Photo Credit: Rick Lane Newark Advertiser
Ladies 1s vs Ladies 2s
Intra club rivalry was high on the agenda this week as Newark Ladies 1s took on Newark Ladies 2s in the penultimate game in the Notts Womens Premier Division.
The Ladies 1s were officially the away side so had to don the white shirts and white socks. Thankfully this did not cause too many issues with a team used to playing in green and red when the opposition are wearing your club colours!
Although there was much friendly banter the game was a must win for the 1s whilst the 2s were desperate for the points, and goals, as well. The Ladies 1s are currently top of the league and are fighting to the very last match for promotion.
The game started brightly when Amy Crouch scored after a goalmouth melee. Crouch was one of two players who haven't managed to get on the score sheet all season so the team got over-excited about this and the Ladies 2s capitalised on this and hit back with a well worked goal passing and moving down the pitch before Sue Tate hit the backboard.
With the scores back to even, the Ladies 1s calmed down and set about trying to play their own game. There were many chances in front of goal but the Ladies 2s keeper was up to the task and made many great saves. The deadlock was broken however when Hannah Coe made a fine darting run and found Becky Wells in the circle, who clinically finished. Before half time Coe again was the instigator as she ran from deep, with the opposition struggling to keep up with her, she went all the way in the circle and scored to take the game into the half time break.
The second half was as entertaining as the first, as the Ladies 2s put lots of pressure on the Ladies 1s and they carved out some good play and counter-attacking moves. The Ladies 1s had to fight to get on top of the match and for the neutrals it was a good game to watch.
Thankfully, for the Ladies 1s, they increased the scoreline and made sure of the 3 much needed points. Laura Donaldson crossed the ball across the face of the goal for Dani Ashwell to score. Donaldson then turned scorer as she was fed from a penalty corner to finish from the left hand side, and then with another penalty corner Kate Lambert came up from the back to get in on the act.
The final score 6-1 to the Ladies 1s, and with Manning HC losing to Southwell Brincliffe HC, the team are now back on top of the league with one game to go. And that final game of the season is versus Manning so should be an entertaining end to the season. The Ladies 2s played extremely well and should take a lot of positives into their final game versus Beeston 4s.
Ladies 1s Player: Hannah Coe
Ladies 2s Player: Lilian Dean
Ladies 3s
Newark hosted SBU 3's on a very bright morning with most of the usual squad back in action. They started out strong, attacking hard and passing well around the D. Success was quick, in the 4th minute, as Ann Crockett-McLean took a shot with Tash Gresswell picking up the rebound off the keeper to score.
Southwell tried to push up, but quick action from Sue Birkett and Emily Crisp stopped their efforts. Sara Jackson, using her speed on the right, made sure the ball was moved back into the opposition's half. Zoe White picked up the ball in the middle and took it into the right of the D, scoring goal number 2 before 10 minutes had passed.
Newark were soon awarded a short corner but were unable to convert. They made up for it shortly after as a scramble in the D saw Maddie Horrocks, Ali Wells and Izzy Wells all make attempts at scoring. Izzy was last to hit the ball as it touched a SBU defender before crossing the goal line.
Half time talk from coach Paul refocused Newark who, despite being in the lead, were starting to become complacent. Losing Ann to a family trip, a bare 11 Newark started to struggle as SBU suddenly started fighting. Lily Dean got in on the action as keeper and Hannah Bond got in the way of some great balls from SBU, stopping a shot on goal with her knee at one point.
Newark were awarded 2 more short corners without success. A 3rd short was spot on as The ball was slipped to Rachel Spolton on the left, who hit it home.
Score 4-0
Player: Tash Gresswell