Willie Hall Cup Final Newark Town v Wheatsheaf United

Newark Town had been drawn as the away team for this final of the Willie Hall Cup and as such were required to wear their away kit of pink shirts and black shorts at the Flowserve ground.

This game was played one day before the 50th anniversary of the death of Willie Hall who died on 22 May 1967 and the cup itself has been played for 49 times after this Sundays victory over Wheatsheaf United of Southwell.

Luke Parsons, the Captain of the Town, returned after a couple of games absence following illness but from the moment of arrival at the ground it was obvious that he was focused on tuning players into having the correct attitude of playing to win.

From the very kick-off Newark were up for winning this most sought after local footballing trophy a cup they were defending as last seasons winners.

Newark Town mounted wave after wave of attacks that resulted from a number of corners being awarded, only fitting then, after some ten minutes, it was from a one such corner that Luke Parsons was to meet a high cross at the far post with a nicely placed downward header that gave the Town an early advantage 1-0.

Further goals followed in quick succession as Wheatsheaf’s defence found it increasingly difficult to cope with the forward probing running of Tom Perkins, Ben Lund and Joe Braithwaite. Before the whistle had been blown for half time, Town had reach a four goal advantage with further goals from Ben Lund and Joe Braithwaite and the forever dancing Louis Cree.

The season half continued rather like the first half with domination from Town but Wheatsheaf were certainly an improved side for the last 45 minutes in fact United having a couple of efforts on goal that could have made a difference but for the alertness in goal of Anthony Richardson.

Joe Braithwaite, topped a fine game with his second goal and by nearly scoring a hat-trick after a close range miss, a fine display indeed, of how the compete in the role of an old fashioned powerful centre forward, from a player who normally wears the shirt of a centre back. His brave running at the Wheatsheaf defence and his ability to hold the ball and to unselfishly pass, as well as to shot on target provided a constant threat.

Official Man of the Match was deservedly awarded by the committee of Newark Alliance to, Simon Greenfield, playing a midfield holding role just in front of Luke Parsons and Lewis Poole centre backs. Lewis Poole, after a season of injury played a key role in this victory by keeping the defence tight and therefore he deserves a special mention. But all who played competed well as Captain Luke Parsons said after this victory the players had the right attitude from before the kick-off very noticeable in the pre-game warm-up.

Special thanks to the players of Wheatsheaf United, for playing the game in the right spirit and for their generous sporting gesture at the end of the game when one of the Wheatsheaf players entered the Newark changing room congratulation Newark on their victory and handing over to the team a bottle of champagne. Well done Wheatsheaf United.

Congratulations to Newark on winning this most prestigious of trophies for the second consecutive year, a second cup this year to add to that of the Notts Junior Cup won last month.

Up the Blues.