Weekend Report No 26 

1s 2 V 3 Durham University 

On a beautifully sunny spring morning, Cannock began the journey North to take on League Champions, Durham University.  After securing safety last week in a 1-1 draw vs Doncaster, Cannock were full of confidence but knew they were in for a tough test against the unbeaten league leaders.  
 
The game started at a quick tempo with Cannock taking an early lead after a superb individual run by Will Fleet ending with a tap in by Kyle Gladwin. Durham took control of the game after this and Cannock defended well but Durham managed to draw level after a superb cross was deflected into the bottom corner of his own net by Will Fleet.  
 
Callum Swinerton Ions was in imperious form with several great runs with his trade mark wobble.   
 
Both sides continued to create chances with Durham still in control of the tempo. They took the lead just before half time following a melee in the D.  
 
The second half started much like the first, but Cannock grew into the game with Navraj Deegun showing some superb individual skill. Cannock GK James Fair continued to marshal his defence and Cannock's frontline were looking dangerous in attack. Louie Morris said before the match "we've got to stay in the game ", and the team rallied to this call.  
 
Cannock were beaten for a third time with about 10 minutes left in the game. However they stepped up again and pulled one back one with a great drag flick from Callum Stacey.   
 
Despite a final push Cannock were unable to find an equaliser as Durham  looked to kill the game and ensure their unbeaten record. 
We would like to thank everyone who travelled to support us. 
 
Mom Callum Stacey 
 
Dicks of the day Gaz Stacey Ian Morris casual dress 
 
2s 3 V 1 Rugby & East Warwicks 

No match report! 

2s 5 V 6 Belper 

Cannock Men's 2nd Team travelled to Belper in the semi final of the 2nd XI Plate, the winner would go through to play at the National Stadium at Lee Valley in May.  
 
Cannock started well thanks to the help of stand in coach Manny Dhanda. The team pressed and put Belper defenders under pressure at every given opportunity. The hosts had chances of their own with keeper Connor Beardmore making some strong saves, the game remained even until Luke Davis popped up at the back post and slipped the ball between the keepers legs giving Cannock a 1-0 lead. Minutes later Lewis round thought he had made it 2-0 with a great finish but the goal was disallowed for Round being 5m away from the keeper from the initial aerial.   
 
With Aza Wilkes and George Nellist holding the back well, Joe Norwood had space on the right to break the Belper D but the final ball was missing. 

 
Second half was a different game, the host came out hard and after Cannock had lost the ball in midfield a crash ball slipped past Beardmore to bring the scores level.  Cannock fought hard to weather the storm and came back with short corners of their own, but wasted the opportunities. Finally with 7 minutes to go a short corner was broke down but fell to Davis who scored at the back post to give Cannock a 2-1 lead. Cannock had a foot in the final. Sadly, they couldn't hold on and inside two minutes the hosts had raced up the other end and converted their own corner to draw level again 2-2. The game ended level. It all came down to flicks.  
 
Cannock stood together and converted early through Wilkes, Gardner and Parker. With the scores level at 3-3 George Nellist stepped up and had his effort saved by the keeper only for the flick to be retaken for an early brake from the keeper. Nellist bravely stepped up again but the keeper again matched his effort, Lewis Round then had his effort saved granting Belper a 4-3 victory on penalty flicks.  
 
Cannock lost out at the final hurdle but can take heart from a positive team performance.  
 
MoM - Luke Davis for two good goals 
DoD - Jordan Joiner for forgetting his clothes for after the game 
 

3s 2 V 1 Lichfield 

Cannock Men's 3s took to the field for the final time in the 2016-17 season looking to match old rivals Beeston in a joint 4th place finish; a fine accomplishment given the difficult start to the season.  In their way was a local Lichfield side who sat in comfortable mid table but were more than happy to play party poopers.  
 
Cannock started slowly and had to battle against a style of tackling from the hosts that most umpires would have taken exception to but seemed acceptable in this game.  
 
Half way through the half the Lichfield party bus began as Cannock fell a goal behind from a messy short corner which keeper Balcombe couldn't keep out, despite numerous good saves before it.  
 
Cannock responded and despite still carrying into some rather rough Lichfield contact, managed to equalised thanks to a Danny Swinnerton hit from a well worked short corner. 

 
Cannock knew nothing other than a win would bring them 4th place and came out in the second half hunting a winner. 3rd Team debutants Jack Rolfe, Paul Martin and Lewis Michael battled hard up front and it was the latter who found the back board after good play from Swinnerton.  
 
Now Cannock had the lead they were determined to keep it, despite some moaning from Hudson at the back Cannock kept the ball out the goal and won the game 2-1 giving them a joint 4th league finish as Beeston crashed 8-3 against champions Loughborough Students. A delightful tray of sandwiches welcomed Cannock back into the clubhouse but the taste of victory was enough for Cannock as they completed a great charge up the league to a credible finish. 
 
Finally thanks must go to captain Tom Widdowson for his efforts for getting the tea organised every week.  
 
DoD - Danny Swinnerton - does know how to pass 
MoM - Lewis Michael - goal on debut 
 

4s 1 V 1 Lichfield 

Cannock 4's needed to win today to ensure survival in the Premier division. A battling Lichfield side made it difficult for Cannock to get any decent possession and the visitors actually dominated for much of the game. Cannock finally got a break and took the lead from a great solo reverse hit effort from James Griffiths. Cannock continued to repel the advances of Lichfield but indiscipline led to Cannock losing a player at a critical time. Lichfield capitalised and equalised from a short corner. The visitors almost took the lead but a fantastic save by Blower in the Cannock goal meant the game finished 1-1. Unfortunately other results went against Cannock, meaning they are relegated for next season. 
 

6s 8 V 2 Aldrige & Walsall 

Cannock Men's 6ths had a final home game of the season against Aldridge and Walsall. With support from the Men's 5ths Cannock put on a fine display to ensure the season finished on a high. 

The early exchanges in the match were even with chances at both ends. However, as Cannock started to settle into their passing game their quality started to show and soon they were a goal up. Aldridge and Walsall worked hard during the first half to get on level terms, and with an opportunist shot from the top of the 'D' they levelled the match at 1-1. 

Cannock stepped up a gear following the Aldridge and Walsall goal and it wasn't long before their advantage had been re-established with a further two goals before half-time to make the score 3-1 to Cannock. 

In the second half Cannock were too strong for Walsall, scoring on a regular basis to take a 6-1 lead before Aldridge and Walsall converted a short-corner to peg the score back to 6-2. Cannock weren't finished though, and a further two goals were scored before the final whistle making the final score 8-2 to Cannock. 

Cannock 6ths have enjoyed a good season, encouraging a mix of senior and young players which has resulted in many excellent performances. The hockey has been good and enjoyable, but more importantly, the friendship and camaraderie of the 6th team on and off the pitch makes the 6th team the place to be on a Saturday afternoon. Thanks to all those that have supported and played in the 6ths team this season.  

Badgers 2 V 3 North Staffs 

Cannock's Badgers played their final match of the season at home against North Staffs. Following a busy morning of washing cars and raising £224 for the club, the young Badgers were hoping they could repeat their 10-0 win at the beginning of the year against North Staffs. 

Cannock started well, passing the ball around and giving very little to North Staffs. The early pressure paid off and Cannock took an early lead. However, it wasn't long before North Staffs equalised following some poor defending from Cannock, with a further goal conceded before half-time. Cannock briefly rallied and equalised making the half-time score 2-2. 

Cannock lacked energy at the start of the second half, giving the ball away too easily and not working back to defend their goal. As a result, North Staffs took the lead. Cannock rallied again for the final quarter of the game, with all the play in the North Staffs half; Cannock created opportunities but could not gain the equaliser. The game finished 3-2 to North Staffs with the Badgers looking very tired. 

The game against North Staffs was very representative of the Badgers season as a whole, a bit of a roller coaster, playing good hockey but sometimes forgetting the basics and running out of steam. However, no matter what the results have been, Cannock's young Badgers have given their best every week, have delivered some awesome performances to be proud of, had fun and eaten lots of Haribo. All this would not have been possible if it wasn't for the fantastic support and encouragement of all the parents. Thanks everyone for a great Badgers season  

 U14s Mini Tournament 

Cannock's U14 Boys played their final games of their campaign this weekend. Following a long drive to Newark on Mother's Day (thanks England Hockey for this fantastic piece of scheduling) Cannock U14's had two games, one against Newark and one against Derwent. 

Cannock U14's started strongly against Newark and were soon a goal up. Further good work by the team saw them take charge of the match, scoring a further three goals before half time to make the score 4-0. Cannock started slowly in the second half, with Newark pressing Cannock back into their 'D'. Following a period of concerted pressure, Newark gained a penalty flick which was duly converted to make the score 4-1. This gave Cannock the wake-up call they needed and soon they were in their stride again, scoring freely and taking the game away from Newark. Final score, a 9-1 win for Cannock. 

Cannock's second match was against Derwent U14 Boy's. Cannock looked a little tired following their first match and Derwent took control of the game. Moving the ball quickly between their players Derwent created opportunities which were resolutely defended by Cannock. However, Derwent continued to press and soon were a goal up. Cannock couldn't get going in the first half and a further two goals left Cannock 3-0 down at half-time. With some belief at the start of the second half Cannock worked hard to get back in the match. Pressing Derwent hard Cannock created chances without scoring and were reliant on some great keeping by their keeper Joe Thomas to keep the score line at 3-0. With 10 minutes to go Cannock finally got their first goal of the match and this was quickly followed by a second. At 3-2 with 3 minutes to go it looked like Cannock were going to get something out the match. As the final whistle went Cannock got a short corner, and with it their last hope of salvaging a draw; unfortunately Cannock were unable to convert and finished the match with a disappointing 3-2 loss. 

Cannock U14's have enjoyed a good campaign this season playing 8 games, winning 5, drawing 1, losing 2, scoring 36 goals and conceding 23. More importantly, every single player has developed and improved with three of the squad playing for the Mens 4th and 5th teams and a further two playing for the Mens 6th team. The squad has had fantastic support from parents making trips to Ashby, Ashbourne and Newark as well as standing around in the pouring rain and freezing cold on training nights. Thanks everyone for a really rewarding U14 season.