Solid display gives M3 their 3rd straight win

Late Night Hockey v Nuneaton
Both sides should be commended for playing a good game of hockey which started almost 90 minutes late, due to the injury of the Aldridge & Walsall player in the previous game.

As it was, the game started well for the Sils, with early possession resulting in a 2 goal lead, the first goal coming from a move that started down the left with James Hetherington winning the ball and passing inside to Stephen Tabb, who exchanged passes with Thomas Hickman, and with the visitor's defence backing off, fired home from the top of the D.

A few minutes later, and it was 2-0, with the goal coming from the usual route of Gareth Dawes. This time Rich Thurman won a corner on the left, played it inside to James Hetherington who picked out Gareth Dawes in the D, who turned and fired instinctively into the goal.

Nuneaton were not going to give up easily though, and following their best move of the game, passes were exchanged down the left and then transferred to an onrushing midfielder who calmly picked his spot to reduce the defecit.

Sils still looked dangerous going forwards though, and strong running by Stephen Leonard and Felix Scott down the right led to a penalty corner being awarded. Captain Richard Thurman had learnt from the two strikes from Gareth Dawes from previous PCs, which had seen a defender deflecting the ball away from the bottom corner, and the routine this time saw the ball switched to change the angle, and Richard Thurman then lifted the ball slightly, which had the desired result as the ball beat the man on the line to restore the 2 goal cushion for the home side.

3-1 at half-time, and Sils knew they just needed to keep possession in the second half and victory would be theirs.

With legs tiring, Nuneaton's ability to substitute players meant that Sils had to battle for every minute of the second half, and on one of the visitor's quick breaks they forced a PC which John Scott inadvertently deflected passed Goalkeeper Jim Goldstraw.

However, whilst Jim Goldstraw had to make a number of regulation saves after that, he was never really tested from that moment on, and Sils probably should have scored again to settle everyone's nerves, but as it was, the team used the experience, particularly of veterans, Man of the Match Stephen Tabb, and John Scott to count the clock down ensuring possession was maintained and the ball was kept away from the home goal.

Not an easy 3 points by any means, but 3 points nonetheless, and that is now 9 points from a possible 12 for the M3 - a great start to life in a higher division. Special mention should be given to Jon Corp for his annual run-around, as usual helping the club out when he can, and he still does a great job of "accidentally" getting his feet in the way when really needed....