Blidworth Welfare 1-2 Newark Town

Tuesday 17th November 2009 -- CML Supreme Division

Not a classic, by any stretch of the imagination, but Newark's winning goal was a stunner....

We have been to Blidworth on many occasions, and it usually turns out to be a good night out. Tuesday night was no exeption. We had no problem parking ( although I did happen to park with a ruddy great puddle on Kev's side ... oh, how we laughed!!!!!), only £3 to get in, a superb playing surface and great company in Richard Lane and CML's Rob Hornby.

Richard was covering the game for Newark Town, as his press officer son was unavailable, while Rob was on hand to offer anecdote after anecdote about his non-league experiences past and present - always a pleasure to be in Rob's company, but boy can he talk!!! Seriously though, Rob was rather ill again over the weekend and how the hell he remains so cheerful is nothing short of amazing......

I decided not to take too many notes as Richard will post a report on Newark Town's website , but there were a few points worth a mention. In the 8th minute Blidworth's keeper Jason Fisher accidentally slid too far and ended up handling out-side of his area, stopping a clear goal scoring chance. We were hoping for a yellow card, although this is technically a sending off offence. Common sense ruled and Referee Mr. Reeves did show Fisher only a yellow.

The free kick was well struck by Mark Ellison and wouldn't you know it, Fisher made a terrific diving save, somehow flicking the ball onto bar and out for a corner. If Fisher had have been dismissed, it is difficult to imagine an outfield player saving the effort, so Newark could count them selves a little unlucky, I suppose.

The visitors took the lead on 23 when 19 year-old SAM WILFORD ran onto a through ball and slotted under Fishers body from about 16 yards. It's hard to believe, but this was Sam's 107th consecutive game for Newark -- what a statistic for a 19 year-old !!

Fisher was again called into action in the 28th minute, this time a terrific one-handed save to keep out a Jamie Brooks thunderbolt. H-T 0-1

Spent all of the half-time period messing about with my mobile trying to get the score from Field Mill. The "mobile web" is not a quick as it shows you on the telly....... and after all that the Stags were 0-1 down!! Brian Dennett called to tell me that Carlton were also 0-1 down at home to Stamford ...popular scoreline!!!

Newark hadn't conceded for 615 minutes when GARY ARMSTRONG latched onto a precise through ball and fired past keeper Chris Riley to put the home team level 8 minutes from the re-start...... records come, records go - time to restart the clock Newark.

I mentioned at the beginning of this piece that the winning goal was a stunner. Well it was .. and it was the 19 year-old SAM WILFORD who, as also mentioned earlier has played 107 consecutive times for Newark, took advantage of a poor clearance and crashed a shot over Fisher from 30+ yards ....a bit harsh on Blidworth who gave Newark a real game second half....F-T 1-2

We headed for the car with the Stags drawing 1-1 with a minute to go. After spending ages trying to find Mansfield 103.2 on the car radio to listen to the extra-time, how disappointed were we after finally tuning in, to learn that Forest Green had won the game in the 3rd minute of stoppage time!!!

Still, it was great to hear young Craig Priest doing his bit on 103.2 -- this young lad could go far in broadcasting - and in Tony Delahunty he has a very, very experienced tutor.

Mansfield finished 1-2, Carlton 1-3

Admission £3

Programme £1

Raffle £1

Attendance H/C 40

It's back to Field Mill on Saturday ( Eastbourne Borough) and Tuesday ( Luton Town).