Magnificent 12 for
super squad
Viewing the impressive
Cathedral of Lincoln from fully five miles away felt just a little
like arriving in Ely, only one and a half hours further!
Nevertheless, with no sight (or site) of an artificial pitch in
Newmarket, an away trip is not much different for the frustrated
players and supporters of Hockey in Newmarket than a so-called
"Home" game.
Newmarket travelled in
the hope, and maybe even expectation, of a sound win against the
Division's bottom side. Few would have believed the golden Autumn
form that the 15 man squad would show in the late afternoon sun of
Lincoln. Determined to make use of their experienced players,
Newmarket played the ball to sticks, ran into space like some Hans
Christian Anderson characters, generally flitting around with speed
and purpose.
After only 3 minutes
the well practised short-corner routine paid off. Gibson pushed the
ball out to Badcock, who stopped and swiftly laid the ball to
Wilson, who struck well. By half time, the score was up to 7-0, and
there had already been scope for Newmarket to make 3 changes to the
starting line-up, allowing good experience to some of the young
blood, who are the future of the Club. "Geordie" Young, celebrating
travelling nearer his "home" patch, had already poached three goals,
and went on to score a fourth later on.
Despite the score, a
word must go to the Woodhall Spa 'kepper, Dutchman Bloem Inandie,
who kept the figures below 10 with some excellent saves, notably
from strikes by Gibson and the excellent Cummins.
The second half saw
wholesale team and positional changes by Newmarket, and as a result
they took some time to find the rhythm and speed of the first
period. Even so, with two more goals, it was 10-0 before they
returned to their starting line-up, and a thundering goal by "Harry"
Newham made it 11. With 30 seconds to go, the impressive Dave
Badcock had space and time from a short-corner to score, but
unselfishly laid the ball out to Gibson to score the final part of a
magnificent dozen, In this form, Newmarket have the realistic
prospect of promotion for a second year.
