Venue: Forest Town Arena, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Competition: North Midlands U21 Development League
Referee: Mr. Mark Thomas
Scorers:
AFC - Fenn Radford (90 +3)
Town - Brandon Byers-Wilkes (4)
Going to this game was a last minute decision - I had no intention of following the U21 league as I fail to see it's raison d'etre. However, I am trying to get in as many games this season as possible as each game adds a few bob to the charity pot.
Newark have not registered any of their U21 squad with their first team, whilst AFC have only a smattering of players with first team experience. Declan Brewer actually played the whole 90 minutes for the AFC first team on Tuesday at Worsborough Bridge.
Brandon Wilkes opened the scoring in the fourth minute, racing onto a neat through ball from Josh Martin and managing to steer the ball home from 12 yards after he reached it before onrushing keeper Liam Bacon could intercept.
Newark had only the bare eleven players, and after defending solidly throughout the rest of the game, fatigue began to show as AFC pressed and pressed to try and get something out of the game. Last ditch challenges and a couple of decent saves from keeper Ajaz Jafad had the visitors believing they had done enough to hold on as the game entered stoppage time.
Not to be though. In the third minute of added time they failed to clear a corner from the right, and when the ball fell kindly to FENN RADFORD, he reacted quickly and volleyed sweetly home through a crowd of players from 10 yards. F-T 1-1
On reflection this was a fair result, but you have to feel for the Newark eleven - they had defended so well throughout - one lapse of concentration right at the end cost them dearly.
Admission £3 (!)
Programme £0.50 (!)
Attendance - estimated 60 -65
Charity: £1.50
