Cannock nick exciting game

Oct 23 2008

Cannock 2 - 1 East Grinstead 

Slazenger England Hockey League Premier Division

The match began at a high pace with both sides looking to get ahead.  It was East Grinstead who created two early chances which were dealt with by Cannock’s ‘keeper James Fair.  The visitors then settled into a counter-attacking game keeping 11 men behind the ball in an effort to prevent a repeat of Cannock’s last three matches which had seen them take an early lead.

Cannock had the majority of possession and created 2 or 3 half chances and won 4 penalty corners, however they were unable to convert any of these and East Grinstead made them pay.  The momentum shifted 10 minutes before the break and East Grinstead pressurised Cannock winning a penalty corner just before half time from which they took the lead. The second half saw the visitors begin well again before Cannock found their rhythm once more.  The match opened up once more and another goal was inevitable.  Fortunately for Cannock it was they who scored when Richard Lane fired home from a melee in the D.  And it was Lane who tapped in a second on the line less than 60 seconds later to make it 2-1.

This only provoked East Grinstead who attacked Cannock and for the second week running it was James Fair who helped keep Cannock in the game.  Cannock had their own chances but failed to add to their score and managed to hang on for a 2-1 victory in an exciting match that could have gone either way.  This win puts Cannock 2 points clear at the top of the table.

Cannock travel to Amsterdam this week to play in the Euro Hockey League.  They face Dinamo Kazan from Russia on Friday and HC Bloemendaal of the Netherlands on Sunday.  Cannock’s next home game is on Sunday 9th November at 2 PM versus Southgate .