Newark Town Res 1-1 Radford Res (L Cup) 2-3 pens

With the first team game being called off at Ibstock I went to see the reserves play at Devon Park, in the second round of the Central Midland League Reserves League Cup. The pitch was in good condition considering all the snow we have had recently. It was an evenly contested encounter throughout the Two hours of play. Radford had a chance to open the scoring on 23 minutes when a ball was crossed to the Newark far post but Michael Allen could not reach the ball. On the half hour full back Macauley Barber came close to scoring but the the keeper finger tipped his shot to safety. A minute later Marcus Hayes had a firmly hit 25 yard drive saved by the keeper.

Matt Wheat came on for Richard Johnson at the start of the second half and immediately linked up well with Marcus Hayes to create several attacking moves. Ten minutes into the second half Radford took the lead through a superb angled drive from Richard Derby. The lead wasn't to last long though as Newark found an equaliser a minute later when Ben Hawker was played through to slide the ball past Martins Apenitis. The game ebbed and flowed to the end of 90 minutes and through extra-time. After Newark had missed 3 of their 5 penalties and Radford 2 of their 4 Radfords Matt Wheat converted his spot kick to put Radford Reserves into the third round and an away fixture at Rainworth Reserves.