Men's Third Eleven Vs Newark

This result flatered Newark although on balance they probably deserved the win. Turning up to a 3.30pm push back at Newark at finding that the pitch is empty before hand is always a galling experience but hey ho we're getting used to it.

Derwent packed the midfield expecting to absorb pressure from Newark and so it proved. With Andy Hitchcock on loan from the Fourths in goal, it was important the Derwent defence protected him where ever possible and we maintained this for the first twenty minutes. Andy nudged away a goal bound Newark shot with his stick and looked to be settling in behind a strong Derwent defence of Tony Goulding, Fred Drabble, Tom Williams and Luke Beckett - a veriable 'ring of steel'!

Chris Pooley missed an early opportunity to put Derwent ahead after chasing down the Newark sweeper. Sam Pooley combined well with Ben Morton to give us the first short corner which Fred Drabble duely drove with extraordinary force into the base of the Newark post. Fred was later to inspect said post saying that it had been visibly dented - whether this was by himself or someother extreme force of nature was unclear. Josh Simmons also had a half chance from a cross by Chris Pooley.

Newark went back on the attack and scored two quick goals - the later a short corner to put Derwent on the back foot.

The second half started with Derwent competing strongly - Tom Leech, Tom Williams and Luke Beckett linking up to provide some good opportunities however a quick Newark goal 5 minutes into the second half turned to tuen the task from an uphill struggle to a full ascent of Everest.

Quick Derwent movement from Derwent produced our goal of the season so far. Josh Simmons recieved the ball from Luke Beckett. He played it inside to Ben Morton who put Alex Talbot into the top of the D. A strong shot beat the Newark keeper giving Derwent a ray of hope.

Again Derwent fought on but Newark pulled away again with a fourth. In the final minutes Tony Goulding looked to find one of two Pooleys with a quickly taken 16 yard hit but it unfortunately fell to Newark who quickly converted into their fifth giving the result that did not tell the whole story.

Chris Pooley looked to have given Derwert a consolation goal at the end but it was curiously disallowed. The current theory is that the umpire was looking at the car park.