Newark 1sts are made to pay for their mistakes

A performance lacking shape and structure saw Newark fall to their first defeat of the season, 2-1 against Nottingham Players 1sts.

Their opponents had been relegated from the East Midlands Premier Division, and played a shrewd game, breaking with pace at every opportunity.

Newark were more than a match for Nottingham but key mistakes cost them, the first of which was a simple far-post tap-in.

The goal came after Newark had squandered possession in front of their own defence.

Despite conceding, Newark remained positive and forced an equaliser when Pierre Smets rifled a reverse strike following a saved penalty corner strike.

First blood in the second-half was drawn by Nottingham, when an accurate aerial pass caught out a flat-footed Newark defence.

Newark laid siege to their opponent’s goal for the rest of the match but couldn’t convert, with Nottingham’s keeper in fine form.

An inspired, diving goal-line clearance from a defender denied Newark at the death, as they slipped to third in the table.

Belper 2nds 6 Newark Ladies 1sts 2 A dismal first-half display cost Newark dearly as they fell to a crushing 6-2 loss at Belper 2nds.

They were unable to gain any momentum in the opening stages and were put under pressure.

Mistakes cost them dearly as Belper all but secured their victory by moving 4-0 ahead at the break.

Newark improved considerably after half-time as they sought to repair the damage.

Camilla Johnson scored from a penalty corner and Rachel Greasby tapped in at the far post, but it was too little too late.

Nottingham 2nds 1 Newark Men’s 2nds 5 Two fortunate first-half strikes were enough for Newark to take the points in their match.

Both teams created chances in the first-half when two goals from Tom Broome settled Newark’s nerves.

The first was a crossed ball from the right which found the corner.

The second came moments later as Broome looked to cross into the mix but ended up finding the goal instead.

Arran Coggan added a third with another attempted cross that found the corner of the net.

Ryan Foster scored from a penalty flick before Coggan rounded off the victory with a shot between the keeper’s legs.

Nottingham added a consolation a few moments before the end when Newark keeper Tom Shaw was left stranded.

Manning 1sts 4 Newark Ladies 2nds 1 Top side Manning delivered a lesson in clinical finishing as they came away with a comfortable victory.

Newark started promisingly but were unable to make the most of their early pressure when they made several impressive attacking plays.

Midfielders Amy Baugh, Susan Tate and Becky Wells linked up well and found Ella Wolfenden in the D, but she couldn’t finish.

Following a blocked attempt on the Manning goal, their opponents countered quickly and went ahead.

Two more goals followed in quick succession.

Newark pulled a goal back before the break when Ella Wolfenden chased down a long ball and knocked it past the defender before beating the keeper.

Despite conceding a minute after half-time, Newark upped their game in the second-half and limited their opponents to half chances.