Main Menu

Tabletoppers to strong

Coalville Town 3rd XI  1  Nottingham University 3rd XI  5

Bodykraft 3rd XI East Midlands Premier Division

Coalville's third string slipped to their first defeat of the season against a rampant Nottingham University side who the previous week had smashed Chesterfield 11-0.

Town turned in a solid performance full of passion and guts, but the Students quality, fitness and ability was ultimately too much for Coalville.

Town started brightly and Gareth Toyer soon went close from a penalty corner. Mark Webster and Dave Mee were pulling strings in midfield against very strong opposition and Coalville were looking solid at the back, particularly Simon Clare.

After about 10 minutes, though, a flowing move gave Nottingham University the lead, and a thunderous strike midway through the half extended the advantage to 2-0.

Coalville keeper Greg Tongue produced a host of fine saves to prevent the Students from further extending their lead at the break. 

Town came out for the second half determined to give it a go. Ash Wootton's pace down the right wing was soon causing problems, and Mee continued to shine in the centre of the park. Jason Sign was also playing well in the centre of defence.

The Students soon saw a flicked penalty corner go over the bar, and Tongue soon made a full stretch save to turn a fierce effort wide of the post. But eventually the pressure told and two more well-worked goals quickly came with the ball passed by the helpless Town keeper.

A fifth goal came soon after and Town were now looking at a hiding like Chesterfield suffered the weekend before, but a moment of silliness seemed to throw the Students out of their stride. Chris Pearson got involved in a bit of argy-bargy with a Nottingham player, and an off the ball incident resulting from that saw Toyer and a Student both receive yellow cards.

A few moments later a second Student picked up a yellow card for a deliberate foot offence, and Coalville now had a man advantage. They continued to battle hard and Chris Woodard soon went close with an effort, forcing a good save out of the Nottingham University keeper.

With around five minutes to go and both sides restored to 11 players, Town finally got a consolation. Coalville won a penalty corner and Carl Clay stepped up to flick the ball home into the top corner for the first goal conceded by the Students this season. A good performance from Town overall against what is likely to be the strongest side they'll play all season. Despite the defeat, Coalville remain second in the table.