Martin double sees Town home

Newark produced a lacklustre first half display, and despite having more of the ball they struggled to create any meaningful chances early on, with a turn and shot from Dom Swingler that was well saved the closest they came to taking the lead.
Bentley’s main strength was their attacking play, and they opened the scoring in the 22nd minute as Ryan Nicholson found himself in space in the Newark area, he beat Luke Parsons and slammed his shot into the bottom corner.
The goal seemed to spark Newark into life, and they should have equalised when Sam Wilford was set clear on goal. He ran through one on one but could only smash his shot against the bar. The rebound fell to Swingler but his shot was somehow deflected away by the goalkeeper.
Swingler was able to atone for his miss just moments later, as he confidently dispatched an Ian Hillier cross with a first time effort to score his first goal of the season. Half time came at the wrong time as Newark began to build up a head of steam.
Manager Tony Joynes hadn’t been happy with his side’s performance in the first half and rang the changes at the break, with Ricki O’Connell and debutant Stefan Bilyk brought on in place of Rhys Stanley and Jamie Brooks.
Bilyk almost made an immediate impact, latching onto a loose ball from Reece Self before sending a shot towards the top corner which was well saved by Mike Teale.
Newark’s performance was improving by the minute, and they continued to increase the pressure , finally taking the lead in the 67th minute after a superb through ball from Swingler found Martin who tucked his close range shot under the keeper.
He added his second just moments later as Bentley’s solid performance began to unravel. Wilford produced a cross from the right that Swingler turned onto the post, but Martin was on hand with the rebound to smash his shot into the net to take the game beyond Bentley.
The Blues couldn’t add to their goal tally, but went close through efforts from Bilyk, who terrorised the defence with a quick turn of pace. He turned a header just wide of the post in the dying moments of the game.
Joynes was satisfied with the three points, even if the performance didn’t totally convince.
“At the end of the day it’s a win, but I was very disappointed with the first half. Even before the game we didn’t look up for it.
“I told the lads a few home truths at half time, and to be fair after the break we were camped in their half. We’ve come here today and have got away with it. On another day we would have been in trouble,” he said.