Well the first game back after the Christmas break proved to be a disappointing one. The 2s took on Barton a team who before the match where a point below Newark in the table. Without arguably there two most influential players (Knox and Lowth) Newark struggled in the first half to keep up with a Barton side that had a good mix of youth and Experience. Barton created a host of chances but where denied by an on form Morris in goal. The keeper pulled of a host of saves to keep the home side out. It would be fare to say that Barton deserved a goal in the first half but when it came it was a gift from the umpire who controversially allowed an above the back bored shot from a short corner to stand. When asked why he had allowed the goal the umpires response was "It was a flick" well if that was i flick then the Pope is in fact a Muslim. The half time whistle came and with inspiration taken from a Stern Davies team talk Newark where vastly improved in the second half and dominated early. However the luck they needed to compliment there build up play deserted them. 15 mins in to the second half an aerial clearance from Hammond which would easily of found the ball fly deep into the opposition half hit the wire that supported the pitch divider and fell to a Barton forward who caught Newark on the break and the ball found its way into the back of the net. At 2-0 down Newark looked out of it but continued to rally and eventually found a goal from Smith, which on there second half display was much deserved. This gave Newark the impetus to continue pressing but it was not to be at 2-1 a Hammond struck short corner went inches past the post only needing the slightest of touches from Captain Joynes at the near post, but he was too slow to react. The final nail came when a quick break from Barton found there striker one on one with the keeper and a powerful strike found the top corner to give Barton the game.
In Summary Newark started poor (the organisation brought by Knox at the back and the tenacity of Lowth up front where clearly missing), however got it together in the second half. Poor umpiring cost the first goal but Barton probably deserved the lead at the break. Lack of luck and a strategically placed wire cost Newark the second goal but the third goal was piece of magic from the Barton forward. On another day Newark would have come back to gain a point but unfortunately it was not to be. Barton finished deserved winners. 3-1
