327 Non-League Day spectators witnessed a mixed encounter where Grove started the first half the better with left back Paul Taylor’s curling free kick bringing a save out of Castle keeper Adam Alcock.

Jack Sherratt’s run and drive from the edge of the box moments later, clearly showed the away side were in the ascendency although his effort didn’t test the keeper.

Grove’s first half superiority was majorly down to Grove’s energy, and Jack Sherratt was involved once again using plenty of that, only to see his shot blocked, when it could have caused the home side some trouble.

In a pretty drab opening 45 minutes, the home side had a couple of chances from set plays, however efforts from Neville Thompson and Cohen Bramall were offside.

Grove would have been happy with their first 45 minutes, however, 45 seconds after the break was a different story as Neville Thompson out-muscled the Kidsgrove defence squaring the ball to Jordan Cole who unmarked, drilled the ball past Chapman.

Thompson’s goal had helped a much improved Castle performance after the break and his effort on 57 minutes whistled wide of Chapman’s post with Grove scratching their heads as to what was going wrong.

On 69 minutes, James Askey went in strongly on Jordan Johnson and with the Grove contingent unhappy, Paul Taylor reacted and raised his hands at Askey, resulting in both men being sent off, Taylor couldn’t complain with the decision, as both sides were down to 10 men.

The efforts of Ant Malbon and Joe Woolley were helping Grove increase the pressure without creating any clear cut chances, and when Tim Sanders crossed for centre back Aaron Carter to nod home for 2-0, it was a real kick in the teeth as with the away side looking to get back into the game.

Nevertheless, the introduction of Andy Kinsey with his hold up play and Will Booth with his passing range and mobility caused Castle problems with Sherratt missing from 6 yards out and Morris’ header causing havoc for the Castle defence, but sadly it was too little too late for Kidsgrove who didn’t show enough in the second half to get anything out of the game.

Newcastle Town – 4-4-1-1: Alcock, Askey © (S/O), Lowe, Carter, Bramall, France, Grocott, Sanders, Thompson, Haughton, Cole.

Kidsgrove Athletic – 4-4-2 : Chapman, Davidson, Espley, Morris, Taylor (S/O), Woolley (Booth), Skelton, Sherratt, Johnson, Malbon ©, Wellecomme (Kinsey).