Cannock M1s 1-0 Doncaster M1s

   Cannock Men's 1s entertained Doncaster in an earlier start than advertised NL Conference North clash. The visitors set out their intentions from early doors about wanting to come & play hockey by moving the ball all around & switching focus of play.
   The early pressure saw the Stags on the back foot & stern defensive work saw the chances kept to a minimum. Midway through the first half Cannock got a little possession in the game & took advantage to force a penalty corner - with what ended up to be their only one of the game. Callum Stacey stepped out to a drill the ball home & give Cannock the lead against the run of play.
   The second half saw a lot of mid-pitch interplay & a few cards for each team but very little circle action. When the occasional flurry occurred within the Cannock defensive circle it was repelled by the Cannock keeper Mitch Blakemore & his defiant defensive unit. Tackles flew in & cards were exchanged but the Young Stags saw the game out to take the three points.
   Not the prettiest of games but another victory to preserve the 100% home record.

 

Cannock M2s 2 - 0 Loughborough Town

 

Cannock M4s 4 - 0 Worcester 4s

   Cannock 4ths were at home looking for their first points of the season against a Worcester 4th who had won one and drawn one from the opening two fixtures. Cannock started the game strongly with every player knowing what they needed to do which was to use the ball simply and efficiently. 
   With some strong midfield play by Dave Bradbury and organisation at the back from the returning Andy Orford Cannock started to take control of the game. A well planned routine meant Cannock scored through Wigg from their second short corner of the game. The 4th team were now playing some good hockey and made it count with two goals from Paul Martin to make it 3-0 at the break. After halftime Cannock knew Worcester would come out at them but through hard work from every player and a couple of excellent saves from stand in goalkeeper Oli Callow they were in control throughout the half. Cannock also added to their tally with another short corner routine in which Wigg buried in the bottom corner. On the balance of play it was a much more even game than the score line suggests, however Cannock were clinical in front of goal and every player worked together for a moral boosting 4-0 win for the rest of the season.

 

Cannock M5s 4 - 1 Shrewsbury

   Cannock kick started their league season at the second attempt with a convincing win at home to Shrewsbury. Despite consternation over the identity of a keeper, when stand in Aza Wilkes was finally confirmed, the men from Stadio El Nock were unfazed by the absence of skipper Rufus Horn, due to his mountaineering trip to Patagonia. Instead, the stoic Karl Owen took charge, following a tactical discussion during  Thursday night training following the picture round.
   Unfortunately, a massive Snap-On toolkit was thrown in the works before the game began, when the appointed umpires failed to materialize. Derek Prince, who was due to make his first appearance since March, took one for the team, put away his stick and dug out his whistle to join Dave Michael so the game could go ahead.
   Finally, the game began with Cannock soon taking up a dominant position. After a few early chances, Welsh Wizard Mat "Billy"Edwards, a summer signing from Swansea, went on a mazy run, beating 7 men before smashing the ball reverse stick off the keeper's helmet and into the room of the net. Some might even say this was a goal of pure fantasy.
   Cannock increased the pressure and extended their lead through a typically robust strike from Bruce Alcock. More chances came before half time but none were converted.
   Following the break, Cannock made it 3-0 thanks to an intricately crafted short corner routine. Involving a double castle setup, a distraction half Nelson by Lee Marsh and human pyramid, it was deftly flicked in by Alan Craddock. Cannock continued to create chances but all were wasted until last season's Golden Stick winner Jonny Machin, miss-hit a shot which was going wide until it bounced off 3 defenders and dropped over the line.
   Cannock should have had a cricket score but ended with just a three goal margin after they allowed Shrewsbury a consolation goal when Wilkes tripped up over his own self confidence.
MoM went to Scott Olsson following an impressive senior debut. DoD goes to Jonny Machin for having the distinction of being Shrewsbury's best defender.

 

Cannock L1s 1 - 3 Trojans

Cannock made the long journey south to take on undefeated Trojans who also are yet to concede a goal.
   Cannock started strong and took the game to the opposition, battling hard and competing Across the pitch. Cannock failed to capitalise on a couple of early chances and were punished just 30 secs shy of the half time whistle from open play.
   Cannock didn’t sit back in despair and started the second half stronger, rattling Trojan’s who then gave away A short corner. Jodie Beddow’s converted from top D with a slap that went straight through the keepers legs.
   An elated Cannock didn’t keep hold of the draw for long as a poor umpiring decision gave trojans the upper hand and they took their chance.
   Cannock battled hard to take the game back to a draw and saw a ball fly past the face of the goal but trojans broke through and gained a very dubious short corner which finalised the result at 3-1
   A disappointing and undeserved scoreline but Cannock will pick themselves up for their home game next week against Bath buccaneers
   Mom Ruth Graham for a solid defensive performance 💪🏽

 

Cannock L2 1 - 2 Leek
   Cannock faced a strong Leek side at home. With no wins yet this season Cannock needed to come out and produce something today. After a very nervy strat from the home side leek were able to capitalise from an early mistake by the umpire to award them a short corner which was put away with ease.
   Cannock seemed to be chasing the game for the rest of the half with no real pressure on the Leek defence. Another well placed short corner have Leek a 2-0 lead in to the half time break.
   Cannock started the second half with a bit more passion and competed for every ball which gave them a few more shots on target. A short corner gave cannock a way back in to the game with a great strike from Nic George. 
   With only 5 mins left to gain an equaliser cannock ran out of time. Great performances by Nic George, Tabitha Burroughs And Gemma Pryce. MOM was Tabitha burroughs.

 

Cannock L3s 2 - 3 Leek
   Ladies 3s travelled away to the wet and windy Leek to play their ladies 2nd team. It was a tough start with leek scoring in the first ten minutes and Cannock struggled to exploit their weaker side down the left of the pitch. 
   The second half started well with Cannock pushing hard. Leek unfortunately scored again on the break. However Cannock were determined to fight and were able to work well as a team to get 2 goals back through Jenna Martin and Vicky Wilkes. Unfortunately leeks umpire making some poor decisions led to a third goal from Leek. The umpire also tried to send Jude Hitchens off which was highly amusing seen as she had been fouled and it was a Cannock ball. Cannock fought hard to the end and as the whistle blew were given a short. We couldn’t convert and had another short but to no avail. Needless to say we were all gutted walking off the pitch. But it has made us determined to take points off top of the league Bloxwich 1s to put the pressure on them.

 

Cannock L4s 0 - 0 Leek

Cannock travelled to Leek to try and get back on track and get 3 points. Leek came out fighting hard for the first 10 minutes, then Cannock stepped it up a gear and started working together as a team then dominated the rest of the game in thier half. 
   Unfortunately after most of the game play, we frustratingly couldnt convert any of the opportunities that we had at goal, and the result ended at 0-0. No game for us next week due to half term.