North Notts Hockey Club bounce back with Wolverhampton win

Speaking after the game North Notts manager Jay Faulkner said: “The most important thing today was the points, it’s pleasing that we not only took the points but we took them emphatically and played a great team game.

“We’re bedding some new players in the team at the moment and they played their part in a great victory.

“Next week we travel to Warwick for another tough game and will continue the fight. Today moves us a little away from Leicester and Wolverhampton and the pressure is building for them in the race to stay in the league.”

It was apparent from the start that Notts were in the mood to entertain with Allen Butler strolling through the Wolverhampton defence only to be stopped by a last ditch tackle.

Wolverhampton though did create early chances and, after winning a short corner for a Notts foot in the “D” Notts had to show their hunger to charge the ball down.

The Notts midfield looked to have gelled successfully with Singleton and Cooper moving the ball around comfortably.

On 13 minutes Cooper found Butler, who was able to find a Wolverhampton foot in the “D”.

The first short corner was broken down and retaken again the second time Allen Butler was able to convert to put Nott 1-0 in the lead.

On 17 Minutes another short corner for Notts saw a Alex Greer drag flick well saved, before the reliable Allen Butler who slammed the ball home for 2-0.

The remainder of the half saw chances for both sides, but Notts were in no mood for giving the game away as Unwin in the Notts goal looking assured and made several solid saves and kicks.

Notts again started the second half slower than normal whilst Wolverhampton seemed keen to try to get into the game pushing further forward.

Wolverhampton won a brace of penalty corners, but again Unwin in the Notts goal was equal to the strikes.

But the game was over as a contest when a scramble in the Wolverhampton “D” enabled William Butler to find Josh Singleton who coolly stroked the ball home for 3-0.

On 57 minutes Allen Butler wrapped up his hat-trick after a sublime pass from William Butler allowed him to drill the ball in from the angle.

On 60 minutes Anthony Clay come close to scoring the goal of the day with a thunderous drag flick which whistled wide of the top corner with the opposition keeper looking on helplessly.

Wolverhampton lost a player on 65 minutes to a yellow card and Notts took full advantage with skipper Greer adding a fifth from a penalty corner.

A consolation from Wolverhampton in the dying minutes was the only blot on Notts fine team performance.