Unlucky ladies slip to first league loss
Newark Ladies' 1sts slipped to their first defeat of the season, losing 4-2 against league leaders Shrewsbury, despite coming from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 at one stage.
Shrewsbury showed why they are the early leaders, forcing goalkeeper Sophie Chambers into a fantastic reaction save in the first minute.
Shrewsbury went ahead on 15 minutes, but the hosts were stunned a minute later when Megan Beard rifled the ball home from a penalty corner after a quick Newark counter-attack.
The goal spurred on Newark and Beard turned provider on 27 minutes when she weaved into the circle, drew the keeper, and slipped the ball to the perfectly-placed Pask who tapped in at the far post.
Sadly for Newark, they were unable to hold on to their lead until half-time, as Shrewsbury equalised with four minutes of the half remaining.
The hosts began the second-half with renewed vigour and took a deserved lead on 42 minutes.
Things got worse for New–ark when they lost Donaldson and Katie Sandell to injury.
Shrewsbury opened up a two-goal lead three minutes later and, with Newark battling to keep possession, it was clear it wasn’t going to be their day.
An inexperienced Newark 1sts travelled to Northampton Ladies the following day in the first round of the English Hockey Board Trophy.
Fourteen-year-old Millie Hill and new player Anna Hall made debuts against Northampton, who play one tier above Newark.
Pask stunned the hosts when she gave Newark a 2-0 lead with two solo efforts, but Northampton replied midway through the second-half and then with four minutes left to take the game to penalty strokes, which the hosts won 5-4 to knock a brave Newark out of the competition.
Harry Beedham’s hat-trick was the highlight as Newark Men's 1sts responded from last week’s defeat in emphatic style, winning 8-1 at Wooton Wanderers.
Beedham made an early breakthrough when he followed up his initial saved effort.
Tom Broom scored Newark’s second goal at the far post.
Newark switched off after their second and conceded, but a fine team effort saw Sam Smith set up Rob Logan who finished with aplomb to restore the’ two-goal cushion.
Smith added a fourth before Scott Robinson’s flicked effort was deflected in by Adam Holland and Beedham netted twice in quick succession.
Pierre Smets rounded off the performance with a clever far-post finish after a rebound from the keeper as Newark racked up eight goals in a fine display of clinical finishing.
