Page 89 - Phonebox Magazine September 2014

Newport Pagnell Football Club
Looking ahead
Newport Pagnell Town did not make as good a start to the season as hoped, taking only one point from their first two
United Counties League Premier Division matches, both at home at Willen Road.
In the opening game they matched a good Peterborough Northern Star team for 75 minutes but failed to take their chances and lost 2-0 to two goals in the last 15 minutes. Four days later they drew 1-1 with newly promoted Oadby Town. Newport went a goal down after only 18 minutes. They came back into the game well, but once again failed to take their scoring chances and went in 1-0 down at half time. Dom Lawless scored after 65 minutes to bring the home team level but despite further chances for both teams there were no more goals and it ended 1-1. In their third league match of the season Newport Pagnell finally found their goalscoring touch very impressively with a 5-2 win away at Sleaford. Josh Crawley and Dom Lawless scored two goals each and Lukasz Filipiak scored the other.
Newport made an early exit from this season’s FA Cup away at Leverstock Green in the Extra Preliminary Round. It was 0-0 at half time, but Leverstock Green took the lead early in the second half. There seemed hope of at least a replay for Newport when Josh Crawley equalised with ten minutes left to play, but they conceded another goal five minutes later to lose 2-1.
Although these early results are disappointing, the performances look more promising than at this stage last season. This squad may have the ability to move up the league table as the season progresses, if they can just start taking a few more of the scoring chances they are creating.
The Reserves team made a good start to their season in the Northern Division of the Suburban League with a 3-2 win over Farnham Town at Willen Road. An early penalty put Newport ahead, but the visitors equalised before half time thanks to a controversial award of a penalty for what looked like an accidental hand ball. Farnham took the lead very early in the second half, but Newport looked the better team for the remainder of the match and scored two good goals to earn a well- deserved three points.
The promising young players in the Reserves squad played some very entertaining football and their home matches are well worth coming along to watch.
Season tickets at the unchanged price of £50 are still available (usually on sale in the clubhouse before home first team matches). They give admission to all home first team league matches, plus all Reserves and Under 18s home league matches.
Forthcoming home first team fixtures:
Saturday 6th Sept (3.00pm): Bugbrooke St Michaels (FA Vase 1st Qual Round) Saturday 13th Sept (3.00pm): Wellingborough Town (UCL Premier Div) Saturday 20th Sept (3.00pm): Long Buckby (UCL Premier Div)
Tuesday 23rd Sept (7.45pm): Rushden & Diamonds (UCL Premier Div)
Summer activities
Summer fun and games
The on-going season of social events continued with a barbeque that was well supported by nearly 60 members, along with family and friends.
On a very sunny evening, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees, we were able to take to our wonderful Green for some fun games, following a delicious meal.
The evening was rounded off with a spectacular pyrotechnic display provided by Mother Nature.
The Carlton House Trophy in honour of Mike Smith
Once again, we held a great competition in celebration of Mike’s life. It was nice to see family and friends coming along to watch and play on August 16. Congratulations to the eventual winners, Dave Hoyland and Shaun O’Reilly. The trophy was presented by Mike’s daughter Ellie.
Phonebox Magazine 89