Newark edged out in thriller
Newark’s run of six successive wins came to an end when they lost 6-4 at Nottingham Trent University edged a win in the East Midlands 2 promotion clash.
Sally Halfpenny’s side started strongly and took the lead in the first couple of minutes following a slick passing move down the left that resulted in Sam Smith slotting home from Ben Brown’s cut-back.
The students soon hit back, only for Smith to put Newark back in front when he fired home on the reverser after a one-two with Adam Holland.
Nottingham Trent hit back once more with a penalty corner.
The second-half started like the first as Smith collected Benjie Groome’s long corner inside the circle before turning and finding the backboard for his hat-trick.
But the visitors were unable to hang on to their lead and conceded for the third time when another penalty corner was converted.
The students went in front for the first time from a breakaway and extended their lead with two individual goals before Nick Crouch grabbed a consolation.
Matlock Baileans 3
Newark Ladies 1sts 0
A young Newark side gave coach Paul Halfpenny a morale-boosting showing ahead of the team’s return to league action on Saturday.
In their final friendly before the start of the second half of the season, Newark faced a team two tiers above them and travelled without seven squad members, meaning a return for 14-year-old Millie Hill and a first team debut for Becky Wells.
Matlock’s strength showed, but Newark’s defensive efforts were outstanding as they thwarted the hosts.
The deadlock was broken on 26 minutes and a second goal was added two minutes before half-time.
The visitors came close to reducing the deficit on 44 minutes as a confident Hill carried the ball 70m and fed Katie McMunn, whose reverse-stick strike fizzed across goal and passed the wrong side of the upright.
Matlock netted their third goal on 49 minutes from a penalty corner.
Halfpenny said: “It was a magnificent performance. Both myself and Sarah Pask were delighted with the team’s endeavour today.”
Southwell BU 1sts 0
Newark Ladies 2nds 0
Neither Newark nor Southwell could find a way to break the deadlock as the rivals played out an intense goalless draw in the Notts Women’s Hockey Premier Division.
The home side had more chances, but Newark’s defenders were unrelenting in their tackles and prevented SBU from scoring.
Goalkeeper Alex Wadeson had to make some awkward saves, but never looked stretched.
Newark’s best chance was a well-worked short corner between Susan Tate and Shanade Orsmond with the latter firing just wide.
Newark were put under extra pressure in the last ten minutes when Hollie Smallwood was sin-binned but they held firm and could have snatched a winner from a short corner.
Newark Men’s 2nds 3
Mansfield Men’s 2nds 1
Two goals from Tom Broome helped Newark beat rivals Mansfield in the East Midlands 1 reserve team league.
The game started well for Newark as a ball deflected off Matt Barnfield and a Mansfield stick for a goal.
Newark were clearly the better side and should have taken further opportunities that they created.
The pressure paid off just before half-time when Mansfield lost possession and Newark broke for Broome to slot home.
Newark lost momentum at the start of the second-half, which allowed Mansfield to pull one back but Broome’s second secured the win.
Coach Arran Coggan said: “A few more goals on the board wouldn’t have gone amiss. We remain in third place and promotion is still viable.”
Mansfield Men’s 3rds 2
Newark Mens 3rds 2
An Ollie Ratcliffe double saw Newark fight back from being 2-0 down to earn a point.
He pulled one back from a short corner and latched on to Tim McManus’ pass to tap in the equaliser.
Youth teams
Newark boys’ under-10s went six games unbeaten in a tournament in Worksop.
They drew twice with Chesterfield and Worksop, and beat North Notts in both encounters.
Goals were scored by Cameron McLean (2) Thomas Bett (2) Tom Middleton, and Daniel Beeching.
The under-10 girls lost 4-0 to Matlock and Nottingham Players and 3-2 to West Bridgford under-12s before drawing against Ashfield 1-1.
Goals were scored by Jess Sheldon and Bea Alcock.
