Newmarket had been looking forward to this return fixture since the
away game at the beginning of the season. In that game Newmarket
suffered from the effects of watching the rugby in the opposition's bar
before the game - unfortunately with the aid of a few beers.
Pelicans turned us over 3-0 in that game.
Pelicans hadn't been strong away from home, and
that fact alone meant Newmarket were confident, maybe a little too
confident. Newmarket started the game casually, conceding possession
easily in the first half.
For the first 20 mins Pelicans dominated the
midfield, although Newmarket were able to push through using D
Badcock and Jefferson in the centre.
It was Newmarket who broke the deadlock with a
run from Barney down the left hand side. The ball was pushed through
a crowd of players and found the net.
The game sprung to life, with the addition of
Cummins into the centre of the park Newmarket seemed to regain more
control in the middle. However, it was Pelicans that made the next
telling move. They broke through the middle to get a shot that
deflected looping up and over Morris in goal. Freed on the the line
tried to bring the ball under control, but the ball struck the
centre back on the chest. Penalty Flick Pelicans. A simple push to
the left of Morris hit the side backboard, left our goalkeeper no
chance.
Newmarket, a little disappointed with fate,
replied quickly after the restart with a Cummins run that resulted
in a strike and goal, one that I sure he will remember for a while.
With the score 2-1 at half time, and with
Newmarket regaining control of the game, Newmarket knew they needed
to be tight for the second half. They took control of the game, and
looked likely to go on ahead a get more goals. With the squad
rotation system able to constantly add fresh legs. Gallop returned
from a break to add to the right, backed up by Greenwood.
The result keeps Newmarket in the running for a
promotional place.
