Newmarket, who are now
top of division 5NW, knew that this was going to be a tough game.
Now under pressure to stay top, with Alford I level on points but an
inferior goal difference, Newmarket had to secure the win.
The yellow and blues
had a strong squad, and the confidence to dominate the game. The
passing was sharp to start with, and movement off the ball from Adam
Gallop and Harry Bell provided the gaps for midfielders Chris
Jefferson and Jez Harris to set up the attacking play. Josh Dawson
had a good game, utilising his pace and skill to work the Boston
defence. The first 20 minutes saw Newmarket control most of the
possession.
The Boston defence got
sloppy and a free hit was awarded to Newmarket for hitting a
defenders foot just outside the Boston D. Big hitter Duncan Freed
stepped up and drilled it to striker Mark Pears, who directed the
ball into the bottom corner, making it 1 – 0 to the home team.
Towards the end of the half, Newmarket’s passing became slack,
giving the away team opportunity to test the defending backs Simon
Greenwood and Sean Watts, but could not fight there way through.
The second half started
with Newmarket looking too comfortable for a 1 – 0 lead, which
eventually was punished with Boston equalising from a short corner.
Newmarket were shocked, and before they had time to recover Boston
took the lead, with keeper Dan Brown finding it hard to see due to
the low November sun.
Newmarket had stumbled,
but instead of lying down and accepting defeat, they picked
themselves up and shrugged it off. The team went back to how they
started the match, pressing on the defence of Boston.
The score was levelled
when Mark Pears picked up a loose ball in a crowded D, putting it
past the keeper with a reverse stick push.
Throughout the game the
home team won many short corners but the most important one was 5
minutes before the final whistle. The push out was given short to
Chris Jefferson, who hit it hard past the Boston keeper, sealing the
win, and the points to stay top of the league.
Newmarket are away next
week to third place Bourne III, with only a 3 point gap separating
them.
