NEWARK FLOW TO TOP OF THE TABLE

EASTWOOD CFC V NEWARK FLOWSERVE
EMCFL @ CHEWTON ST
8 DECEMBER 2018 --- 3PM

SAM AGAR OPENS THE SCORING FOR NEWARK FLOWSERVE

A double strike from top scorer Sam Agar sent Newark Flowserve to the top of the table in this rain swept match, however the weather did not interfere with an highly entertaining encounter which thankfully had the benefit of the 4g surface and by the final whistle both sides could take credit for their efforts.
The winter weather had returned with a force this week with a collection of games lost to the increasing wet stuff making the life of hoppers one long planning of 4g standbys and personal relationships with the weather presenters of all channels.  Games had fallen foul to the weather today and with the travelling gamble avoided a selection of local encounters were settled and like the good old Its A Knockout TV programme of the 70's I decided to play my 'joker' for the first time and with any real menace select a 4g fixture due to the forecast.  How well this played out with the game played in constant driving rain the half time torrential downpour abandoned nearby games at Heanor, Kimberly, Selston and Ingles, without doubt if Eastwood had still been playing on grass the same end result would have ensued here.
Being a re visit I wont go through a ground descriptor needless to say the club of course displays its former glories in its size and facilities, although of course the levelling of the pitch has made some areas non viewable for anybody below 6ft 5in in height. 
The inclement weather made photos hard work today so there are just a few and as for the pre match amble forget it.  Eastwood is of course famous for DH Lawrence and his former home looked at in previous visits but I did discover a few hidden gems.  The former pub Man In Space by the ground which is now demolished and forms a Sainsbury's was used for filming 'Carry On At Your Convenience' rather appropriate given the size of the new store.  At the opposite end of town the large Eastwood Hall offers all sorts of hospitality facilities and accommodation and was the former HQ of British Coal.  Rather interestingly it offers two rooms amongst its 40 named MacGregor and Scargill apparently though the latters is to the left of the formers.

DAVE SURELY A BURNLEY FC BROCHURE APPROACH AWAITS HIM

Anyway I digress back to todays proceedings and it was good as ever to catch up with Malc and Kev the former author of the famous and to be recommended 'on the road blog' which keeps us all up to date with local proceedings.  Also in attendance was Burnley catalogue boy Dave who I'm sure you will agree would look resplendent in any clothes attire brochure for the man about town, Burnley, as ever a pleasure to spend time discussing the state of the game.
Having drifted towards the bar before the match for a warm drink it was as ever good to meet up with the Newark entourage and with the club battling for that top spot with Selston it would make for an intriguing game against fellow high flyers Eastwood Community.
Starting off in the way we mean to go on, rain, there were early chances for both sides Joe Butler and Chay Bettridge fired over from good positions for the home side and the pace of Newark with danger man Agar were making this an open game.  It was though Newark who took the lead on 20 minutes when a headed down cross off the right was met on the volley, as the ball came over his head, by Agar his shot was powerful enough to roll over the line even though Jack Walker made a brave attempt to halt its progress.

1-0 VERY SHORTLY AS AGAR WATCHES HIS SHOT DRIFT OVER THE LINE

In a first half that seemed littered with dissent amazingly the game did create excitement and one of those moments was the Eastwood equaliser from 25 yards out John Whitehurst lined is run up to perfection and fired home with a glorious strike after 40 minutes.
Back came Flowserve though and that man Agar found an attack repelled and the ball fell to his feet 20 yards out and thanks to a deflection on the way you know where it ended up, 2-1 to the visitors at the break.
Downpour followed and with games falling around to this precipitation of the heaviest kind the 4g held up nicely save for a small area that suffered from terrace run off, soon to be drained away though.

REFEREE STEPHEN DAVIES MAKES IT CLEAR HIS CHRISTMAS LIST CONTAINS JUST ONE REQUEST A WHISTLE

The second period became somewhat one way traffic with the pace and guile of the visitor to the fore however they should have scored more and put the game to bed with a one goal lead there was always the danger of a break away goal and much of the hard work could have been undone.  Its never quite clear whether to put this down to poor finishing or the sheer ability of The Highwaymen that actual gets them into a position in the first place that others wouldn't.
Anyway the chances came and went Elliott King shot blocked by Aaron Short, Tyrell Shannon-Lewis shot saved by Walker, same effect from a powerful Agar effort found home keeper still on top form and add to that further efforts from Agar and Dan Meadows on a couple of occasions the score line could have been more.  Credit though remains with Walker between the home sides posts for a superb display during the afternoon with some quality saves that kept Eastwood in the game to the final whistle.
Newark had secured three points and a victory that leaves the club top of the pile, albeit on goal difference and having played a game more than Selston.  But when your at the top somebody has to move you if they want to get there and who would bet against a superb run in for this seasons East Midlands Counties Football League title.