Peak performance from impressive Blues

As in many things a week can be a long time. Seven days ago Tideswell came to Station Road and returned home with the points after, apparently, a convincing performance. This afternoon things were reversed as the Blues produced a highly determined display to restore the balance. On a beautiful day at what must be the league’s most scenic setting, Town welcomed back Arron Martin, with Chris Dobbie also starting.
The opening exchanges were even, but with 12 minutes played Newark were unfortunate not to take the lead as Arron Martin floated a 25 yard shot over the keeper only to see it rebound from the bar. Tideswell were also creating chances, Campbell sending a shot across the goalmouth which Jack Bradbury, last week’s chief tormentor, could only put past the post. Arron Martin again came close as he lobbed the ball just over the bar following a neat flick from Will Nelson. The woodwork favoured Newark on 28 minutes, as a long range effort from Pugh struck the angle of post and bar with Nathan Burrows blinded by the strong sunlight. Newark’s defensive line, benefitting from its recent stability, coped well with Tideswell’s attacks which increased as half time approached, both Boden and Pugh seeing shots pass well wide. Town however came close to going in a goal up as Sam Wilford played in Tyler Martin whose shot was disappointingly wide.
Following a recurrence of his calf strain Reece Carlisle was replaced at half time by Cole Maule with the hard-working Danny Purves dropping in to the back line. Town began on the offensive, successive corners resulting in narrow misses for Tyler Martin and Nelson. Maule had injected some real pace on Town’s left and shot narrowly wide after good work from Dobbie. The deadlock was finally broken on 63 minutes, Maule playing in Arron Martin whose angled shot beat keeper Michael Bradbury and found the far corner. Eight minutes later the score was doubled as Freddie Daws won the ball, finding Tyler Martin who, after some neat footwork released the ball to his namesake, who in one movement beat his marker and hammered his drive past the keeper. Arron Martin came close to a hat trick as a Purves free kick was headed just past a post. A goal for Tideswell six minutes from time caused some frayed nerves, Travis setting up Boden who scored from close range. Tyler Martin passed up a chance to settle the nerves on 88 minutes, Maule again showing pace down the left but the shot was screwed wide from close in. Spirits have certainly been raised by this performance which was achieved by solid hard work and not a little flair.