Match Report by
Christopher Sweetman
Newcastle began on the back foot, with Bedworth pushing hard for another early goal, and Newcastle keeper Joe Slinn had to make several key early interventions to keep the game level.
The most crucial came on 20 minutes as Tyler Haddow was played clean through, but Slinn produced an excellent one-on-one save one of many on the night.
That served to galvanise Newcastle, and they took the lead minutes later, as Vale powered his shot in from the edge of the area.
There was initially some confusion as to whether his shot had gone inside the left post, but the referee awarded the goal.
Newcastle continued to push for a second to secure the lead, with Jayden Hunter hitting the post moments after the goal.
The visitors were on top at this point, with Jack van der Laan striking the post as well, from a similar position to the goal.
However, Bedworth came back towards the end of the half, with Slinn producing a point-blank save against Saturday’s goalscorer Khaellem Bailey-Nichols.
Half Time
Bedworth 0-1 Castle
Newcastle began the second half brightly, as they tried to play Hunter in straight from the kick off.
A few minutes later, Newcastle won a free kick in Vale’s shooting range, but he was off target on this occasion. However, Bedworth came back, and Slinn once again had to make a one-on-one save against Haddow, before the Bedford forward put the rebound wide.
Much like Saturday, the game was becoming scrappier the longer the half went on, with Bedworth, in particular, struggling to keep possession.
A flurry of chances for both sides saw Hunter hit the post for Town, before Bedworth winger Liam Lockett forced a save from Slinn.
Newcastle closed out the game despite Bedworth pushing on but Castle continued to maintain possession and hung on to secure their progression to the First Qualifying Round, where they will travel to Stafford Rangers on Saturday 3rd September.
Full Time
Bedworth 0-1 Castle
Lineup
Slinn, Hurst, Ritchie, Vale (26), Askey, Dennis, Conlon, T van der Laan, Hunter (Smith), J van der Laan, Lloyd (Baxter)
Subs not used
Parker, Torjussen, Lewis, J Lovatt, C Lovatt