Newark Town 1 – 0 Collingham

Newark Town 1 – 0 Collingham
For the second time this season the local derby produced a tight game which was settled by a single goal with the Blues again taking the points to stay at top of the table.
Manager Nathan Arnold was able to name the same starting eleven that put seven goals past Sheffield Reserves last Saturday.
The decisive goal came with just 54 seconds on the clock, Jonny Wiles sending a corner from the left which was spilled by Collingham keeper Elliott Walters allowing Ainsley Finney to stab the ball home, giving Newark the perfect start. Collingham responded, a free kick looping off the wall for Harry Haywood to take at full stretch. Good work by Chanju Mphande then set up Finney, whose shot ran just wide of the post. Another of the many free kicks saw Will Hollingsworth go close for the visitors, drilling the ball inches the wrong side of the post. Walters redeemed himself, throwing himself at feet of Lewis Chambers after Rhys Lewis sent him clear. Town forced several successive corners but failed to take advantage as most were over hit. An underhit defensive clearance was returned with interest by Finney whose 30 yard shot brought a full length dive from Walters.
In the opening attack of the second half Town went close to increasing their lead, Mphande playing in Lewis whose lofted shot bounced off the top of the bar. Play switched to the other end, Callum Judge breaking down the left, Connor Adams’ shot clearing the bar. Arnold replaced Finney, and with his first involvement hit the ball straight at Walters after Lewis’s quick free kick. Arnold was involved again, showing determination to send in a dangerous cross which was turned behind by Daniel King. The Blues had the ball in the Collingham net on 67 minutes but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the keeper. Max Jemson’s shot cleared the ball after another Mphande corner. The visitors came close to snatching a point in the final minute. Yet another free kick on the edge of the penalty area was struck with precision by Kyle Yarnell, bringing a superb flying save from Harry Haywood to preserve Town’s fifth successive clean sheet.
Town are without a match this Saturday and will be next in action in the semi-final of the Notts Senior Trophy on Airil 9th at Ruddington.

Richard Lane