Newark & Sherwood United goalkeeper Ross Woolley marks 100th appearance with clean sheet in United Counties League

Goalkeeper Ross Woolley has made his 100th appearance for Newark & Sherwood.

Woolley celebrated the milestone with a clean sheet as the Highwaymen won 3-0 at Gresley Rovers in United Counties Premier Division North on Saturday.

“Ross was magnificent at the weekend,” said boss Romaine Graham.

“He pulled off some good saves, at crucial times, and helped us get the three points.

“He’s vice-captain this year, so he’s taken on that responsibility as well.

“I’ve played with some good goalies in the past and he’s just been improving year on year.

“He’s starting to take charge of situations and command his box a lot more.

“He knows that’s what I demand of my goalies, because I was a centre-half.

“You want your goalie taking control and getting you out of jail and that’s what he’s started to do.

“You get each other out of jail at times.”

Woolley has followed Ryley Thompson in bringing up 100 games this season.

They’ve been presented with specially-made caps by the club, while brothers Luke and Toby White are closing in on the milestone.

“The club have had a cap created, so Ryley’s got one, Ross has got one and Luke and Toby will be next,” said Graham.

“It’ll be interesting on the Christmas night out when they all have to wear them!”

Kole Lambert broke the deadlock against Gresley in first-half stoppage time.

Luke White doubled the lead on 71 minutes and Benni Wilson added an injury-time third.

The Highwaymen showed another side to their game.

Graham said: “I demanded a response after last weekend (3-1 defeat by Belper) and they gave it to me.

“It was a tricky first 20 minutes but after that we dominated.

“It was a scrappy game but I took pleasure in that because we showed a different side to our game on a pitch that didn’t suit our style.

“We like to get it down and play but it wasn’t going to be that type of game. I was really impressed with how we handled it. We got the goal before half-time and it was what we deserved.

“In recent weeks we’ve conceded before half-time, or just after, so it was good to get our noses in front, and we took charge in the second half.”

Newark & Sherwood eased to a 2-0 home win over Kimberley Miners Welfare in the league on Tuesday night.

Keiran Walker headed in a Kieran Cummings corner to put them ahead, Wilson adding the second after the break.

They visit Aylestone Park in the League Cup first round this Saturday (3pm).