Swingler double boosts Town to derby win

With Sam Wilford, Arron Martin, Ed Munton and Luke Hutchinson absent, Luke Smith, Craig Rhodes, Callum Fraser, Max King and Jammy Lloyd were all in the starting line-up. The Blues got off to the perfect start, Dom Swingler converting a Fraser ball across the area with just 2 minutes on the clock. King then sent a long range lob just too high before Anthony Brown levelled for the home side on 21 minutes, with the Town defence appealing for offside. The next offside decision went in Town's favour as what appeared to be a perfectly good Southwell goal was chalked off. Swingler put Newark ahead again on 33 minutes with a well struck 25 yarder. On the stroke of half time it was all square again, Stef Whitely evading two challenges to give Rhodes no chance.
The second half saw both sides go close the match being finally settled on 69 minutes with a quality goal from Rick Brewer who ghosted (!) past the defence and chipped the ball over the advancing keeper. As time ran out Damian Lloyd was thwarted by a fingertip save and Joe Brumpton saw his volley hit the post. This was an excellent workout for both teams, appreciated by a sizeable crowd.