Side ready for festive break
Newark LaDIES 1STS' were looking to keep the momentum going against Beeston Ladies after their impressive victory over Tamworth, but their local rivals proved too strong in a 4-1 success.
The visitors looked less than ready for the tie and probably wished the Christmas break started last week, as Beeston were ahead in under a minute after strolling through Newark’s defence.
They doubled their lead in similar circumstances seven minutes later to leave Newark shell-shocked.
The visitors gave themselves a lifeline as youngster Anna Kempster flicked the ball beautifully into the roof of the net from the far post for her debut goal for the first team with her first touch after coming on as a substitute.
This spurred the visitors on and suddenly the home goal was under siege, but after Newark pressed forward Beeston broke to add a third just before the interval.
The second-half was a different story as Newark put Beeston under pressure from the start.
Player-of-the-match Katie McMunn was a constant headache for the home defence with her speed and link-up play with Laura Donaldson.
Megan Beard went close twice with penalty corner strikes, one being a sublime drag-flick that the keeper tipped over the cross-bar.
Newark re-shuffled their formation on 53 minutes as captain Sarah Pask had to leave the arena with what looked like a broken finger, and Beeston made it 4-1 from a penalty corner strike to kill off any hopes of a comeback.
The defeat leaves Newark seventh in the Midlands 2 halfway through the season. They are seven points clear of relegation but ten points off a promotion spot.
Coach Paul Halfpenny said: “I feel the team are ready for the Christmas break. They looked jaded and lacked their usual sharpness.
“We will return in January with a fully fit team. Hopefully Katie Sandell will be ready to return after fracturing her wrist in the Shrewsbury game.”
Newark Ladies’ 2nds 0
Manning Ladies 8
An in-form Manning side proved too strong for Newark 2nds in the Nottinghamshire Women’s Hockey League Premier Division.
The match started at a tremendous pace.
Newark were missing some key players, most notably in defence, with the back-five of goalkeeper Alex Wadeson, Megan Cocker, Hannah Taylor (playing out of her usual position) Lauren Verrills, and Emily Sanderberg battling to keep their side level.
Ann Crockett-McLean had a reverse-stick shot on goal saved and the home side’s pressure was rewarded with a short corner. A slip-pass to Susan Tate was well saved by a defender on the line.
Manning got the breakthrough when a well-worked routine scuppered Newark’s defensive efforts.
Unfortunately for Newark, Wadeson strained her back, which greatly restricted her movement in goal, allowing Manning to score twice in as many minutes to take the wind out of the home side’s sails.
Newark fought back valiantly and won a couple more short corners, both of which came close, but were well defended.
Manning increased their lead five minutes after the interval with a soft goal and the visitors dominated the rest of the game.
The pressure was too much as Manning continued to take advantage of Newark’s weakened team and wrapped up an 8-0 whitewash.
Newark host University of Nottingham 1sts on Saturday (11.30am) who have won all nine of their games this season.
Newark Ladies’ 3rds 0
Boots Ladies’ 4ths 2
Newark were beaten by top-of-the-table Boots 4ths.
The home side started well with good support-play and moved the ball well across the pitch.
Boots opened the scoring within ten minutes, which deflated Newark, although the home
side worked hard to get ball and produced several counter-attacks.
After a half-time talk by coach James Middleton, Newark knew they needed to be more assertive.
They started the second-half with a positive outlook and matched their opponents.
But Boots showed why they are the league leaders with a clinical second goal to seal all three points.
