Blues claim bragging rights

Thanks to Stan Wilton for the match report.

Both sides benefitted from playing this local derby on a Friday evening. Collingham were delighted with the bumper 265 attendance swelled also by the bar sales, burger bar, programmes and badges stall, whilst tenants Newark Town came from behind to take all three points and move into second place in the North Division table thus keeping their promotion hopes alive.
The first half was nothing to write home about being a typical local derby in which bragging rights were more important than playing open attacking football. Drew Allwood had an early free kick punched clear by Nathan Burrows, and a free kick from Thomas Moore was headed wide by Allwood. Collingham made a bright start but twice Allwood’s crosses went begging in front of goal. Likewise, no one could reach two decent George Pearce crosses for Newark, although Keiran Wall flicked a Pearce corner wide from possibly the clearest cut chance of this first period. The game was played at a frenetic pace and Wall also saw his powerful drive beaten away by Spencer.
The second half was much better, particularly after Collingham had broked the deadlock in the 55th minute. Will Nelson had an eventful evening for the Blues, getting caught in possession by LUKE CLIFFORD who ran clear to round Burrows and tap into an empty net. The unfortunate Newark player had been yellow carded two minutes earlier by Referee Forder, but he appeared to be somewhat hasty with his cards.
Marlon Grundy might have increased the home lead when he went clear down the left only to put his shot into the side netting with Clifford unmarked in the middle. There followed a hectic scramble in the Town goalmouth which saw home pressure relieved when Burrows scrambled the ball round the upright for a fruitless Collingham corner. A curling shot from Luke Clifford bent narrowly round the wrong side of Burrows’ left hand upright before Town levelled somewhat against the run of play.
It was indeed a superb strike from JAMES LLOYD from a free kick a couple of yards outside the penalty area. A one step run up, caught the ball perfectly, and it nestled in the top left hand corner of Spencer’s goal to restore parity to the occasion on 67 minutes. Within four minutes Town had turned the game on its head with a second, and what proved to be the winning, goal. Again, the quality of the execution left little to be desired as substitute DOMINIC SWINGLER rattled home in perfect style an exquisite low shot through a crowded penalty area after a Newark corner had been beaten out. Thus this 71st minute goal meant an exciting conclusion to a game which certainly woke up in the second half.
The young Collingham side worked hard to try to get a point out of the game as Will Nelson’s dismissal for a second bookable offence not only left the visitors to see out the game with ten men, but set up Collingham with a free kick in a similar position to the one which had provided their tenants with the lead. Clifford though couldn’t find the target with his shot and Burrows was able to watch the ball swing safely wide of his goal. Clifford also shot wide on the turn from a Jackson Wilkinson pass as the substitute cut inside to provide the chance.
There were late chances at both ends but no addition to the score. Wilkinson failing to climb high enough to reach a right wing cross when unmarked in front of goal for Collingham, and Tyler Martin shooting narrowly wide when going for the bottom corner at the other end as Swingler’s lovely run from the left provided the opportunity.
YELLOW CARDS: Colljngham – Thomas Moore (87)
Newark Town – Will Nelson (53 and 76), Stuart Rose (61), Sam Wilford (90+3)
RED CARD: Will Nelson (76) two yellows
OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE: 265
STAR PERFORMER: Sam Wilford (Newark Town)