Newmarket seem to be taking their time settling back into Division 1
play. However, with only 7 games each half of the season the
question is, will they return to form before too may points have
been lost?
The early start on Saturday
certainly found the visiting team still asleep and Cambridge
capitalised, scoring after only a few minutes. The visitors rallied
but lacked form, Cambridge players seemed always to be free where
they were needed whilst Newmarket crowded the ball. Clodie Rolph
made some sound clearances from the back but Cambridge players were
too often allowed to steal them and they scored again shortly before
the break.
Newmarket’s defensive style
appears to be a persistent problem. Skipper Sam Smith took note and
after a half-time talking to, the shape of play changed. With
forwards and mid-field pushing up the pitch, Newmarket gave each
other more space and were able to collect balls in the defence and
send them up to where they could really be used. Smith also made a
change in the centre, switching Beth Wombwell to centre-forward and
new recruit Di Thomas to centre-mid. These adjustments paid off,
pressure on the Cambridge goal increased and play became more evenly
spread. Chances were made and some tight work in the D by the trio
of Wombwell, Thomas and mid-fielder Isi Hooley, looked sure to get a
result but was denied by the ‘keeper. Thomas collected, however,
and a superb flick from her reverse stick lifted the ball out of
reach, into the very top of the net. Newmarket were desperate to
even the score but the final whistle gave the 3 points to the home
team. The return game in January should be a close contest. Hooley
was named player of the match. Newmarket have no fixture on
Saturday and host Wisbech on 29th Oct.
