Newark men are battered by Ashbourne

Newark Hockey Club men’s 1st XI, who had opened their East Midlands Division One campaign with a 2-2 draw at Atherstone Adders the previous week, crashed to a 6-2 defeat at home to Ashbourne at the Magnus Sports Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Newark, bolstered by the return from injury of England Under-18 player Sam Dixon, took the lead through Nick Crouch, but after the break Newark were reduced to ten men when central defender Matt Orridge was given a yellow card.

Ashbourne equalised during his ten-minute enforced absence and then never looked back as they scored at will, with a second goal from Adam Henfrey proving to be mere consolation.

There was better news for Newark ladies’ 1st XI as they enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Mansfield Woodhouse-based North Notts to ease into third place in the Notts Premier League, only one point behind leaders Beeston and second-placed West Bridgford who are tied together on seven points.

North Notts who started the brighter, fielding a contrast of experience and youth whose swift passing and movement pinned the home team back.

But resolute defending from the back four of Holly Powell, Kate Lambert, Nicola Jenner and Susan Tate ensured scoring chances were kept to a minimum, and Newark soon found their form and were rewarded with goals from Jemma Gough, Luce Brailsford and captain Jackie Foulds.

Newark ladies’ 2nds came back down to earth with a bump against South Notts 1sts following their 2-1 win at home to Beeston in their opening game in Notts League Division One

On Saturday they were beaten 5-1 at home to South Nottingham 1sts, with the token home strike coming from Nic Jenner.

Southwell Brincliffe United 1st XI were away at Leicester and continued their winning ways in the Midlands League with a 3-2 success.

Skipper Hannah Wraith gave the Southwell side the lead, and Helen Kirby restored their advantage after the home side had pulled level.

Leicester equalised again in the second half, but a determined effort brought a winning goal for Wraith with her second of the game from a tight angle to move the side to second place in the table following their promotion.

Southwell Brincliffe United 2nd XI played against West Bridgford Monarchs at West Bridgford. The Southwell side only had ten players at the start but managed to keep Monarchs at bay for the first half, going in at 0-0 at half-time, before the home team ran out 5-0 winners.

The Southwell Brincliffe United 3rd XI went down 4-0 at Beeston Ladies.