Newark Town v Grove FC

On Devon Park Sunday, Newark Town finalist of the Notts Senior Cup, played in the quarter finals of the Willie Hall trophy against Grove FC, a side who have successfully reached the Notts Junior final. For Newark with a couple of the more regular players missing it was an opportunity to allow others in the squad a chance to show their worth and, pleasingly each and every man contributed to a quality performance and a 2-0 victory.

Grove FC are a good side and play nice football at times with quality players such as Alex Hales, Lewis Chambers, Wayne Ord, Chris Dobbie, Rhys Stanley and the talented Edward Munton collectively they are difficult to play against and are most dangerous when they are allowed to attack.

Fortunately, Town had a strong defence in place well marshalled by Captain Luke Parsons acting as sweeper, watched over by the commanding Anthony Richardson in goal, controlled by Sean Fulcher playing in a central defensive role, supported by full backs Adam Britten and Lewis Poole. More inter-passing was seen in Newark’s four-man defence than some teams can manage to string together in a full 90 minutes using all of their available eleven players. It was with that confidence that Town passed the ball not just in defence but though defence and thus creating many an attacking move. Simon Greenfield, had a good game assisting the defence playing in a deep mid-field role mopping-up loose balls and distributing with some admirable panache and accuracy.

Twin Strikers playing together for the first time for Newark, Luke Abel and Jimmy Rusby often caused havoc in the Grove defence, Abel, for his running and shooting and Rusby for his ability to find space and to use his physicality to split defenders apart to reach balls around the centre of the penalty area. On 34 minutes a cross from the left found Jimmy Rusby with a defender marking and the goal keeper in close-proximity, from 3 yards out Jimmy’s header was placed beyond the keepers reach 1-0.

Against a strong and bitterly cold south easterly wind Grove for the first thirty minutes of the second half took more possession than Newark but despite their valiant efforts Newark’s defence aided by the midfield was able to confidentially supress Grove’s offensive moves.
Tom Perkins deservedly lifted the accolade of man-of-the-match, awarded for using his wizard like skills, ball control, pace and dribbling ability, he single-highhandedly terrorised the Grove defence, weaving his magic he often left defenders on the ground bewildered and bedraggled. On 78 minutes Tom Perkins was fed a ball down the left wing he proceeded to beat two players before unleashing a thunderbolt that disappeared into top left of the net from 9 yards out 2-0.

Well done both teams for playing some excellent football and in particular to Newark for a fine ‘team’/’squad’ performance.
Up the Blues.