Seconds win promotion and target championship
Nick Southall’s second-half equaliser helped Newark Men's 2nds to the point that secured promotion in a 2-2 home draw against Derwent Men's 2nds.
Knowing a point would be enough to clinch a place in the Reserves’ East Midlands Premier Division, the home side struggled to assert themselves early on.
Newark, who had won their previous nine matches, fell behind before Simon Higgs rounded the keeper to level.
Newark created several chances through Southall and Andy Smith, who were both denied by the keeper.
Derwent regained the lead after scrambling home a rebound following a good save by Tom Shaw.
Good work from Matt Barnfield down the left set up the vital equaliser. Barnfield drove into the attacking D and lift the ball to the back post where Southall equalised.
Higgs went close to grabbing a winner for Newark, who will be champions if they beat relegated Sikh Union (Coventry) on Saturday.
Derby Asterdale 1
Newark Men’s 1sts 7
Braces for Sam Dixon and Scott Robinson helped Newark to within one game of promotion as they defeated Derby Asterdale 7-1 in the East Midlands 2.
The tone was set inside the first five minutes when Dixon’s kick at a penalty corner found Robinson and he gave Newark an early lead at the far post.
Nick Crouch finished from a tight angle before Dixon scored his first with a fine drag-flick.
Winger Benjie Groom scored a fourth, tapping home skipper Ben Brown’s bouncing effort, as bottom-side Derby were unable to cope with Newark’s quick, accurate passing.
Derby hit a consolation after the break from a penalty corner, before Dixon netted his second from a penalty corner flick.
Robinson and Brown completed the rout.
Leek Ladies 2
Newark Ladies 1sts 0
Newark slipped to their seventh straight defeat in the Midlands 2, despite dominating the first 20 minutes with slick passing and good distribution.
They fell behind when the ball was turned over high in the Leek half and the hosts scored on the counter-attack.
Leek improved in the second-half.Newark suffered a blow when Laura Donaldson broke her thumb and left the pitch.
Leek’s second goal came after 52 minutes from a well-worked routine down the right wing.
Newark are two points clear of the drop-zone with three games left to play.
Newark Ladies’ 2nds 1
West Bridgford Monarchs 1
Shanade Orsmond’s late equaliser earned Newark, who secured their safety in the Nottinghamshire Women’s Premier League last week, a point in their penultimate match.
Outfield player Sarah Plumb Newark was in goal because of an injury to Alex Wadeson.
Derby Asterdale Men’s 3rds 2
Newark Men’s 3rds 2
Two disallowed goals ended Newark’s three-match winning streak. Chris Peacock and Josh Dent gave the visitors a 2-0 lead before they were pegged back.
Meridian Ladies 4
Newark Ladies 3rds 0
Newark are likely to finish fourth in the Nottinghamshire Women’s League Division Two, despite losing to leaders Meridian.
Newark, who hit the post in the first-half, will finish fourth as long as they avoid a heavy defeat against promoted Boots 2nds on Saturday.
