Ladies feeling the pressure
A valiant Newark side lost 2-0 to high-flying Edgbaston to increase the pressure on Paul Halfpenny’s side at the foot of Midlands 2.
The visitors started strongly and put Newark under relentless pressure, but the hosts’ defence held them back.
Just as Newark began to play their best hockey, they sufferered a set-back when Edgbaston broke and opened the scoring on 19 minutes.
The hosts pressed for the equaliser, only for Edgbaston to double the lead with five minutes left through a penalty corner strike.
With four games to play, Newark are two and three points clear of bottom two teams Bournville and Burton respectively, and have a game in hand on their rivals.
Newark Men’s 2nds 4
Nuneaton Men 0
Goals from Nigel Bett, John Reynold, Andy Smith and skipper Simon Higgs moved Newark to the brink of promotion from the Reserves East Midlands 1 League.
Newark started well and put Nuneaton under intense pressure, but couldn’t find a goal in the first-half.
Newark’s nerves were finally settled when Bett ran into the circle and fired in a shot.
The hosts piled on the pressure and Reynold dispatched the ball into the corner for Newark’s second.
The ever-improving Smith made it three shortly after when his shot was put beyond the keeper and Higgs completed the rout when he burst into the circle and put the ball into the far corner.
Top-of-the-table Newark need one point from their last two games for promotion.
Kettering Men 1
Newark Men’s 3rds 5
TWO goals from Harry Beedham helped Newark record their third win in a row.
Chris Peacock, Josh Dent, and an own goal also contributed to the solid away win.
Redhill Ladies 2nds 1
Newark Ladies’ 3rd 1
(Newark win 4-2 on pens)
Stand-in goalkeeper Holly Ainsworth was the hero as Newark reached the Nottinghamshire Ladies Hockey Shield Final in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
After a goal-less first-half, Redhill took the lead against the run of play.
Newark responded well and levelled soon after thanks to Sophie Chambers’ strike following great teamwork.
Both teams had chances to win it late on but, with the sides level at full-time, it went down to a shoot-out.
It began badly as Sue Birkett missed for Newark and Redhill scored, but Ainsworth stood firm in goal and denied Redhill’s further efforts.
Charley Robertson, Katie Robertson, Chambers, and Louise Goodman all scored to send Newark through to the final on March 23.
