Newmarket Hockey Club

Newmarket Hockey Club
Ladies 06-07

Home
Men
Ladies
Colts
Fillies
Photo Galleries
Links

Saturday, 11th November 2006. Cambridgeshire Ladies' League Div 1 - round 6
Sawtry 1	1 - 3	Newmarket Ladies 1
		Thomas G McDonnell Cockerill

Newmarket faced tough opposition this week against Sawtry - a team who always battles hard.

Straight from the opening push back Newmarket looked the more confident right through from defence to attack. It took town 6 minutes to take the lead. A short corner was awarded but cleared by the Sawtry defence. This created another chance; a wide pass from Claire McDonnell found Rachel Allen who craftily squared the ball to Di Thomas who executed a reverse stick flick to put the ball over the keeper’s outstretched leg.

It was Rachel Allen again who made some classic runs down the wing and she continually gave the Sawtry defence a hard time with her crosses into the D. Newmarket found it hard to convert their chances though and were in danger of losing a game which was clearly theirs.

Sawtry had a glimmer of hope through a short corner play but the shots were calmly dealt with by Bev Rolph and Hazel Sadler. The pair cleared the balls very sensibly out wide. Emotions were running high off the pitch as the Sawtry coach paced anxiously along the sideline and did not react kindly to the positive Newmarket supporters.

Tracy Cockerill found herself with acres of space out on the left wing and became slightly isolated as Newmarket were not always quick enough to support her. Never the less half time arrived and reflection of the game left Newmarket worrying that Sawtry might steal the glory. They had to convert their chances.

Sawtry came back on to the field rejuvenated and with a lot more passion than Newmarket, and immediately town’s defence were called into action. The game took on a new scrappy style and both teams were panicking on the ball.

Newmarket was fortunate to be awarded a short corner and it was the turn of Gail McDonnell to let loose a thunderous shot to end her scoring drought and to shatter Sawtry’s belief.

Sarah Haird continued to distribute the ball well and Louise Downs made some outstanding runs tearing through the midfield like a bull in a china shop. Her free hits were top class and her performance earned her player of the match. Tracy Cockerill had a disallowed goal because of instinctively batting a high ball home but later on picked up a rebound off the keeper to score once more for town easing the pressure.

A late goal came for Sawtry through a speedy young player sneaking the ball past Jasmine Wombwell in the Newmarket goal. This had little impact on the game and Newmarket once again ended victorious. The ladies face Saffron Walden next week at home, 2:30pm start. Supporters welcome.

Return to results