Report

The Blues bounced straight back from their disappointing display at Hucknall on Saturday, a 75^th minute goal from Simon Greenfield proving enough to knock League Cup holders Yorkshire Main out of this year’s competition, and set up a quarter final clash with Pinxton. Town’s squad was stretched again, with Ricky Brewer and Ben Porter injured,  Callum Fraser, Ryan Stafford and Luke Parsons working and Simon Ellison on holiday.

On a heavy, sticky surface Newarkenjoyed a majority of the early possession, Jammy Lloyd’s persistence almost forcing Cairns to knocking the ball past keeper Scully, and with Dom Swingler and Ben Ginnelly linking well up front, the signs were promising. On 18 minutes a right wing cross from Ian Hillier saw Sam Wilford outjumping Tracey for Lloyd to bring a good save from Scully. Hillier then put a 25 yarder inches over the top. Clear cut chances were few and far between, however, and with Martin Wilson and Greenfield combining effectively at the back,Main’s attack was for the most part kept at bay. The home side’s best chance came on the stroke of half time, Greenfield producing a well timed header to clear the danger from a left wing corner.

With Mark Ellison suffering a tweaked hamstring in the first half, JC McDonald slotted in at left back. Hillier forced Scully into a diving save after a strong run down the right, but on 53 minutes Maina lmost took the lead. A free kick was headed back across the area by Hinsley, Cooper seeing his header bouncing off the top of the bar. Lloyd was then booked for an innocuous tackle, one of many strange decisions from referee Frampton, whose only claim to consistency was that he bewildered both benches equally. Hillier floated another cross narrowly over the bar, before the deadlock was finally broken fifteen minutes from time. Hillier was again the architect, finding Wilson in an unfamiliar position on the right. A quick turn and a quality reverse ball fell perfectly for Greenfield to guide an angled shot across Scully and into the far corner. Wilford pulled off an excellent tackle to rob Evans as he broke down the right, as Main searched for a late equaliser, but the Blues’ defence held firm, ensuring that they go into March as quarter finalists in three cup competitions.

“That was an excellent response to Saturday” said Tony Joynes. “This has always been a tough place to get a result, and against the cup holders this is a fantastic achievement. With a lot of players missing, this is another indication of the depth of the squad. The lads bonded really well tonight and encouraged each other for 90 minutes. Ben Ginnelly put in another good shift, and Dom Swingler covered a lot of ground.”

Richard Lane