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Result: Friday 1 June 16.00
| Cannock | (5) 15 v 2 (2) | SK Slavia Praha |
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| Jones 4 (pc), 31 (op), 40 (op), | | Kyndl 22 (op), 31 (op) |
| 56 (op), 65 (op) | | |
| Langlands 24 (pc), 35 (pc) | | |
| Taylor 34 (op) | | |
| Ramsden 42 (ps), 62 (ps), 64 (pc) | | |
| Middleton 49 (op) | | |
| Cordon 63 (op), 68 (op) | | |
| Jawanda 69 (op) | | |
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| * op - Open Play, pc - Penalty Corner, ps - Penalty Stroke |
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| Cannock went into their second group match needing to surpass Atletic Terrassa’s 9-0 defeat of Slavia Prague to sustain any hope of making the European Cup Final.
Cannock began well when Martin Jones struck from a 4th minute penalty corner, however their almost constant pressure was repeatedly frustrated by the Czech team. With 22 minutes gone Cannock were caught by a swift counter and a clinical finish made it 1-1. Cannock hit back within 2 minutes as Andy Langlands scored from a penalty corner and extended their lead when Jones scored his second but once again the Czech’s countered and made it 3-2 with another excellent finish. Cannock’s hopes looked in the balance but were boosted by 2 quick goals before half time from Matt Taylor and Andy Langlands.
With a 10 goal win being the minimum requirement, Cannock needed an excellent second half performance and duly produced a remarkable display.
Martin Jones completed a hat trick 5 minutes into the half and Simon Ramsden made it 7-2 from the spot 2 minutes later. 7 minutes passed before Barry Middleton made it 8-2 but Cannock were frustrated by some good defending and excellent goalkeeping. Martin Jones struck again to make it 9-2 but that was 3 less than needed.
Then the hosts produced some irresistible hockey to score 6 goals in the last 8 minutes. Simon Ramsden scored his second from the spot and a minute later Scott Cordon claimed a rare goal. A minute later Ramsden completed his hat trick before Jones scored his 5th and Cannock’s 4th in 4 minutes. With Cannock now exceeding requirements at 13-2 ahead, the late icing came from Scott Cordon again and Hari Jawanda making the score 15-2.
In the next group game, Atletic Terrassa beat Pocztowiec 5-3 meaning that to make the final, Cannock must beat the Spanish in Saturday’s final group match and hope that Pocztowiec cannot beat Prague by 15 goals.
In pool A, Saturday’s showdown between Dutch side Oranje Zwart and Germany’s Stuttgarter Kickers will decide the other finalists.
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