10/02/2024
By Chris Gibbs
Castle get back to winning ways with thrilling win
Newcastle Town 3 | Jones (24) Twyford (48) Avery (63)
Prescot Cables 0
With what was arguably our best performance of the season,we got back to winning ways by beating title chasing Prescot Cables convincingly 3-0 and at the same time reigniting our own hopes of making the play-offs.
This was a performance of real character with outstanding performances all over the pitch starting from the back with the big man between the sticks.
It was Slinny’s monster of a hurl that set Tom Jones on his way in the 24th minute. He had a hell of a lot still to do but do it he did. Pushing at the heart of the Prescot defence he then unleashed a superb strike which flew into the top corner.
By that point we ought to have already been in front. Jake Avery missed a very presentable chance in the fourth minute when put through on goal, but Prescot keeper Mitchell Allen saved well with his body to keep the game on level terms.
Getting to half time 1-0 up was key and we managed that despite a few alarms and the turning point in the game came just three minutes into the second half as Jake Avery broke the offside trap had his shot saved but then had the presence of mind to square the ball to fellow Jake, Twyford, who made no mistake from the edge of the box.
And there was still more to come. Some terrific link up play between Jones and Sherratt saw Jack retain possession in a dangerous position. But there was still plenty to do. He fizzed in a pass to the feet of Avery and our recent signing made it four goals in four games with a calm side foot finish. On another day he might have had a hat-trick, but he keeps getting in good positions and the goals are still coming so we have no complaints!
But the thing that epitomised this performance more than anything else was the sheer determination to keep a clean sheet and make sure the opposition went home with nothing. Slinny made a brilliant one on one save and from the rebound Ollie Ritchie somehow got a leg on the goal bound follow up to deflect the ball over the bar.
From the resulting corner Slinny pulled off an incredible point blank save from Prescot sub Nathan Koehler. The 3-0 scoreline may have flattered us slightly but the commitment and the courage we showed to get the win was magnificent. It was a tremendous day all round
Come on Castle!
Team: Slinn, Derbyshire, Ritchie, T. Van der Laan, Jordan, Stubbs, Graham, (Berks) Sherratt, Avery, Jones (Adu Gyamfi)Twyford, (Holland)
Man of the Match: Joe Slinn