Ladies 1s
4-2 home win against Ashfield Aztecs. At last, the eagerly awaited first league game of the season for a team ready to start a promotion campaign. Aztecs brought a huge squad of 16 players for this encounter including Rachael Greasby who had moved from Newark through the summer. Newark fielded just 12 players but had five years experience of Midland’s hockey behind them. As expected Newark were first out of the traps, the pace & slick passing far too hot for the visitors to handle. Within just 4 minutes Newark were awarded a penalty corner which Kate Lambert dispatched with ferocity Newark created chance after chance but had to wait until the 16th minute when talented youngster Millie Hill opened her account for the season. Returning back after a long absence, the goal machine who is; Hannah Coe, finished a sweet move, slotting the ball to Vicky McMunn who opened her account on 27 minutes. Newark thought they had netted a second penalty corner on 29 minutes, with a swift McMunn reverse hit but this was ruled out due to an obstruction on the goalkeeper. All looked well for Newark with the defence & Georgina Barrett being mere spectators, but a lapse in concentration allowed Aztecs an opportunity & a speculative shot from top ‘d’ rattled the backboards. The final 3 minutes of the half were nervy for the hosts, as Aztecs piled on the pressure, but Newark held strong to preserve their 3 – 1 lead at the break. Aztecs had gained in confidence after their goal & caused heaps of problems down Newark’s left wing however Newark held out & at last on 43 minutes Laura Donaldson finally found the correct part of the goal to give Newark a commanding 4 – 1 lead. Credit to the Aztecs though, as they had no intentions of just rolling over & pulled back another goal, on 56 minutes. Pulling back a 3 goal deficit was a step too far though & Newark were victors in the opening game.
M.O.M: Hannah Coe
Ladies 2s
1-3 away win against North Notts!
0-0 first half, lots of pressure from North Notts and shorts conceded by Newark. Flick awarded and saved by Lily Dean. Big boost for Newark.
Shanade Bradley - Straight strike from short corner - a belter! First minute of 2nd half following solo run from Dani Ashwell.
Dani Ashwell - Short corner, Dani pushed out then scored near the post (not entirely sure of specifics on this one!).
Sophie Chambers - Open play, from the back Lauren 'Magz' Verrills (Player) linking with Shanade, Dani and Sophie with final touch over the line.
The girls worked hard in the heat and limited subs with 2 players nursing muscle strains. A great result for our first league match back against a team we normally struggle to break down. Looking forward to the next game on Saturday.
M.O.M: Lauren Verrills
Ladies 3s
5-1 home win against Beeston
What a team performance! Goals glory coming from Izzy Wells Sara Jackson and a hat trick for Laura Mcmunn who was on fire! The final score was 5.1. Player of the match went to midfield Maddie Horrocks. Great game and team spirit.
Mens 1s
3-2 loss at home
Newark started the brighter of the two teams creating a lot of chances but were unfortunately unable to convert any until Sam Taylor popped up on the 23rd minute tapping the ball over the line after the ball was lifted over the keeper. 6 minutes later Sam Taylor turned again tapped the ball in after some great work from Scott Robinson unleashing a shot on his reverse that was saved by the keeper and dropped straight to Sam’s stick. Nottingham then scored 3 un answered goals giving them the victory.
Mens 3s
4-2 win against Nottingham.
Newark 3s welcomed Nottingham to Magnus for the last friendly before the league season starts in October.
Newark soon fell two goals down before they settled in with several players already playing for the 4s. However once they settled down the goals started to come. James Wakeland opened the scoring from a short corner following up the initial shot and lifting it over the keeper Ben Eagles got the second from a drag flick to the top corner off the post but not before he had a penalty flick saved by the keeper. James Wakeland got his second with a good deflection from a ball into the D and James Beedham followed up with the 4th to give Newark a 4-2 win.
M.O.M James Wakeland (enjoying a game out of goal)
Mens 4s
3-1 win against Nottingham
Newark 4s travelled to Nottingham
They went one nil down early on as they got used to the slow pitch. Newark soon settled down and Ben Eagles equalised after good team play. Next Luke Pearce scored followed by Dave Fellows poaching one of the line from Seb Hufton. A good performance and starting to gel as a team looking forward to our first league game next week M.O.M Dave Heason great defensive performance. Mention to Emil LIniewiz who got three M.O.M votes in his first game for a men's team