Second half blast ends Blues' hopes

Despite putting in a spirited performance, Newark Town were unable to prevent the North Division heavyweights AFC Mansfield from easing to a comfortable 6-0 victory at Station Road on Wednesday night. The Blues competed gamely in the first half, not allowing their opponents any time on the ball to play their natural passing game. Chris Riley was forced into a low save from a Dean Rick long-range effort, but that was the only clear chance early on. Newark’s attacking football relied heavily on their counter-attacking ability, with the pace of Daryl Price and Sam Wilford causing the Mansfield backline a number of problems. Price showed some brilliant skill to beat a defender close to the touchline before crossing into a dangerous area. Wilford couldn’t direct his shot goalwards. Arron Martin was also enjoying some success down the right-hand side, and after slipping past two players gifted a chance to Calum Fraser, who will have been disappointed to fire over when he was well placed to hit the target. However when you are playing top quality opposition, it only takes one moment for them to carve a goal from nowhere. After looking solid for most of the half it was a poor clearance that broke the deadlock. A few passes later and Joe Naylor found himself in space behind the defence. Riley saved the first effort, but he was powerless to prevent Naylor from slotting home the rebound in the 39th minute. It was a devastating blow for Newark to trail at the break having been the better team for much of the half . Buoyed up by their goal Mansfield proceeded to dominate after the break as the Blues struggled to find the intensity that had served them so well previously. In the 50th minute after some good build up play, Naylor flicked a delightful cross to the back post giving Matt Draper the easiest of tap ins. Rick added a third eight minutes later when he drilled an unstoppable shot past Riley’s despairing dive. Newark’s tiring defence was struggling to deal with the quality of the visitor’s attacking play, as they added a fourth goal in the 68th minute, Danny Wiltshire given plenty of space to set up Rick for his second of the night. Mansfield refused to relent, bringing on two forwards to cause further problems for the Blues’ backline. Both substitutes got their names on the scoresheet as Toby Birch converted a one-on-one situation with ease, before Declan Brewin volleyed in a free kick from close range in injury time. The score line flattered Mansfield a little given Newark’s exertions in the first half, but they were undeniably rampant in the second half, with the quality of finishing and superior fitness levels the obvious difference between the sides. A mention for referee Rod Hedingham, whose exemplary performance in the middle displayed the perfect balance of firmness and tolerance. Manager Tony Joynes was understandably disappointed after the match. “To finish the game 6-0 down, I don’t think anyone could have seen that at half time. People will see this on paper as a hammering, which it was in the second half. But it doesn’t reflect the effort we put in early on.”

Report by Rick Lane