Newmarket have to win
one more game to maintain an unbeaten record for the first half of
the season after defeating second-in-the-table Bourne IIIs, who may
be more of a threat in the return game as they were without their
two strikers on Saturday. However Newmarket
created most chances and the score was a good reflection of play.
The start of the game was strongly influenced by short corners.
Lydia Fyson was denied by the keeper in the first 5 minutes and
Clare McDonnell’s lifted rebound ball was unlucky to hit the post.
At 8 minutes Tracy Cockerill was perfectly placed to nudge in a
similar rebound to open the scoring. A 3rd short gave
Newmarket another goal 5 minutes later, this time Fyson’s ball
hitting the back board on the first strike.
The game was not one-sided and Bourne made regular forays into the
visitors’ half. A clearance from Sarah Haird began a counter-attack
that went into the D and passed the home ‘keeper but failed to
score. At 24 minutes another clean short-corner strike from Fyson
brought Town their 3rd goal. Retaliation from Bourne was
prevented by skipper Sam Smith, playing centre back, and a goal
attempt just before half time was cleared by ‘keeper Sue Bullimore.
The second half of a fast paced game became heated and 2 cards were
shown to Town for appeals to the umpire. An acrobatic Bullimore
kept the score 3:0 despite attack from Bourne short corners. A
powerful strike from Fyson was knocked out of the goal by a Bourne
stick but had already crossed the line to complete Fyson’s hat
trick. Bullimore dived to block a goal 5 minutes later but the
rebound was converted just off the right post to the delight of
Bourne spectators. Newmarket kept up the pressure, with a cleared
shot on goal finishing the match well.
Next week Newmarket play March 3 at Nowton Park, Bury.
