Newcastle welcomed Glossop NE to Lyme Valley on what was an emotionally charged day as we said our club farewell to Paul Ratcliffe who was our chairman who we recently sadly lost to Pancreatic Cancer.
Prior to kickoff we held a minuted silence and presented the family with a floral tribute as we remembered Paul.
Robin made 2 changes to the side that drew 2 each the previous week with Birthday man James Askey missing our due to injury but was replaced by the returning Luke Dennis and Max Chimenes got a start with Michael Conlon also missing.
The game started slowly with both sides adapting to the heat on the pitch and the playing conditions and in the first 20 minutes was very limited chances, Jake Lovatt blocked down a keepers kick but the deflection did not fall kindly for Castle and we were not able to capitalise on this.
Both sides continued to move the ball forward but were denied with blocks or clearances which meant the ball spent much time going from box to box.
On 35 minutes Glossop did have the ball in the back of the net after a cross into the box and Hugo Rodgriguez who was impressive had a free header only for the assistant on the far side to raise his flag for offside which looked tight, but a let off never the less for Castle.
Half Time
Newcastle Town 0-0 Glossop NE
The second half started in honesty similar to the first half with the ball moving from box to box by both sides but there was a call for a penalty on 48 minutes when Max Chimenes looked to be pushed over in the area but the ref and his assistant deemed it not a foul.
On 68 minutes Castle pulled the Glossop keeper into a save with Will Lloyd who had just come on for Max Chimenes got into the area and drove a low shot towards goal which was saved by the keeper.
on 77 minutes Glossop has arguably their best chance when a low shot was saved by Joe Slinn and the rebound effort was put just over the crossbar. Then just minutes later they broke the Castle backline and the no7 but his shot again just over the crossbar to once again let Castle know that they were still here in the game.
The last few minutes of the game it began to come a little scrappy from both sides and the ref was all on the whistle to slow down the game flow, but with the 90 just ticked Glossop were awarded a freekick just outside the area and Jamie Rainford put his effort just over despite the call for a save from Joe Slinn either way Slinny had it covered.
And with the 4 additional minutes up the ref blew time on this 0-0 stalemate and both sides shared the points
Full Time
Newcastle Town 0-0 Glossop NE
Town are next in action on Tuesday night when we welcome 1874 Northwich to Lyme Valley for what is yet another crucial game in Castle's season