Gedling MW 2 - 1 Newark Town
(P Piliero 18 P) (A Hales 43)
(J Stevenson 90+2)

Late drama in a thrilling opening game.
Newark were playing their first game in step 6 after league title success last year and they created a chance inside 2 minutes. Some nice give and go passing saw the ball fall to the Newark forward but his effort was superbly saved by Louis Richardson.
Gedling who came off a reasonable 13th place finish last year struggled in the first 15 minutes in a very physical affair. But only 2 minutes later the miners were given a chance to take the lead. Some nice play between Ruben Wiggins-Thomas and Tyrell Shannon-Lewis saw Courtney Hastings drive into the penalty area but he was taken out by Luke Parsons leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot and Parsons was lucky to only see a yellow card, Paolo Piliero stepped up and smashed his penalty into the corner despite the keeper guessing right to give the hosts a 1-0 lead

Newark continued to press on and on 25 minutes they created another good chance, after a poor ball from Felix Hogg the Newark Midfielder drove towards the Gedling box and after riding Mason Rowley's challenge the Newark man could only fire over the bar from 18 yards.
On 35 minutes Greg Tempest whipped a free kick just over the cross bar as the hosts still were looking for a spark in the game. But with half time looming Newark got their equaliser, after an in swinging corner was punched by Richardson it fell to Alex Hales who looped the ball back into the net from 30 yards to send the newcomers level at half time.
Gedling came out the better of the teams after the restart and created 2 chances in quick succession. After a Wiggins-Thomas effort was spilled by the keeper Tempest was quickest to react but his effort was blocked by a resolute Newark backline, Tempest again went close with a volley from 20 yards that just went over the crossbar.
On 56 minutes though the visitors should have gone Infront. After a through ball caught the Gedling backline napping the Newark forward went 1v1 with Richardson but his lobbed effort sallied over the bar and Gedling were let off the hook
On 74 minutes the game turned, Shannon-Lewis beat his man before being taken out by Ben Sharpe leading to the ref giving another penalty to Gedling but this time the ref felt Sharpe had no intention to play the ball and he was shown a straight red card. Piliero however dragged his penalty wide to keep the scores level.
On 84 minutes the playing field was level again, Having only been on the pitch for 15 minutes Jack Jepson was giving his marching orders for what looked like a elbow much to the disagreement of the Gedling bench.
But in the 90th minute the boys in yellow and blue snatched a late winner. An in swinging Keiran Harrison corner hit the crossbar and the ball was bundled over the line with what looked like Josh Stevenson getting the final touch to send the Gedling faithful crazy
But they lived a massive scare with the last kick of the game Louis Richrdson produced a match winning save to deny the Newark forward an equaliser and immediately after the ref blew his whistle and Gedling started the season with maximum points.

Gedling Man of the match- Louis Richardson

Gedling’s team
Louis Richardson, Paolo Piliero, Ross McCaughey, Felix Hogg (Dean Gent 82), Mason Rowley (Kieran Harrison 67), Josh Stevenson, Josh Thornton, Greg Tempest, Courtney Hastings (Jack Jepson 65), Ruben Wiggins-Thomas (Adrian Hawes 90+2), Tyrell Shannon-Lewis
Subs not used- Danny Dixon

Cautions- Rowley pulling back his man (65)

Dismissals- Jepson- violent conduct (84)

Next Game- Aylestone Park (A) 06/08/22 3:00PM KO

Match Report By: Ryan Nice