For the second successive Saturday a single goal preserved Town’s 100% record, Lewis Chambers’ second half strike proving just enough to ensure a first ever win against AFC Bentley. There was a welcome return for Sam Wilford with James Evans also making his first appearance of the season.
In uncomfortably hot conditions the Blues were fortunate not to concede as early as the second minute, Smith getting behind the defence, his cross finding Rennie who shot wide of the open goal. An otherwise quiet opening saw both sides struggling to find players with the two defences having few problems. Town’s best chances came from George Asplin’s corners as first Luke Parsons was inches away from connecting with a header, while shortly afterwards home keeper Bedford did well to collect under pressure from Jordan Thomas. Thomas then collected a flick from Christian Anderson but saw his crisp shot well saved. The Blues visibly improved in the last ten minutes of the first half, Chambers being dispossessed as he pulled the trigger then accepting a cross from Wilford only to see his shot across the keeper come back off the base of the post. Asplin was next to threaten, beating two defenders before cutting in and seeing his low drive smothered by Bedford.
Newark came under pressure in the early stages of the second half and remained on terms thanks to Nathan Burrows who in the space of less than a minute made important blocks from Booker, King and Paskell as Town struggled to clear their lines. At the other end Arron Martin won the ball on the edge of the area, supplying Chambers who saw his curling shot go a foot wide of the post. The all-important deciding goal came on the hour, Andersen finding Chambers twenty yards out, the striker producing a shot on the turn which flashed past the stranded keeper. Evans was then well positioned to head a dangerous cross off the line before Town broke again, Wilford again the provider for Asplin who got round the back of the defence but only found the side netting. After both Bridge and Chambers had again gone close, Burrows capped his man of the match performance diving bravely at the feet of Smith who had broken clear of the defence. Newark had one good chance to calm the nerves in the latter stages but sub Jawanza Grant saw his shot clear the bar from inside the Bentley area.

With just a handful of games played, the Blues are one of only three teams to retain a !00% record which will be put to the test on Saturday when another unbeaten side, Dinnington Town, visit the YMCA Activity Village.

Richard Lane