Page 85 - Phonebox Magazine May 2016

Newport Pagnell Town Football Club
Finishing in the league
By the time you read this the season will be over and we will know where Newport Pagnell Town have nished in the league. At the time of writing, with four league matches remaining, they look to have a good chance of retaining their
current third position in the Premier Division of the United Counties League, which would be an excellent achievement.
The progress up the table to third place has been achieved by a very good run of league results, with ve consecutive wins, and only four points dropped in the last eleven league matches.
In the home match against Deeping Rangers, Newport were under a lot of pressure, especially in the rst half, but determined defence kept the opposition out, and a well taken Dom Lawless goal in the 67th minute was enough to take all three points. Not for the rst time this season, they managed to scramble a victory when playing below their best, which is a sign of a good team and perhaps explains why they are in such a high league position.
They gave a much better performance in an impressive 3-1 win over Holbeach United at Willen Road. Newport dominated this match throughout against a team who were just one place below them in the league, with goals from Dom Lawless and Daryl Smith giving them a 2-0 half time lead. Smith scored again early in the second half, and an 80th minute goal for the visitors was too late to give them any real chance. This was followed by another good performance, winning 2-0 away at Kirby Muxloe, with goals by Fazel Koriya and Greg Ling.
The penultimate home match of the season saw a 3-2 win over Peterborough Northern Star. There were no goals in a disappointing rst half, but Newport looked to have taken charge when Fazel Koriya scored after 49 minutes. However, the visitors equalised four minutes later and took a surprise lead only three minutes after that. A second Fazel Koriya goal after 72 minutes bought the scores level and set up an exciting nish, with the home team’s pressure nally rewarded with a rare Stuart Smeathers goal in the 90th minute to win the match.
The one disappointment in recent weeks was losing 2-0 in the nal of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy. A large contingent of supporters travelled to Abingdon on a Tuesday evening to see the match against Flackwell Heath. Newport had the better of the rst half but were unable to turn their possession into goals, and Flackwell Heath took the trophy with two goals in the last quarter of the match.
One award has come to Willen Road this season. It was recently announced that the Berks & Bucks FA step 5/6 Grounds Person of the Year award for 2015-2016 has gone to Newport Pagnell’s Gary Hefferon (known to everyone as “Crump”). Anyone who has attended matches at Willen Road and seen the quality of the pitch this season will agree that this is well deserved.
LATE NEWS: The postponed home match against Harrowby United has now been rescheduled and will be played at Willen Road on Tuesday 3rd May at 7.45pm, as Newport Pagnell Town’s last league match of the season.
Newport Pagnell Tennis Club
Celebrating and supporting junior tennis
While many of us were scof ng chocolate over Easter, this young lady was enjoying her tennis;
going from strength to strength! Kyla Garner, of Newport Pagnell Tennis Club, has had a great Easter and over the last few weeks has won the 9 years and under Great Missenden tournament (grade 5), has won the Welwyn Garden City 9u Girls Singles (grade 4) and earnt runner-up in the 9u Girls Rickmansworth tournament (grade 3). She also reached a very high rating for a young player achieving her Orange 1*, of which Kyla, her family, coach and the club are incredibly proud. Well done Kyla!
Our adult teams have also enjoyed a
very successful winter season with two teams topping their divisions across MK and members enjoying social events and coaching sessions year round. We have tennis for all abilities from beginner to advanced, and for all ages.
If you fancy playing some tennis and giving us a try, come and join us at our friendly local tennis club at Willen Sports Ground, Newport Pagnell, at our free Great British Tennis afternoon event on Saturday 14th May (2-4pm). You can also join us to admire the Davis Cup trophy won by Team GB, when it visits Queens Court, CMK, that morning. Find details about this and other events and our affordable membership offer on our website newportpagnelltennis. net and nd us on facebook.
May 2016 | Phonebox Magazine 85