Emily Crisp reports
Newark Men’s 1s vs Derby 1s
This weekend saw the men’s 1s return to the form that gave them the results at the start of the season. Away to a currently well performing Derby 1s team, Newark went into the game with high spirits. This was seen in a dominant first half performance where everything but goals went Newark’s way.
A number of chances were created, with back post deflections from short corners narrowly missing being the closest Newark got to pushing ahead.
A surprised looking Derby team came out stronger in the second half and challenged the defensive resilience of Newark. The breakthrough came for Newark as Sam Smith scored an impressive goal with his trademark spin to push Newark to a deserved lead.
This was unfortunately followed soon after with a well taken goal for the home team, one of the Derby players found themselves free in the D and looped the ball over the keeper.
Although both teams attempted to break the deadlock no more goals were scored and Newark came away pleased with finally getting another point in the board after some disappointing results.
Newark Ladies’ 1s v Repton
Reptonn the old Medieval Capital of Mercia, was the latest venue for Newark Ladies 1st XI. The hosts were the early front runners in Midlands Feeder East, boasting a wealth of talent within their ranks, some of it international.
Newark were on the back foot from the start with both captain and vice-captain absent and the sharp shooting Reptonaveraging just under 7 goals per game.
The visitors started the brighter, surging runs from Hannah, Dani & Rosie stunned the home team, who quickly realised they had a battle on their hands.
Repton oozed power & pace & soon turned the tables putting the visitors under waves of pressure. Second string keeper Lily was having the game of her life, thwarting the home attack time after time, sadly for Newark, Repton took the lead on 16 minutes with a goal to grace any international game.
Newark continued to battle looking for a reply, Hannah Coe & Laura Harris were now starting to be a thorn in the home defence, but alas that final telling pass was snuffed out by the Repton defence.
On 20 minutes the hosts rifled the ball home, from a slick penalty corner routine, only for the decision to be overturned. Newark though only survived a further 3 minutes & this time the goal stood.
So, 2 – 0 at half time & the visitors were upbeat, thoroughly enjoying the challenge.
The second half matched the first half with Repton, pressurising the Newark goal. Katie Sandell led the resistance in defence backed up by Shanade Bradley, Dani Croson & Rachel Vickers who all were playing exceptional hockey to keep the hosts at bay.
Sadly, for Newark Repton added 2 goals, the first on 39 minutes & the second on 45 minutes, but in light of recent results this was still positive.
Not to be outdone the “dream team” Jade Feavyour & stand in captain Katherine Hawkins both found themselves breaking through the ranks from the screen, to lead from the front. Backed up by the energetic Ellie, Newark never gave up, continually making the hosts work.
2 goals in the final 6 minutes put Repton’s goal tally back towards their average, but a never say die attitude by Newark ensured spirits were high.
Goalkeeper Lilly received player of the match for an outstanding performance in goal.
Newark Ladies 2’s v West Bridgford
Newark Ladies 2s started out a little tentative but with a solid squad of 13 soon settled in and started hitting the West Bridgford defence hard, however, with Newark defence pushing up, WB hit a high ball, Anna Hall and Hollie clashed to defend the goal and conceded a short corner which WB converted on going up 1-0.
Newark continued with high press tactics, capitalising on withsome crisp passing for Sarah Pask to pick up and slip past the keeper. Newark were awarded a series of short corners and all routines failed to convert. It was again in open play that Shanade and Bea were perfectly placed for the high defence and midfield to feed balls in to score one a piece.
Newark continued to look strong and kept there pace in midfield with Rachel Vickers, Amy Crouch and Sarah Pask, and wingers Gabi and Bea kept the width which were both then lacking in the WB team and were awarded more short corners, the most successful play coming from clean strikes giving Shanade her match hat trick and a half time score of 5-1.
Newark went into the 2nd half with the same determination and remained in WBs half. Lindsey Sayer, Trish Trafford, Anna and Mel Woods from defence were able to come high and Mel was prime position, unmarked on the left to receive a long corner ball from Amy to pass it to Sarah on the edge of WB’s D who was able to sneak between 3 defenders and place the ball exactly where she wanted in the net giving her 2nd of the game. Newark were awarded more short corners but it’s wasn’t until the final whistle and last short corner that Sara Jackson picked up a slip right ball to score reverse stick in the left corner. Final score a well-deserved 7-1.
Newark Ladies 3’s v Beeston 4’s
The Ladies 3s have had some frustrating matches recently and set out looking for a win to keep them above the relegation zone in the league. The team started well, with defence working hard to work the ball around the pitch, with some great lead balls to the midfield and wingers. Beeston began to push players high with two goal hanging, although any pressure on goal was swiftly dealt with by GK Freya.
Beeston increased the pressure on the Newark defence and won several penalty corners in quick succession. Hannah Bond made some cracking tackles, clearing the ball confidently with help from Jacky Nullis, although Beeston broke play a few minutes later, scoring from a reverse strike in the D.
Newark responded, some great work from Zoe White and some impressive stick work from Sophie Chambers let to a one on one situation in the attacking D for Sophie which after a save from the goalie, Sophie calmly converted. Half time score was 1-1.
After half time, Newark looked tired and lethargic, and some silly mistakes from the defence left GK Freya exposed and Beeston scored. Newark woke up and began to work together again to try and claw back a goal, Tash Gresswell used her speed on the wing leaving Beeston players standing and produced some great opportunities for the attackers, but despite gaining some attacking penalty corners, Newark failed to equalise. Beeston continued to put the pressure on the defence and after a series of penalty corners, they scored again. Full time score, 1-3.
Player of the match – Emily Crisp, with votes for Susan Tate, Freya (GK) and Zoe White.
Newark Ladies O35s Vs West Bridgford O35s – EH Cup Match
Final score: Newark 4, W Bridgford 2
The first half started with teams evenly matched. Signs of tired legs from the previous day’s match were evident with a few late tackles going in. After a couple of great saves from keeper, Di Jones, some smart passing from the Bridgford team found a player on the left post to squeeze it her right foot – first blood to West Bridgford!
The even play continued and Newark found themselves with a short corner: the straight strike from Trish Trafford rebounded off the keeper only to be collected by an astute Sarah Pask and slotted home.
The first half finished 1-1, and the second half started with much the same end-to-end play, with neither team breaking through the opposition barricades. Anna Hall, Jacky Nullis, Lyndsey Sayer and Hannah Bond were solid in defence, and Di Jones, packing at the back, remained in control of her D, until West Bridgford managed to sneak a cheeky short corner which they blasted to the left corner of the goal with aplomb – 2-1 to the home team.
Newark responded with great passing play and upped the pace of the game, with midfielders Katherine Hawkins, Rachael Vickers, Sarah Pask, Trish Trafford and Susan Tate all moving well. Sam Wade and Mel Woods kept the width and made the runs, while Sara Jackson kept the Bridgford defence on their toes with some menacing approaches on the goal. A clever pass from Mel, followed by a sweet dink from Sara found Sarah Pask in front of goal and there was no doubt about Newark’s second goal, levelling the score at 2 all.
It was then only a matter of time as Newark were clearly on top of the game now. A short corner was slipped left to Sarah Pask who dribbled around the defence to pop home Newark’s 3rd goal and achieve her hattrick. The final goal came in open play after some great pair passing from Trish and Pasky gave Trish a great opportunity that she did not squander.
Final score 4-2 to Newark!
Moment of the match: Di Jones great save as she fell over, nicely squeezing the ball between buttock and pitch to send it whizzing over the side-line!