A win at Beeston is always good
Ladies 2’s v Beeston 4s
Newark Ladies 2s travelled to Beeston on Saturday going into the game in second position in the league with Beeston only 2 points adrift. From a Beeston start,Newark took control of possession and created some early chances. It was Beeston who struck the first blow, however, allowed too much space at the top of the D, a reverse stick shot could not be stopped and the home side made it 1-0 after a few minutes.
Newark soon levelled from a penalty corner, Anna Hall firing the ball out to Shanade Bradley who slipped it to Sarah Pask, sending it back to Bradley to turn in the goal. 1-1. Pask then put Newark ahead, scoring in open play from a Hannah Beckett pass after drawing the keeper out. Beckett was next on the scoresheet (there’s a pattern here...!), another Pask assist; the attacking formation were pulling wide and creating acres of space in the centre.
Feeling confident Newark were pressing high and Beeston pulled one back to make it 2-3 following a quick counter attack. Beckett extended the lead again after a Newark counter started from the back, Amy Crouch launched a ball down the line to Beatrice who sent it in for Pask who in turn set up Beckett. Newark’s 5th was another well worked team goal, this time Beckett to Katherine Hawkins in the perfect position to push the ball home. With Newark’s backs still holding a high formation Beeston pounced on a loose ball and scored the final goal to finish 3-5.
Ladies 3’s v SBU 2’s
Following a string of losses for the 3’s, the ladies came up against SBUs this weekend who are bottom of the league were previously beaten by Newark in the first half of the season. With the odds in Newark’s favour, the team felt confident that they could get the win they so desperately need.
Despite losing a couple of key players to other teams this week, coach Paul Halfpenny coordinated a strong line-up and the ladies started the match well, keeping possession of the ball and making several attacking runs into the SBUs D. Centre forward Ellie showed skill, dribbling past a number of defenders and producing some great strikes on goal, but the Southwell goalie managed to keep the score at 0-0.
Newark continued to move the ball well, defender Lyndsey Sayer calmly cleared the ball from defence with Danielle Croson producing some impressive aerial balls. Mid-field players Sophie Chambers and Zoe White showed skill in the centre, distributing the ball around SBU players and utilising the speed of wingers Maddie Horrocks and Ann Crockett-McLean. Despite winning several penalty corners from their hard work, Newark were unable to get on the scoreboard and with minutes before the end of the first half to go, SBU’s broke the defence and scored.
After a re-group at half time, the ladies showed some fighting spirit and applied pressure on the SBU defence. Ellie’s persistence paid off and she scored from open play, finally giving Newark the boost they needed, leading to a well-earnt second goal from Sophie Chambers.
SBU’s responded and put the pressure on the Newark defenders sending two attacking players to goal hang in the Newark defensive D, and the away side fought hard, winning a number of penalty corners, but GK Freya Grocock made some fantastic saves, aided by some great defending by Rachel Spolton, Lyndsey Sayer and Emily Crisp.
An unfortunate clash with another player whilst chasing the ball for Newark winger Holly Ainsworth meant play was stopped for both players to receive medical attention. Super-sub Thea who was debuting for the 3’s came on and showed great grit and determination on the left wing.
In the final 10 minutes, Newark managed the match well, keeping possession of the ball and playing a more defensive game to keep hold of the win. A final run from Ellie resulted in her second goal of the match andleft the final score at a convincing 3-1 win for Newark.
Ladies 4’s v Beeston 6’s
Following a penalty corner in Newark’s favour after ten minutes, Beeston got first blood with an immediate counter attack to score less than a minute later. Some great work at the back by Moira Chambers and Polly kept the ball away from the goal and a successful defence of a penalty corner ensued, helped by the experience of Jacky Nullis and some great saves by goalie Clare Dent.
Beeston added a second goal, closely followed by a third from a great shot on the edge of the D and the Newark game fell into disarray. Beeston’s fourth goal came from a penalty corner and a fifth soon followed. A penalty corner was awarded to Beeston just prior to the half time whistle, but a great mid-air clearance from Moira Chambers prevented another goal.
With Newark down 5-0 at half time, coach James Barker had to fire the team up and make them believe in themselves and it was a different team that went out onto the pitch for the second half. Great work from Eliza and Kate worked the ball down the pitch for the attack but Newark were unable to capitalise on this, despite winning another penalty corner. Beeston made a lucky break past the backs, who had pushed forward, leaving goalie Clare Dent to come off her line to try to defend, but the Beeston attackers worked around her and slotted a sixth goal into the back of the net.
Tenacious play from Zara and Vicky in the centre started to take effect and Zara made a great run down the right wing to cross the ball into the D and find the waiting Eliza, who hit the ball firmly into the back of the goal to finally get Newark onto the scoreboard. This goal lifted the team and some nifty work from newcomer Amelie on the wing gave Newark more chances but time was running out and we had to settle for just the one consolation goal.
Final score Beeston 6 Newark 1
Player of the match - votes were spread over a number of players, but honours went to Moira and Zara.
Men’s 1s v Men’s 2s
After a 1-0 win for the 1s earlier this season, the stakes were high for the 1’s and they lived up to expectation winning 8-0 with gaols from Sam Gallop (3) Ryan (2), Dan Beeching, Kian Hunter and Stevie Littlewood who dived head first to deflect Sam Smith’s strike into the roof of the net. A tough loss for the Men’s 2s who face Chesterfield 2s at home next week.
Men’s 3s v Coalville 5’s
After a close draw last week, the 3’s hosted Coalville 5’s at home on Saturday. Newark played Coalville at the start of the season losing 2-1 in a tight match. Since then the 3’s have had a difficult season and narrowing missed out on a win last week to West Bridgford. The team played well and managed to secure a 1-1 draw, with a goal from …… Next week the team face top table team North Notts 4s.
