Newark Town 1 v Mickleover Royals 2 - CMFL South

Saturday 15th September 2012, at Station Road, Collingham
Central Midlands League (South)
Newark Town (1) 1
Simon Ellison 32
Mickleover Royals (1) 2
Adam Birch 27, 69
Admission £3, Programme £1, Attendance 57
Thanks to David Hurstfield and Richard Lane for the team details and Custard Creams
Newark Town:
Gary Attwood, George Pailing, Mark Ellison, Martin Wilson, Ryan Stafford, James Lloyd, Jamie Brooks, Sam Gregory, Simon Ellison, Dom Swingler, Daryl Price
Subs - Ben Hage, Ben Ginnelly, Ricky North, Danny Purves
Mickleover Royals:
Ash Warner, Gareth Oliver, Ben Willison, Jerome Alexander, Jordan Simpson, Robert Fox, Billy Nugent, Adam Birch, Jamie Warner, Dave Carr, Kirk Francis
Subs - Josh Gregory, Daniel Beresford, Andy Bacon, Troy Black
Prior to today, when Mr Jinx (AKA, me) turned up, Newark Town had won all of their opening five fixtures this season.
Ollerton Town's 2-1 win over Westella Hanson this afternoon, means that they are now the only team in the Central Midlands League (North and/or South) with a 100% win record still intact.
Victory today, would've sent Newark to the top of the table, but they finished the day in fifth as a impressive looking Royals team moved up the table to sixth, just a point behind their Collingham based hosts.
A warm afternoon and early Autumn sunshine, leant itself towards liquid refreshment, so I made a beeline for the bar (as per usual) and, I'm happy to report, the Caffery's in the social club went down very well.
As the game kicked off, a Spitfire flew overhead, circled the Station Road ground and then headed off into the distance.
I can only assume that it was either something to do with the nearby Corringham Show, or the pilot was trying to watch the game for free, but buggered off when he realised that he'd been rumbled.
The visitors were a far batter team than I'd anticipated and were certainly well up for giving Newark a game of it, which made for an entertaining afternoon for yours truly. AKA an impartial onlooker, viewing the world from a complete neutral perspective.
The game was only 4 minutes old when Jerome Alexander almost gave Mickleover the lead, but the Newark defence managed to clear his goal bound header.
At the other end, Dom Swingler's cross was cleared behind for a corner by Gareth Oliver.
From the flag kick, Martin Wilson and George Pailing threatened the Royals goal, but they both had a bit of a chew at the ball, rather than going in with any real bite and the Royals snuffed out any danger.
A precision ball from Newark's Sam Gregory sent Daryl Price away, but he over hit his cross and it went behind for a goal kick.
George Pailing made a bit of a hash of a back header to Gary Attwood and Mickleover's Kirk Francis nipped in and nicked the ball, but he put his shot into the side netting.
Francis was involved again, when he launched a long throw into the box which found Jamie Warner, but the Royal's striker fired over.
Francis then put the Newark defence under pressure once again, when he crossed the ball into the box on 27 minutes, George Pailing's attempted clearance fell kindly for Adam Birch and he knocked the ball home, to give the visitors the lead.
Ryan Stafford latched onto a clearance by the Mickleover defence and tried his luck from 30 yards, but his shot deflected wide of the target.
On 32 minutes, the Blues were on level terms, when Simon Ellison got on the end of Dom Swingler's cross and netted from six yards out.
Conceding a goal acted as a spark for the Royals and they charged forward again after Jamie Warner had dispossessed Ricky North, but when the final ball found it's way through to Billy Nugent, he fired over from 10 yards.Newark finished the first half strongly, when they went close to scoring, twice.
Daryl Price launched a thirty yard free kick into the box and Ash Warner saved James Lloyd's headed attempt on goal. Anfd just before the half time whistle, Simon Ellison headed the ball into the path of Daryl Price, but the Blues number 11 fired narrowly wide from close range.
Half time 1-1, an evenly matched opening 45 minutes, all square, fair n' square.
James Lloyd and Daryl Price were both spreading the ball around to good effect for the hosts, but the Blues weren't really making it count in the final third.
While Kirk Francis and Jerome Alexander, were the stand out players for the Derbyshire based side, who obviously haven't just joined the CMFL to make the numbers up.
They're a well organised, passing side and they impressed me no end.
A few of the Newark Town faithful also commented on well the Royals played today and I heard praise levelled their way, along the lines of 'the best side we've played this season' several times.
Martin Wilson made a last ditch tackle on Kirk Francis as the visitors upped the tempo and went in search of another goal.
That goal came on 69 minutes, when Adam Birch headed home a Dave Carr free kick.
Back came Newark and Daryl Price was denied a goal when Jerome Alexander blocked his effort at the expense of a corner.
The corner kick was cleared to the edge of the box where Ryan Stafford attempted to score with an overhead bicycle kick, but Ash Warner saved.
It was to be Stafford's last input into the game because a few minutes later he was involved in a clash of heads with the Royals goal scorer Adam Birch on the edge of the Blues area ... and following a stoppage for them to get treatment, both players were substituted.
Left back Mark Ellison, worked his way down the flank and Newark played the ball right across the face of the area to Daryl Price, but the well worked manoeuvre came to nought as Price fired narrowly over.
With time running out for the home side, Kirk Francis and Ben Willison almost forged another opening for Mickleover, but George Pailing determinedly got the ball away.
Right at the death, Kirk Francis almost topped off a great performance with a late goal for MIckleover, but Gary Attwood saved the lively number 11's effort.
Full time 1-2, Newark missed Ian Hillier today, they also missed several good goal scoring opportunities at vital times.
Mickleover Royals for their part, impressed me a lot and over the whole 90 minutes, probably just about deserved all three points.

Saving Ryan's Privates:
"It's ok Ryan. I've wrapped them up in ice and they
can probably sew 'em back on at the hospital"