Newmarket helped along
by comedy goal in balmy, blustery conditions
An
element of slapstick or even farce helped Newmarket to a resounding
8-0 win in turbulent conditions at Ely on Saturday morning. The
weather was balmy, with a strong sun (making this much warmer than
the previous week), matched only by an even stronger wind. The
Wisbech goalkeeper however was "barmy", conceding the sort of goal
that will long live in the memory. However, by then, it was all
over!
From the start, Newmarket really turned it on, as they had the
previous week, and despite the extremely blustery conditions, which
caused the ball to move considerably, even on the ground, were
rewarded after 15 minutes when Ian Starling put away the first after
a scrappy period of play in the Wisbech "D". Incredibly, Wisbech had
more short corners than the "home" team in the first half, and
substitute 'keeper Rob Horrex, in for the holidaying Freed played
well, although Neil Badcock, Al Heath and Simon Greenwood in front
of him made sure he was well protected. At the break, Newmarket held
a slender looking 1-0 lead.
Cummins, still struggling with an ankle injury, played his usual
solid game, and Newmarket made the ball do the work to great effect
throughout.
However, the second period was somewhat different, if only for the
goals! Buoyed by positive talk at the change around, Newmarket
started the half well, winning several short corners. Wilson Junior
put one away after about ten minutes, and this started an incredible
scoring spree as Newmarket stormed through the Wisbech defences time
and time again. Wilson scored a second after a penalty flick was
luckily awarded to Newmarket, then a third, and the team's fourth
from another short corner. His fourth was a superb short corner
flick, with the very successful routine of Simon Gibson pushing out
to Dave Badcock, who stopped to perfection, before Wilson put an
impossible to stop effort just under the bar. His fifth came soon
afterwards, before the comedy moment.
Ian Starling found himself tight to the line on the left-hand side.
His shot was seemingly well stopped by the Wisbech 'keeper. However,
the ball disappeared! Everyone stopped, thinking the ball was
probably stuck somewhere in his pads. However, unfortunately for
him, the 'keeper did not stop. He jumped up and down and from side
to side trying to dislodge the ball. After ten seconds, he was just
in front of the goal line when out it popped - backwards - before
dribbling agonisingly into the net!
Two minutes before time Matt Holden finished the rout, and Newmarket
had another 8 unanswered goals, and three very valuable points. This
Saturday sees the crunch match with Ely, strictly speaking the
"home" team. Newmarket know that if they can beat their arch rivals
in the division (as well as being the nearest thing to a local
derby), then they will almost certainly have sown up the Crowe
Division 5NW, with six games still to go. Push back is at 3.00pm,
and any support will be very welcome.
