Newark Town step up against Deeping Rangers in the Knockout Cup

Newark Town FC were a match for a team in the league above in normal time in a game that went the way of penalties.

Sam Bartle won the man of the match award for step 6 Newark Town who drew 2-2 with step 5 Deeping Rangers in the Knockout Cup, before the game went to a shoot-out.

Lewis Chambers continued his solid march to centurion goal status as he notched up both for the Blues.

The club stalwart now sits on 98 goals for the club and is determined to reach his 100.

The game was tied 1-1 at half-time and the game was tied at full-time at 2-2.

It was almost a fairytale run for Town as they had the Rangers over a barrel with minutes to go, leading 2-1.

Ross Watson came on for Rangers at 75 minutes in and, just over ten minutes later, he tied the game for them.

“We had eight first team players missing, which gave chances to other players,” said Luke Parsons, joint team manager at Newark Town.

“Every player wore their heart on their sleeve, they left everything out there.

“I always ask for 110% every game and today they gave me 115%.

"My only real negative was we conceded twice when they went down to ten men through sin bins.”

Deeping scraped a victory in the penalty shootout winning 10-9 in a tight nail biter.

The winning team congratulated Newark for the challenging match on social media and wished them all the best in their future endeavours.

“I said to the lads before the penalties I was proud of them no matter the outcome of the lottery,” said Parsons.

“I thought the officials were outstanding.

"They were the best we have had this season.

"They let the game flow and pulled up play when they needed to intervene.

“Deeping is a fantastic set-up.

"They are very impressive, have a good side, and have a cracking management team.

“We really enjoyed the game.”

Parsons said the game showed his side is capable of competing against a step five team.

The Blues have made a good start to the season in their inaugural step six campaign and currently sit in the seventh position in Division One of the United Counties League.

“We are very happy with the start we have had, considering we have never played a step 6 game before this season,” said Parsons.

“We have to be happy where we are, with our league position, we are above where we thought we would be at the start of the season.

“The games we have lost — some of them are down to inexperience and being naive.

"Others, we have just been outplayed by better sides but we are learning and we are enjoying the challenges being presented.”

Newark Town will take on Kirby Muxloe at home on Saturday, (kick-off: 3pm).