The hockey continues to
go well - when will they have a pitch?
Once again going behind to this strong team, lying third in the
Crowe Division 5NW, Newmarket, without three regulars including Greg
Cummins, ground out a good win to ensure they stay well clear and on
course for their third consecutive league title. Having collected
the December Team of the Year Award from British Gas and the
Cambridge Evening News during the week, Newmarket knew this would
again be a test.
Unfortunately, they went behind to a short corner goal after 15
minutes, with several players out of position, and despite the
valiant efforts of Steve Freed in goal (he had already spent two
minutes out of the game after an earlier tackle left him in some
distress). Nevertheless, spurred on by a decent crowd, and showing
great team spirit, Newmarket quickly levelled. A short corner,
several of which had been well defended previously by Bourne, was
switched to Paul "Geordie" Young, who hit a very ordinary shot which
the Bourne 'keeper failed to keep out. 1-1 at the break.
Going into the second period, Newmarket knew they had to defend
well, and put more pressure on Bourne with good passing and
movement, rather than the route one approach which had shown little
effect thus far. They were again rewarded, winning several short
corners, which, unusually, Wilson Junior had failed to convert.
Simon Gibson and Matt Holden then concocted a change of strategy and
the second goal followed. From the short corner, Gibson pushed the
ball short to Holden, who quickly returned it. Holden then took up
position in the centre of the "D", Gibson returned the ball and
Holden hammered it in. 2-1, and now looking good value for it.
Newmarket scored a third after a good run by Holden resulted in
Young getting his second and Newmarket's third, for a comfortable
last ten minutes, and a 3-1 win.
On
the pitch front, Newmarket are no nearer knowing the fate of the
joint Lottery bid, having been advised that the response is now
delayed until at least March, probably April. This will almost
certainly mean that their hopes of a pitch for October this year
have gone, and in reality, another season travelling to Ely for
"home" games looks assured. It seems incredible that facilities such
as a decent swimming pool and all weather surface can still be
outstanding in a town with the sporting links of Newmarket, and yet
other, seemingly less popular, projects get the go ahead. The member
of the Club must still sit, wait and hope that the answer comes in
the affirmative sooner rather than later.
