Men looking for two more wins
Goals from Ben Brown, Nick Crouch, and Sam Smith put Newark Men's 1sts within two wins of promotion after a 3-0 win over Leicester Westleigh.
Newark will be promoted from East Midlands 2 if they win two of their three last games against Kettering, Derby Asterdale and Nuneaton. All three are away, but fifth-placed Nuneaton are the highest placed of the teams.
Westleigh started the stronger, putting Newark under pressure from the off, spurning several half-chances that was to cost them.
Scott Robinson sent a pin-point pass to onrushing skipper Brown who calmly finished.
Newark knew they could improve in the second-half and started it at a furious pace.
There was a moment of anxiety for Newark when one break resulted in a free-hit into Newark’s circle and seemed to take a deflection on to the backboard from keeper James Wakeland’s stick, but neither umpire could confirm if a goal had been scored.
That proved to be crucial as the home side scored a second when Robinson’s looping cross was turned in at the far post by Crouch.
Newark extended their lead with ten minutes left when Smith’s accurate shot beat the keeper.
Coach Sally Halfpenny said: “Westleigh tested both our attack and our defence and neither were found wanting, particularly on the left-hand side of the pitch.
“Westleigh are a Midlands 1 team and so to beat them twice shows that Newark are ready to test themselves at a higher level.”
South Notts Men’s 2nds 2
Newark Men’s 2nds 3
A Danny Hendrie goal two minutes from time gave Newark a precious win as they moved another step closer to promotion.
James Watkins put Newark 1-0 up within a few minutes of the start after captain Simon Higgs’ run and shot at goal was saved.
South Notts, top of the Reserves’ East Midlands 1 League before the game, levelled but Hendrie restored Newark’s lead.
Newark held the lead until near the end, when their three points seemed to have been lost when South Notts again levelled.
With time running out, Hendrie popped up in the penultimate minute with the winner.
Coach Arran Coggan said: “Another brilliant game and finally the top spot is ours.”
Worksop Ladies’ 1sts 6
Newark Ladies’ 2nds 1
Newark suffered a heavy defeat after struggling to get to grips with the hosts’ spongy pitch.
However, results elsewhere ensured Newark were safe from relegation.
The home side took control from the off, exerting pressure on the Newark defence and opened the scoring within five minutes.
Three down at half-time, Newark tried to re-group in the second-half, but their hopes of a fight-back were dashed when Worksop scored.
Hollie Smallwood’s free-hit was deflected into the net by a Worksop defender’s stick, but the hosts scored two more late goals.
Newark Ladies’ 3rds 6
Boots Ladies’ 5ths 0
TOP-SCORER Sophie Chambers scored a hat-trick for a rampant Newark.
Jacky Nullis opened the scoring with a rare goal and Sue Birkett doubled the lead before Chambers struck a quick-fire hat-trick.
Tash Gresswell rounded off the performance.
Newark Men’s 3rds 5
Leamington Men’s 3rds 0
NEWARK recorded another 5-0 win. Rob Oakley picked up a hat-trick and Paul Turtle scored a brace.
