After two highly impressive wins over top of the table sides, the Blues produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance in surrendering a two goal lead after looking well in control for most of the first half. Town were without the injured Arron Martin and Luke Parsons as well as Sam Wilford, Alex Hales, Jammy Lloyd and Reece Self all returning to the starting eleven. A very late no-show by an assistant referee saw Bob Shaw deputising and he, along with referee Naji Naji and Steve Collington did an excellent job.
Clay Cross had the first chance when a well-directed shot cannoned off Clay and flashed past the post but Newark’s reply was immediate as two goals in the space of a minute by the excellent Julian Joachim rocked the visitors. With 8 minutes played he beat two players on the edge of the area before hitting a shot with the outside of his foot which completely fooled Clayton as it curled inside the post. A minute later Self, who had an inspired first half, played an incisive through ball which Joachim struck sublimely from 25 yards into the far corner to double the advantage. Lee Clay almost pulled one back after turning Will Nelson but shot a foot too high, before Tyler Martin’s cross-shot flashed inches wide of a post. The dangerous Clay was again thwarted by a well-timed block from Hales then Nathan Burrows pulled off an outstanding save from Lynam’s free kick which was blasted through the defensive wall. Dom Swingler spurned a good chance to put Town further ahead with a tame shot after he was set up by Joachim’s cut back. Burrows was called into action again with a brave dive at Holland’s feet before Hales again put Swingler in but his attempted lob was not enough to beat Clayton.
After a first half full of promise, the second 45 minutes descended into anti-climax. Clayton’s save with his feet denied Swingler and the striker again missed out after Joachim and Martin had done the groundwork, lifting his shot high over the bar. Clay Cross got back into the game on the hour, Clay finally getting a reward for his hard-working display. This inspired the visitors as they began to show some fluency while the final ball seemed to evade Town. With 70 minutes gone the home side had the perfect chance to extend their lead when Clayton brought down Swingler, but last week’s hero Danny Purves saw his spot kick come back off a post. As is often the case the visitors next attack saw them level, Holland getting the better of Richard Dent to give Clay an easy finish. By now Newark were looking rattled and it was no surprise when they went behind on 76 minutes, Aiden Ordidge exploiting gaps at the back to score from 18 yards. Clay came within inches of a hat trick in the closing stages and Bates struck the post, but the damage had been done and Town now need to focus on next Saturday’s trip to Askern.