Three weeks ago Newark defeated Dronfield Reserves 3-1 away from home but the South Yorkshire side turned the tables scoring late in the game to take the points. Keeper Craig Rhodes returned to the Blues line up after this week’s transfer along with Rikki Peterson from Lincoln Moorlands. After just two minutes, Charles Bradwell broke through the centre of the Town defence and from ten yards placed the ball wide of Rhodes. Callum Ranyard made a perfectly timed run to meet a cross from the left which was side-footed home but was marginally ruled offside. Three minutes into the second half a great two footed save by Rhodes prevented a certain Dronfield goal. On the hour the visitors doubled their lead after a run and cross from the left was met with a simple tap in by Tyrone O’Kane. Five minutes Newark pulled a goal back through Callum Ranyard after a loose ball broke well for him, and was neatly dispatched from twelve yards. The scores were level on 68 minutes when a forward run resulted in Mark Walker being brought down on the edge of the area. Kyle Nicholson thumped home the resulting penalty. Newark began to play with more confidence and for several minutes were the better side dominating play but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. However with ten minutes remaining, Dronfield were awarded a free kick on the right touchline some forty yards from goal. A curling ball into a crowded penalty area caused confusion that resulted in the ball being forced over the line for Bradwell’s second and Dronfield’s third and winning goal. On the day the young Dronfield side which had nine players under the age of twenty and a 17 year old goal keeper deservedly took the points.

Report by Francis Towndrow