Newark Town 7 – 0 Sheffield Reserves

Newark Town 7 – 0 Sheffield Reserves
The Blues extended their lead on the Premier North division with an accomplished display against a young Sheffield side who were completely outplayed.
Jonny Wiles made a welcome return to the starting line up with Rhys Lewis included after being rested for the midweek Notts FA Trophy win at Basford.
With a stiff breeze in their favour Newark attacked from the first whistle, Sheffield keeper Owen Oxborough brought into early action, pushing an Ainsley Finney free kick round the post. The visitors were forced into an early substitution as Owen McGourlay limped off to be replaced by Roman Myers and fell behind on 14 minutes, Rhys Lewis crossing from the left for Sam Bartle to knock in at the far post, hs first goal for the club. Lewis Chambers then looped a shot from out on the right which beat the keeper but bounced off the top of the bar. The striker wasn’t to be denied for long, getting Town’s second in the 28th minute, firing past Oxborough after Lewis had again opened up the defence. Newark were now in total control, and emphasised this in a remarkable spell as Finney completed a whirlwind hat trick, the first coming on 36 minutes as he rifled the ball home from 25 yards after being set up by Chanju Mphande. Two minutes later Chambers took advantage of some hesitant defending to reach the line, pulling the ball back for Finney to blast his second past Oxborough. Finney completed a five minute treble in the 41st minute, Jackson Buckthorp supplying a delightful through ball for Finney to complete. Sheffield finally managed their first shot three minutes before half time, Ethan Wilkinson’s attempt clearing the bar. Finney came close to getting another before the interval, his well-struck free kick bringing a good full length save from Oxborough.
The second half was slightly more even, but the Blues dictated most of the play, going further ahead in the 67th minute, Jonny Wiles, who had worked tirelessly in midfield, putting Chambers clear of a square defence with the almost inevitable result. The final goal came on 73 minutes, Buckthorp and Lewis combining well to allow Chambers to complete his hat trick with his 38th goal of the season. Sheffield gad a chance to get a late consolation But a superbly timed challenge from James Gardner robbed Wilkinson as he pulled the trigger,
Next Saturday sees the highky anticipated local derby against Collingham at the YMCA, the match kicking off at 3pm.