Gap opened from relegation zone

An Ann Crockett-McLean double earned Newark Ladies 2nds their first win in three games in the Nottinghamshire Ladies Premier Division as they took an important step away from the relegation zone by beating Beeston 2-0.

Newark made the breakthrough when Amy Baugh made a trademark blistering run down the right wing and passed to Hollie Smallwood whose pass was hit into the goal by Crockett-McLean.

Beeston were dangerous at times and Newark keeper Alex Wadeson had to make a couple of decisive saves.

The second-half followed the same pattern, with Newark on top and Beeston threatening occasionally.

Newark sealed the win when Crockett-McLean found herself unmarked in the D and managed to pivot with the ball and slide it into the goal.

The victory lifted Newark seven points clear of the drop zone.

Tamworth Mens 2nds 1

Newark Mens 2nds 2

James Watkins and Simon Higgs scored as Newark came from behind to regain a promotion place as they narrowly beat struggling Tamworth.

Before the visitors had time to settle into the game they were behind as a strong strike from the top of the D was deflected past his own keeper by John Reynold.

Newark responded and took control of the game, despite the early set-back.

Andy Smith and Nigel Bett combined nicely to pass to Watkins in the attacking D who turned the last defender and slipped the ball under Tamworth’s keeper for the equaliser.

Watkins thought he had scored a second after good work from Danny Hendrie, but the umpire ruled the goal out for an earlier infringement.

Newark pressed forward in the second-half and were finally rewarded when Hendrie took the ball to the back-line before finding Higgs who sneaked in front of a defender and finished neatly past the keeper.

Hendrie should have added a third but missed despite being right in front of goal.

Newark defended three short corners well towards the end to hold on to the win.

Newark Mens 3rds 2

Derwent Mens 2

Newark’s winless run continued as they drew with third-placed Derwent.

The first-half was all Newark who impressed the onlookers with some fluent hockey.

James Beedham opened the scoring with an excellent strike from the top of the D.

Derwent battled back in the second-half and equalised, but Paul Turtle restored Newark’s lead with a deflected shot.

However, Newark were forced to share the points when Derwent equalised late on.

Newark Mens 3rds are now without a win in six attempts.

Newark Ladies 3rds 1

Redhill Ladies 2nds 1

Newark stayed in fourth in the Nottinghamshire Womens Hockey League Division Two after being held to a 1-1 draw with seventh-placed Redhill.

The home side’s goal was scored by Jacky Nullis in a tightly-contested match.