Weekend Report No 8

With the half term holiday taking its toll on the number of members available for selection it was always going to be a difficult weekend. However, it is on these occasions when the true Cannock spirit often comes to the fore. Sadly, this weekend, that deserted us as well. 

Cannock 1s 1 V 5 Brooklands MU 

With the National League fixtures giving way to the EH Cup Cannock welcomed Premier League side Brooklands to Chase Park for their second round fixture. With several key players absent from the squad for this game, this was always going to be difficult, but it was an opportunity to give several younger members valuable experience of first team competition. 

Brooklands came out of the blocks the stronger and were one goal up after four minutes. They followed this with a near miss until they were reduced to ten men through a green card. Cannock took advantage and started to create opportunities. A fine interception by Ashlin Freddie put Dan Jowett into the D. He forced a penalty corner which wasn't converted. Minutes later a defensive error by Cannock put Brooklands in a one-on-one with the keeper. However, Mike Gerrard, in the Cannock goal, stood strong and guided the ball to safety. Play went from end to end with both sides having chances. Cannock's best fell to Chris Gardner after a cross from Callum McKenzie. Then Cannock were to find themselves two down after a reverse strike by a Brooklands' forward seemed to come out of nowhere. This led to a period of further Brooklands' pressure where the Cannock defense had to face four penalty corners in a row and then an open play save on the line. Cannock took heart from this defiance and applied some pressure themselves but failed to find the net. The best chance falling to a good move between Freddie and Callum Swinnerton-Ions. Just before the halftime whistle Cannock were dealt a further blow when Brooklands converted a penalty corner to send them three goals up at the break. 

Cannock started the second half the brighter and Freddie worked a further penalty corner. This was not converted. Brooklands had a goal decision overturned after an umpires conference. At the other end Swinnerton-Ions, in on goal, was taken out by the keeper and a penalty stroke given. No card was issued to the keeper. Callum Stacey stepped up to take the penalty but the keeper guessed right and deflected the ball beyond his post. Almost immediately Chris Beck received a green card, Brooklands were awarded a penalty corner and the score was four nil. Cannock continued to have chances with McKenzie coming close but it was Brooklands who found the back of the net yet again. When a Brooklands player was shown a yellow card Cannock started to use the man advantage positively. Then Nav Degan, having won a free hit, was yellow carded at the request of the Brooklands' dugout for an offence that remains a mystery to the Cannock faithful. Spurred on by a sense of injustice Chris Beck powered down the left flank and deftly slotted the ball to Swinnerton-Ions, who jinked into the D and drove the ball home to pick up a conciliation goal for the home side. 

Next week (Sunday) Cannock return to league action with a home game against bottom of the table Leek. 

DOD - Callum Stacey 

MOM – Callum Swinnerton-Ions 

Cannock 2s 2 V 4 Loughborough Uni 2s 

 Cannock played well throughout taking a two nil lead early in the game through Richard Parker and George Nellist. Sadly this young Cannock side couldn't keep the intensity going to stop the Loughborough students gaining momentum.  Loughborough played a very disciplined game and took their chances when they came. They pulled the scores level and then went on to bag another two goals to secure the win. Despite the loss there was some progress made in developing aspects of play. 

DOD Jamie Henderson 
MOM Ollie Edwards 
 

Cannock 3s 0 v 0 West Bridgford 3s 

 The captain decided upon plagiarism rather than submitting content for this week's match report. However reading between the lines it would appear that the thirds play had as much substance as the report! 
DOD – Ollie Balcombe 

MOM – Andy Hodgetts 
 

Cannock 4s 0 V 5 Loughborough Uni 4s 

Cannock 4's knew the visit of Loughborough was going to be tough and so it proved to be. With another changed side due to unavailability, Cannock defended resolutely but enforced errors allowed the visitors to take the lead. The onslaught continued for much of the game and despite the heroic efforts, Loughborough scored another 4 goals. 
DOD - Wiggy (for going on holiday instead of playing hockey!) 

MOM – Conner Beardsmore 

 
Cannock 5ths 1 V 5 Lichfield 5ths 
 
Captain Rufus Horn stated that he could wax lyrical about stoic defense, flowing midfield moves and deadly finishing. However, after careful and considered reflection on the game Captain Horn concluded that the performance resembled a pile of poo!  
Gary Stacey scored Cannock's solitary goal with a deflection from a James Roberts penalty corner. 

DOD - Derek Prince 
MOM – Phil Micklewright 
 

Cannock U14s V Ashby U14s 

Cannock U14 Boys travelled to Ashby to play their first match in this season's U14 Development League. This is a friendly league where the focus is on individual player and team development and where matches are played to the 7-a-side format. 
 
Cannock had a young U14 squad and unfortunately their inexperience and smaller physical stature was very evident against a much older Ashby U14 squad. The Cannock lads worked tirelessly throughout the game but spent much of their time defending their goal. Keeper, Joe Thomas, saw a lot of the ball and made some fantastic saves. The lads unfortunately lost the match today but gained invaluable experience for the future. 
 
The U14 squad are determined to learn from today's experience, will train hard on Thursday and are looking forward to playing Lichfield next Sunday in their second game in the U14 Development League. 
 
A huge thank-you also goes to the parents for their fantastic support and encouragement, along with a special thank-you to Hayley Jones who organised the warm-up and umpired."