Newark Town v Wheatshef Utd of Southwell

A fine display of football and teamwork was to be seen on Devon Park on Sunday a day made perfect for football with a slight breeze in spring sunshine.

After 48 seconds Town took the lead after a forward header from the halfway line by Liam Warner found Louis Cree on the edge of the penalty box he coolly allowed the ball to bounce just once before firing a shot over the advancing keeper 1-0.

From a corner on the 24 minute a glancing header towards the far post was made by Luke Parsons that found the head of Simon Greenfield who powerfully placed with a directed header from 5 yards the leather into the net to make it 2-0.

Town controlled this game for the full 90 minutes due mainly to the discipline and solidity of their defence and midfield who collectively played as a unit keeping their shape under the leadership of Captain Luke Parsons.

H.T. 2-0

A contester for goal of the season was scored by Leigh Cooksey 8 minutes into the second half when ''Louis the dancing Cree'' collected and controlled the ball on the left hand touch line he then threaded a perfect pass twenty yards the Cooksey who ran at goal 15 yards and then fired in an unstoppable shot that the goal keeper could only watch sail by and into the top of the net to make it 3-0.

Like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the famous Norwegian Red Devil Jimmy Rusby is recently forming a habit of coming on as a substitute a ‘super-sub’ and scoring goals. Jimmy, had only been on the pitch 120 seconds when on 67 minutes he made it 4-0. Stefan Bilyk beat a player on the right-hand touch line running with the ball at his feet he drove in a low hard pass into the centre of the penalty area to Jimmy who calmly placed the ball into the net 4-0.

The best goal of the match was saved until the last scored by Newark and that came from the first half stand-in left back and second-half left winger, come midfielder, Tom Perkins, who was presented on 85 minute with a nicely waited back pass from Jimmy Rusby, running onto this Perkins unleashed a rocket with considerable velocity from 35 yards that flashed its way into the right hand top corner of the net. A goal that some might even later like to over celebrate possibly by even drinking the extra strong headache inducing cider.

Wheatsheaf United played well throughout the game and should be complimented for their sporting behaviour and their effort that paid off when on the 87 minute some nice forward passing found Town a little back-footed a shot from Max Danby made the score a more respectable 5-1.

F.T. 5-1

Some excellent Refereeing allowed this game to flow and both teams acknowledged after the fixture his contributions towards a free flowing and fast and exciting encounter between the teams that are to meet shortly in the final of the Willie Hall cup.

Yet again the wonderful footballer Liam Warner was nominated for Man of the Match. The Captain has however suggested that the writer of the team report should also nominate a player for that accolade. So, whilst acknowledging Liam’s fine performance Simon Greenfield, certainly deserves a mention as he was truly outstanding not just in his role as a holding midfielder but often in his controlling at times of the central of defence. Simon’s performance was faultless, his near perfect control and passing of the ball to forward players from defence and midfield only resulted in balls played accurately to the feet of the players in space – passes were not wasted. Some on the touchline discussed a thinner and a fitter Greeners, as he is known to his friends, and it would appear that the much-admired Midfield General has been working-out as the fitness levels were apparent as his engine and pure enthusiasm seemed to radiate as being fully charged. A player who is an example of all of his team mates.

Well done the Blues. You are now in two cup finals and are currently standing on the top of the Premier League but if you win any one of these trophies remember its probably unwise to drink the cider at any time even to celebrate.