Newmarket Ladies
played their first fixture of the season at home against Cambridge
South. This first game for the cup produced a mixture of skill and
some patchy play.
Town were brimming with confidence and
got an early goal by utilising their wings. Hayley Stoneman, who made
her Newmarket debut, showed exemplary skill. This gave her a good run
down the right to fire a shot that found the back of the goal.
Newmarket were in control and switched
the ball confidently. The defence were poised to deal with any
opposition attack and Sarah Hummerson worked superbly in an unfamiliar
role at the back.
Stoneman found herself perfectly
positioned to take a long ball on and score once again. This was
created by more good work down the wing.
A facial injury to a Cambridge player
created a break in play which caused Newmarket to lose their focus and
they soon found themselves under pressure from the opposition who now
only had 10 players.
The visitors immediately scored which
caused Newmarket to panic further. Communication and discipline to
stay in position began to break down - this caused the Newmarket
supporters to offer some much needed advice.
Some better play came later in the
second half and Newmarket hung on to their one goal advantage to win.
Diana Ahern and Tania Parker both made their first competitive
appearances for Town. They showed strength in their tackles and good
awareness of their new team mates.
The ladies are looking to improve on
their first performance. They must do this in order to emulate the
success of last season. Their league campaign kicks off next weekend
where they are away to Cambridge City.
