Quickfire goals sink Town

Manager Kevin O’Neill said eight crazy minutes condemned under-strength Newark Town to a seventh away league defeat.
After battling hard to remain goalless at the break, the Blues were blown away at the start of the second period. “I can’t ask any more of them at the moment,” O’Neill said. “You can’t fault the effort of the lads who turn up every week and give it their all. They were poor goals to concede from our point of view. Brodsworth took their chances and unfortunately we didn’t.”
The best chance early on for Brodsworth fell to Brad Sykes, who somehow failed to convert from close range as the ball bounced around the penalty area. Andy Palmer was impressive for Newark in the first-half and nearly went through on goal for their first chance, but lost control when played in by Chris Self. Right-back Baxter Smith, a new signing, made an impressive debut putting in some good runs. Newark looked more confident than in recent matches until they reached the danger area, when a lack of composure and quality with the final ball meant their opponents faced few worries.
Brodsworth struck the bar and also hit a first-time effort just wide in the opening half.
The game was even going into the half-time break, and with Newark kicking with the wind in the second-half they had scope for optimism after they went in all square at the break.
However the second-half proved a different story as Brodsworth came out with purpose and took advantage of some lapses in defence. Town keeper Sam Russell produced a fine double save at the start of the second-half, but was powerless to stop an emphatic strike from close-range by Bradley Maddison in the 54th minute. Two minutes later the home side doubled their lead when a one-on-one chance was converted by Sykes as he tore past the defence. Brodsworth hit the post through Josh Dodd and also saw a header go wide before a Sykes lob over Russell in the 62nd minute ended the match as a contest.
Despite the onslaught in front of goal, Newark kept battling to keep the score down, and FP McGregor put in an outstanding performance at centre back.
Newark struggled to create clear openings, although they had late half-chances through Self, who shot over, and Will Fry, who also went close. Despite exerting some late pressure on the defence, there was no way back with Brodsworth settling for their three goals.

Rick Lane