Back to back double for Blues

History repeated itself at Station Road on Saturday as for the second time in a week Newark Town came from behind to take all three points against their Derbyshire opponents. In an otherwise unchanged line up Town gave a debut to new signing Jason Westwood, and Reece Self started in place of the injured Jordan Thomas.
In a start reminiscent of the last encounter Newark conceded an early goal, falling behind in the second minute. Craig Rhodes brought off a brave diving save from James Whitfield, but the ball fell to the incoming Josh Parfitt who tapped the rebound into the empty net. Town’s sluggish start continued and they were fortunate not to concede a second on 16 minutes as Jason Foster’s shot went narrowly wide. Westwood exerted pressure on Parfitt to snuff out another dangerous break, but that was his last involvement as he suffered a groin strain and was replaced by James Munson. The Blues’ first attempt on goal wasn’t until the 27th minute, Darren Townsley playing in Luke Hutchinson who unleashed a low volley which Ryan Lawty did well to block on the line. The visitors continued to have the lion’s share of possession, Whitfield forcing another good save from Rhodes as Town reached the break, relieved to be just one goal adrift.
Ricki O’Connell replaced Townsley on the right hand side of the defence after the interval. As Glapwell continued to have the upper hand, Ashley Grayson wasted a golden opportunity to increase the lead, heading over from close range. Rhodes again thwarted Whitfield, deflecting an angled drive wide of the post on 55 minutes before Tony Joynes made his final substitution on the hour, Ian Hillier coming on for Chris Dobbie. The complexion of the game changed completely in the space of three minutes midway through the half. With 67 minutes on the clock Munson was brought down in the area by Jonathan Heston, Alex Hales stepping up to send keeper Ryan Hopkins the wrong way. On 70 minutes Town were in front with a simple but brilliantly executed goal. Hutchinson sent in an inch perfect ball from the left which was met with a firmly directed header from Reece Self. Glapwell weren’t finished and Rhodes continued to frustrate Whitfield, beating a fierce volley away from the danger area. Chances became fewer as the game entered the final stages, but with time running out the visitors attempted to replicate Newark’s finish of last week. Sam Wilford hacked away a threatening ball into the area from Lawty and with the final action of the match a wicked cross from Adam Kimberley saw Rhodes set the seal on a fine performance as he and O’Connell combined to block the goalbound shot. This completed an excellent double for the Blues who certainly rode their luck at times, and left their opponents wondering just how they had let six points out of their grasp.