controlling most of this Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game, creating chances and numerous short corners, the thirds were unable to score against an organised North Notts side in which the captain and goalkeeper was outstanding.

Nuneaton started the game with a more attacking approach than of late and this worked well with Gazeley, Close and Dobos combining well on the left and new boy Cawthorne supporting old-stager Sidwell on the right.

The visitors' defence was, however, well organised and few clear cut chances were created despite centre forward Lapsley causing untold problems.

The second half saw the visitors, third placed in the league, have more of the play, but Nuns still pushed forward and deserved at least a share of the spoils and had enough penalty corners to win comfortably.

Notts stole the game when captain Entecott vitally gave the ball away in front of goal and was duly punished as the oncoming forward coolly slid the ball under the advancing keeper.

It was a harsh lesson and Nuns need to bounce back against strugglers Tamworth next week in order to be safe from relegation.

NUNEATON IV 3 SUTTON COLDFIELD IV 2

A fully committed fourth eleven imposed a surprise defeat on high-riding Sutton Coldfield in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division.

Play was fairly even in the opening minutes as both sides gauged the strength of their opponents but as the half wore on, chances were created at either end.

Mike Loveless made two fine saves in the home goal to sap the visitors’ confidence before a surging run by Chris JESSON was ended with a ferocious cross shot into the Sutton goal.

Nuneaton had a couple of near misses from short corner ploys, but it was Sutton who took advantage of a well-worked corner routine to level the scores as halftime approached.

The second half saw more pressure from the visitors but on a rare Nuneaton breakaway, Ian MOLYNEUX rounded two defenders and the keeper before coolly slotting home.

With Nigel Rixon, Steve Tallis and Chris Jesson scrapping relentlessly in midfield, Sutton became more frustrated as possession could not be turned into openings for their forwards. Nuneaton cagily awaited opportunities to counter attack and made good use of the few chances that came their way.

A customary goal from a short corner extended the lead when Mark ALLISTER drove the ball home but the two goal cushion was short-lived as Sutton immediately responded with a deflected shot that crept high inside Loveless’s far post.

The final ten minutes saw Sutton pressing hard for the equaliser, but Andy Mahon and John Tilley, ably assisted by 13 year olds Matt Pegg and Richard Morris, ensured Nuneaton won a deserved victory against strong opposition.

NUNEATON V 1 JAGUAR COVENTRY IV 1

Nuneaton met a Jaguar side that had thrashed the team 9-0 earlier in the season in Coaching Solutions South East Division Two, but the Nuneaton team which took the field was determined to avoid a similar humiliation.

Nuneaton started well and the opening exchanges with the Jaguar side showed that traffic would not be all one way this time. Jaguar, for their part, also showed they were not to be taken lightly.

Keeper Mike Loveless made several good saves from fierce opposition shots to deny Jaguar a lead and late in the first half Nuneaton opened their own account with Ryan STOKES calmly slotting the ball beyond the reach of the Jaguar keeper. Nuneaton went in to the interval happy with a 1-0 lead.

Jaguar came out snarling for the second half and a real ding-dong encounter ensued. Nuneaton were doing some desperate defending, along with some incisive attacking, but both sides failed to convert a chance for twenty minutes.

Just as it looked like Nuneaton would settle for the 1-0 win keeper Loveless was left exposed and he was faced with three Jaguar forwards, one of whom gleefully slotted the ball home.

The game progressed with both teams seeking a winner, but some unorthodox defending, particularly by the home side, kept the score at 1-1.

A mention must go to Nick Perry for his efforts on the right side. He is quite new to the team but put in sterling efforts. Also John Raywood and keeper Loveless must be mentioned for their determined work at the heart of the defence.

COVENTRY NW V 4 NUNEATON VI 1

This was a well fought match and the final score flattered the home side, who are top of the Coaching Solutions South East Division Two. Perhaps a one goal win would have been a fairer result.

The home side started with a bang and won a short corner from their first attack, allowing midfield general Colin Grafton to flick the ball into the top corner and stun Nuneaton.

The visitors mounted their own attack and almost from the restart won their own short corner, Nigel Lawton’s wayward shot found Josh WAGG who beat his defender to deflect the ball past the home keeper.

The game settled down into a more manageable pattern and though Coventry were always dangerous, Nuneaton were able to repel the attacks and stop any more goals.

The second half saw Coventry impose themselves on the match and score two quick goals, but Nuneaton were not downhearted and both Mike Parker and Josh Wagg could have scored.

During this period Tom Costello really came into his own and caused the home defence to quake every time he ran at them, all he needs to do is add the killer pass to his repertoire to make the complete player.

The visitors continued to push forward and try to get back into the game but over committed once too often and conceded a fourth goal in the dying minutes.

There should be no disappointment in this result as Nuneaton played good hockey and competed throughout the match.