Newark Town 1-1 Retford United (Central Midlands Premier Division North) 20.04.22
Honours even, and level pegging still atop the Central Midlands League Premier Division North, as Newark Town, and Retford United, shared the spoils at the YMCA on Wednesday evening, 20 April.
Nathan Arnold (Newark), and Liam Kay (Retford), would have preferred victory, and the three points, for the respective sides, but a crowd of more than 300, would see the two title contenders battle away to a 1-1 draw.
Fans didn’t have to wait long either, for both sides to register in fact, with the hosts roaring into the lead inside ten minutes, catching the Badgers back-line cold and succeeding with a three-on-one attack, one which would result in captain, and top scorer, Lewis Chambers, playing in Ainsley Finney, who wasted little time in slotting the ball past Tom Crosby, in the visiting goal.
That lead would last just a matter of minutes however, Retford wasting very little time in getting back on level terms when, who else, but Mark West, was on hand to equalise; a corner isn’t dealt with an West is there to head home his 44th goal of a somewhat, productive campaign.
Chances flowed, as did several bookings, it was a local derby after all, Kosi Nwobi being the unfortunate, first recipient of a yellow card, however, the only real chances, after the goals, for either side, fell to a cross from Jonny Wiles being headed clear for a corner, and both West, and Charlie Dawes, forcing saves from Harry Haywood in the Newark goal.
In fact it would be set-pieces that would dominate the opening exchanges of the second period as well, neither side able to capitalise, Nwobi having a couple of efforts in succession on the visiting goal, but they’re dealt with as Crosby proved equal to them.
Even the head of Chambers failed to register a goal in the latter stages, whilst Retford sub, Charlie Dawes, would see his late effort fly over the crossbar, the two Notts rivals having to setting for a point apiece.
As both sides continue to chase the CML Premier North title, and with it, promotion, Newark Town manager, Nathan Arnold, whose side, unbeaten in their last nine (all competitions), returned to the top, on goal-difference from Clay Cross Town, said after the game: “Highest attendance of the season; thank you for the local support!
“A good advert for Step 7 football, two strong teams leaving it all out there.
“Proud of my players; not at our fluent best but lots of grit and determination.
“Back top of the league, and three to go.”
Now unbeaten in ten (all competitions), Liam Kay’s side, two adrift of the joint-leaders, Newark, and Clay Cross added: “It was a tough contest, as always, against Newark.
“I think the draw was a fait result.
“There wasn’t many clear-cut chances for either side, but the game was competitive, both sides had a good go at each other, and in the end, shut each other out.”
Next up for the two title hopefuls, they still to face each other in the season-ending, Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy, on 10 May, Newark are away to another of the title challengers, Clay Cross (23 April), whilst Retford have another local derby, away to SJR of Worksop, on the same day,
Newark Town: Harry Haywood, James Gardner, Ben Richards, Rhys Lewis, Sam Bartle, Kosi Nwobi, Jonny Wiles, Raheem Sunmonu, Lewis Chambers, Ainsley Finney (Nathan Arnold 87), Chanju Mphande
Retford United: Tom Crosby, Owen Fieldsend, Stuart Ludlam, Liam Marsden, Aaron Fell, Daniel Booth, Brandon Kane, Igor Mlynarski, Charlie Dawes, Liam Frost (Charlie Baird 59), Mark West.
Venue: YMCA Sports Village (311)
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NewarkTownFC action from a competitive match between Newark & Retford.
