Newark Town 3 – 0 Glapwell

Newark Town 3 – 0 Glapwell
Town recovered from their stumble at Worksop last week with an accomplished performance and a scoreline which might have been more emphatic, but for some missed chances and an inspired display from visiting keeper Ross Etheridge.
There were a number of changes from last week’s team with Sid Costa, Mark Faflik, Jake Hardy, Jonny Wiles and Sam Bartle replaced by Ben Sharpe, Ben Wallace, Lewis Chambers, Jackson Buckthorpe and Mason Wilson-Rhiney. There were also three new names on the bench in Sam Newell, Niall Parsons and Charles Oduka.
Newark had by far the better of the opening exchanges, Chambers seeing an early shot carried wide by the strong wind and Nathan Arnold being narrowly losing out to Ryan Booker after a cross from Zak Kersey. After a period of pressure on the Glapwell goal the Blues took the lead on 17minutes when a shot from Arnold hit a defender, looping high into the air. Etheridge was only able to touch the ball onto the face of the bar, Buckthorpe providing the finishing touch. Most of the threat from the visitors came from free kicks conceded in and around the Blues penalty area, Ben Copestake coming closest, his well struck effort just clearing the bar. Chances were more frequent at the other end however but several went begging due to a reluctance to send in the final shot. Chambers was denied by a full stretch one handed stop by Etheridge on 35 minutes, the keeper further distinguishing himself with further good saves from Buckthorpe and Chambers again. Wallace was caught out by Shane Burton, whose drive was deflected over the Town bar. Glapwell were reduced to ten men just before half time, when Keenan was sent off for kicking Wallace, the offence spotted by the assistant referee.
The Blues lost no time in doubling their lead three minutes into the second half, Rhys Lewis heading across a crowded area for Wilson-Rhiney to knock the ball home. Play was again concentrated in the Glapwell half but clear cut chances were few. There was a moment of concern for Town on the hour as Copestake and Trent Jules opened up the Town defence, Jules putting the ball into the net, but the effort was ruled out by an offside flag. Substitutions were made by both sides, Newell making an immediate impact with a shot which passed narrowly wide of the post. The Blues missed a golden chance to score a third in the closing stages as Chambers went wide before cutting the ball back for sub Gabriel Rattigan who, with the goal at his mercy, blazed high over the bar. Town did add a third in stoppage time, an excellent individual effort by young Newell who advanced from midfield before unleashing a 25 yarder which flew past the keeper to put Town back into second place in the table.
Newark travel to Retford United next Saturday in what will no doubt be the usual tough game.