Newmarket Ladies 1s turned on the style in pursuit of top spot in Div 2NW, by ending Cambridge South 2s own lingering promotion hopes. Grace Evans opened the scoring for Newmarket after weaving her way through the South back line and slamming the ball past South’s keeper with only 5 minutes of an evenly contested first half remaining. Following a lengthy injury midway through the second half, Georgia Atherton knocked home her second after finding herself unmarked in the South area and Newmarket rounded off the game with a second goal for Grace Evans. The result leaves Newmarket in control of second place, but with the top 4 separated by only 2 points no-one can afford a slip up with only 2 games to go. Next up a tricky trip to Peterborough 3s.
Newmarket Mens 1s faced off against UEA 2s in an exciting end to end battle at the bottom of Div 2NE. Newmarket took an early lead through a Matt Holden strike, before Nick Gadd making only his second appearance for UEA 2s scored twice to put UEA into the lead at half time. Newmarket levelled the game again from a Simon Donald short corner before two quick strikes from UEA made it 4v2. A Will Wilson penalty stroke reduced the arrears before UEA again scored to leave the score 5v3 with 15 minutes to go. An Alex Andreou strike again reduced the deficit before another Simon Donald short corner levelled the match with 8 minutes to go. With time ticking down UEA snatched all 3 points in the game thanks to a last minute short corner strike, robbing Newmarket of a richly deserved point. Next up Newmarket host Norwich City 3s.
Newmarket Ladies 2s have all but wrapped up the 4NW title after a composed 2v0 victory away to St Neots 3s. Goals from Tracey Cockerill in the first and Helen Hansgate in the second period mean the ladies 2s points tally can now only be matched by Spalding 3s, who must win all their remaining games (3) to do so, but must also make up a 24 goal deficit. Newmarket will look to secure the title outright next week when they host City of Peterborough 4s.
Newmarket Men’s 2s produced their best performance since the Christmas break in dispatching Ipswich 3s 3v0. Regular goal scorer Peter Terrett turned provider this week with a hat trick of assists, laying on 2 goals for Mark Pears and another for Will Green. Whilst promotion is now beyond them, Newmarket remain involved in a tight 4 way clash for 3rd spot with all 4 teams separated by a point. Next up for the 2s a trip to Norwich Dragons
Newmarket Men’s 3s hosted Colchester 4s in 5NE(S) and despite a bright start were lucky to come away with a point in a 0v0 draw, a strong performance from the defenders and keeper always kept Newmarket in the game, but a lack of flow up front restricted Newmarket to only a handful of chances. Newmarket next travel to Bury 6s.
Newmarket Ladies 3s expected a tough day at the office against 3rd placed Wisbech 3s and so it proved. However thanks to the usual stubbornness in defence and some pacy counter attacks, Newmarket took the lead through Ella Hills first goal for the club, midway through the first half. Whilst Wisbech looked dangerous and did eventually equalise with a strike into the top of the goal, Newmarket matched them throughout and showed the resilience that has led to them having one of their best seasons. Next up a trip to Peterborough 5s.
Team: Zoe Bailey (c), Melly Benedikz (GK), Jo Graham-Thompson, Jess Boyle, Liv Wright, Tessa Biram, Poppy Montgomery, Cesca Clow-Wilson, Ella Hill, Vicky Benedikz, Peggy Claydon and Alex Rowe
Player of the Match: Joint Peggy Claydon outstanding on the field and Melly Benedikz outstanding in goal – well played both players.
Lemon of the Match moments: Zoe Bailey / Jess Boyle
Jess decided whilst defending that she was playing as a GK and kicked the ball away as any right-minded keeper would, forgetting she wasn’t the keeper. A penalty flick should have been awarded but only a short was given, so it ended alright in the end.
Zoe Bailey: injected a short but failed to move it much – Cesca pulled it out, slipped it across the D to Ella Hill for the goal to be scored again so it all turn out right – but Zoe was ashamed of that injection and it was funny to see.