WARWICK maintained their unbeaten start to the 2015/16 season by drawing with Coalville 1-1 to stay top of the Midlands Two table.
The hosts were full of confidence after claiming back-to-back victories last weekend and they picked up where they left off by dictating the play from the off.
Their early dominance was rewarded when Warwick’s top scorer Martyn Stickley fired his side in front and they held just a one-goal lead at the break despite dominating possession and creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
With the rain hammering down, Warwick were prepared for a difficult second half and much like the first, lots more opportunities came and went without anymore goals being scored.
And Coalville converted their one solitary chance with five minutes to go to claim a point despite the best efforts of man-of-the-match Alistor Smyth.
The second team tasted a narrow 4-3 defeat in what turned out to be a thrilling match in Stourport.
The wet weather made conditions difficult for both sides but Warwick started well and went ahead through a simple finish by MacDonald.
Further chances and went for the visitors but their attacking style was their undoing when an attack broke down and Stourport were able to pull level.
Warwick regained the lead following another strong move down the right which Cooper converted at the far post.
Once again the hosts pulled level and after a mistake by McLester Stourport were able to take the lead for the first time in the match.
The hosts were now in the ascendancy and took control of the match by extending their lead to 4-2.
Warwick threw everything at Stourport and their efforts were rewarded when Selby forced the Stourport goalkeeper into a save but Kane was on-hand to shoot home from close range.
The third team also tasted defeat after losing 2-1 to Warwick University with Andrew Dellow scoring the only goal of the game for Warwick.
Despite making a bright start, it was the pace of the younger University players that got them in more advanced positions and a deflected goal saw them take a one-goal lead into the break.
Warwick improved their game in the second half and they were soon level thanks to Dellow’s goal.
Ian Best, Chris Roberts, James Langley and Chris Waller worked tirelessly to find a winner but with less than ten minutes to go the University side squeezed a second goal.
Goals from Sam Brain and John Sawdon kept Warwick’s fourth team in the title hunt after they beat Sutton Coldfield 2-0 to move three points off top spot in West Midlands Premier division.
In the women’s section, Warwick’s first team lost 2-1 to Nottingham University in terrible conditions on the Aylesford Pitches and the second teep maintained their tight grip on second place thanks to a 2-0 victory over Edgbaston.
Anyone interested in joining Warwick Hockey Club should contact Dom Simpson on 07971 815761 or go to www.warwickhockey.co.uk.
