As the 2016/17 Season enters its final month the games keep coming keep thick and fast for Cannock and this weekend was no different, our 1st Team gathered another crucial three points on Survival Sunday and our 2nd XI went through to the semi-final of the 2nd XI Plate.

Cannock 1st XI vs Oxton 1st XI

Cannock knew how important today's game was, and that was clear from a positive team talk from Coach Gary Stacey and captain Harry Jawanda. The warm up had great amount of pace to it, which helped Cannock to start strong. Early on, Will Fleet decided he wanted to play in the forward line and managed to pick a weak pass from the Oxton full back and unfortunately the Oxton goalkeeper saved Wills strong effort. In the 18th minute, Chris Beck and Dan Hibbert made many connections which than lead to Hibbert getting a PC, which Beck rifled home.

Special mention to James Fair for the fantastic double/triple save as well.

A whole 2 minutes later, home grown talent Louie Morris popped up with a smart, and calculated shot to beat the Oxton keeper. A combination of poor defending and quick Oxton attacking allowed them straight back into the game.

With five minutes of the half to go, a drag flick by Beck was actually saved, and fell kindly to Callum Swinnerton who actually hit the ball for the first time in his life, the ball made contact with an Oxton players knee, PS awarded, Harry Jawanda being Harry fires the ball into bottom left with nerves of steel, no surprise at all! 3-1 to Cannock. H/T

Possibly the turning point in the game, man of the match Hibbert, playing against his former club, nicked the ball on the half way line and took it past a handful of Oxton defenders and he managed to get a reserve stick shot off, over the approaching goalkeeper. Cannock 4-1 Oxton's 2nd goal came from a rare error on Cannock's part, the thunderous shot was too strong for James Fair to keep out. Cannock 4-2.

The rest of the game from the 47th minute onwards was mainly dominated by Cannock's midfielders, winning PCs and playing some great Hockey at times. Final score was 4-2, all eyes on next weeks game vs Deeside.

MOM - Dan Hibbert
DOD - Ed Fleet

Cannock 2nd XI vs Loughborough Town 2nd XI

Cannock 2nd Team began their journey around the country this weekend with a trip to Loughborough Town looking to bounce back from a frustrating 2-0 defeat against Leek last week.

Cannock began the game above their hosts and were hoping to push forward for a high placed finish. Despite their good intentions Cannock began the game in sloppy fashion and were 1-0 down inside five minutes thankful to poor decision making around the back when in possession. The score soon doubled which made Cannock's life even harder.

Cannock then began to play, moving the ball quicker they found a way back into the game thanks to a goal from Jamie Greenwood, unfortunately Loughborough responded converting a dubious short corner. Half time 3-1.

The cecond half saw Cannock's lack of composure continue as they saw a fourth and fifth goal go in which ended the game. Lewis round earns himself a green card for expressing his frustration vocally which was upgraded to a yellow card due to further complaints for the Cannock forward. Conrad Willars scored a consolation for the visitors but it was enough. There was time however for Round to pick up his second yellow card of the day for a poor tackle. Sadly the game ended early after a nasty head injury for a Loughboro forward, we all wish him well. Cannock slip to 8th in the league with three games left to play and next week host rivals Beeston.

MOM - Jamie Greenwood

DOD - Hamish Mckittrick

Cannock 3rd XI vs Olton & West Warwick 3rd XI

Cannock Men's 3rd Team welcomed Olton & West Warwick to Chase Park on Saturday afternoon with the visitors sitting just above Cannock in the league table. Cannock, who still have two games in hand on most sides in the division, still harbour realistic ambitions of catching 4th placed Beeston. Despite this potential high finish Cannock started in a sloppy way going a goal behind after some poor team defending. As the half developed Cannock grew into the game and were dominating possession, an equaliser was on its way and came through newcomer Rory Woods. Half time 1-1.

Second half Cannock again dominated the match and were playing the ball around the back quite well but were poor in their decision making in the final third. With around twenty minutes to go Ben Hampton found the net from a tight angle and Ed Martin scored from a broken down short corner. 3-1 Cannock. The remaining part of the game played out with relative ease, the visitors had a yellow card and Ollie Balcombe again made some crucial saves at vital times. Finally a massive thank you to Darren Pugh and Liam Daffern for stepping up and umpiring the game.

MoM - Rory Woods

DoD - Ed Martin (Homeless Man's beard)

Cannock 4th XI vs Loughborough Students 5th XI

Cannock 4ths with only ten men went to Loughborough with an element of defeatism. But a team talk focussing on a positive team attitude changed the outlook for the day. Loughborough went ahead early but a great break from Lewis Michael who then crossed the ball hard and the ball was cooly deflected in by George Collins. Cannock worked hard defending across the pitch but went in 2-1 down at half time.

Loughborough quickly scored again, but Cannock responded with some great breaks from Lewis Michael, Will Osmond and Harry Michael with James Griffiths and Collins acting as target men, with 2 quick goals . Loughborough then piled on the pressure and scored, but Cannock were not down hearted and had 2 good chances but it was not to be . A very hard working performance with a great attitude, with the game enhanced with the skill and sportsmanship of Loughborough.

DOD - Dom Hoare

MOM - Phil Hubert

Cannock 5th XI vs Edgbaston 5th XI

Cannock 5ths welcomed unbeaten league leaders Edgbaston to Chase Park hoping to inflict their first loss of the season. With a limited side due to late withdrawal because of illness and supplying players tinge beleaguered 4ths, the 5ths went into the game in hope more than expectation. However as the half progressed, Cannock had by far the better of the game, dominating possession, restricting Edgbaston to s handful of serious opportunities and forcing many chances of their own, including several short corners. Unfortunately,  Edgbaston relied on their keeper, who was in outstanding form, so much so that his eligibility to play at this level was called into question. Half time came with the score at 0-0.

The second half began and Cannock were caught napping, turning the ball over which allowed an Edgbaston player to hit a reverse stock shot from the top of the D, which eluded the flailing left hand of the Cannock keeper and found the top corner to give the visitors the lead.
Cannock regrouped and attempted to force an equaliser. Despite numerous attempts on goal and a series if short corners, Cannock were unable to force their way back into the game and the game ended 1-0 to Edgbaston. No one could fault the effort put in by the Nockers and even the opposition skipper admitted that they were 2nd best that day and that itvwas their toughest game of the sesson.

MoM Derek Prince
DoD Bradda (for his Joey Deacon impression)

Cannock Badgers vs Yardley Badgers

The Jeykll and Hyde Cannock Badgers returned to action this week at Chase Park against Yardley Badgers. Following last week's poor performance against Telford everyone was interested to see which Badgers side was going to turn up; the one capable of an outstanding performance or the one that turned-up last week ? We didn't have to wait long to find out...

From the start Cannock played with a confidence and a determination that was missing from previous weeks. The ball was moved from one channel to another looking for opportunities to release the forward players quickly. Yardley competed well and soon there was a very even contest taking place with opportunities at both ends. Half way through the half, Cannock conceded a number of short corners and it was their inability to clear their 'D' that lead to the first goal for Yardley.

Cannock did not give up and with Scott Olsson, Nathanael Yerbury, Jake Griffiths and Henry Jones battling in midfield Cannock were able to create chances for Connor Lloyd-Smith and Logan Jones. The Yardley defence and keeper found ways to keep the ball out of their net and the half-time score at 1-0 to Yardley.

Cannock raised their game further in the second half, dominating from the start, looking for the equaliser. Cannock were still playing simple but effective hockey, making space and moving the ball early. A breakdown of a Yardley attack in the Cannock '25' led to the equaliser. A simple ball through midfield from defence, quickly played to the forwards, played across the 'D' for Connor Lloyd-Smith to turn sharply and play the ball into the opposite corner of the goal leaving the Yardley keeper no chance saw the score line levelled at 1-1.

Following the goal Cannock worked even harder to try to score the winner, with Yardley grateful for the full time whistle and a 1-1 draw. A fantastic performance from the young Cannock Badgers and hopefully one that will be repeated next week.

Cannock 2nd XI vs Keswick 2nd XI (Plate 1/4 Final)

With a long journey completed on Saturday Night the Cannock adventures arrived at a strange new land tup north lad. With passports checked at the border they settled into the local culture. Soon to be 5 goals Parker warmed up with water and an early night while watching an educational documentary on bible studies. With Cannock rising from an early night, eating porridge and a morning mountain run they where ready to take on Keswick in Cockermouth.

Two Minutes in a great spell of two touch hockey led to a short corner being won. Slightly messy injection led to a Rich Parker's first goal. More good play brought goals in from all players. Parker bagging 5 from corners, a hat trick from Greenwood added to the tally, Round and Conrad backed single goals each. The visitors played excellent, simple strong hockey for a 60 mins but 10 mins of tired hockey led to some poor decisions and some dribbling which meant Beardmore needed to come out of goal and make 5 consecutive to get the clean sheet that Cannock hadn't achieved this year so far.

Cannock look forward to the next away game in the plate and are one step closer to Lee Valley.

MOM - Connor Bearsmore

DOD - Jordan Joiner