Newmarket travelled to
St Ives this week after last week’s loss against Cambridge City.
Having only turned up with 11 men, the yellow and blues knew they
would have to work hard, missing key players and not having the
option to substitute.
Josh Dawson partnered
Dave Badcock in the centre of the park, who both gave solid
performances, offering good support to the defensive and attacking
plays. Newmarket made great use of the space, with accurate passing
and good movement Newmarket looked liked the winning team that
started the season. The first goal came from Dave Badcock, who
dribbled his way into the area, hitting the ball from the top of the
D to fire it past the 'keeper. As the game progressed Newmarket
looked unstoppable, keeping the majority of the possession and
pushing up the pitch with ease. The next goal came from a well
worked short corner routine, which saw Ian Starling make it 2 for
the away team.
St Ives had trouble
keeping possession but still kept Newmarket’s defence on their toes.
On one counter attack from the yellow and blues, striker Mark Pears
connected with the ball from a great cross from Adam Gallop, making
the score 0 – 3 to Newmarket. Starling quickly made it 4 picking up
a loose ball in the D, making no mistake to slot it past the keeper.
Just before half-time
Dawson had an injury scare, twisting his knee on an attacking move,
but managed to run it off before the start of the second half.
St Ives started well in
the second half, releasing players from defence to strengthen their
attacks, knowing they had nothing left to lose. The Newmarket coped
well with the pressure, but St Ives only had two left at the back.
This was quickly punished by another attacking move from Dave
Badcock who released the ball to Pears, who put the ball between the
keeper’s legs.
Newmarket started to
look tired but still remained the better team, letting the ball do
the work, passing back when needed, giving players the chance to
reposition themselves.
The great team work was
rewarded with another goal from Pears, who sealed his first
hat-trick of his career, bringing the score to 0 – 6.
Newmarket relaxed for
the last 5 minutes of the game, which let St Ives in for a
consolation goal seconds before the final whistle.
Captain, Neil Badcock
commented on today’s game saying “The team demonstrated great
bouncebackability after last week’s performance. The players
responded with clinical finishing and good flowing open hockey and
produced the kind of result that Newmarket has become adhered for.”
Next week Newmarket are
at home to March Town III, push back at 1pm.
