Newark Hockey Club ladies' 4ths battled hard against South Notts in the County Shield Cup

NEWARK Hockey Club ladies’ 4ths hosted higher ranked opponents South Notts (Bingham) ladies 1sts in the quarter-finals of the County Shield Cup.

Newark coach James Barker highlighted his side’s second-half performance as much better than the first, as Newark held the visitors to just one goal.

South Notts started the derby in better form and Mel Park opened the scoring as from a penalty corner after dominating in the opening exchanges.

Newark struggled to get back into the game after taking the early setback and several unforced errors followed as the balance of play remained with South Notts.

The game was a physical one with Vicky Jones at the centre of the action, taking heavy challenges, which knocked the confidence of Newark’s younger players.

Despite the physicality of the game, there was still moments of positive play from Newark’s wide players, but there was nothing they could do as Caroline Brackenbury added two more goals before half-time.

During the break, Barker gave a forceful team talk, which inspired the hosts to an improved performance.

Newark managed to match South Notts’ physicality for periods of the half and that allowed lengthier spells of possession.

However, South Notts struck again, this time through, Emma Turner, to round off the victory in what was a well-contested match.

Newark ladies’ 2nds failed to get the victory in their second round knockout cup match as Manning ran out 3-0 winners.

Despite facing higher league opposition, the opening 20 minutes were evenly contested, with chances at both ends.

Manning were reliant on their speed, but the Newark defence held their own, marking players effectively and calmly clearing the ball.

Rachel Vickers stood in for the absent Anna Hall as sweeper, coordinating the defence, aided by team-mates Amy Crouch and Lynsey Sayer.

The defence conceded several penalty corners, which were well defended until Manning finally converted with a slick deflection into the bottom left-hand corner.

Newark responded through left wing Shanade Bradley. She sent the ball to Ann Crockett-Mclean in the D, who had a couple of shots on goal.

Having won several penalty corners it seemed inevitable that the Newark goal would come, but their dominance counted for nothing as they went into the break 1-0 down.

After half-time, Newark picked up the pace and moved the ball well.

Newark’s Sophie Chambers caused the biggest threat, but again, there was no clinical touch to Newark’s play as they failed to score.

Manning eventually got to grips with the pace the second-half and hit two goals without reply.

Newark’s over 35s ladies’ side are joined by the men’s over 40s team as they travel to Doncaster on Saturday in the club’s final two fixtures before the Christmas break.