Ladies’ 1s: 3-1 win vs Long Sutton 1 (Home)
(G. Evans, L. Evans, Thomas)
CAPTAIN EVANS FIRES NEWMARKET TO DIVISION 1 IN THE BATTLE FOR PROMOTION
With only a point required to secure promotion, in what was to be Newmarket Ladies biggest game in their history, the job was quite simple – do not lose! To add pressure to the situation, if visitors Long Sutton win, it would be them who’d overtake Newmarket in 2nd place and go up. Newmarket had lost the reverse fixture 3-0, and were once again stunned by the visitors early on, as they went ahead inside three minutes. The ball was whipped into to the centre of the ‘D’ only for the Long Sutton striker to latch on with the slightest of touches, to put an unstoppable finish past keeper Sue Bullimore. The home side had been rattled and Long Sutton did not let up in the proceeding minutes, lashing a shot just wide of the post from the right-hand side. Slowly but surely, the hosts started to find their feet though as Grace Evans tested the away keeper in the 23rd minute, but her close range slap shot at the far post was an easy collection before Hayley Stoneman curled her shot just wide eight minutes later. Now growing in confidence, Newmarket got the all important chance they needed, winning a penalty flick through a short corner that was stopped on the line. Ignoring the importance and magnitude of this flick, Captain Lydia Evans didn’t disappoint as she confidently flicked the ball into the side netting. 1-1. Late into the first half, the game was momentarily stopped, as Grace Morris was at the receiving end of a lifted ball, with the youngster requiring medical attention on the side line. Then, four minutes later, Grace Evans put the home side ahead out of nowhere. The ball into her was difficult to control, but she pulled it down brilliantly, drove into space before firing into the bottom corner, pointing and dedicating the goal to the injured Morris . 2-1. After the break, the Yellows could have put further daylight between them and the away side, but their keeper pulled off a fantastic stop to deny Claire McDonnell a goal. Long Sutton were still a constant threat, but for all their possession and chances, Town’s back four of Rebecca Barnes, Rebecca Bunning, Gail Parkins and Kerry Alderson were in fact only forced to make meaningful tackles on a handful of occasions. The mercurial midfield of Lydia Evans, Claire McDonnell, Hayley Stoneman and Jess Logan appeared to be at their best, combining well together and putting the away team under constant pressure. And with 14 minutes from time came the chance that Newmarket’s pressure merited through another short corner, as Lydia Evans fizzed the ball to the right hand post for Di Thomas to deflect into the roof of the net, securing the all-important win. The result sees the Newmarket Ladies 1st XI go up into Division 1 for the first time in their history.
Ladies’ 2s: 0-4 loss vs Huntingdon 1 (Away)
“So long and thanks for all the fish”
Huntingdon 1s helped Newmarket L2s say farewell to 3NW with true grace and style, familiar faces greeted us after our journey through chocolate box villages to Sharnbrook.
In an uncharacteristically even “game of two halves”, Newmarket held Huntingdon to 4-0 loss, there were good goals, scrappy goals and disallowed goals.
Newmarket once again were able to show their ability to defend short corners, with Hunts scoring only one goal from these multiple opportunities. Newmarket did give Huntingdon defence and GK a little action: a solid performance from midfielder Emma Lankfer, in her last match for Town (university life, hockey and oh yes degree is calling) afforded Sophie Kelly some near misses. Hannah Fox showed determination in both halves, utilising passes and carrying the ball to opposition D with confidence. Zoe Bailey found the keeper’s pads with a reverse stick sweep at full stretch but nothing quite got between the posts.
Coach would like to thank all ladies who have played for L2s squad this season for their efforts in training, their persistence in defeats and to remind them that in 2017-18, the only way is up.
Ladies’ 3s: 0-9 loss vs Cambridge South 2 (Away)
Saturday saw the ladies with an early start heading to Cambridge to take on Cambridge south 2s in the rematch, which would be their final game of the season.
The ladies knew that South would be coming hard at them, and they were not wrong. The game equally started strong for both sides with Newmarket battling and fighting for every ball. The score was held at 0-0 for the first 20 minutes of the game, with every Newmarket player absolutely giving 100%.
Although South managed to put 3 into Newmarket’s goal by half time, they were evidently shaken by how difficult Newmarket were making it for them, through good tackles and interceptions.
Captain Mel Podd and coach Colin Seakins were very pleased with the teams performance against a side that were determined to put away as many goals as possible on the day.
Man of the match went to Callie Plumb for her epic midfield play.
The team were able to go home with heads held high, knowing the despite the score line, we had made them work hard for their win.
It was a great end to the season for the Ladies’ 3s.
Ladies’ 4s: 5-0 win vs St Neots 3 (Home)
(Match Conceded)
Men’s 2s: 2-2 draw vs Bury St Edmunds 3 (Away)
(J. Atkinson 2)
