Newark Town 6 – 0 Bourne Town

For the third Saturday running the Blues took on higher league opposition, putting on a highly impressive performance to outplay United Counties League side Bourne. Town fielded new signing Matthew Clarke in the middle of the defence and trialist Mark Faflik, an attacking midfield player.
Newark opened brightly, having the lion’s share of the early possession with full backs Zak Johnson and Tom Moore succeeding in stretching the visitors’ defence as they attacked down the flanks. Johnson set up the first real chance for Town but Faflik’s shot was just too high. The Blues took the lead on 19 minutes, Daryl Price slipping the ball to Moore, whose cross was hammered home by Lewis Chambers. The lead was almost doubled a couple of minutes later, Faflick’s free kick catching the top of the bar after Chambers had been brought down, but the second goal was not long in coming as on 27 minutes the ball was worked down the right to be expertly converted by Faflick. Town were allowing Bourne little opportunity to get a foothold in the game, Nathan Burrows having little to do in the Town goal. Sub Tyler Martin then shot narrowly wide and saw another effort punched clear by the visiting keeper after being put through by Lewis Cook.
Newark resumed the offensive at the start of the second half, the hardworking Jonny Wiles having a 30 yard drive saved before setting up a flowing move involving Moore which ended with both Faflik and Cook having close range shots blocked. Martin was again denied by a diving save by the Bourne keeper, who parried the shot over the bar. Moore then crashed a 30 yard screamer against the woodwork before Newark effectively settled the match with two goals in the space of a minute. On 66 minutes a break from the Town half saw Bourne stretched at the back Chambers bursting through to play in Rhys Lewis, whose neat backheel gave Craig Bridge the space to launch a 30 yard piledriver into the top corner. Lewis then switched from provider to scorer as he hit home a ball from Martin to put Town four up. Bourne had very little opportunity to strike back, falling further behind in the 81st minute as Chambers doubled his tally, Bridge ending the scoring five minutes later as he swept the ball out wide to Moore before receiving the return ball to bring matters to a close.
Manager Luke Parsons was delighted at the performance. “ Although Bourne are at a higher level, we decided to play a new formation this afternoon with the emphasis on attack. The players responded superbly and everyone out there put in the effort, there were no weak links. We found space all over the field, attacking with both full backs and wing backs. We’re really starting to see the benefits of the hard work that’s been put in over the recent weeks”.
Newark’s Development team were also in action, coming out of their game with Sherwood Colliery’s Development side with a 2-2 draw. After going a goal down, Harrison Holland equalised for Newark with a long range shot. Joe Bilton put Town ahead with a lob over the keeper before Sherwood levelled things with a late penalty.

Richard Lane