Champions!
Newmarket, having been
crowned champions of Crowe Division 5NW after only 18 games of this
22 game season played, completed what should have been a perfect
season with a "home" win against the only team to beat them all
year. As in that fateful game before Christmas, Newmarket were
nearly undone by poor discipline, a problem that has dogged them on
and off all year.
Dave Badcock received a
yellow card in each half, and brother Neil received one not long
before the end. Newmarket are not a dirty team - almost all cautions
this year have been for "talking" too much! This took the gloss off
a good first half performance in particular, which saw Newmarket 3-0
up after goals by Andy Levell, Al Heath and a superb effort by the
season's top scorer Wilson Junior.
After the break,
Cambridge South pulled one goal back from a breakaway after more
Newmarket pressure, and another from a penalty flick after John
Sutherland had upended an attacker while valiantly attempting to
stop him "legitimately" on the edge of the "D". For a while
Newmarket looked as if they might succumb, but a further goal from
Matt Holden secured the points, and left Newmarket with 21 wins and
that one defeat, having scored 108 goals!
As yet, Newmarket do
not know all of their opponents for next season, but should again
give a good account of themselves. Undoubtedly, the news that they
still hope to hear, namely that an artificial pitch will be built as
part of the newly proposed complex in Exning Road, can but improve
their fortunes. Training will be easier, home games will really be
at home, and the promising junior section of the club will have
something to look forward to.
With Newmarket Ladies
also gaining promotion, it is 2 out of 3 so far - keep those fingers
crossed for news from the Lottery bid!
