NEWARK FC 3-1 EASTWOOD CFC

Newark FC……………3 (Lloyd 35’, Ofushine 66', Nangle 72')
Eastwood CFC………1 (Parton 49')

Eastwood travelled to Greenwich Avenue to do battle with old rivals Newark in the opening game in the United Counties (Premier North) League.

The opening exchanges were cagey and uninspiring interrupted only by the constant shrilling of Mr Bainbridge's whistle who was not shy to exert his authority.

The home side could, and probably should, haver taken an early lead after just 5 when big defender Tom Street met a right wing corner with a powerful header which just cleared Mark Rathbone's goal. Eastwood grew into the game and Sam Moore came close to opening the scores as he cleverly lobbed a defender in the six yard box but 'keeper Joe Searson managed to clear with some difficulty. Youngster Luis Parkes then tried his luck after being played in by Ben Hutchinson. Street, however, cleared the goalbound shot with his legs.

The midfield duel of cat and mouse continued with no real last third chances but midway through the half Eastwood went mightily close. McKenna Parton played in Moore whose certain goal was denied as Basford Utd loanee Jordan Haywood cleared the ball off the line with Searson well beaten.

The pace began to warm up and visiting skipper Danny Meadows tried his luck from distance and, at the other end, Lavelle White went close with a snap shot. The deadlock was finally broken after 36 minutes. Following a free kick out far wide right the ball wasn't cleared with any conviction and midfielder Jammy Lloyd pounced to slide the ball home to give Newark the lead. The Highwaymen sensed blood and within 2 minutes Rathbone reacted brilliantly to keep out a Dean Freeman shot and seconds later substitute Mustapha John rattled Eastwood's bar.

Eastwood were shaken by Newark's forward late surge band and seemed to be glad to get into the dressing room.

Early play in the second period was better for the visitors and it took only 3 minutes to level the scores. Parton was in the right place to fire home after good approach play from Jermain Hollis. 1-1 and all to play for. Newark's attacks were now few and far between but they were winning lots of second balls in midfield which blunted Eastwood's momentum. On 65 Hollis crossed for Finn Hunter who headed just wide. A minute later and the sucker punch - a loose ball was picked up some 20 yards out by Kuwsi Ofushine who fired through a seas of legs past the desperate dive of Rathbone.

6 minutes later and the game was all but done. Ex-Notts County junior Romello Nangle pounced and struck home his sides 3rd goal.

A flurry of half chances from both sides but there were no further scores. Not a very inspiring performance from either side. Newark just about shaded it for their second half performance. The Red Badgers know they can play better than this and this was a learning curve and they will know that there will be no easy games at this level.

I spoke to Captain Jack Andrews post-match who said :~
"Hugely disappointing tonight, in spells we did well at times but we have to do the ugly side a lot more and compete for the second balls a little better. We need to get a little wiser in tracking runners. There were direct and picked up second balls and we need to cope with that and clear our lines. We need to dust ourselves down and go again on Saturday - a big game away in the Cup. Another tough game but we're going all out for the win"

ATTENDANCE~ 201
REFEREE ~ Karl BainbrIdge
ASSISTANTS ~ Lawrence Chapman and Gavin Rice

NEWARK ~ Searson, Ibraham, Rawden (John 28’) Freeman, Street, Lloyd (Hillier 69') Ofushine,
Meadows (C) Hemagou, Nangle, Haywood.
CAUTIONS ~ Ibraham (31’ foul) Nangle 72')

EASTWOOD CFC ~ Mark Rathbone, David Boafo, Jack Andrews (C) David Chapman, Callum Jones) Luis Parkes, Jermain Hollis (Fabian Smith 69’ Lavelle White (Kieran Knight 52') McKenna Parton (Finnlay Hunter 75') Ben Hutchinson, Sam Moore.
CAUTIONS ~ Hollis (26’ foul) White (50' foul) Boafo (sin bin 79’, dissent)