Three successive wins boost promotion bid
A third successive victory, 3-2 at Long Buckby Men's 1sts, consolidated Newark’s second place in East Midlands Division 2.
In blustery conditions, Long Buckby started the brightest, running at Newark with pace and using their knowledge of the bouncy Daventry pitch to their advantage.
After falling behind, Newark scored twice before half-time.
Slick passing created space behind the defence and Sam Dixon showed trickery to fire across goal for Sam Smith to deflect in.
The visitors took the lead when Ben Brown ran past several challenges and scored from the middle of the circle.
Newark’s rhythm was disrupted by the break and their second-half performance was more disjointed.
Long Buckby levelled from a penalty corner before Newark reclaimed the lead with a penalty corner of their own. Harry Beedham forced in the rebound from a goalbound Sam Smith flick.
Newark face Leicester Westleigh at home on Saturday.
Coach Sally Halfpenny said: “I’m pleased the team dug in to come back from a goal down.
“We have a crucial game on Saturday when victory could put us in a strong position for promotion. There is everything to play for and the team has a healthy confidence in its ability at the moment.”
Stourport Ladies’ 2nds 3
Newark Ladies’ 1sts 1
Newark came back empty handed from a crucial relegation battle.
With a squad of just 11 players and no coach on the sidelines because Paul Halfpenny had to umpire, the visitors faced an uphill battle from the start.
Newark took an early lead when Megan Beard smashed in a penalty corner after a spell of pressure.
Four minutes later Stourport equalised from a deflected 40-metre drive. They took the lead just before half-time, netting after a break through the middle.
Newark’s player-of-the-match, Kate Lambert, and goalkeeper Molly Usborne defended well, but chances were limited in the second-half.
When Newark did earn a penalty corner, the visitors broke away to seal the win.
The defeat left Newark four points behind Stourport and third from bottom.
Newark Men’s 2nds 2
Leicester Westleigh 1
Goals from captain Simon Higgs and Danny Hendrie earned promotion-chasing Newark victory to keep them level at the top with South Nottingham.
The home side played flowing hockey and four substitutes enabled them to rotate players to good effect.
The hosts dominated most of the first-half with Andrew Smith particularly influential. They took the lead through Higgs at the back post.
Simon Sloan and John Reynold made excellent tackles and James Barker and Tom Broome mopped up well at the other end.
Leicester equalised from the last action of the first-half but Newark dominated the second period.
A series of penalty corners and attacks came to nothing before Danny Hendrie found the top of the net 15 minutes from time.
Newark face a crucial game at South Nottingham on Saturday.
Coach Arran Coggan said: “This was the intensity I’ve been asking for in past weeks.”
Silk Union Coventry 0
Newark Men’s 3rds 5
JOSH DENT hit a hat-trick as the thirds beat bottom-of-the-table Sikh Union for the second time this season.
Newark, made up largely of juniors, played high-tempo hockey and created several chances.
Dent opened the scoring in the 50th minute. Andrew Tallis and Sam Foskett also scored.
Newark Men’s 4ths 3
Derwent Men’s 4ths 1
JOSH Dent scored another two goals in this friendly. Fellow county player James Beedham also netted.
West Bridgford 0
Newark U16 Girls’ 2
The sides were evenly matched but Newark’s discipline and organisation paid off.
Both goals came in the last seven minutes when Laura Donaldson twice finished off excellent team moves.
