Cannock 3 - 1 Canterbury

AN UGLY and at times ill-tempered game saw unbeaten Cannock take all three points at the Morris Ground against Canterbury.

The better side on the day, Cannock created numerous chances and deserved to win the game, although their visitors fought hard and once again suggested that their performances merit more than their present league position.

The opening minutes saw Canterbury with their backs to the wall as Cannock bombarded the visitors’ D and won a succession of penalty corners.

Defensive errors and a general torpor about Canterbury’s play meant the home side were able to dominate the early exchanges.

With Cannock somehow failing to register in this opening period, Canterbury began to find a way into the game and in the 17th minute were awarded a penalty stroke after Paul Edwards had gone prone attempting a last ditch tackle in the D and played the ball with his body.

Dave Mathews converted the stroke for Canterbury, but this was a lead that the visitors only held for four minutes as Richard Lane levelled the scores for the home side from a drag flick.

Before the end of the half Canterbury had been reduced to 10 and then nine men as Mathews and Brian Garcia both spent time with the delegate for yellow card offences.

Graham Moodie was to join them for the home side, but in the 33rd minute it was his side who took the lead as Andrew Langlands drove the ball home from the top of the D.

This was a sickening blow for Canterbury who, after a poor start had fought hard to get back into the game. However, it was a lead that Cannock deserved and gave the home side a slight comfort zone.

The second half saw a greatly improved Canterbury performance all over the pitch.

For 20 minutes the teams were only separated by a solitary goal until Richard Lane converted his second corner, this time courtesy of a slipped penalty corner and gave Cannock some breathing space.

Although Canterbury forced chances they were always chasing the game and Cannock continually posed a threat to the away side’s goal.

Any chance Canterbury had of salvaging a point were all but ended when Mathews was sent off for dissent and although the visitors refused to give up the fight, Cannock were able to dictate the game and close out the victory.

Both goalkeepers were excellent for Canterbury and it is testament to their performances that the Kent side only conceded three times.

* Canterbury must now travel to Hampstead on Saturday for their final game before the long break needing to take vital points.