Cannock L1s Cannock had a tough weekend of hockey knowing they needed points to secure their place in NL next season
Cannock L1s 0 - 1 Gloucester 
Saturday saw Cannock travel to Gloucester and give one of their best team performances of the season. Despite several opportunities for Cannock and their strong defence, Cannock conceded in the final quarter of the game to lose 1-0

Cannock L1s 0 - 5 Reading
Sunday saw Cannock welcome league title contenders reading to chase park. Cannock found themselves chasing the game early on with 3 goals in quick succession from a well drilled Reading team.
   Cannock settled in the second half and had several opportunities to get on the score board. Reading showed why they were at the top of the table and powered on against a tired looking Cannock team scoring two further goals. Final score 5-0 to Cannock who now find themselves in the relegation play offs

Cannock L2s 6 - 1 Matlock 
   Cannock ladies 2’s found themselves in a relegation battle after points deducted midweek for league infringement. Matlock, only a point behind Cannock, were the opposition.
   Cannock shot out of the blocks and scored 2 goals in quick succession both sloted home by Lou Humphrey. Cannock continued to attack matlocks D with several shots wide and a screamer hit off the post during a short corner routine. Matlock had a clean break away with a ball straight through to their forward line resulting in a goal for the away side, half time saw the score at a tight 2-1, cannock knew they needed to extend the lead to give themselves any chance of getting out of the relegation zone.
   Sophie tibbets scored the first of the second half with a beautiful strike from another short corner routine, and shortly after popped another one in after a tight battle
   In the Matlock D. Cannock continued to put the pressure on Matlock who had their fair share of chances. Becky Bradley got her first of the season from a lovely left sided strike. Cannock did not stop wanting more goals and Nic George rounded the scoring off with some skilful stick skills through the Matlock defence and past their goal keeper who had an outstandingly no game. Final score 6-1 cannock, a truly incredible performance from a hungry cannock second team. Man of the match was Louise Humphrey for her constant threat on the Matlock goal.

Cannock L3s 2 - 1 Lichfield
   Cannock ladies 3s went into today's game knowing 3 points will give them a 2nd place position in the league. From the start Cannock attacked and found themselves with an early short corner which bounced in from Hannah cole. Lichfield fought back and got there reward to make it 1-1.
   Cannock were never going to give up which landed them with another short corner which was nicely converted by Jude Hitchens. The battle was on which continued into the 2nd half with Cannock hitting the post many times and Lichfield pressing hard but Cannock kept it together till the final whistle to win the game 2-1 and gain 2nd place in the league.

Cannock L4s 3 - 3 Lichfield 
   Cannock ladies 4s travelled to play 3rd in the league Lichfield 4s. Lichfield started the brighter of the two teams and were soon rewarded with a goal following some sloppy passing Cannock.
   Half time talk focused heavily on cannock needing to improve if they were to get anything out of the game. Cannock did just that with Jemma Bowen winning a short corner which Courtney Hill duly converted. Lichfield continued to press and went back ahead following an unstoppable short corner strike. Cannock didn't give up they dug deep again and were rewarded by another Courtney Hill short corner strike. The cat and mouse game between Cannock and Lichfield continued with Lichfield scoring a sloppy short corner and man of the match Courtney Hill scoring a short corner hat trick. Game finally finished 3-3.
   This was a great result and a testament as to how far the team has come since the first half of the season. As a team we never gave up and always believed we could get something from the game. The team spirit and hard work has paid off and the final league position does not reflect the true ability of the team. Cannock 4s will build on this and will come back stronger next season and as captain I couldn't be more proud of the team. Special mention also goes to keeper Penny Watts who joined us second half on the season and has helped us finish the season strongly. Dod goes to Jemma for going to the wrong pitch!

Cannock L5s 3 - 0 WATS
Cannock Ladies 5ths played their final game of the season against WATTs 4ths. The game began with a clear aim for Cannock, there were many shots on goal throughout the first half, with two goals being scored, the first by Nicole Rose and the second by Mary O’Brien. Cannock continued to hold pressure over the opposition and ensured the play was biased in favour of Cannock, especially through short corners. The second half began and on a short corner, Georgia Lloyd scored a goal from the top of the D. The player of the match went to Abby Rhodes. The final result being 3-0, which was well deserved for Cannock and particularly an exceptional way to end the season!

Cannock M5s 5 - 0 North Staffs
   Cannock 5ths welcomed North Stafford 4ths to Chase Park for the only men's home game of the day. The Potteries side had been in fine form, winning 8 of their last 10 games, including a 6-1 defeat of the previously unbeaten league champions. However, the home side boasted a side of great experience, so a Titanic battle was in store.
   The visitors started brightly, mounting a number of forays into Canmock territory. However, the defensive line of Derek Prince, Cameron Horn, Josh Jones and Don Clark were more than a match, snuffing out any attempt on the Cannock goal.
   Eventually, the deadlock was broken following good approach play by Mark Cotterill and Liam Daffern, which allowed Karl Bayliss to fire in the opening goal. Soon after, Cannock were awarded a series of short corners, the last of which was cleared by North Staffs. However, Cannock regained possession and returned it to Derek Prince who made it 2-0.
   More chances came Cannock's way bit were not converted. The visitors mounted their own attacks but these were dealt with efficiently by the home defence. 
   Following half time, Cannock resolved to be keep better possession of the ball and began to impose themselves on the game more and more, but without adding more goals. Eventually Bruce Alcock continued his rich vein of form, beating the keeper to make it 3-0.
   Cannock continued to press home their superiority and added a 4th goal, when's scorching shot from Alcock was poached by Dave Wigg when he applied a final touch at the far post.
   North Staffs continued to fight back and had a purple patch of their own, forcing a series of penalty corners and a debatable penalty stroke decision, which didn't go their way after the Cannock keeper wiped out one of the  visiting forwards.
   With a few minutes remaining, the industrious Bayliss, now playing at right mid, worked his way into the D and finished with a well taken strike, making the final score 5-0 to Cannock.
   A satisfying win against strong opposition. Thanks need to given to the umpires Dave Michael and Natalie Garfield, who both stepped in at late notice and did an extremely good job.
   Man of the Match was Derek Prince who stood out in a defence, where any one of the quartet could have won the accolade. Dod went to Dave Bradbury for his understandable but totally justified first half yellow card.

Sunday 25th March
Cannock M5s 1 - 4 Bridgnorth 
   Cannock 5ths travelled to Bridgnorth for a rearranged game against the side placed 2nd in the league, who were looking for a win to confirm sides from from the Shropshire club would take the top 2 places in the division. The home side fielded an experienced 15 strong squad, whilst Cannock were reduced to 11 when a player dropped out injured on the way to the game. Luckily, Jake Griffiths ' father Kevin stepped in for his first-ever senior game, to give options from the bench.
   Bridgnorth worked hard to make home advantage count, attempting to put Cannock on the back foot from the off. Thankfully, the defence stood firm and enabled the Nokkers to  mount counter attacks of their own. The deadlock was broken though, when despite getting a stock to the ball, the Cannock keeper was unable to keep out a powerful goalbound flick, despite getting his stick to the ball.
   Cannock thought they'd equalised when a well worked short corner was fired home by Gary Jones, only for one of the umpires to disallow the goal when the ball had apparently not left the D. Bridgnorth hit back almost immediately when a lapse of concentration allowed an unmarked player to deflect a shot past the wrongfooted keeper.
   The 2-0 half time scoreline was by no means insurmountable and Cannock hit back when Don Clark and Gary Jones combined again to repeat their short corner routine of the first half. This time, the goal stood and Cannock were right back in it.
   Cannock then worked hard to create more scoring opportunities but we're unable to convert any. It looked as though an equaliser was inevitable when Bridgnorth released their rapid lone centre forward with a "Hail Mary" ball. He managed to round the defender before just managing to slot the ball under the stick  of the advancing keeper.
   Bridgnorth completed their win with a well worked team goal 2 minutes from time, making a 4-1 scoreline that somewhat flattered the home side and didn't reflect the parity between the 2 sides.
   A thoroughly enjoyable game to watch and play in, played out in a good spirit and well umpired. Man of the Match was Don Clark for his sterling work both in defence and attack.