Newark Town sign Kemal Yenibertiz from United Counties League Premier Division North rivals Harrowby United
Newark Town have eased the blow of their dramatic FA Vase exit by announcing a new signing.
Kemal Yenibertiz has joined the Blues after making more than 150 appearances for Harrowby.
Yenibertiz, who also captained the Arrows, offers options in defence and midfield.
“I’ve tried to get Kem in a few times,” said Newark boss Luke Parsons, whose side lost 7-6 on penalties to Kimberley Miners Welfare after a 5-5 draw in the FA Vase first round on Saturday.
“First and foremost, Kem fits straight in with the dressing room and as a player he leads on the pitch.
“Kem wears his heart on his sleeve and leaves everything out there.
“He’s a talker and aggressive in his duels, which is something we need to add.”
Meanwhile, Louis Czerwak is trying his luck at Step 4 with Basford United.
He remains dual-signed with Newark, so there’s always the option of coming back.
“I’ve encouraged him to go,” said Parsons.
“He’s earned the right to. It’s a big step up but hopefully it works out and if it doesn’t, he’s already given me his word he’s coming back.
“I really, really hope he smashes it but if he doesn’t, it’ll be Newark Town’s gain in the end.”
Newark, who host Deeping Rangers in the league tonight (7.45pm), fell at the first hurdle after an extraordinary FA Vase tie.
They trailed to an early penalty but opened up a 4-1 lead thanks to Matteo Perkins, Joe Braithwaite (2) and Ryan Rushen before conceding a second on the stroke of half-time.
Newark had goalkeeper Scott Loach sent off for handling outside his area after the break, with outfield player Matty Clarke taking the gloves.
Kimberley battled back to 4-4 and while Rushen put Newark back in front, the visitors levelled in the sixth minute of added time and won on penalties.
“I don’t know how we’re out but we are,” said Parsons.
“I feel like last season we probably got the rub of the green and this season we’re on the wrong end of fine margins.
“We were on Saturday but we’ve only got ourselves to blame after being 4-1 up.
“I think if it had been 4-1 at half-time, rather than 4-2, it probably would have been job done.
“Two-goal leads at half-time are still nervy.
“The third goal is a good strike from their player but the red card has completely changed the game.
“It’s killed us in an attacking sense when you think we scored four goals in the first half and could have had eight.
“I know we are a team that will try and outscore you but that game’s taking the biscuit a little bit.
“We scored a header at 4-3 up which was ruled out for offside and a few people told me it wasn’t at the time.
“We can’t tell from where we were but watching it back it wasn’t offside, and then their fourth goal looked miles off.
“On another day those decisions go the other way and you probably win the game.”
Parsons credited Kimberley for their recovery and knew Town would be up against it without a recognised goalkeeper for the shoot-out.
“You’ve got to give them credit because they never gave up, even with how resilient we were, they still believed they could get another goal and take it to penalties,” said Parsons.
“On paper you’d fancy them to win on penalties because they’ve got a full-time keeper in goal, whereas we had Matty Clarke in goal with gloves that were four inches too big for him, but he gave it his best shot.
“He said afterwards he got his hand to a couple but where the gloves were so big, it was going straight through the fingertips.
“He had Loachy’s gloves on and Loachy’s 6ft3in and Matty Clarke’s 5ft6in or whatever, so that didn’t help, but he’s always the first to put his hand up to go in goal.”
Loach’s handball wasn’t deliberate but Parsons accepted the decision that left his side with 10 men.
He said: “You can’t complain because you’d be asking for it at the other end.
“He’s come out of his goal, he’s not put his arm out, his arm’s by his side and the player’s kicked it against his arm and it’s hit his hand.
“The lino said it is kind of a different rule for keepers and we can’t complain because it has hit his hand.”
Newark visit Wisbech in United Counties League Premier Division North this Saturday (3pm).