Groundhog Day

The Blues repeated the scoreline from the original fixture abandoned back in January following a serious injury to a Bilsthorpe player. To be fair the visitors are suffering even more than Town with player availability and were, despite a heroic goalkeeping display, second best for most of the match. Will Nelson returned to Town’s defence allowing Danny Purves to move to the left side of midfield.
Town exerted early pressure with Tyler Martin unlucky to see his shot clip the top of the bar after a good interception by Jammy Lloyd. Nelson and Martin then combined to send Kieran Wall forward at pace. After Purves had forced a full length dive from keeper Revuelta, the Blues took an 18th minute lead, Tyler Martin taking two touches before finding the net with a firm shot from the right. Sam Wilford, who covered almost every inch of the pitch, set up Lloyd who unleashed a fierce drive which was tipped over the bar. Newark were forced into an early substitution when Richard Dent was injured, Dave Mason replacing him. Bilsthorpe produced their first goal threat on the half hour, Macaskill first bringing a near post save from Nathan Burrows, then shortly after firing a foot wide of the post. The lively Wall forced another smart save from Revuelta then was unfortunate to see a goal bound shot strike a defender’s leg and deflect on to the keeper’s head before running clear.
Town had created enough chances to be well ahead, but lost no time in making amends as, within a minute of the restart, a determined run from Wall set up Martin for his second, again fired across the keeper and finding the far corner. Wall was again the supplier on 51 minutes, his cross being headed off the underside of the bar by Lloyd. Almost inevitably Wall then found himself yet again substituted, Chris Dobbie taking his place while Gary Clark replaced Freddie Daws. Town’s defence was well marshalled by Ian Wade and Nelson allowing the visitors little space to threaten. A determined Wilford run was ended as he was fetched down just outside the penalty area but the free kick went over the bar. Newark’s fourth goal arrived on 71 minutes, Reece Carlisle getting to the line and pulling the ball back for the unmarked Dobbie to pick his spot. Lloyd then hit a powerful shot marginally too high before a break by Bilsthorpe sub Hopewell ended with a blistering drive over the bar. Martin was denied a deserved hat trick by yet another excellent block from the Bilsthorpe keeper as Newark recorded their first league win in eight games.