L1s
Newmarket Ladies 1s travelled to bottom of the table Bourne Deeping 1s optimistic for a first win in 3 games. However, things got off to a bad start when Bourne Deeping caught Newmarket napping to take an early lead. In a tempestuous first half Newmarket levelled when Jess Richardson fed the ball through to Georgia Atherton who beat the on rushing keeper.
With the scores level at the break Newmarket decided to go on the offensive and soon earned a Penalty Stroke when Richardson was felled by the Bourne Deeping keeper. Lydia Evans stepped up to put Newmarket 2v1 ahead. The game continued to swing from end to end before Grace Evans showing her class evaded several tackles with a winding run into the D, before smashing the ball low into the Deeping net. 3v1 the final result, but the game showed there will be no easy points in the league this year. Next up for Ladies 1s, Cambridge Nomads 2s.
L2s
Newmarket Ladies 2s continue to sit atop of Div 4NW after a comfortable 5v0 win against Cambridge Nomads 2s. Newmarket settled into their stride quickly and were 3v0 up after 15 mins thanks to goals from Tracy Cockerill, Katie Barrett and Emily Sargeant. Newmarket remained dominant throughout the half, but were profligate in front of goal and Nomads almost pulled a goal back when a slick counter attack beat the keeper but also the post. The second half was again characterised by Newmarket creating opportunities but due to a combination of stout defending and further missed chances it took them the majority of the second half to add to their total. A second from Cockerill to finish off a brilliant counterattacking move dealt with any lingering worries of a Nomads comeback and Becca Alexander popped up at the death to make it 5v0. Next up Newmarket will travel to Cambridge South 5s.
L3s
Team of the Day: Melly Benedikz (GK), Vicky Benedikz, Jo Graham-Thompson, Liv Wright, Leah Palmer, Robyn Kennedy, Lea Davenport, Edith Macdonald, Peggy Claydon, Murron McCulloch, Zoe Bailey (C), Poppy Montgomery.
Full Time Score: 8 – 0 to Uni
Top half of the league Newmarket went out against the top of the league, Cambridge University 4. It was always going to be a tough game. With a mostly youthful team our aim was to keep Uni working hard to achieve any win.
The first half consisted of lots of attacks against knees with Zoe took a ball to both knees within a few minutes of each other. While all this went on, some very festive Christmas music set the mood from the pitch behind. Two goals were scored: one from a short corner and the other from a deflection in open play. Keep in mind that Uni didn’t have a keeper just 11 outfield, so we felt the overload in defence.
Half Time Score: 2 – 0 to Uni
Second half started with lots of pressure from Uni again adn constant pressure. We did manage to make our own attacks through break aways and slick passes in between the high press of the oppo.
Lots of goals were scored with one lifted ball in the D that made the defence split like a banana to avoid, only going slightly wide of the goal.
There were moments when it felt like we were helping them, but no one can help mistakes that happen in the D, with the volume of defence that occurred. With the amount of short corners they were given, despite how well they played, it’s safe to say their success rate in the shorts were low. Some of their shots were supersonic, especially their shots on goal.
(No seagulls in sight this game)
Positives to take away: 1. Given the amount of pressure put on us, 8 goals is a good result to have come out with. 2.We got better at moving off the ball for 16s.
Player of the match: Melly Benedikz – despite an interesting and slightly unsporting attitude in the first half she made essential saves throughout the game which helped keep the score low considering the amount of possession Uni had in our half / D.
Lemon of the match: Murron McCulloch for falling over her own feet during an attack, equally nominated were Zoe and Zoe’s phone, Melly for trying to take out her own players with clearances, Zoe and Melly for having a dance with the ball in between.
Mens
The men’s sides had less to cheer this week with 3 defeats and no goals scored. Newmarket Mens 1s lost to 5v0 at home to top of the table Ipswich 2s. The Mens 2s succumbed to an excellent Watton side 3v0 having temporarily misplaced the form that saw them top of the table just 2 weeks ago. Watton dominated the first half scoring twice and as Newmarket looked to be easing their way back into the game in the second half scored a killer 3rd.
The Mens 3s travelled to Colchester and despite another strong defensive display, could not find a goal of their own, eventually succumbing 1v0. The men’s teams hope to return to winning ways when the 1s travel to Sudbury 1s, whilst the 2s and 3s host Colchester 3s and Bury St Edmunds 6s respectively.