Ladies 1s
Newark Ladies 1s travelled to Mansfield Woodhouse for a mid-day clash with bottom of the table North Notts. Despite being down to 10 players due to player illness before the game, Newark started the game strongly.The team were in control and displayed good build up from the midfield. This allowed Dani Ashwell to make a great run, to receive the ball, took on defenders and slotted the ball away for the first goal.Laura Donaldson then made the most of a defensive error from a hit out by North Notts. She went through one on one with the keeper and calmly pushed the ball into the back of the net.Newark got back to 11 players at the end of the first half to go into half time on top. There was some fantastic defending from Megan Cocker at right back and Amy Crouch who worked tirelessly in the middle of the pitch keeping the home side at bay.The second half started brightly for the visitors. And the third goal game soon afterwards. A hit out by captain Katie Sandell, was passed across to Jade Feayvour, and up the sideline to Donaldson. She then ran the length of the half, took it round three North Notts players and smashed the ball into the goal. Newark kept calm under difficult circumtances, but kept possession and control of the game to remain top of the table.
Player of the match was split three ways between Dani Askwell, Megan Cocker and Amy Crouch.
Ladies 4s
Ladies 4s were pleased to be at home vs Notts Trent Uni 2s after a long stretch of away matches. Newark took the lead first scoring from a short corner pushed out from Sam Wade to daughter Lucy Wade at the top of the D striking into the net which put the whole spirit of the team on top. Moira Chambers fired a ball from a quick 16 yard hit to the forever running Gabbie Lucas to meet the ball and took it into the D and scored taking Newark 2-0 up. Trent made several attempts with long corners and finally scored despite Freya Grocock making several brilliant saves. Trent then went on to equalised just before half time.
After a team talk, Trent meant business and putting Newark on the back foot managed to scored 2 quick goals which woke Newark up. Newcomer Eliza Fox made some great runs to help the defence of Moira Chambers, Abbie Moisey, Justine Gray and George Redican and some great channelling from Kanky Andrews and Holly Brown. Newark continued to work hard to try and retrieve the situation but were unable to score but made some several great defensive moves which lead to a final score of 2 -4.
Player: Freya Grocock
Mens 1s
Newark travelled away to Atherstone this week hoping to cement their position at the top of the league. The game started at a slow pace which Newark struggled to come to terms, which allowed Atherstone to take a lead with them stealing the ball deep in the Newark half and managing to move the ball to find a free centre forward who slotted the ball passed the on rushing James Wakeland.This seemed to get Newark going as they started to take control of the game with them creating chances but where unable to convert them in and went into the break 1-0 down. The second half started a lot brighter for Newark with them pushing Atherstone back into their own half. This lead to Newark being denied by the post on a number of occasions, even when Newark thought they had the ball over the line, the goal was not given but a penalty corner awarded which Newark did not manage to put away. With the game coming into the closing stages Newark pushed even harder and Dave Colcumbe found himself free on the penalty spot to only find himself denied by the trailing foot of the Atherstone keeper. Leaving Newark very frustrated at the final whistle.
Man of the Match: Ben Brown