Brave Cannock fall in the last minute

Cannock took on potential league champions East Grinstead in their latest attempt to pick up survival points in the NOW Pensions National Premier League. With the East Grinstead team sheet reading like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the hockey elite, the Cannock lads knew they were in for a tough contest. This fact did not faze them and they came out guns blazing. East Grinstead, however, dispossessed Cannock dallying on the ball in defence and took the first goal with an Andy Piper strike. This was quickly cancelled out four minutes later when Cannock’s in form striker, Nick Bandurak, found the net. The game remained an even contest until GB talisman Ashley Jackson found himself in space to unleash a flick into the roof of the net from a narrow angle. Cannock went into half time a goal down but the balance of play suggested they could still take something from this game. Most of the second half saw both sides make forays into each other’s Ds and call their respective keepers into action. Cannock’s Paddy Smith displaying a commanding performance to nullify the opposition. As the game drew to a close the tension built and small details started to make a difference. East Grinstead lost one of their GB players to a broken and very bloody nose. Cannock’s pressure gave them four penalty corners to East Brinstead’s one, but the final conversion was lacking. Then on 51 minutes Martin Ebbage pounced on a loose ball to even the score. Another GB stalwart from the East Grinstead team had a rush of blood to the head and had his yellow card upgraded to a red when his stick-throwing antics struck the third official. Against 10 men and with only a couple of minutes remaining on the clock, Cannock held their fate in their hands. Whether it was the pressure of the opportunity or the pressure of the opposition Cannock failed to run the clock or keep possession and with less than a minute to play East Grinstead managed to find the winning goal. There was disappointment and tears as the final whistle blew. Cannock was at worst worthy of a point from this game and if positives can be derived from the occasion the Cannock faithful would say watch out Surbiton and Beeston. These two remaining games should hold no fear for the Cannock lads as they have proved that they can compete with the best. Next weekend sees Cannock play two home games with a league game against Surbiton on Saturday and a semi-final of the NOW Pensions Cup against Sevenoaks on Sunday.

There was more success for the two Cannock Cup sides competing this weekend. The mixed side travelled for an early match at Loughborough. They began competently moving the ball around well. Loughborough Town proved to be very capable opposition and were also able to play some good hockey but Cannock had the ascendancy and eventually took the lead through Lewis Jecketts. They soon doubled their lead when Jecketts tipped-in a penalty corner but Loughborough Town hit back with a fine finish from a corner of their own and Cannock were grateful to 'keeper Ollie Balcombe making some good saves to maintain their lead. The Masters Over 40s Team took on Bristol based Robinsons who had beaten them in the final last year. Cannock dutifully took their revenge and emerged as 1-0 winners to progress to the semi-finals.

Elsewhere in the Midlands Leagues the 2nds and 3rds cemented their second places with a 4-1 win over Belper and a 6-1 win over Barford Tigers respectfully. The 4ths and 5th were less fortunate with the 4s narrowly losing to West Bridgford 2-1 and the 5s suffering a heavy 11-3 defeat to Northampton Saints. The 7ths put themselves into a promotion spot with a 1-0 win over Barford Tigers and the 6s progressed up the league by beating Telford 2-1.