A Fantastic Performance

Newark welcomed Great Gonerby to Devon Park this weekend. The visitors had not dropped points from their first two games and so all was set up for a tough game. I'd only popped to the pavilion for a few minutes at the start and on my return we had fallen behind. A sloppy goal by all accounts but we soon settled. Both teams shared lots of possession in the middle of the field and goal scoring changes were being created at both ends. Max Bower in goal was in fine form again producing a string of good saves. Ben Leese came close at the other end, when his long range shot hit the upright.
The leveller was a real beauty, Adam Hall was involved with some fine attacking play on the right hand side of the box, the ball looped up on the edge of the penalty area and what a pleasure it was to see Ben Leese with fantastic thunderous shot right into the top corner of the goal giving the keeper no chance. It was sporting to see all who were there from both sets of supporters applauding a mark of top quality.

Half Time Newark Town 1 Great Gonerby 1

Newark defended as a team after the interval and man for man gave as good as they got. Chances were created at both ends. Gonerby again took the lead half way through the half when a through ball was perfect for the striker who rounded Max and put his side one up again. It was great to see that Newark were not disheartened. They were really playing as team and still creating opportunities, Theo Stevens went very close to drawing up level. Minutes later Ben Leese was through on goal and the only way of stopping him was to concede a free kick on the edge of the area. Ben decided he was going to take this one and in any other circumstances his curling free kick into the top corner would have been the talking point - just an indication of how good his first strike was.
It was getting very tense towards the end with both sides able to clinch victory. With about a minute left Newark were attacking and from outside the area Toby Hampton picked up the ball, his strike was accurate and had the keeper beaten all ends up! - how unlucky it was to see the ball drop on the top of the crossbar and away to safety.

Full Time Newark Town 2 Great Gonerby 2

A wonderful performance by the whole team, showing passion, desire, and an ability to never give up. A good point well deserved ......but it could have been all three.