As the second half progressed Cannock finally made the breakthrough, with Don Clark setting up Alan Craddock to find the bottom corner. Frustratingly for Cannock they gave Bridgnorth a way back into the game five minutes later and the score remained at 1-1. Cannock need to ensure their team cohesion off the pitch also works on the pitch as well. Man of the Match went to Karl ‘The Rock’ Owen (pictured).

Following the 5th’s was Tom Widdowson’s 3rd Team who faced Rugby & East Warwick, Cannock started the game in excellent fashion going two goals ahead inside ten minutes, however, Cannock took their foot off the gas and Rugby brought the game back level at 2-2. The reality check however didn’t stop Cannock earning all three points and Cannock worked their way back into dominating the game running out 6-2 winners thanks to braces from Lewis Round, Chris Mayer and Danny Swinnerton-Ions.

Away from Chase Park Cannock 2nd Team travelled to rivals Stourport and faced an uphill battle from the beginning with only a bare eleven, due to drop outs and injuries. Ben Balcombe stepped up to give Cannock a spare player and performed admirably. Goals from Richard Parker and Hamish McKittrick should have been enough but sometimes other factors can affect the game and Cannock ended up with a second successive score draw finishing 2-2.

New 4th Team leader Raff Antonio Moscatiello took his team in the opposite direction as they faced Rugby on their own pitch. Further unavailability meant there were 4th team debuts for Evan Alcock and Andy Hoare. Cannock fought hard but silly errors saw them two goals down early in the game. Nevertheless Cannock battled hard and some excellent play from Nathan Lofthouse saw Cannock turn the game around and draw level thanks to goals from George Collins and Lofthouse himself. With the game level Cannock legend Dave Wigg took a ball to the forehead which meant Cannock lost their spare player, this had a massive impact on the game as Cannock tired. As the game came to a close Rugby scored two quick goals which saw Cannock lose 4-2 and remain bottom of the early league table.

As Saturday drew to a close our 6th Team travelled to Lilleshall to play Newport with a mixed team including a few double ups and ladies members. Two goals from Bruce Alcock gave Cannock a 2-2 draw in a very enjoyable encounter.

Cannock Badgers had the latest match against Ashby, starting at 4pm. For the first time in a long time Cannock only had 11 players but this did not deter them from a spirited performance. The first half finished even at 0-0 with Cannock controlling the game and creating a number of good chances but only to be denied by the Ashby keeper. During the second half the young Cannock Badgers side started to run out of energy. Ashby took full advantage testing the Cannock Keeper, Joe Thomas, on a number of occasions. The pressure eventually took its toll and Ashby grabbed a goal. The boys responded well, with Alice Runton working hard in midfield and Connor Lloyd-Smith going close with a number of chances. Unfortunately Cannock were unable to grab what would have been a well deserved equaliser with the game finishing 1-0 to Ashby. Thanks to Dave Michael for helping with the umpiring duties and to the parents who made the long trip to Ashby.

Sunday was Cup Day as Cannock 2nd Team travelled to big-hitters Loughborough Students.

With the 1st Team playing and several players missing Cannock travelled with a weakened side and knew they would be in for a hard afternoon. A great battling performance (see pictured) meant Cannock competed hard for the first twenty five minutes but late first goals saw Cannock lose heart and eventually the game with the students running out 8-1 winners, Danny Swinnerton scoring Cannock’s goal assisted by Jordan Joiner. The result was fair but score line was very harsh considering how hard the maroon men had worked. Cannock now got into the plate hoping to have a stronger squad available if they have desires of winning further silverware.

The final game of the weekend saw our 1st Team make the long journey to Doncaster still in search of their first win of the season. The team, missing several players through injury and unavailability, hard a difficult afternoon. Cannock found themselves 1-0 down at halftime to another short corner despite having several good chances with Russell Anderson and Tom Minall both having very good opportunities.

The second half started and Cannock again, just like in their previous games, were competing all over the pitch creating good opportunities but the goals they so desperately need didn’t appear. As the half developed Cannock gave the ball away and their opponents did exactly what Cannock had failed to do and punished their opponents. With the score at 4-0 Chris Beck scored a consolation with four minutes remaining.

Harsh but realistic words were spoken at the end of the game and Cannock now welcome Preston to Chase Park next Sunday afternoon (2pm start) in desperate need for their first three points of the season.  

Any support members can give will be much welcomed.

​Next Social Event at Cannock HC - Halloween Party - Saturday 22nd October