Newark Town 3 – 0 Mickleover Reserves

Newark Town 3 – 0 Mickleover Reserves
In what proved to be their stiffest pre-season fixture so far, Town faced a Mickleover side which featured a mix of youth and experience, which included a couple of 16 year olds and former Premier League star Clinton Morrison.
Still playing behind closed doors, Town threatened in the first minute as Daryl Price met a lofted cross from the right on the full, forcing a full-length save from the keeper. Price’s pace caused the visitors defence problems in the early stages, but Mickleover soon began to threaten, a wind-assisted ball from the back wrong-footing Matthew Clarke and forcing Nathan Burrows into a good block. Another penetrating run from the visitors’ number nine was closed down with difficulty, and with Morrison directing operations from midfield, Town were under considerable pressure. Many of the Mickleover attacks were frustrated by the offside flag, while Town found themselves up against a dogged and well-organised back four. Newark had a let off just before half time as Louis Pennington blasted a free kick against the bar, the hosts being happy to still be on level terms as the half time whistle sounded.
Newark again had an early chance in the opening minute of the second half as Jonny Wiles’ free kick shaved the outside of the post, the same player involved minues later as his header found the back of the net, but yet another offside flag saw it ruled out. Town still had to contend with considerable pressure but the back four acquitted themselves well, Clarke put Martin offside as Price fired a fierce drive through a crowded penalty area which the goalkeeper could only parry, Tyler Martin slotting home the loose ball. The linesman raised his flag for offside and after heated protests from the Town players the referee correctly overruled him, as he concluded that Morrison had deliberately stepped off the pitch to put Martin in an offside position. The goal seemed to inspire the home side as they began to push forward, Price again having the ball in the net as he challenged the keeper for an ill-judged backpass but handled in the process. Burrows then made a brave dive at the feet of Brody Carter as he looked certain to equalise before Town doubled their lead in questionable fashion on 86 minutes. After the ball had struck the referee, an uncontested dropped ball was driven straight past the keeper by Jordan Thomas. There was no doubt about Newark’s third goal a minute from time as Tom Moore flashed a firm shot across the area and into the corner of the net to give the final scoreline a somewhat flattering look.
Manager Luke Parsons said “That was by far the toughest workout we’ve had yet. Mickleover were very well drilled side who passed the ball very well and were on top in the first half. We changed the formation at half time which improved things. We showed we can dig in and turn things round when we have to. I thought we looked to have the edge in fitness in the last 15 which is a reflection of the work we’ve put in” Parsons singled out the performance of striker Elliott Dye for special praise Town now face a Sherwood Colliery XI on Wednesday night before travelling to Armthorpe next Saturday, the first outing in front of a crowd this season.