Scorer(s): Greg Bloomer (2), Ed Martin

A much changed Cannock team travelled to Loughborough Students for a reasonable timed game on a pleasant Saturday afternoon. There were 3rd team returns for Callum McGarrie, James Foster and Chris Bolt, Dan Beck returned to the midfield and was joined by debutants Ricky Winfield and Matt Lomax. Whilst up to 6 of the regular team were away at an indoor tournament in Southampton Cannock put in one of their better performances of the year against one of the leagues stronger sides. Some early passing moves from Cannock looked promising, but Cannock were unfortunate to go behind when Loughborough pinched the ball as Cannock transferred it around the back and captain Orford made an uncharacteristic error. Cannock were soon on level terms when their first short corner resulted in the equaliser as Bloomer put the ball past the Loughborough goalkeeper after a slip right move with Beck. The rest of the first half was played at a high tempo and at half time the score was 1-1.

The second half proved just as entertaining for the spectators as the game ebbed and flowed each way. Parker made one excellent save when the score was at 1-1 when he really should have been beaten, and the Cannock defence defended resolutely with Lomax in particular very impressive. Martin tried to play in Bloomer for a routine goal but the ball couldn't be forced over the line. The goalkeeper also made good saves as Cannock couldn't quite edge in front. Eventually Cannock thought they had taken the lead when another slip right move from a short corner resulted in Martin putting the ball in the goal, but the umpire judged from a distance the ball had hit a Cannock foot and a sixteen resulted. Loughborough moved the ball up the other end and unsurprisingly this ended up in the students taking a 2-1 advantage where a controversial goal was given. Cannock's concentrations lipped and Loughborough took advantage scoring another soon after. With the score at 3-1 to the students you could have been excused for thinking the game and possibly Cannock's title hopes were over…but with less than 10 minutes remaining Cannock found a new gear and the attitude and character the team showed to get back into the game was as pleasing as any other moment in the season. Bradbury was influential throughout in his usual centre half position, winning the ball on countless occasions, with his terrier like ankle biting style! Bolt moved higher up the pitch and the space this created along with his hold up play helped swing the game back Cannock's way. Martin got Cannock back into the game with a very cool finish, lobbing the ball over the advancing student goalkeeper. The equaliser came when Martin fed Bloomer in the D and the latter rounded the keeper and put it into the empty goal.

Cannock were unlucky not to win the game after a period of 5 minutes at the end of the game where they pressed Loughborough back down their left flank. Bloomer won a short corner from just inside the twenty-five with seconds left and Cannock pressed everyone forward to try and get the winner. Another right slip move worked successfully but the ball couldn't be forced home on this occasion and Cannock had to settle for a draw.

A little note on the performances of Bolt and Foster who added some nous, creativity and skill to the team, providing outlets throughout the game when in defence and attack, creating a number of opportunities for the other forwards. McGarrie made a solid return at left half and Winfield made an encouraging debut at left midfield, working hard, battling all game and keeping things simple.

Cannock managed to take a point from the game when with less than 10 minutes left it looked they had made the long trip for nothing; but they ultimately should have taken all three after an impressive performance. With Birmingham University losing, the tile race may be back open with Cannock, Birmingham Uni, West Bridgford and Stourport in the hunt. Cannock remaining games are all winnable with the two ‘big' games against Birmingham and Stourport both being at home in successive weeks.