Comeback kids finally get their reward

Thanks to Rob Waite for the photo

The Blues showed real fighting spirit against the division’s current form team, coming from behind three times to secure a well-deserved point. Richard Dent and Andy Smith returned to the defence with Arron Martin a welcome addition to the bench after a long lay off due to injury.
Retford dominated the early exchanges with Tomlinson making his considerable presence felt with a first minute shot running wide while a second effort through a ruck of players was hacked off the line. Chris Dobbie had Town’s first chance but a well timed challenge saw the shot deflected wide. Retford took the lead in the 24th minute as Swannack intercepted a misplaced pass half way inside the Newark half before an interchange with Gordon saw the full back run on to beat Nathan Burrows. As play became more even, Town levelled things on 37 minutes thanks to an inspired run from man of the match George Pearce. Powering forward, he laid the ball off to Tyler Martin before squaring the return ball for Dobbie to shoot under the dive of keeper Holmes. Martin then had a 30 yard effort held by Holmes, but with 45 minutes played Newark suffered a setback as a long ball forward from Middleton saw Tomlinson and Burrows in contention for the ball which found its way into the net despite Richard Dent’s desperate attempts to clear.
Despite the late setback, the Blues started the second half on the offensive, a poor goal kick seeing Martin, Dobbie and Dom Swingler combine before Martin’s hot curled past the post. Burrows was out well to save from Swannack before Town equalised again in the 63rd minute. A Jammy Lloyd free kick from out on the right was headed back into the Retford penalty area by Stuart Rose where Tyler Martin slotted the ball home into the far corner. Sub Kieron Wall then crossed from the left but this time Martin’s header was off target. Newark were now having the better of the exchanges so it came as an unpleasant jolt when they fell behind for a third time with 74 minutes played. Tomlinson, whose physical battle with Rose was a feature of the game, launched an inch perfect ball through the Town defence for Blakey whose first effort was smothered by Burrows. Unfortunately the ball spun clear allowing the Retford man to rifle the follow up shot home. Town retaliated with Wall sending in a superb ball from the right which Swingler met with a powerful shot, Holmes fingertipping the ball over the bar. Newark finally secured a point with ten minutes remaining, Arron Martin's left wing corner leading to a scramble in the goalmouth where Pearce forced the ball home from close range.