Carlton v Newark Town

In the second round of the Notts Senior Cup Newark played Carlton who currently sit mid-table in the Nottingham Premier League. Last season Carlton ended as runners-up, missing out only on goal difference. So being away from home the opposition were certainly a tough test for the Blues.

Both teams started well with some nice football being played but it was on 11 minutes when the deadlock was broken. Newark’s defence under the control of Captain Luke Parsons were pushing forward when a loose ball that dropped from Carlton’s midfield allowed for the centre forward Darren Oldham, who was always tight up alongside Town’s last man, to anticipate well, the ball dropped just over the defence and into the path of Oldham who neatly finished placing the ball wide of Keeper Anthony Richardson to give Carlton a 1 – 0 lead.

On the 26 minute a well taken in-swinger corner was stuck by Robert Lee, alias ‘the rocket’ or ‘himself’ or simply Bobby, it was delivered perfectly to the far post from where Luke Parsons leapt like a salmon and powerfully forced to ball beyond the keeper and into the net 1 – 1.

Whilst Carlton are a good side and were also quite physical, as the game went on, Newark were playing the better football and often even from deep defence and forward. With only 5 minutes remaining of the first half Newark were awarded a free kick from 30 yard out. A precision curling free kick by Robert Lee allowed Luke Parsons to deliver a header that the keeper could only parry away but Liam Warner charging towards the goal line pushed with his boot and the ball into the back of the net 1-2.

H.T. 1-2

The second-half started rather like the first but with Carlton seemingly tiring under an relentless inceasing number of the Town’s attacks but Carlton were unlucky not to equalise after a stunning shot was hit from centre of midfield that rattled Town’s cross bar.

On the 69 minute, left back, Storming Norman, as he is known to some or Adam Britten using his real name, charged forward almost getting dizzy as he passed the half-way line and into the opposition half he rounded two players with both speed and ease and his resultant delivery fell to the feet of Leigh Cooksey who aligned and fired-in a low hard drive from 20 yards that took a deflection en route, making it 1 -3.

Carlton, were nothing but persistent, until the final whilst and just before the 90 minutes plus injury time were up the Referee blew for an infringement, from the resultant penalty Carlton brought the score back to a more respectful 2-3 immediately after that that goal was scored the final whilst was blown making it a deserved win for Newark 2-3.

Whilst Man of the Match was given to the graceful midfielder Liam Warner, all who played performed well, maybe however a player that stood out with his unselfish running with and without the ball and always into space, his control ability to slow the pace of the game down and tackling and superb passing was Jordan Cummins.

Well done Newark a well-earned and deserved result means you now have a home game against Oddfellows of Mansfield in the Quarter Finals of the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup.

On a foot note: Guess some of us might have heard of requests from those who might be called football fanatics, for their ashes to be scattered on the ground of their favourite Club, in Manchester, Liverpool and even in Leeds (for Kevin our joint manager) a team they might have supported all of their lives. Well that was the desire of one such ex-player, now supporter, at Sunday’s game, such is the passionate support and love that the the beautiful game can muster, even at a local level.

A short time after arrival at Carlton’s ground on a glorious wind free day one ideal for soccer I am sure others like myself also felt at home, parking on a slopping tarmacked area that overlooked a lovely green flat pitch that sat in a valley below, a special day, one that proved to be ideal for playing the game and for perhaps remembering.

Alongside the full to capacity carpark was the clubhouse/changing rooms that were apparently built in the 1970s by the former Catholic Sunday afternoon side that played on that same pitch. In the foyer of the Club House hung a dozen or more faded photographs of the former teams many holding silver cups of their achievements. One of gentlemen there explained the significance of the photographs and how in the 1970s they had played against good Newark teams and had beaten the likes of RHP and Hoval Farrar. One such chap, showed us his viewing bench that he had occupied since his playing days had ended, around which he suggested that his ashes one day would be sprinkled. But after the game whilst a passionate supporter of the Carlton team that gentleman said how much he had enjoying the contest that he had just witnessed and the quality of football that was played especially by the Newark side. A complement indeed.

Well done one and all, and Up the Blues.