Newark Town manager Luke Parsons says his team were unplayable after beating Shirebrook Town to go third in the United Counties League Premier Division North

Luke Parsons hailed his “unplayable” Newark Town team after they moved up to third place in the United Counties League Premier Division North table.

Parsons’ side thrashed Shirebrook 4-0 at home on Saturday, racing into a three-goal lead at the break through Louis Czerwak’s penalty, Sean Woolley and Ryan Smith.

New signing Razvan Vladut clinched victory with a fine strike midway through the second half.

“We were just unplayable in the first half, absolutely superb,” said Blues boss Parsons.

“We moved the ball really well, the press was good and we retained possession when we needed to.

“We got the ball into the final third quickly and Shirebrook couldn’t cope with the rotation and the overloads in the wide areas.

“The first 45 minutes was the best we’ve played all season.

“I could understand why people would feel sorry for them but we were very professional as well.

“Going in at half-time 3-0 up, and they haven’t had a shot, if we take our foot off the gas and give them a bit of confidence, all it takes is a mistake or a bit of naivety and they’re back in it.”

Newark are battling for a play-off place in their first year in the division following promotion.

A title challenge isn’t out of the question but Newark are taking things one game at a time.

“Coming into this league, most teams would have written us off and said we were one of the favourites to go down,” said Parsons.

“It’s no fluke we’re third because we’ve worked hard in every single game.

“We’ve got our own ethos and philosophy and that starts by working hard first and foremost, and we’ve fully deserved the results we’ve had. Long may it continue.

“It’s been quite relentless playing Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Wednesday.

“It’s hard to be consistent when you’ve played so much football because with tired legs you have to rotate a bit but that’s why we’ve got a good squad, and I do believe we’ve got one of the best squads in this league.”

Goalscorer Vladut made his debut from the bench in Newark’s 3-1 League Cup win over Retford last Wednesday.

He previously played against Newark for Harrowby while on dual-registration from Stamford.

A versatile player, he contacted the Blues with a view to signing and has looked the part.

“He’s come off the bench and he looks dynamite,” said Parsons.

“He’d kind of left Stamford, he didn’t quite make it at Step 3, so he’d been looking for a club for a few weeks at Step 4, but the teams he was targeting, they’re all flying.

“He dropped us a message and said he liked what we did when we played Harrowby and he’d be interested in coming down.

“We had a couple of cup games coming up, so I thought why not?

“It’s always the same, when teams are doing well and they play good, attacking football, players will notice and will come to you.

“It’s always good when you’re playing well because you attract good players.

“When you’re near the bottom, and more fighting for your lives, it’s not really appealing for players to come along.

“He came on at wing-back in midweek and left-wing on Saturday, so he’s already played two positions for us.”

Newark host Hucknall in the Notts Senior Cup tonight (Wednesday).