Newmarket Hockey Club

Newmarket Hockey Club
Ladies 06-07

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Saturday, 18th November 2006. Cambridgeshire Ladies' League Div 1 - round 7
Newmarket Ladies 1	2 - 3	Saffron Walden 1
Thomas C McDonnell

Newmarket’s performance did not meet expectations when facing Saffron Walden this weekend. Although effort was commendable Town struggled to operate as a team and find each other through short passing.

The game began in a similar fashion as previous weeks for Newmarket, they opened the scoring early - just three minutes into the game. Di Thomas receiving a pass from Claire McDonnell, took the ball wide around the keeper and hit the ball home.

It was the turn of Saffron Walden to launch a counter attack but Bev Rolph was on hand to clear, passing to Clodie Rolph who sensibly cleared the ball wide. Newmarket had more defending to do as Walden won a string of short corners but they were dealt with admirably by number one runner Sam Smith, and Isabel Hooley. Louise Downs created some great links from the midfield to the attack, as did Sarah Hummersone but Newmarket were playing too centrally leaving Saffron Walden to predict easily the path of the ball.

Sue Bullimore, town’s keeper, had to face a fair few shots and made some spectacular saves keeping Newmarket within reach of a win. It was Saffron Walden who took the lead going into half time with two goals coming in the twenty first and twenty ninth minutes. Both goals were scrambled attempts but Walden had the determination to put the ball in the back of the goal.

The second half saw Newmarket battling once again and the ease and comfort on the ball that has been seen in previous weeks had all but disappeared. Although, valiant effort came from Lydia Fison who showed great strength in tackles and on the ball and also lightning runs by Tracy Cockerill demonstrated that Newmarket are not easily beaten.

A short corner was awarded to Newmarket eleven minutes into the second half allowing Claire McDonnell to add another goal to her tally. This was something to lift the spirits of the Newmarket players and their supporters.

Saffron Walden upped the pressure again, particularly their youthful forward line. Sarah Haird distributed the ball very cleverly for Newmarket out wide where they needed to lead their opponents. A break for injury let Newmarket regroup; they tried to focus on gaining possession. This was unsuccessful and Saffron Walden continued to push forward.

A stylish piece of open play from Newmarket’s opponents sealed a victory three minutes from time, and the sound of the ball hitting the backboards of the goal was almost as sickening as the final whistle for Newmarket when realisation of their first defeat of the season began to sink in.

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