“After five
seasons stuck in division III promotion was a godsend after a gruelling campaign which culminated in a second place finish.
We were unstoppable over the winter months fuelled with Maureen’s meal tickets and sing-a-longs with the rugby lot nothing
or no one could stop us, not even those awful double bankers in 80c weather come April”.
The Beckenham cup
success of 2005-06 had instilled a winning belief in the Newpark squad who from the offset of 2006-07 had promotion in their
sights. After sweeping aside tough opposition in pre-season, Newpark started the league campaign at home to newly promoted
Elite. There were some wholesale changes to the squad; every good government shuffles its cabinet before mounting an election
campaign, people would have to go. Goalkeeper Regan had retired and Chris Rowley had moved to Tudor Sports. Ben Young would
leave after falling out of favour after the “Bullygate” incident with striker Stuart Hannan.arrivals consisted
of the robust Michael Walsh and tough-tackling Dave Medhurst. The new arrivals to division III stunned their New Eltham hosts
with a shock 3-0 reverse. Newpark had dominated the game and missed numerous chances. Elite made them pay with clinical finishing.
It was a shock to the system. Newpark needed to respond. The response was a 3-0 win over Old Colfeians with Roffe opening
Newparks’ goals for account. Next up were perennial bogeymen Metrogas ‘A’. Despite going a goal behind Newpark
came back to win 2-1, a massive psychological result so early on in the season. A Hannan brace ensured the win. Wins over
Old Town New Boys, Longlands and a colossal display with ten men over at Old Roan would pitch Newpark third in the league.
The whole team were battling and showing passion and commitment that was lacking from the previous campaigns of 04, 05 and
06’. Cup wins over Salmon, Bridon Ropes and Johnson & Phillips would keep the winning momentum going. Hannan, Edler,
O’Shaughnessy and a rejuvenated Liam Maloney were the stand out players coming into 2007. A void fixture versus Crayford
put more points on the board. Could this be Newpark’s year?
2007 began with
poor weather hampering Newpark’s progress. In January and February they would only play three league games yielding
nine points. Crockenhill were soundly beaten twice (10-2 and 3-0) and Catford Exiles were no match going down 3-1 in a contentious
game which saw a flurry of yellow cards. Parkhurst from division II would eliminate Park’ from the league cup 2-1. A
tough draw with Metrogas away edged Newpark into 3rd place, it was a game they could have won and lost, arguably
the neutrals favourite Newpark match all season. Catford Exiles (4-1) and Longlands (8-1) were put to the sword as Park’
showed no remorse in either fixture. Lewisham Athletic would knock Park’ out of the Beckenham cup in a thrilling tie.
A goalless draw on Easter Saturday against a strong OTNB put Newpark second after Metrogas has lost ground elsewhere. Newpark’
promotion run in would consist of six games in two weeks.
Two sets of double
bankers stood between promotion and another year in division three. Circumstances redolent of 2001 had Newpark searching for
their resolve; this was squeaky bum time in all its essence. Ravens, who were the real underachievers of this year’s
campaign won the first match on a blistering spring’s day in April 1-0. Newpark, sapped by the freak weather restored
pride in the second match securing a 3-0 reverse to edge them closer to second division football. Elite would lose ground
after a surprise defeat at OTNB. A youthful, energetic Long Lane would be the opponents in the second double banker. The young
team from Kidbrooke had the advantage of a 16 man squad and fresh legs, Newpark laboured on with 12 men and a bag of stale
oranges! Newpark would produce the performance of the season, comfortably winning the first game 2-0 the heat and the endurance
of the first game had physically drained Newpark to a standstill. Long Lane would push them all the way, the only problem
was they hadn’t read the script. A thrilling 3-2 win for Newpark secured promotion. After relinquishing a 2-0 lead,
Long Lane drew level and looked the better side for the points, an Hannan header in the 87th minute won it for
Park’.
With promotion secured
the camp was buzzing, Old Colfs were despatched 9-2 setting up a championship decider against Elite who were two points adrift
of Newpark going into the mid week fixture. Despite coming from behind to lead
2-1 Elite battled constantly in the second half and got their just rewards, although 4-2 slightly flattered them in the end.
An injury to keeper Tom Gale at 2-2 played a massive part in their result. The most important news though was that Newpark,
after six years would finally play competitive football in Division II for the forth coming 2007-08 season.
| Division Three |
| Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
+/- |
Points |
| 1 |
Elite |
22 |
18 |
1 |
3 |
76 |
25 |
51 |
55 |
| 2 |
New Park |
22 |
17 |
2 |
3 |
67 |
23 |
44 |
53 |
| 3 |
Metrogas "A" |
22 |
15 |
2 |
5 |
65 |
41 |
24 |
47 |
| 4 |
Old Town New Boys |
22 |
13 |
2 |
7 |
39 |
29 |
10 |
41 |
| 5 |
Ravens |
22 |
10 |
4 |
8 |
46 |
41 |
5 |
34 |
| 6 |
Old Colfeians * |
22 |
11 |
2 |
9 |
45 |
47 |
-2 |
32 |
| 7 |
Long Lane Reserves |
22 |
9 |
4 |
9 |
50 |
44 |
6 |
31 |
| 8 |
Longlands Athletic |
22 |
9 |
4 |
9 |
52 |
52 |
0 |
31 |
| 9 |
Crockenhill Reserves |
22 |
7 |
2 |
13 |
41 |
63 |
-22 |
23 |
| 10 |
Old Roan "B" |
22 |
5 |
1 |
16 |
41 |
58 |
-17 |
16 |
| 11 |
Catford Exiles Reserves |
22 |
5 |
1 |
16 |
35 |
71 |
-36 |
16 |
| 12 |
Crayford Arrows |
22 |
0 |
1 |
21 |
21 |
84 |
-63 |
4 |
| 13 |
Tudor Sports "A" |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 | |
