Cup success after penalties again

For the second time in three weeks Town’s cup fortunes were settled from the penalty spot, this time with a happier outcome as they moved into the second round of the Notts FA Senior Cup.

Opponents Clifton All Whites, playing at a level higher than the Blues were tough opponents but taking the match as a whole there was little between the teams. After a lively opening Newark found themselves a goal adrift in the 10th minute as a long ball from the back was latched on to by Sammy Ilesemni who scored from close range. The same player was then denied by a timely tackle by James Evans as Clifton had the upper hand in the early exchanges. As Town retaliated sweeping crossfield ball found debutant Danny Boulton on the right, the shot being clipped over the bar. The Blues’ equaliser came on 34 minutes as a move begun by Sam Wilford and continued by Steve Carty put George Asplin in possession on the edge of the area, the striker finding the corner of the net. Newark came within inches of taking the lead five minutes before the break as Martin’s cross hit the face of the crossbar with the keeper nowhere.

George Asplin shot narrowly over the bar after tracking across the edge of the area then planted a free kick firmly into the keeper’s midriff before an excellent cross from Boulton was headed off the line by a defender. After looking much brighter in the second period, Newark suffered a setback on the hour as Clifton’s Chad Timson had his heel clipped inside the penalty area, captain Jack Reid dispatching the spot kick. Town were level on 74 minutes thanks to a fine individual goal from Martin who weaved his way through the Clifton defence, evading every challenge to set up an exciting finish. The Blues were well on top in the closing stages Asplin seeing a free kick touched over the bar by keeper Kirk and sub Luke Parsons narrowly failing to get his head to a Carty cross. Asplin was inches wide after Lewis Chambers’ shot was parried and Boulton saw another dangerous cross headed away before an acrobatic reflex save kept out a Chambers header.

With the scores level, the match went straight to penalties. Clifton’s first three were matched by Carty, Rhys Lewis and Ricky North. The visitors fourth went over the bar, Asplin scoring for Town before Clifton’s final effort also cleared the bar meaning the Blues advance to round two for the first time in four seasons
TEAM Burrows, A Martin, Wilford, Carty, North, Evans, Boulton (Job), Lewis, Chambers, Castell (Parsons), Asplin. SUBS NOT USED Minty, T Martin, Rhodes
Attendance 115