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SATURDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2008


NUNEATON 0 SIKH UNION 5

 

Nuneaton came second best against a fast and skilful Sikh Union side in the latest BodyKraft East Midlands Division One game at Etone Leisure Centre.

 

The home team were deprived of several key players and struggled to contain a lively Union side who took an early lead with a well-rehearsed short corner routine. When a second goal was scored shortly after, it was clear that the match would be a damage limitation exercise for Nuneaton.

 

The second half was a mirror image of the first with Sikh Union showing greater quality in all areas and it was no surprise when they rattled a third after some stunning dribbling skills.

 

Two further goals gave the scoreline a realistic look as the hosts were totally outplayed throughout. On this evidence, skipper Dave Eccles has a major task to revive the side’s fortunes and he will hope that the injuries to key players will improve sooner rather than later.

 

An away game at local rivals Tamworth will prove a stern test for the side this weekend, and Eccles will hope for a greater level of quality from his depleted troops.

 

NORTHAMPTON LIONS II 2 NUNEATON II 4

 

Northampton Lions are a club in crisis having cancelled all their fourth team fixtures this season, and this was in further evidence as their second team arrived for a home fixture in the BodyKraft East Midlands Division One with only ten men.

 

Nuneaton were quick to capitalise on their unexpected advantage and only some fine saves from the Lions’ keeper kept the visitors at bay, before eventually, Stu JESSON fired home from the tightest of angles to give Nuneaton the lead.

 

With the cushion of a goal, Nuneaton found things more comfortable and were soon two goals up after a quick free hit was driven into the “D” by Ryan Stokes for his father Roger STOKES to deflect past the stranded keeper.

 

The second half was an altogether different game with the home side pressing forward and Northampton received their just reward with a well-constructed and taken goal. This at least prompted an immediate response from the visitors who were grateful to a brave effort from Roger STOKES who was floored by the keeper as he slotted the ball into the net.

 

Again, the home side fought hard to get back into the game and with fifteen minutes remaining they scored their second goal from a penalty corner to bring themselves within distance of a possible late equaliser.

 

However, man-of-the-match Roger STOKES capped a fine display with his third goal to wrap up the game for the away side and take another three valuable points back to Nuneaton.

 

NUNEATON III 2 MELTON III 1

 

Melton started this game on the front foot while Nuneaton were still finding their feet after skipper Gary Moreton shuffled his pack with several players finding themselves in new positions for this BodyKraft East Midlands Division One game.

 

Once they settled, Nuneaton started to press with some fluid midfield play controlled by Julian Mount and his probing passes and Mark Lawton with his darting runs.

 

The first half finished level but with Nuneaton in control, and in the second half they continued to press which led to their first goal from a Pat Moore pass. Dave ELLINGWORTH reverse flicked the ball under the excellent Melton Keeper.

 

A second goal followed quickly when Nick PERRY finished off a fluid move which started with a Nuneaton clearance and was quickly moved into an attacking run from Luke Horvath and his pass found an excellent run from Perry who slotted home at the far post.

 

Most Melton attacks after this were broken down by man-of-the-match Neil Bradman with Ed Nixon always around to tidy up any loose balls.  A late goal by Melton - a deflected cross that crept into the corner of the Nuneaton goal after slack marking - was no concern to Nuneaton who ended up deserved winners.

 

COVENTRY NW 2 NUNEATON IV 12

 

A long overdue first win in this season’s BodyKraft South East Division One could hardly have been more emphatic as Nuneaton steamrollered a Coventry side missing the experience of key players.

 

The floodgates opened as the visitors pummelled the home defence with direct approach play and clinical finishing. Three goals to the good within the first ten minutes the away side were encamped in the Coventry half for most of the first period but only managed one further goal before the break as complacency settled in.

 

A halftime reminder of the need to maintain the team ethic and move the ball quickly and accurately was rewarded with some scintillating second half hockey in which Nuneaton plundered a further eight goals. Every goal was scored from within two yards which was testament to the players taking on board the need to be selfless in front of goal.

 

Keeper Harry Taylor was a spectator for much of the game but Coventry scored two good breakaway goals late in the game as Nuneaton over-committed in attack.

 

Steve Moore excelled at both right midfield and left marker to pick up the man-of-the-match award, and the forwards enjoyed sharing the goals as Josh WAGG (4), Sean HIRONS (3), Ed CLOSE (3) and the enigmatic Ken LAPSLEY (2) took advantage of some skilful set-up play.

 

Paul Sidwell was instrumental in several goals and his crisp hitting from the right proved a constant source of panic to the home defence.

 

Special mention should be afforded to Sean Hirons who has now scored eleven goals in four games since making his debut for the fifth team and is the first player in recent times to score a hat-trick on his debut for the fourths.

 

LEICESTER WESTLEIGH IV 1  NUNEATON V  1

 

This week saw Nuneaton fifths take on Leicester Westleigh in a friendly following the withdrawal from the league of Northampton Lions, and It was an opportunity to play a much changed team from the previous week’s victory and use some of the players new to the club.

 

Nuneaton took the lead in the first half with a strike from benefactor and sponsor Patrick VEASEY as the side dominated the game. Through poor marking Leicester equalised with a well struck shot past stand-in keeper James Pennington.

 

Nuneaton regained some level of composure and managed to create a number of good opportunities but failed to convert and although neither team really looked like taking hold of the game, Nuneaton had the better chances with Jason Johnson putting a clear shot just wide of the goal. 

 

There were good performances from Alex Bagnall in his first game for the club and Joshua Pennington who worked hard against more experienced opposition and in the final analysis, a draw was a fair result.