- Rutland III 0 v 11 Newmarket
Newmarket travelled away to face Rutland 3s who have won only 1 game in their last 9. Newmarket where without captain Will Wilson, leaving Adrian Atkinson to take the helm. Newmarket looked dangerous from the off, keeping possession in the home teams half with great passing through the midfield. The first goal came 10 minutes in when the returning Lee Blades supplied a pinpoint pass to Mark Pears who made no mistake in finding the goal through the legs of the home teams keeper. Rutland tried to equal the score line but, with a solid back four of Jordan Newnes, Duncan Freed, Adrian Atkinson and Pete Boyle, they were kept out with precise tackling and quick clearances. Greg Cummins and Chris Legget orchestrated attacks from midfield which led to several short corners in the first half. Newmarket scored only one goal from a short corner, with Josh Dawson stopping the ball, giving Jordan Newnes the time to pick his spot, rifling the ball into the bottom left hand corner. Newmarket gained in confidence, playing great passing hockey, reminiscent of their first game of the campaign, great width play from Ollie wade, running the channels and finding the space to secure Newmarkets 3rd goal when he picked up a through ball from Chris Legget, flicking just past the keeper. Josh Dawson made it 4 when he pounced on a poor clearance from the Rutland defence, flicking the ball into the back of the net. Newmarket pushed up further forward and Lee Blades got his first of the game with an unstoppable shot into the top right corner of the goal. Rutland looked deflated, and with only seconds to of the first half, Chris Legget scored an opportunist goal from close range when the keeper failed to kick the ball away cleanly, landing at the stick of Legget to power a shot through a Rutland defender. Newmarket went into the second half in full attack mode, looking to increase their lead, this gave Rutland the one chance of the game to get a goal but keeper Chris Warren calmly kicked the ball away. Newmarket countered, Duncan Freed gave the ball to Blades who deflected the ball to Dawson, running into the D, Dawson unselfishly passed to Pears to tap home for his second. Within minutes, Pears secured his Hat-trick with an instinctive strike from the top of D after picking up the ball from a Blades pass. Newmarket got their 9th goal when Blades got on the end of a Dawson cross, driving the ball into the roof of the goal. Dawson got his 2nd goal from a Wade diagonal pass, picking his slot calmly to make it 10 – 0. With the game drawing to a close, Newmarket secured their biggest win in recorded history when Pears, receiving another excellent deflected ball from Blades, found the path of man of the match Josh dawson, tapping past the keeper to earn his hat-trick.
Newmarket play next weekend against Alford & District 1 at Newmarket Leisure Centre, 15.30 push back.
- TOTW – Round 10
The men notch another win and another TOTW for round 10 with an amazing 11-0 victory against Rutland 3. The lads now lead the TOTW leaderboard by 8.5 TOTWs and despite not having even reached Christmas, are all but crowned Team of the Year!!
Elsewhere, the ladies 3s were a 3-0 walkover against Rutland 2s which sees the Cambs League team move up into 2nd spot in the league. The ladies 1s were unlucky against Louth 1s losing 1-3 after yet another valiant performance. The ladies 2s did not have a game.
| Team | TOTW | PLD | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s 1 | 8.5 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 56 | 9 | 47 | 25 |
| Ladies’ 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 13 |
| Ladies’ 3 | 0.5 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 19 | -8 | 13 |
| Ladies’ 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 36 | -24 | 3 * |
| * 3 points deducted | |||||||||
- Missed Chances Leave Ladies With Regret
Newmarket Ladies 1′s v’s Louth 1′s: 3-1 win to Louth
Newmarket ladies 1st team were left feeling numb after an even match as they failed to convert early chances, although they performed well against a team who have been notching up high scoring victories.
With their opposition travelling a good distance Newmarket were hoping that Louth would be slow out of the starting blocks and in fact this proved true as Newmarket began to link up incredibly well and the forwards were able to connect. Despite this; strong, early chances were wasted by Newmarket which left Louth with some breathing space and time to settle.
Consistent with every other game this season; Town allowed their opposition to score within 5 minutes through open play. Facing the challenge of levelling the score again Newmarket looked to reach the ball before Louth. Unfortunately Town came unstuck again as a shot was deflected into the goal roof from a right driving attack just 3 minutes after the first.
Ruing early chances that were missed Newmarket regained their composure and started to string some one touch moves particularly down the left hand side through Tracy Cockerill who linked well with Hayley Stoneman and Claire McDonnell. Town were unable to find the final killer pass to convert their chances.
Again, as in recent weeks Newmarket let a goal slip past them within 5 minutes after the break and they were also left without top notch defender Louise Downs as she was clumsily struck down by a Louth player. Mixed fortunes continued as the game was fought in both opposition’s scoring zones. With a Louth defender being brought down in the Newmarket D Sue Bullimore kept her cool and blocked a weak shot away effortlessly. An event in the game which surely contributed to her Player Of The Match award.
With all players looking a little tired and jaded by the cold weather, the game looked a shadow of its former quality. Town were not convinced they had lost yet and on their 4th short corner of the game Claire McDonnell smacked the ball into the D where a lurking defender unknowingly deflected the ball in to make the score 3-1.
With little time left for any further goal scoring chances Isabel Hooley and Jazz Wombwell mopped up any loose balls and carried the play forward. The score was sealed and unfortunately did not reflect the even abilities of the teams and equal goal scoring chances.
15 November 2010- TOTW – Round 9
The men continue their dominance of league division 5NW with another win, this time against Cambridge Nomads 3s winning 3-1. However, for the first time this season, they now lead the division on points as closest rivals Spalding 3s drew 6-6 with Cambridge City 5s. Another first is that Team of the Week for Round 9 is shared for the first time as the ladies 3s notched a rewarding 2-0 victory against bottom side Wisbech 3s.
The ladies 1s again fought valiantly but were unable to prevent defeat to promotion chasing Long Sutton 1s, eventually losing 2-6. The game was apparently a lot closer than the score line suggests and the girls need to focus on the positive points of this game especially as the run into Christmas is going to be tough with 3 of the top 5 to be played.
| Team | TOTW | PLD | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s 1 | 7.5 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 9 | 36 | 22 |
| Ladies’ 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 13 |
| Ladies’ 3 | 0.5 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 19 | -11 | 10 |
| Ladies’ 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 33 | -22 | 3 * |
| * 3 points deducted | |||||||||
- High Spirits Despite Scoreline
Newmarket Ladies 1′s v’s Long Sutton Ladies 1′s: 6-2 win to Long Sutton
Despite losing to Long Sutton; Newmarket Ladies 1st team were proud of their performance this week and a definate change in attitude saw carefree, fearless hockey particularly in the second half.
Long Sutton, who now rise to second place in the league hit the target early – oozing with confidence the team were vocal in their expectations of notching up a cricket score against Town. Not disheartened Gail McDonnell galvenized the Newmarket team. With good calling from the sidelines Town were now looking to channel their opposition’s play and looked to put in early tackles – and Clodie Rolph lead by example on this. Although Long Sutton were unphased by Newmarket’s efforts and lofted a ball goalwards where a waiting striker parried the ball home.
This only spurred Town on to fight back and Jenny Richards fearlessly won a crunch ball in midfield and released to Tracy Cockerill. She swiftly passed to Di Thomas who played the ball to Georgie Kerr. A pinpoint release back to Thomas allowed her to shimmy right past the wrongfooted keeper and fire into an open goal. Long Sutton looked shocked at the sudden skill and accuracy of Town and launched waves of vengeful attack.Town’s glimmer of hope was soon wiped out as a further 3 goals rocked the Newmarket backboards.
Not to be tamed by their opposition Newmarket realised a winning scoreline was beyond their reach but looked to regain dignity and demonstrate a gutsy display of effort. This was to be a half where Town’s true colours shone through.
A wave of enthusiasm hit Town and this caused Long Sutton to panic. Isabel Hooley continually beat her player to the ball and with Claire McDonnell in support Town moved effortlessly up the pitch. Lorna Freeman too was solid in defence with Louise Downs motoring tirelessly through the centre – she was a pillar of control. Town struck back again – with Zoe Bailey winning a free hit on the edge of the D; Claire McDonnell charged forward to whack the ball beyond the flailling keeper to make the score 4-2.
Keeping the scoring chances to a minimum Newmarket were unlucky to let in a further two goals – one attempt being a penalty flick. Long Sutton confirmed post game that Town were a fighting force in the second half and Newmarket are looking to build on this for future games. Sue Bullimore was the star of the show as she took the man of the match award for some spectacular saves in goal and positive team chat.
Next week the ladies 1st team play Louth at home – 2pm push back – supporters very welcome.
14 November 2010- Newmarket Men 3 – 1 Cambridge Nomads III
Newmarket started their fifth home game of the season at home against a competitive Cambridge Nomads third team looking to cement their championship push. With Nomads having beaten third and fourth in the league already this season, town expected a tough game, Nomads didn’t disappoint.
Newmarket started with real intent and after a free flowing move involving Mark Pears and Josh Dawson they were unlucky not to take the lead in the first few minutes. Nomads adopted a policy of playing with 3 deep centre backs protecting the top of the D and made it very difficult for Newmarket to play the free flowing hockey of previous weeks.
Newmarket took the lead halfway through the first half from a short corner, Pears fast injection gave William Wilson lots of time at the top of the D and his ball to the far post was missed by Josh Dawson and the defender at the far post. Newmarket continued to dominate possession through Chris Leggett and Andrew Beardon in the middle and Pete Boyle who pushed forward with great effect from right back. Newmarket weren’t able to force any clear cut opportunities and went into half time one goal in front.
In the second half Pears doubled the lead from a short corner collect the rebound after the keeper blocked his first effort. Nomads then hit Newmarket on a break with the left winger scoring with a strike into the roof of the net past the despairing dive of Chris Warren in goal. Newmarket then lost Marc Prentice to a ham string injury which forced them into a re shuffle. Wilson was rolled back on from the bench and shortly afterwards forced a penalty corner when the defender fouled and tackled before the ball had moved five yards. From the resulting short corner Wilson powered a flick into the top right corner.
Notable performances came from Josh Dawson and Ollie Wade on the left and right wing, but man of the match was Andrew Beardon playing against his former team. Next week Newmarket are away against second from bottom Rutland 3, 9am meet at Newmarket Leisure Centre.
8 November 2010- TOTW – Round 8
3 wins out of 4 for the club this weekend and yet again it is the men who pinch TOTW for yet another week – a valiant come back against March Town winning 4-2. Captain Marvel Will Wilson scored a hat-trick with Mark Pears also scoring to complete the win. It’s still level pegging at the top of Division 5NW with Spalding 3s matching us for points.
The ladies 2s playing in the Suffolk league earned another three points thanks to a 1-0 win against Grasshoppers 2s. It’s the girls third win and third clean sheet in a row and the side sit proudly at the top of the league!
The ladies 3s picked off their first win in four games after beating City of Peterboro. 4 2-1. With that win, the side moves up to sixth in the league.
The ladies 1s lost 0-2 to Bourne in a game that now sees the side bottom 2 points adrift of their nearest rivals. The side will be desperate to claw some more points before Christmas so the gap doesn’t increase further, but with the town meeting 3 of the top four in the coming weeks, it’s going to be tough!
| Team | TOTW | PLD | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s 1 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 8 | 34 | 19 |
| Ladies’ 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 13 |
| Ladies’ 3 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 7 |
| Ladies’ 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 27 | -18 | 3 * |
| * 3 points deducted | |||||||||
- Men March on!
Newmarket began their seventh game of the season in the NE14 Hockey division 5NW away against March’s third team. The team were looking to get back to winning ways after last weeks hard fought draw against Spalding. With a third of the team arriving just before the start of the game after a navigation error, Newmarket just didnt get out of the blocks. The early passing, running of the ball and great ball pace of previous weeks were absent for most of the first half. Newmarket’s midfield were unable to dominate the game as they have become used to. The team were struggling to deal with the great distribution from March’s centre backs. Newmarket were cut apart at countless times and it was no surpirse that March took the lead and then doubled it just before half time.
At half time the team got together, improved the team shape, marking, discipline and ball pace and came out a different side after the break. Duncan Freed and Jordan Newnes really stood out at the back with some great tackling and distribution, Ollie Wade (despite playing with an hand injury) forced countless shortcorner from the left wing and Mark Pears began to find some space up front. After hitting the post from one short Corner with 20 minutes to go, William Wilson scored with a straight strike towards the bottom right corner. Newmarket were now rampant and playing all the game in the March half. With William Balding and Chris Leggett cutting out the clearances and Josh Dawson providing a menace on the right, there looked like there could only be one winner. Ollie Wade won another short corner which Wilson flicked just inside the left post to draw level at 2 – 2. He quickly scored the third to from another short corner with a flick to the top left corner, making the score 3 – 2 and claiming his hat-trick in the process.
With March now pushing for an equaliser there were lots of gaps at the back, Newmarket wasted a couple of overlaps but went 4 - 2 up with a mazy run from Mark Pears, which started on the half way line, beating three defenders and the goalkeeper before finishing. In a season when Newmarket have been used to steam rolling teams, coming from 2 goals behind against fourth in the league demonstrated great courage and the team should take a great deal of confidence from the resolve they showed.
Man of the match was Duncan Freed, who continues to improve weekly after a long absense with a serious knee injury. DotD was Will Wilso for attempting to send a car to March via Kings Lynn! Next weeks game is against Cambridge Nomads, 3:30 pushback at Newmarket Leisure Centre, supporters welcome.
- Top of the table clash finishes in Stalemate
Newmarket 2 – 2 Spalding III
Certain aspects of last weeks game mean I felt it impossible to write a balanced match report. Therefore I have kept this purely factual.
First half started
Spalding scored
Half time
Will Wilson scored for Newamrket
Will Wilson send off
Spalding Scored
Will Wilson scored again.
End.
MotM & DotD Will Wilson
- Ladies 1′s Fail to Defeat Closest Rivals
Newmarket Ladies 1sts v’s Bourne Ladies 1sts: 2-0 win to Bourne
Facing their nearest league rivals, Newmarket were hoping to bag some points to take them out of the relegation zone, but the team failed to fire and allowed their opposition to seal a comfortable victory.
Town were unable to put in early tackles on their opposition and Bourne were able to roam free up the pitch and force numerous short corners that needed defending and luckily for Newmarket their opposition failed to convert.
A Bourne player was warned with a green card after a clumsy manoeuvre with her stick on Isabel Hooley and shortly after a Newmarket player also saw green due to backchat. Town looked to motivate each other and the game began to develop with channel drives provided out wide by Tracy Cockerill and Becca Swift. Sue Bullimore was also showing fine form as she saved countless shots at her goal.
The first half remaining goalless, both teams seemed to be lacking fighting spirit perhaps due to facing some tough opposition in recent weeks.
Another green card was shown in the 2nd half to a Bourne player but this seemed to create some unity within their team and they looked the stronger side. A goal was inevitable and 5 minutes in they punched in a ball from short range leaving Newmarket with a further mind battle.
With a flurry of Town substitutions the side looked a little disjointed and there was little opportunity for players to connect. The back line of Jazz Wombwell, Gail McDonnell, Lorna Freeman and Louise Downs were under constant pressure as Bourne showed no sign of let up. Again from close range a goal trickled in for Bourne leaving Newmarket’s hopes of a victory firmly left back in the changing rooms.
