NUNEATON 1 NORTHAMPTON 7

After a close game in the HA Cup against the same team, Nuneaton were expecting to perform well in the latest Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division game at Etone.

Unfortunately, a determined, well organised opposition were too strong for the home side and started at a frenetic pace which left Nuneaton chasing shadows.

Within ten minutes, the visitors held a two goal lead and things worsened as the half progressed with a further three goals before the break.

Nuneaton began the second period more brightly, but the visitors took the wind out of the home side’s sails with a well rehearsed short corner routine, before Ally Jones and Dave Eccles combined to give Ali CLARKE a shot that was rifled into the bottom corner.

The suffering was then completed when Northampton added a seventh and final goal to leave Nuneaton demoralised and defeated.

TAMWORTH II 0 NUNEATON II 0

Nuneaton travelled to local rivals Tamworth in the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One without both their captain and vice captain but still confident of victory as the home side are struggling in the relegation zone.

Nuns were however unable to break down a rugged Tamworth defence who were content to spoil and defend deep into their own half.

Nuneaton started strongly with Steven Fallows and Chris Jesson causing problems down the right and after a deep cross, Tom Higginson swept the ball onto the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Unfortunately this was to be Nuneaton/s best chance of the game and despite a series of penalty corners they were unable to seriously trouble the Tamworth goalie.

Peter Doyle and Mark Hutchinson continued to work hard up front and Rob Tilley pushed forward from full back to create some good openings but all to no avail and it required an excellent save from the visitors’ keeper Peter Sidwell in the last minute to prevent Tamworth from stealing all of the points.

In future weeks the seconds may not play as well but will win convincingly, However, this week it was not to be.

NUNEATON III 1 WARWICK UNIVERSITY III 5

Nuneaton entertained the Warwick students in the latest Coaching Solutions East Midlands Division One game at Etone and started in promising fashion.

The home side took first blood with a typical Ken LAPSLEY strike after only ten minutes but right from the push back the visitors came forward with a strong attack to bring the score back to 1-1.

This instant response fired the students, and only some fine goalkeeping from Dave Leetham prevented a rout as the younger, fitter and more skilful side stretched their halftime lead to 3-1.

Nuneaton were incapable of matching Warwick’s strength and pace and only more desperate defending from Wiggins and Forryan in the second period, kept the score to a comparatively respectable 5-1.

BEESTON VI 9 NUNEATON IV 1

The club’s availability crisis saw the fourths take a depleted team to Nottingham for the Coaching Solutions East Midlands Premier Division fixture against Beeston’s sixth string.

With only ten men and a handful of regular fourth team members, Nuneaton were immediately pressed into their own defensive area and were subjected to a sustained bombardment from the home side.

Effort alone was insufficient against a well-drilled Beeston side and indisciplined positional sense by some of the more senior players simply made the mountain more difficult to climb as the midfield was overrun.

Nuneaton’s usual fighting qualities were sadly lacking and but for an inspired performance by keeper Mike Norrington, the final score would have been much worse.

There can be little criticism of youngsters Matt Trotman and Matt Cawthorne who battled gamely but were really out of their depth against skilful and quick opposition; but the overall performance merely showed the gap in standards between the leagues in which the fourths and fifths compete.

Steve Williams and John Tilley in particular, strove hard to keep the opposition at bay, but with little support their efforts were insufficient.

A last minute consolation goal for Ryan STOKES was just reward for his tireless running and another significant step in his continuing development.

NUNEATON V 2 LEICESTER WESTLEIGH IV 0

Last minute calls from higher teams meant that Nuneaton had to play this Coaching Solutions South East Division Two match with ten men.

The effort they put in meant that this did not really show until the last few minutes. Both teams missed goal scoring opportunities that looked easier to take and the score could quite easily have been something like 6-4.

Nothing much happened in the first quarter with both defences being well marshalled and attacks breaking down at the top of the circle. Nuneaton then stepped up the pace and created some good opportunities which failed to result in a shot on target.

The home side finally forced a short corner and the clearance was collected by Ken Burke who played a good ball back into the circle for Phil WHEATLEY to tap the ball home.

Westleigh came back and Nuneaton were fortunate that their finishing was no better than the home side’s as they too missed with some easy chances or shot wide.

Nuneaton began the second half well and pressed Westleigh who were restricted to attacks on the break. Despite this Nuneaton’s second came when they caught Westleigh on the counter. As Westleigh pushed forward they conceded a free hit. Roy Jesson’s quickly taken strike found Jonathon TATUM on the half way line. He set off at pace rounded the last defender, calmly took the ball round the keeper and pushed the ball home.

In the last few minutes, as Nuneaton tired, Westleigh pushed forward and won a succession of short corners. Apart from one shot which hit the post and bounced to safety, goalkeeper Mike Loveless handled everything that came his way and ensured what is a rare clean sheet for the fifth team this season.

BELPER VII 5 NUNEATON VI 2

This Coaching Solutions South East Division Two league game saw the visitors turn up to play a very experienced and successful Belper team.

Nuneaton warmed to their task right from the start and launched many raids on the home sides’ goal. Midway through the first half one such attack led to a penalty corner from which Simon PENNINGTON flicked the ball home. The first half carried on in the same vein and Nuns went in one up at half time.

A severe talking to, from their captain, saw Belper come out with all guns blazing and within five minutes the home side drew level. They then continued to put Nuneaton under intense pressure and very soon after went one goal up. As they were not satisfied with that, they carried on turning the screw and scored again.

Nuneaton then managed to get some possession and started to fight back. A series of attacks first saw Simon Pennington hit the crossbar and then Matty PEGG pulled a goal back.

The visitors carried on trying to score another but were hit on the break by Belper who made it 5-2, although even this did not dampen the Nuneaton spirits and they kept on pushing hard till the final whistle.