Holiday in Ibiza helps transform the form of Newark Town’s Harvey Grice as he scores a hat-trick in 3-2 win at Wisbech

Newark Town hat-trick hero Harvey Grice has found his form - after a holiday in Ibiza.

Grice scored his first Blues treble, including a penalty, in a 3-2 win at Wisbech on Saturday.

The Blues are fourth in United Counties League Premier Division North, locked on 29 points with the three sides above them.

Grice has been a player transformed since his trip to the Spanish party island and Newark are feeling the benefits.

“He had a mixed start to the season, then he went on holiday to Ibiza and since he’s come back he’s been a completely different player,” said manager Luke Parsons, whose side visit mid-table Melton this Saturday (3pm).

“He’s been so important for us and become a key player.

“We gave him a bit of responsibility when Louis Czerwak left, making him penalty-taker and asking him to step up and get goals, and he did.

“He got a hat-trick and was near enough unplayable.

“Next time he’s out of form, I’m just going to say to him ‘get yourself off to Ibiza’.”

Teenage goalkeeper Haydon McCarthy, covering for the suspended Scott Loach, also had a good afternoon.

The youngster had a difficult game on his previous appearance as Newark lost to Coalville in the League Cup, but he was faultless at Wisbech, including a penalty save.

“Last time he played, he would have been disappointed with his performance,” said Parsons.

“He may have cost us a goal or two against Coalville and it was a difficult decision between him and Ryan Kamm.

“But I went for Haydon, he’s been in and around the first team the last couple of weeks, helping Loachy, and he deserved to come in.

“He got an injury earlier in the season which is why he hasn’t been playing for a bit, because we’ve got him a dual-reg elsewhere.

“He was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. If you thought he was a kid against Coalville, he was definitely a man against Wisbech.

“It’s a very intimidating place to go as well. He made a great penalty save, came out and claimed crosses and took the pressure off the back four.

“I think that last game has helped him because he sets himself standards at a young age and he was disappointed.

“I said you’ll get another chance and his standards on Saturday were so much higher.

“He sets his own standards and he’ll go far.”

Both sides had a man sent off, with new signing Kemal Yenibertiz the Newark player dismissed late on.

The former Harrowby captain, who made his debut in the 3-1 midweek win over Deeping Rangers, could count himself unfortunate after picking up a second booking.

“The first yellow card was never a yellow card, he’s won the ball and the player has booted his studs,” said Parsons.

“The second one was a yellow but when there were maybe two bad tackles in the whole game and eight yellows, it’s a bit ridiculous from the officials.”

Newark, missing seven first-team players for a variety of reasons, were able to call on another new signing at Wisbech.

Midfielder Jack York went into the starting XI after arriving on dual-registration from Step 3 Quorn.

“Neil (Miller, assistant manager) had him at Holwell when he was Step 6, he was with us last pre-season but Quorn came knocking and he won the league with them at Step 4,” said Parsons.

“He had an injury towards the back end of last season, so he missed a bit of pre-season and then he was on dual-reg at Shepshed, but he wasn’t getting the game time he wanted there, so we swooped in and he agreed to come. He’s a top, top signing.

“We had a lot of players out so it was important we could get a player of Jack’s calibre in.

“He slotted straight in and looked like he’d already played 15 or 20 games for us.”