Emily Crisp reports
Newark Ladies 2’s V Notts Players
Notts Players started with pushback but with coach Sally’s advice to hit hard from the beginning, the ball was stolen by Hannah Coe who swiftly passed it to Sara Jackson at top D who crossed the ball over to Shanade Bradley in perfect position on left post to make it 1-0 in the first minute.
Players coach was shouting at the team to wake up with the retake but once again Hannah Coe intercepted the ball, passed it left to Sarah Pask who then found Gabi coming in from the right to pass it to Sara who found space between the keepers pads! With a 2-0 score line in the first few minutes Newark thought the 3-5-2 formation was working and became complacent and for 10mins Players put pressure on the Newark defensive line up of Anna Hall, Mel Woods, Rachel Vickers and Lauren Verrills who needed to defend a series of short corners.
Super sub Amy Crouch joined the team on right wing to find Sara with a beautiful deep line pass however one on one with the keeper, Sara couldn’t convert. Sarah, Shanade, Bea and Gabi were also unable to capitalise further with Players tight defensive formation even with some crisp balls hit into the D by Rachel Vickers.
Half time saw Newark revert back to a 4-5-1 formation and include Amber Smith in the defensive line up preventing Players getting the ball to their 2 “goal hangers” which settled Newark back into a passing game. Their attacks were awarded with a few short corners but the routines weren’t to work for the 2s today and the final goal was again from open play when Sarah Pask put in a perfect tackle to steal the ball at Players 23 to take it round 3 more defenders and tip it over the approaching goal keeper to Sara who was waiting behind to slot it in.
Final score 3-0.
Newark Ladies 3s v Notts Uni
It was always going to be a tough match for the 3’s, up against top of the table team Notts Uni who have consistently been winning matches with the score line going into double figures. Nonetheless, the team turned out on a drizzly cold morning to face the Uni team at home and put up a great fight. Uni worked the ball well and played together as a unit showing some real skill. The Newark defence equally pulled together as a team, supporting the defence and keeping the score at 0-0 for the first 20 minutes.
The Uni were clearly frustrated, and despite winning numerous penalty corners, did not manage to convert any thanks to GK Freya and defender Zoe White keeping them at bay. However, after a quick break, the Uni team scored from a deflection in the D, shortly followed by 2 goals in quick succession. After a Newark foot on the goal line, Uni won a penalty flick. Newark were clearly upset at the score, andwent into half-time 5-0 down.
The team picked up after a half time talk, fresh legs on the pitch with several super-subs meant the midlfield continued to work tirelessly, Susan Tate in particular caused havoc in the Uni set pieces. Newark began to look tired and Uni took full advantage of this; the Uni team won numerous penalty corners, but did not convert any thanks to the hard work of the defenders Lyndsey Sayer, Hannah Bond and Jacky Nullis. Emily Crisp and Ellie used different tactics to try and clear the ball to wingers Mallory Towlson and Tash Gresswell who made some fantastic runs up the wings, with some incredible aerial balls from Ellie.
However, Notts Uni were a strong team who continued to battle and scored several more goals from open play. Final score, 10-0 to Notts Uni.
Player of the match – Susan Tate, closely followed by GK Freya Grocock.
Mens
It was a tough weekend for the Mens sides, the 1s lost 5-3 to Mansfield, whilst the 2s struggled against South Notts, losing 11-0. The 3s also lost 2-4 in a close match at home to North Notts.
All teams are looking forward to a break over Christmas and will come back fighting in the new year.