50/50

Newark managed one win out of the weekends two matches which is enough to move into 4th place. Getting two teams out was always going to be a struggle but Saturdays match Vs Northampton started well and Newark took a 2:0 lead at half time. Another goal came just after the break courtesy of Sam Smith which was to prove crucial as Northampton piled on the pressure with two quick replies leaving Newark to hang on to win 3:2. A good win in the end but Newark made a match that should have been relatively easy look like a struggle.

The second match of the weekend saw Newark send a side missing no fewer than 8 regular 2s players and probably the youngest side (Excluding Paul. I was going to say Paul and Ace but we all know ace is young at heart) ever put out by the 2's, to play Leicester Westligh. Although Leicester dominated for most of the match Newark took the lead and by half time the score was 1:1. Unfortunately Newarks lack of experience on the pitch showed and Leicester scored 4 in the second half to end the match 5:2 winners. The match was a good eye opener for those young players who have had little or no experience playing for the 2s and with one or two more regular players available the result would of looked very different.

A Fantastic 5 For the Bare 11

After losing 4 players to the first team the remaining 11 put 5 past a Nuneaton side who where all but out of the game in the first 20 minuets. Newarks first goal came after just 20 seconds with some great work down the right flank from Steve Littlewood and a simple finish from man of the match Robbin Lowth. (by the way Robbin due to your MOM performance you owe another £2 in fines). Newark scored regularly throughout the first, another from Lowth and one a piece for Sam Smith, Steve Littlewood and 3rd XI Captain Danny Hendrie. With 5 goals in the first the second half was always going to be a bit of an anti climax. The second half was all about keeping it tight and stout defending by John Clarkson, Adrian Smith, Matt Wilson and Captain Craig Joynes saw that the Newark goal was untroubled throughout. More goals looked likely but the forward pare of Lowth and Super Striker Martin 'Cripple' Knox could not find the finishing touches that had been abundant in the first half. This result could potentially put Newark up to 3rd in the table.



The weekend of the 21st and 22nd will see the 2's have 2 games against Leicester and Northampton. So can all players let captains know there availabilities ASAP.

Hatrick of Wins

Newark came through a hard fought match to complete a well deserved treble over close table rivals Kettering. Newark took the spoils in all three contests this season winning by the old goal in all the matches. It was good to see the majority of the Kettering players understood how tough the matches had been and where willing to shake the hands of the victors at the end of the last match. However it was spoilt a little by one or two primadonas in the Kettering team who's unsporting conduct saw them refuse to shake the Newark captains hand (There is always someone who is delusional and thinks they are better than the rest).


Newark's win came thanks to 2 goals from Matt Hammond and a well placed shot from Paul Halfpenny nutmegging at least 3 Kettering players. Newark also had to thank keeper Brian Morris for some good saves, Adrian Smith for a goal line clearance and the Kettering strikers who where unable to put away a host of chances.