SATURDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2008

SATURDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2008

RAMGARHIA 3 NUNEATON 2

Nuneaton travelled north to face the leaders of BodyKraft East Midlands Division One, Derby Ramgarhia, expecting to face skilful and determined league leaders but instead suffering an ill tempered and fractious contest.

The hosts started the stronger with some excellent hockey but Nuneaton stood firm with “backs to the wall” defence. However, Nuneaton soon took the lead with the elusive James Owens earning a short corner which Ally JONES stepped up to and rammed the ball home.

The first half carried on in much the same manner before the home side managed to grab a hotly disputed equaliser. Aggrieved, Nuneaton nevertheless maintained composure and skipper Eccles used the half time break to remind his players that they should not be intimidated by the home side’s aggressive tactics.

The second period started with both sides pushing for the win but despite Eccles’ words of advice, Nuneaton seemed to let the first half rattle them and within ten minutes found themselves trailing by two goals.

The despatch of the home skipper gave Nuneaton an opportunity to redress the balance and sure enough, the stalwart Ally JONES crashed in a short corner.

Unfortunately, there was precious time left to grab a deserved equaliser but the side can be proud of a dogged fight against opponents determined to win at all costs with sweeper Julian Mount excelling and claiming man-of-the-match.

NUNEATON II 4 LEICESTER WESTLEIGH II 1

Nuneaton continued their good form in BodyKraft East Midlands Division One with another comfortable home win against a combative Westleigh side.

The home team started the game strongly and pressed the Westleigh goal for most of the first half, but were unable to unlock the away side's defence until just before the break when Ryan STOKES slipped the ball under the keeper with a languid effort.

Halftime brought a transformation as a revitalised Leicester side started the second period with gusto. This change in tempo saw the visitors score a well-deserved equaliser after fifteen minutes had passed, and the satisfaction on the players’ faces was evidence of the change round in fortune.

Nuneaton responded swiftly with a spin and shot from Ryan STOKES at the near post giving the away keeper no chance. The hosts were flying now and soon fired home a third when Steve FALLOWS picked up the ball inside the “D” and fired home past a stranded keeper.

However, the best was saved until just before the end when Stu JESSON picked up the ball on the half way line and started his run towards the opposition goal, managing to beat three Leicester players before thrashing an unstoppable shot into the goal.

The visitors were stunned by the speed and directness of Nuneaton’s play and were fortunate not to concede further goals and by the final whistle, the home side’s command was total.

NUNEATON IV 1 LOUGHBOROUGH V 2

A late goal from a persistent Loughborough side denied the fourths a first point of the season in BodyKraft South East Division One.

Behind to a breakaway goal in the first five minutes, Nuneaton struggled to gain a foothold in the first half despite the midfield prompting of the hardworking Pat Moore. Josh Wagg thumped an excellent chance wide whilst Ken Lapsley steered past the post when perfectly positioned after good work from Steve Tallis.

The second half saw Nuneaton play more fluently although the regular failings were evident as lack of vision and poor choices denied scoring opportunities when players were well positioned.

The introduction of debutant Ross Webber breathed new life into a stale Nuneaton side devoid of ideas and a pinpoint pass allowed Ken LAPSLEY to finally divert past the novice keeper.

As the home side pressed forward, Loughborough were thwarted on several occasions by some excellent keeping from Harry Taylor although one shot that hit the near post and ran across the front of the goal was too close for comfort.

Nuneaton eventually succumbed to a late goal after a fine save from Taylor could not be cleared and a Loughborough player pounced to lob the ball into an empty goal.

Craig Gilchrist and Sam Marston had solid games along with newcomer Webber and keeper Taylor, but the rest of the side must raise their games if the team are to have any chance of avoiding a humiliating season.

NUNEATON V 8 COALVILLE VI 0

This week saw Nuneaton fifths at home again in the BodyKraft South East Division Two and playing hosts to a youthful Coalville sixth team.

With a strong team, Nuneaton commanded the game and were quickly into scoring mode. Good moves in midfield saw Shaun HIRONS continue with his goal scoring streak of the last two weeks by netting three goals during the first period.

Chris LYNCH, in his first game back after a broken leg, held the midfield position well and was rewarded with a goal during the first half, as was Matt CAWTHORNE who ghosted in to notch the fifth on the stroke of halftime.

Nuneaton stuck to the plan to move the ball quickly and accurately and were soon adding to the tally as Ed GAZELEY and Mark LAWTON both found the back of the net. Shaun HIRONS scored again to create an enviable record of eight goals in three games since making his debut.

The home side dominated the match and had very little to do at the back with Eric Thomas in the Nuneaton goal having very little to do all game. Shaun Hirons played an excellent game and appeared to always be on the end of long balls being supplied from Paul Sidwell.

Credit to Coalville who are newcomers to the league this season, and indeed, the second half saw much better passing and movement from the youthful team. There is no doubt that in a few more years, the players will be a force to be reckoned with.