[text_center]Thorne Colliery FC 3 – 1 Newark Town FC[/text_center]
Thorne Colliery started the game with the intention of recording their 13th consecutive home win in league & cup matches.
It took only thirty seconds for the first chance of the game when Darren Fell was clear on goal, only for his shot to be intercepted by Town defender Sam Wilford. Then on five minutes a free kick from Colliery was punched away by Town’s ‘keeper Chris Riley which landed to Fell who could only drag his shot wide of the post.
The breakthrough came on fifteen minutes when Neil Sheppard crossed to Scott Rhodes, who headed the ball back across goal to the unmarked Fell who made no mistake as he headed Colliery into a one-nil lead.
Newark were got back to level terms though just two minutes later when a cross from the left was fumbled by Colliery ‘keeper Rob Chester which was cleared by the defence only to be struck from about twenty yards out over the keepers head into the net. 1-1.
Colliery then had a goal disallowed on thirty minutes for offside although the ball came off the crossbar first before ending up in back of the net.
The weather conditions were getting worse by the minute, with strong winds rain and thunder & lighting, but credit to both sides they both continued to play good football.
On forty minutes a long ball from Rafferty released Fell who rode a challenge from a Newark defender to strike the ball home from 10yrds to claim his second and give Colliery a 2-1 lead going in to half-time.
Half-Time: Thorne Colliery 2 – 1 Newark Town
The second half started with Newark attacking on numerous occasions, only for Colliery to defend well, getting behind the ball and clearing their lines when called for. Colliery had chances from Trevor Hindson (60mins) & Rhodes (62mins) but on 70mins a quick counter attack allowed Fell to cross which found Sheppard at the far post and he calmly slotted the ball inside the near post to make it 3-1 to Colliery.
Still Colliery had further chances to extend their lead but with fine saves from Newark’s ‘keeper he denied Rhodes (twice) and Callum Tiffany to keep it 3-1 at the whistle.
Full-Time: Thorne Colliery 3 – 1 Newark Town
TEAM : Chester, G.Rafferty, L.Rafferty, Rodgers, Lugton, Tiffany, Sheppard, Thomas, Stoddart, Fell, Rhodes, Hindson, Simpson.
Upcoming Fixtures (subject to change):
All games to be played at the Welfare Ground, Moorends.
Home v AFC Mansfield – Sat 22nd Feb K.O. 2pm
Home v Kinsley Boys FC – Sat 1st March K.O. 3pm
Home v Askern FC – Sat 8th March K.O. 3pm
Home v Phoenix FC – Sat 15th March K.O. 3pm
