Town comeback too late

With the game moved to the 4G pitch, Town were on the defensive from the start, Chris Spinks sounding an early warning as he broke free before hitting his shot high over the bar. George Pearce and James Munson then combined well for Town to force a one-handed save from keeper Curtis Alden. As pressure mounted on the Newark defence, Chris Riley had to be alert to clear as Spinks threatened again, but on 20 minutes the same player advanced down the left before cutting in and firing across Riley to open the scoring. Three minutes later the Blues conceded a second. After Andy Coverdale had a shot deflected inches wide of the post, the resulting corner saw Alex Wood rise highest to head the ball firmly past Riley. Town’s attacking options weren’t helped as Chris Dobbie turned his ankle on the half hour to be replaced by Reece Self. With Billy Hurst also struggling, Newark were finding it hard to stem Westella’s attacks, Wood finding acres of room on the right flank to put over a stream of dangerous crosses. The seemingly inevitable third goal arrived on 41 minutes, Spinks linking well with Wood, who finished from close range amid loud appeals for offside. The next move almost gave Wood his hat trick, but this time he found the side netting.
After some tough talking from the management Newark showed signs of improvement after the break, an early effort from JC McDonald clearing the bar from long range. A well-flighted ball from Arron Martin almost put Munson clear, and with sub Danny Lee again showing good skills on the left, things looked more promising. Tom Bryan sent a 25 yard free kick just over the bar, and while Newark were enjoying more possession, Westella were still dangerous, Riley again saving well from Wood, and Mike Pecora seeing a free kick rebound from the bar. With a quarter of an hour to play, Westella were stunned as Newark turned the game on its head scoring twice in the space of three minutes. First Sean Fulcher opened his accountfor the club, turning two defenders to finish a fine individual goal, though this time the appeals for offside came from the home side. Town’s second came out of the blue on 79 minutes, Pearce sending a 30 yard shot from the left which zipped past the immobile Alden. An unlikely point now looked a possibility, but on 84 minutes Westella made the game safe. Martin got in a good interception to concede a corner under pressure from Wood, but for the second time the Blues failed to defend it, Garry Flounders heading home. Riley then pulled off a great one handed save from Rob Petch before the final whistle left Newark plenty of time to reflect on an indifferent first half display on the long journey home.