Newmarket came into the
East Men's Hockey Division 5NE clash against March knowing that
March had compiled a number of good results against some strong
opposition. It was with this knowledge that Newmarket prepared well
for the game, and hit the floor running. From the start it was clear
of the home team’s intention as straight from the pushback Josh
Dawson ran direct at the visitors ‘D’.
This particular attack
came to a halt from a strong tackle made outside the ‘25’, but from
here on the midfield pestered the defence for the majority of the
game. Right half Gallop pressed down the right, linked with play
from Jefferson and Harris.
The first goal came
from a retaken short corner (with March breaking too early for the
first). A switch of direction from injector Pears slipped the ball
to Jefferson, who, with a little luck, topped the ball through the
defenders legs, and past the goalkeeper.
This spurred the team
on to further attacks, but nothing came to fruition and the half was
called. Newmarket started the second in the same will and it wasn’t
long before Nowell added a second, converting an attempted flick by
Dawson. The ball came through to Nowell at the far post, and the
‘little pitball’ converted the chance clinically.
Skipper Neil Badcock
quoted ‘this was a big game, we knew that March were capable. We
prepared well, and from the start we came hard at them. The team
deserved the result and the club is enjoying the current good run.
All I can do is praise the lads.’
Newmarket’s toughest
challenge comes on Saturday as they face league leaders Alford in
Skegness. Again skipper Neil Badcock quoted ‘This is the test, if we
win this we will go top of the league, but they are at home, and we
know they will be strong.’
