Goal-shy Newark edge closer to drop zone
Newark slipped to a second straight defeat after they were out-muscled 3-0 by high-flying Uni of Birmingham Ladies' 3rds.
To compound their misery it was their third game without a goal.
It took just four minutes for the students to open the scoring and they added a second on ten minutes.
Newark had to reshuffle when Camilla Johnson took a hit and needed treatment.
The experienced Trish Trafford stepped into the centre-back role and was deservedly awarded player-of-the-match for her valiant efforts.
The students added a third on 21 minutes to effectively give them the win.
Katie McMunn’s speed was a worry to the University defence and it almost paid off as she caused a mix-up between centre-back and keeper, but couldn’t quite capitalise.
Newark did look a little more settled in defence in the second-half didn’t concede again.
Results elsewhere went against Newark, which saw them slip to ninth, five points clear of the relegation zone.
They welcome leaders Shrewsbury to the Magnus Sports Centre on Saturday (11.30am).
Rolls Royce Mens 1
Newark Men’s 1sts 2
Two goals from Nick Crouch secured a crucial away win at Rolls Royce to move Newark into a promotion spot.
The first-half was a tight and cagey affair that ended 0-0.
Newark restarted the match at pace and quickly broke the deadlock when Sam Smith flashed a ball across the keeper for Crouch to deflect home.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, Newark dominated proceedings and scored a decisive second in similar fashion.
Pierre Smets played Benjie Groom into space and his lovely back post ball found Scott Robinson whose cute pass found Crouch to score.
A clean sheet was not to be as Rolls Royce scored from a well-worked penalty corner to set up a nervy last five minutes.
Newark Ladies 2nds 0
Boots Ladies 3rds 1
A tight and tense game ultimately ended in another defeat in the Nottinghamshire Premier League.
Newark defended bravely, but failed to distribute the ball away to safety and turn defence into attack.
It was all hands on deck to stop the visitors scoring and for much of the game Newark were camped in their defensive half.
Boots were awarded a series of short corners, but Wadeson made several saves to frustrate the visitors.
They finally broke the deadlock midway through the half when some quick passing in the D found a gap for a forward to score.
Cocker and Crockett-McLean both went close late on but Boots held on.
Newark Men’s 2nds 3
Ashby Men’s 1
Newark avenged their defeat to Ashby earlier in the season.
They started well when skipper Simon Higgs burst into the left-hand side of circle and placed the ball into the far corner of the goal.
Ashby responded well and were rewarded with an equaliser.
John Reynold ballooned a penalty strike over the goal before Higgs put Newark in front for the second time after a mistake from the keeper and James Watkins completed the win.
Burton Men’s 2nds 5
Newark Men’s 2nds 2
Newark were knocked out of the England Hockey’s 2nd XI National Plate Competition after being defeated by Burton 2nds, who play two leagues higher than Newark.
Burton scored four goals in the first-half, showing their class.
A penalty-corner routine for Newark ended with Andy Smith’s shot being deflected into the Burton goal by Nigel Bett.
Burton scored a fifth but Newark netted a late consolation when Groom converted a penalty corner.
W. Bridgford Monarchs 4ths 1
Newark Ladies 3rds 2
Debutant Hannah Bond and teenager Charlotte Staniforth earned Newark a third straight win.
Staniforth put Newark in front after a series of short corners when she squeezed the ball along the back-line and between a defender and the goal-post.
Soon after, Sue Birkett charged down an attempted clearance and the ball rebounded for Bond to calmly slot home for a debut goal.
West Bridgford pulled a goal back towards the end of the first-half but Newark remained the better team throughout and could have won by more had they taken their chances.
Barton Men 2
Newark Men’s 3rds 1
Newark’s promotion hopes are all but over after their winless run was extended to five games.
Newark were hit on the break to go a goal down to the league leaders.
Barton doubled their lead when Newark’s defence failed to appreciate the danger from a short corner.
They were given a lifeline when youngster Joshua Dent forced a mistake from a Barton defender who deflected a shot into his own goal.
Goalkeeper Dean Clarke saved two penalty flicks as Newark ran out of steam.
Youth news
Newark under-12 girls battled well against some tough opposition with older players at a tournament staged at Nottingham Hockey Club.
The team restricted West Bridgford under-13 boys to a 1-0 win, before losing 4-1 to the same opponents in the second match. Eleanor Smith’s solo goal was the highlight.
Newark were beaten 3-0 by favourites Nottingham before drawing 0-0 with North Notts in a game they deserved to win.
Newark boys under-12s travelled to Nottingham Players to play seven-a-side games in the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire League. They drew 0-0 with Nottingham Players 2nds, beat Boots 1-0, lost to West Bridgford 1-0, and drew 1-1 with Nottingham Players 1sts. Charlie Smith scored both goals.
