RHP versus Newark Town is a game that has been played now for around eighty years, in fact some of these fixtures played fifty plus years ago either midweek or on Saturdays attracted crowds of several hundred at Elm Avenue or on the Town's ground at Muskham Road (just the other side of the Castle railway station).

Teams of the late 1920's would have had players that were to reach the second round of the FA Cup in 1930 for the Town and a sixteen year old for RHP named Willie Hall who in 1930 at the age of 18 signed professional forms for Notts County, later for Tottenham and then he played for England. It was pleasing therefore to watch a good RHP side play in last weeks FA Cup Sunday competition and to see them beat comfortably a team from Birmingham at the Flowserve ground in Newark 3-0.

The odds against Town leaving Elm Avenue with a point were probably very slim given RHPs fine performance the previous week in the FA Cup and the number of players who were unavailable for Town either through injury or for other reasons. Nevertheless, it is likely that RHP are the team who might consider themselves rather fortunate that the Town did not capitalise on the chances that they created in particular during the first half .

It is fair to say however that whilst Newark had the edge in the first 45 minutes and should have scored at least two it was RHP who were the better side in the second half especially in the last twenty minutes.

During the second half Town had some notable chances in the first 25 minutes but RHP dominated the remaining minutes and whilst pulling back the one goal deficit they could have easily gathered all of the three points but for some resolute goalkeeping and some good defending with often ten men behind the ball.

On the 38 minute a long ball played down the left wing found the ever terrier like, snapping at defenders ankles, Bobby Lee, who passed a defender with ease he then unleashed an unselfish hard driven low square pass of fifteen metres across the goal line to be met with a side foot from the ever dancing presence of Louis Cree who tapped into the net a simple drive that was it has to be admitted a little miss hit. 0-1 at HT.

The second half started like the first. RHP were always a threat with Daryl Price a difficult forward to mark and probably one of the best forwards in Newark presenting an increasing danger as long balls were pumped forward by a team desperate to score. But Daryl found himself well marked by the excellent right back George Pailing who never put a foot wrong.

The partnership in central defence of Lewis Poole and Joe Braitwaite worked well with Lewis confidently man marking Luke Boddy and Joe, sweeping and precisely reading the long lose ball, time after time. In the last twenty minutes of the game Town found themselves under almost constant bombardment with RHPs use of the long pass. Anthony Richardson, alias Fish is without doubt one of the best local goalkeepers to be found as he, as in previous games this season, stamped his authority on the penalty area and beyond. It has been voted on that Fish shall now be known as 'the Cat' given as the famous 1960/70s Peter Bonetti (the Cat) of Chelsea, he has the safest handling, lighting reflexes and a graceful style that installs only confidence in the defence and in the team.

With only twenty minutes remaining the Towns defence came under fire and a lose ball in a crowded penalty area found its way to Luke Boddy who from three metres put the ball firmly into the net equalising the score at 1-1.

Congratulation to Martin Rose the Captain for his fine performance in the centre of the park and a well deserved man-of-the-match award. For RHP man of the match was award to the young Will Nelson.

Overall a fast and an exciting game and a draw at 1-1 was a fair result if not somewhat disappointing for Newark given opportunities missed. The atmosphere in the Town changing room after the game was subdued as there was perceived a little almost tangible disappointment in taking only one of the possible three points.

Many thanks to Rob Peeling who controlled well what could have been a difficult contest to Referee. Thanks also to Chris Wade Town's deputy Chairman for taking some great photographs of the team. Chris as a volunteer does much work behind the scenes not just for the Sunday side but also for the dozen plus other Saturday sides that play under the umbrella of Newark Town.

Well done Newark you remain unbeaten and sit on the top of the premier league having now played six, winning five and with one drawn. Keep up the hard work as its consistency that wins leagues and so to next week's game Wheatsheaf United of Southwell away. A game that will no doubt be difficult to win given that clubs excellent record over the last forty years plus of local football.

Up the Blues the Pink Panthers.