Newark FC 1-3 Selston: The Highwaymen's United Counties League status rides on Pinchbeck United defeat

Newark FC’s step five status hangs in the balance after a 3-1 defeat to Selston in the United Counties League Premier North last night (Tuesday, April 19).

The two clubs — who competed for the East Midlands Counties League title in 2019 — faced off again on Tuesday night, but this time it was for a chance to secure their status as a step five football club.

Newark took the lead in the ninth minute following a bit of magic from Rio Molyneaux, who brought the ball under control on the ring-wing, before taking a couple of touches inside and bending a fantastic effort into the opposite top corner from 25 yards.

Paul Rawden’s men were on their way to safety.

But Selston, to their credit, continued to battle and pulled level 12 minutes later through George Wilkinson.

The game remained tied at 1-1 until the 73rd minute when Perry Marriott-Lane headed the visitors ahead.

And the final blow came in the 93rd minute when Selston skipper Ben Moore hit his side’s third to confirm what the Highwaymen feared — defeat.

With Newark’s season over, it means the club’s future at step five rests in the hands of Pinchbeck United, who sit one point below Newark with a better goal difference.

It means anything but a Pinchbeck defeat on Saturday would see Newark relegated.

Pinchbeck travel to Leicester Nirvana, who won the reverse fixture 2-0.