Newmarket win again -
sorry if this is boring you!!!
Roared on by a large crowd of supporters, please to see Newmarket at
"home", but all still desperate to see progress on an artificial
pitch in the town, Newmarket played, at least in the most part, at
the top of their game. A squad of 14 was unusually not used to the
full, as Newmarket kept the same 11 on the pitch from start to
finish. However, those on the sidelines knew the importance of their
part, and encouraged throughout.
Before the game, this local derby looked like providing a sterner
test than some, and so it proved. Ely were clearly up for the game,
and for 20 minutes, although Newmarket generally had the upper hand,
Ely had plenty of play, and the Newmarket defence, marshalled so
well for the entire game by Steve Freed in goal, knew they had to be
at their best. Al Heath, excellent throughout, Andy Levell and Simon
Greenwood all played their part. Rob Horrex also did well, combining
with the irrepressible Cummins on the left hand side.
The breakthrough goal came, after good goalkeeping from Ely had
previously frustrated the Newmarket attack, from open play. Simon
Gibson switched to the left hand side, losing his marker, and picked
the ball up just inside the Ely half. He ran unopposed to the "D",
where he pushed the ball across the advancing goalkeeper for Dave
Badcock to slide in with a stunning goal. Newmarket finished the
half buoyant, but knowing that the job was not yet finished.
Wilson Junior, unusually not on the scoresheet, Matt Holden and the
aforementioned Badcock all took the game to Ely through the middle,
and with good support from Paul Young up-front, Newmarket tore into
Ely after a shaky first couple of minutes. This was rewarded when,
after a short corner routine had been pushed away by Ely, Cummins
hit a screamer against the backboards from the edge of the "D", to
put Newmarket into a commanding looking 2-0 lead. Newmarket could
have added to this, Young being especially unfortunate not to be
spotted by his colleagues when twice in excellent positions, and
Gibson just failing to connect on another Cummins shot which went
across the face of goal near the end.
Newmarket played with maturity, and self-control, and can now look
forward to another game at Ely on Saturday, this time entertaining
Peterborough Town V. Pushback is 4.30pm, and any support is welcome.
