The Royal Oak – Hartshill

Hartshill have secured their third promotion in as many seasons and can now go on to win the division three title as other results went their way today.

Coventry University Reserves were the visitors to The Rec this afternoon, and the students were taught a harsh footballing lesson as Wayne Hadley’s side produced a stunning 8-0 demolition job.

While the three points guarantees promotion again, the championship crown is now in their own hands after Brinklow were held to a 2-2 draw by Triumph Athletic and Whitnash lost 3-2 against  Jaguar Daimler.

Two wins from the last two matches against Coventry Copsewood this Thursday (April  30) and then Mount Nod (Tues May 5) will see Hartshill reach the magical 52 point mark, one more than Brinklow can now achieve as their stuttering run continues.

Todays win saw seven different scorers, including one for teenager Brendan Ford who finally got his name on the scoresheet after several impressive performances for both the first and reserve teams in recent weeks.

Carl Hutchison opened the scoring with a penalty after just ten minutes and Wayne Boon (Booma) doubled the advantage with 20 on the clock.

Although the lead was stretched further by Scott Stewart after half an hour, the home side had still not kicked into gear.

Aftre the break Booma doubled his tally to make it four and player manager Hadley then notched before making way for Ford who quickly scored with 20 minutes left.

Rocky Pratt then joined in the fun and Liam Brown completed the rout with six minutes left.

The reserves were on the wrong end of a heavy scoreline as they came home from Bermuda with their tails between their legs.

The 8-1 defeat was a disappointing result after showing signs through the latter stages of the first half in particular of being able to compete with the division five champions.

Ben Carr was the only scorer for Hartshill who must take on board the lessons learned and bounce back in their next game next Saturday at The Rec against Coventry University III.

This seasons presentation night will take place on Saturday May 23 at The Green Bear in Stockingford.

Their will be food and live entertainment as well as the usual presentation of trophies (oh yeah, and Derek’s speech!)

Ticket prices are yet to be confirmed, just keep your eyes on the web site over the coming days and weeks.

Can you spot the Stag’s – could do with a bit of a trim there Aaron !!

Hardly a Brizillian – and I’m not on about the one on the left……!

Rita Robinson on the telly!!!

That’s right our Rita being interviewed outside the NIA before a Tina Turner concert recently.

As you can see from the picture below (Express and Star website), the girls got all dolled up for a great night out and loved every minute of it.

To see Rita on the telly click on the relative link on the right.

Whitnash booked their place in the Coventry Alliance Division Three cup final with a 3-1 victory over fellow promotion chasers Hartshill.

A penalty in the final minute confirmed Hartshill’s fate, but in reality they were second best on the day after a disappointing performance.

Wayne Boon (Boomer) had put Wayne Hadley’s men in front  in the first half , but they could not capitalise and were well beaten in the end.

It was big comedown from Thursday night’s victory, but the consolation is the defeat does not cost league points as they chase for the championship.

Whitnash are still in the hunt themselves and could now complete a league and cup double, but they still have to play much fancied Brinklow who at this stage have to be considered favourites for the title.

Hartshill have received a boost this week as they have been awarded the points from their  abandoned game from earlier in the season against Triumph Athletic.

The league table has been updated to show this, but it is currently wrong according to club secretary Dave Whitehouse.

The table currently reads thus:

1	HARTSHILL	19	13	1	5	53	28	25	40
2	COUNDON COURT RES	20	12	3	5	58	36	22	39
3	BRINKLOW	16	12	2	2	43	18	25	38
4	MOUNT NOD RES	19	8	4	7	47	48	-1	28
5	WHITNASH	13	7	2	4	38	22	16	23

However, with the correct adjustments made Hartshill actually boast three more points (43) with three games left to play.

This leaves Brinklow with three games in hand, but as aforementioned they do face Whitnash twice in the run in.

While the first team were being beaten, the reserves were also struggling as they were surprisingly beaten 6-1 by Rugby at The Rec.

Stephen Dixon (Dicko) opened the scoring with his fifth goal in a week, but as with their club counterparts they could not hold their lead.

There was little sign of what was to come at the break as they sides went in level at 1-1, but a disastrous start to the second period saw the visitors score three times in a devastating quarter of an hour.

It was a huge comedown from Thursday’s fine win at Massey Ferguson, but with six players missing from that game, it was completely different team less than 48 hours earlier.

Louis O`Neill and Brendon Ford were called to the first team following their good performances, while keeper John Knight and midfielder Sam Rose were injured.

Hayden Wright was called into Atherstone Town’s reserve side and James Thomason was unavailable due to family commitments.

In the end it proved to be too big a shake up in the side as they now look towards Thursday night’s home game against Shilton to put things right.

The season came to a close at The Oak last night with an 8-4 victory over The Clock.

It was by no means plain sailing for the home side though as they had to come from 3-0 down to take their win.

Up stepped Paul Crump though and his victory was the catalyst for a great fightback.

Lyndon Kay was next to add a win and James Thomason completed the first half of the match with success against Jason Fletcher to leave the scores locked at 3-3 at the interval.

Chris then struck to put the home side infront 4-3,  and Paul was next to extend the lead to two frames.

The Clock were able to strike back though as Matty lost his second game of the night, before Lyndon restored the two frame cushion as he completed his personal double for the evening.

James then made sure of the overall win with victory in the 11th frame with his second win over Jason Fletcher.

Ash completed the night with another win in the final frame to leave the score 8-4 and Matty the only home player not to win a game all night.

Happier times...Matty Kearns enjoying himself, blissfully unaware he would lose both his games and be the only home player not to win on the night

Although it is nothing to do with the pub or the website, we have decided to offer a little light entertainment thanks to the wonderful world of YouTube.

If you are in a sticky spot with someone and can’t decide how to get out of it, then why not take a leaf out of this blokes book…click here

There is nothing more basic in comedy than the good old sight of someone falling over – so sit back and work your chuckle muscles on this

This one is for all you footballers out there looking for interesting and innovative ways to get one over on the opposition or the officials, although it may not leave you reputation intact if you try any of them….click here

This just simply has to be the best football related advert ever, really clever and really funny – bet you can’t guess what it’s for until it tells you at the end….click here

So you think you can play pool....?

Fast Eddie Felson and Minnesota Fats are just two pool playing legends never to have played for The Royal Oak, but you can!

The Nuneaton Winter Pool League will be starting again in October, all players need to register with Dave or Marie that they wish to play again by mid September at the latest. All new players welcome.

As players who have been before it’s a good opportunity to get out and about on a Thursday night, the emphasis is on enjoying the night rather than winning, but it does help if we win a few frames as well.

To find out more about the league we play in click here

Organising members of the 1st Hartshill Scout group would like to invite you to their website home page.

Find out what’s on, how to join, or how to contribute to their cause by simply clicking here, Chris and the gang would be delighted to benifit.

With just five games to go Hartshill remain in the race to become Division Three Champions after their 5-1 thrashing of Coventry Copsewood at the weekend.

Despite the disappointment of losing the Foleshill Charity Cup final 3-1 to Brinklow the night before, there was only ever going to be one winner less than 24 hours later as the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

There is now strong belief within the club that five victories from five games will be enough to win the league as the other contenders for the crown are set to play each other in the run in.

The reserves also enjoyed a good day at the office again with thier fourth win in five games.

A hat-trick from Stephen Dixon saw them cruise to a 5-1 victory at The Rec, just rewards for his persistence and patience after failing to nail a regular spot in the side over recent weeks.

Although Arnie Griffiths uncharacteristically missed a penalty, the home side were comfortable winners and now move up to sixth in the table.

After a difficult start to the campaign with some heavy defeats, the second string have improved beyond recognition and with eight games still to go, they could yet seal a top five spot in the division.

For more information on the current league position, fixtures and results, go to the yellowjersey.co.uk