Jack Beckett was took his tally to five goals in two matches
JACK BECKETT took his tally to five goals in two games as his hat-trick steered Newark Flowserve to a 7-0 win at Arnold Town in the East Midlands Counties League.
The Highwaymen, who opened their campaign with an 8-0 demolition of the same opposition, were cheered to the rafters by a vocal travelling support from Newark who formed the vast majority of an attendance of 76 at Eagle Valley.
As impressive as the side were on the field, the self-titled Flowserve Executive Crew, who had travelled on a mini bus from Newark, entertained from the start with their witty repertoire of songs for players, management - and wives - bringing smiles to the faces of the hardy band of home supporters as well as their heroes on the park.
Afterwards the clubhouse saw the festivities continue as the bar takings probably excelled those of the season as a whole, and the good humour throughout brought smiles from those serving the refreshment.
Flowserve, wearing their resplendent change colours of blue and purple for the first time - other than a behind-closed-doors friendly at Quorn – had the ball in the net in the first nine minutes, only for the goal to be ruled out when Tyrell Shannon-Lewis was judged to be offside after turning in Sam Agar’s goalbound shot.
Beckett, whose two cup goals in midweek against Rainworth had taken his tally to six for the season, fired the first of his triple in the 13th minute when he turned the ball home after neat interplay with Daryl Price, who was in the side in place of Jahred Russell who was present but unavailable after being involved in a road traffic accident in the days leading up the game.
Beckett made it two eight minutes later when he cut across the edge of the area from the right before unleashing a left-foot strike past the keeper, and Shannon-Lewis got the third with his 18th of the campaign on the half hour to emphasise the visitors’ domination of the proceedings.
Five minutes had elapsed in the second period when Agar burst into life with two goals in two minutes as the East Midlands Counties League’s leading marksman made it 31 to his name.
He rounded the keeper for his first, blasted home a direct free-kick for his second, and then spurned the opportunity of a hat-trick when handing the ball to substitute Elliot King after the lively Jammy Lloyd had won a 73rd minute penalty.
King – top scorer with 52 goals last season – failed to add to his 11 this time round as his spot kick hit the post and went behind. It was the first of a series of misses in front of goal as Flowserve failed to take a clear opportunity to add to their already impressive goal difference (Agar’s opener was their 100th league goal of the season).
Six minutes were left on the clock when Daryl Price deservedly got the sixth from close range after more trickery from Agar on the left, and Agar and King then combined neatly for Beckett to head home in the final minute to put Flowserve into seventh heaven.
Cue more hymns from the FEC choir.
Newark Flowserve: 1 Nathan Burrows; 2 Sol Miller (Curtis Price 60mins); 3 Will Rawdon; 4 Tom Potts (captain); 5 Rhys Lewis (Ryan Broxholme 60mins), 6 Jammy Lloyd; 7 Jack Beckett; 8 Daryl Price; 9 Sam Agar; 10 Tyrell Shannon-Lewis (Elliot King HT); 11 Blair Anderson.
Attendance: 76.