Askern Miners 0- 2 Newark Town: Blues are back on top ahead of Notts Senior Trophy quarter-finals at Basford United
The Blues have returned to the top of the Central Midlands Premier North Division as they picked up three points on the road.
Town made changes after the midweek defeat in the Floodlit Cup — a shock 2-0 loss against Sherwood Colliery Reserves — as Jeremiah Ogie earned his first league start while Ben Sharpe, Ben Newman and Elliot Burrell returned to the starting eleven.
In sunny but breezy conditions Town took a tenth-minute lead amid scenes of confusion after Lewis Chambers was brought down by the ‘keeper in the penalty area.
The referee awarded a spot-kick but heated protests changed his mind and he gave a free-kick instead.
Ainsley Finney’s effort took a deflection off the defensive wall allowing Chambers to slot the ball home.
Three minutes later Askern should have been level as Bailey May got the better of Rhys Lewis but with the goal at his mercy, May fired the ball against the foot of the post.
An under-hit back pass almost let in May again but Harry Haywood made a last-ditch clearance.
The Town keeper then went down well at the feet of Elliot Mountfield.
The Blues then had a great chance to double the lead on the stroke of half-time when Sharpe was brought down by Joel Tomlinson.
Chambers stepped up to take the penalty but his shot lacked pace and direction and was saved by Richard Groom.
Manager Nathan Arnold made changes at the start of the second half as Jonny Wiles and Abdul-Raheem Sunmonu replaced Ogie and Newman.
The first big chance of the half fell to Rhys Lewis, who saw a well-placed header from a right-wing corner headed off the line.
On 73 minutes, Town finally increased their lead as Wiles’ innocuous ball in from the right was completely missed by home ‘keeper Groom, who let it pass through his hands.
After several changes to the fixture list, Town return to the YMCA on Saturday when they face Kiveton Miners’ Welfare (3pm).
The Blues then travel to Greenwich Avenue to face Basford United under-21s in the Notts Senior Trophy quarter-finals on Tuesday, March 15 (7.45pm).
