Town topple the leaders

In what was arguably the best performance a Town side has produced in the past few seasons, the Blues travelled to Scunthorpe and ended the last 100% record in the division with an outstanding display. The hosts had won all seven of their previous league matches and were presented with the August Team of the Month award before the kick off.
Nathan Burrows was the first keeper in action, blocking an effort from Bradbury with his knees, but Newark retaliated with Jordan Cummings’ teasing free kick almost reaching Luke Parsons. With 13 minutes played Town shocked the home side as a sweeping crossfield ball from Julian Joachim was picked up by Arron Martin who advanced to the edge of the area before striking his shot past the advancing Shaw and into the far corner. The Appleby keeper then produced an excellent fingertip save from a powerful Cummings shot as Newark pressed forward. Burrows did well to catch an awkwardly deflected shot from Ellerby, while McCarron headed wide from a good position thanks to the close attention of Richard Dent. A long ball forward by Rick Brewer caused problems for Shaw who just managed to push the ball clear from the inrushing Tyler Martin. The Blues defence, with Will Nelson and Parsons dominant, dealt well with the home side’s attacks, and as Newark again threatened, a free kick driven straight through the Appleby defence found Dom Swingler, who just failed to find the correct angle to beat Shaw.
Appleby turned up the heat at the start of the second half, McCarron failing to control the ball when in a promising position and Burrows defecting a goalbound shot from Watson with his feet, before the resulting corner was headed narrowly over the bar. Nelson then thwarted the dangerous Hutson as he shot, the ball diverted into Burrows’ arms. After absorbing the pressure Newark gave themselves a two goal cushion on 62 minutes as Dom Swingler put Tyler Martin clear, the young striker stretching to get a toe on the ball to send it into the net. The home side’s heads dropped after this, with Town continuing to contain their forward moves. A flowing move involving Tyler Martin and Sam Wilford almost led to a third goal but the hardworking Swingler couldn’t quite find the target. The only black spot on an outstanding display came ten minutes from the end when Brewer was forced off with a knee injury, George Pearce appearing for the first time this season to replace him. There was a late scare when the referee appeared to award Appleby a penalty, which turned out to be an over dramatic gesture for a goal kick, but Newark can be proud of a thoroughly accomplished performance which sets them up nicely for next Saturday’s match with the other form team FC Bolsover.