Newmarket could only field 10 men in their final match of the season. However, what they lacked in man power they certainly made up for in both effort and commitment. From the starting whistle Crampian took the game to the visitors and they would have collected an early goal had it not been for a beautifully stretched save by Stavrakakis. Poulton, Field, Hayward and the out-of-position Lebbon then tightened up the defensive line and for the next 15 minutes the door was firmly locked. In mid-field Edwards and Koopmans were strong on the ball but the passing was not as polished as usual and ball control was lost from time to time, making it hard to engage with Spivey as the lone striker. With two goals down Newmarket kept their composure and that would have been a reasonable score line going into the second half. Unfortunately, as happened last week the concentration lapsed in the last 5 minutes and Grampian was allowed to clinch two further goals before the half time whistle.

In the second half Newmarket decided they had been sitting to deep and finally came out with a number of attacks, often set up by lighting fast runs and excellent crosses by man-of-the-match Bryant or some deft touches by Andrews, the latter having an excellent physical control of the game. Unfortunately Spivey didn’t quite manage to control the ball or the keeper just managed to get to ball a split second quicker. The more attacking play did expose Newmarket defensive lines a bit more resulting in three more goals by Grampian, but the damage would have been much greater had it not been for great clearances from the back four and some confident and brave saves by Stavrakakis. The referee was outstanding, controlling the game very well and it was a shame that Hayward received an injury from a hard tackle a minute before the end of the match. The final score line didn’t reflect the way Newmarket played and definitely masked the huge improvement and quality passing football the team has developed during this season. If Newmarket can build on this and start to switch more between defensive and attacking play then they soon will find themselves back in the A league.

This match was representative of Newmarket’s season; not the result they would have hoped for, but an ever improving – and at times – very impressive game of football. Despite conceding an early goal Newmarket didn’t panic and displayed some very attractive passing football. In fact, they often had the upper hand in controlling the ball. Despite their physical disadvantage Koopmans and Edwards managed to wrestle the ball away from their opposing players in mid-field, but struggled to engage Whitmore and Acklam up front. Poulton, Field, Jones and Hayward did form a hard-working defensive line, but overall Newmarket gave the opposition too much individual space, giving the St Ives forwards too many options. Apart from a lucky volley most goals could have been avoided as Newmarket went into half time four goals down.

In the second half it was a totally different game, thanks to some tactical changes and a much tightened game play. Newmarket totally controlled the game but for the last five minutes. St. Ives did get a couple of chances, but the shots were either wide or blocked by Stavrakakis. Koopmans set up some great attacks with exquisite touches from man-of-the-match leading to Whitmore and Lebbon. Alternative attacks went over the right wing with lightening runs from Bryant. Unfortunately, none of these efforts did result in a goal. Newmarket was visibly tiring and the loss of concentration in the last five minutes gifted St Ives their fifth goal.

Newmarket fought hard and were still in the game with 20 minutes to go. Thereafter the strength and growing precision of the visitors’ attack allowed them to stretch away to a comfortable victory. Newmarket were sharp at the start and although Huntingdon had more of the possession, the home defence looked well drilled and able to deal with the physical challenge of the Rowdies’ front runners. Fifteen minutes in though, a lofted pass exposed Newmarket’s lack of height at the back and an attacker at the far post converted well. Newmarket tried to force their way into the game with Spivey leading from the front and forcing a save after a direct run. But Town’s failure to retain possession became a growing vulnerability. The visitors hit the post and squandered several good chances before they made it 2-0 just before half time.

Newmarket began the second half brightly and tried to play a neat passing game that is their strength. Lebon went close at the left post and then lobbed the keeper only to see the ball bobble wide. Man of the match Edwards ran and tackled and kept it simple in midfield. He was well supported by Bryant and Koopmans and, with Spivey continuing to trouble the visitors’ defence, it briefly looked as if Town could turn things round. But Huntingdon increased their grip on the game with some well taken goals, three of which came in the final few minutes. Newmarket never gave up battling and, in rare counter-attacks, Andrews and Edwards both went close.

A frustrating performance by Newmarket against well-organised opposition of similar capability. The home side took their chances well but the score line was in large part down to Newmarket’s refusal to control the ball and then to think about how to use it. Newmarket started with confidence and the defensive line held well. Jones performance was solid on the right and from the left hand side of the pitch Acklam set up some good attacks. Hayward also was strong on the ball and made several good tackles.

Half way through the first half the Priory keeper put in a huge kick that fell luckily for his left winger who then whipped in a cracking volley from 30 metres, giving Stavrakakis with no chance. Newmarket didn’t seem perturbed and pushed with confidence and looked the better side for a period. However, a switching pass allowed Priory’s main attacker to run away from his marker and cross the ball for a second goal. Individually many of the Town side worked hard, notably man-of-the-match Bryant, who controlled an entire wing from defence to attack. But as team Newmarket lost their way, resorting to big kicks upfield which were easily picked off by the larger opposition. With far more possession Priory began to dominate. Their neat and clinical passing led to several narrow escapes before Newmarket conceded a third goal.

In the second half reorganized midfield with Koopmans taking a central role. Even though this seemed to have some effect the passing game was still absent from Newmarket’s game. To make matters worse, miscommunication between Stavrakakis and a defender resulted in the ball ricocheting into the net. Similar communication problems in the Newmarket team also lead to Priory’s fifth goal shortly afterwards. Towards the end of the second half, Newmarket remembered their passing game and came back into contention. A couple of promising attacks carved open the Parkside defence but sadly the final balls weren’t quite accurate enough to trouble the keeper. Whitmore and Bryant had shots at goal but they lacked strength. Late on an excellent through ball from Field fed Whitmore who scored a consolation goal with a well-taken volley.

Newmarket were unable to narrow the gap on the team above them in the league in this six point encounter. But they were never completely out of the running and were in charge of the game for several spells. Histon scored within seconds of the start, exploiting sleepiness at the heart of the Newmarket defence. This prodded Town into life and they pressed the home side back into the final quarter of the pitch. Koopmans shot wide from a corner and Whitmore forced a save out the home keeper who was impressive throughout. Koopmans’ neat distribution began to free Whitmore and Spivey and their strength in holding the ball up and direct running troubled the Histon defence. But the Histon midfield worked its way back into the game and, for a period, there was to and fro football, with both sides showing neat touches but neither gaining the ascendancy. Unfortunately just before half time Histon pounced on some reticence in Town’s defence to turn round 2-0 ahead.

Newmarket redressed the balance at the very beginning of the second half. Man of the match Whitmore made a strong run to the right and crossed for Spivey to convert. Whitmore was involved in several other moves, frequently fed by the industrious Koopmans. Histon also had their chances and scored two well-crafted goals. But Newmarket refused to lie down. Spivey slipped the ball past the Histon keeper after a fine solo run to make it 4-2. A Whitmore corner skidded across the Histon goal line without getting the touch that would have seen it in the net. A Bryant free kick went narrowly over the bar. A tight finish looked in prospect when the ball ended in the Histon net after an indirect free-kick. The referee looked to have given the goal before ruling it off-side. Town remained on top to the final whistle but could not capitalise and the final score was a harsh reflection on their performance.

On a very muddy pitch Newmarket recorded their first league win of the season as a testament to the continued improvements in their game. Newmarket started with a very positive attitude that was going to last throughout the match. Already in the first few minutes Lebbon as well as Edwards had a couple of close attempts at goal, but it was man-of-the-match Spivey that opened the score. St. Ives did try to counter but Newmarket was simply too strong in all departments. A very good cross by Whitmore was pushed clear by the excellent St Ives goalie but from the edge of the penalty box Koopmans powered home for a two-goal lead. Poulton organized the Newmarket defensive line well with Acklam, Field and Jones performing good work on the wings. As a result St Ives’ had several attempts from long shots, but Stavrakakis was confident in goal.

In the second half St Ives did manage a ball through. Despite Stavrakakis making blocking two close shots, somehow Newmarket did not manage to clear the ball off their lines and a scrappy St Ives goal was the result. Newmarket stepped up a gear with Bryant and Koopmans controlling the midfield well. Spivey, Edwards and also Whitmore had several runs at goal but the St Ives goalie blocked them all. It was Spivey that eventually managed to put in a cross clear from the keeper which Lebbon neatly tapped home for make the final score. Overall a very good performance by Newmarket with the potential for several more goals had the pitch not been so muddy.

Another performance of character saw Newmarket level pegging until the final stages of this match. Injuries and absences meant that Town had just nine fit players on the pitch for most of the second half and this determined the result. Every player in team was tenacious. The backs battled to a standstill against larger opponents with man of the match Acklam and Jones outstanding. Field maintained the imperious form of the previous week and the defence was unrecognisable from that of earlier in the season. From the first whistle stand-in keeper Poulton proved to be a commanding presence. His confidence was infectious and after absorbing a couple of Ely attacks, Town took the game to the home side, looking particularly threatening down the left flank where Acklam Lebbon and Whitmore combined well. Ely were dangerous on the counter. Poulton’s saves and some profligate shooting kept Newmarket in the game. Finally a through ball fell kindly to an Ely attacker who put the home side into the lead. Newmarket pushed forward and camped in the home side’s penalty area for some time without being able to capitalise. The Ely keeper was kept busy. Spivey hit the post and was brought down in circumstances that on another day might have earned a penalty. Bryant hit the bar with the keeper beaten.

Ely counter attacked when they could and early in the second half extended their lead against the run of play. Town stuck at it and when Spivey was brought down for a third time a penalty was awarded which he converted with confidence. Almost immediately Newmarket were level at 2-2. Whitmore used the wind and curled a long shot past the keeper. For a period an upset looked on the cards. But Newmarket legs tired and Ely’s substitutes began to have an impact and the game began to flow the home side’s way. Newmarket dug deep and occasionally mounted a counter attack of their own but a couple of late goals secured the points for Ely.

“A new year, a new start”. That must have been in the mind of the Newmarket players as they took the match to the opposition as soon as the whistle sounded. The first chance came from Bryant, making a run on the right and whipping in the first of many excellent crosses, Lebbon narrowly missing the goal. Chesterton retaliated with a long shot - several were to follow - cutting through the Newmarket mid-field. Chesterton forwards were first to the follow-up and put the ball in the net but the goal was dismissed by the referee for dangerous play. Another attack shortly afterwards opened up the Newmarket defence to make it 1-0 to the visitors. Newmarket briefly lost their composure but Stavrakakis’ amazing one-handed save kept them in the game and from that moment Newmarket’s conviction grew. The entire team got into an attacking mode with Koopmans setting up some great combinations from mid-field. Chesterton remained in contention. A powerful and accurate free kick from 25 metres was kept out by Stavrakakis. Newmarket kept the pressure on and Chesterton’s defensive line looked increasingly frail. Through the centre Koopmans tried to reach Spivey and although he couldn’t reach it, the ball ran wide to Bryant on the right and his accurate pass was almost converted by Lebbon. Unbelievably a Newmarket corner shot bobbled untouched across the entire goal mouth when the briefest of touches would have put the ball in the net. And finally Bryant’s volley went narrowly over the bar. In contrast Newmarket looked solid in defence, with man-of-the-match Field leading the way with some great tackles and headers against a physically bigger side.

For an extended period Newmarket looked poised to equalise. However, it was Chesterton who, from yet another long though ball, extended their lead. This time there was no dip in Newmarket’s performance. They remained full on and took the game to the visitors. This time it paid off. One minute before half time a Whitmore corner was converted by debutante Hayward with a little help from the visitor’s keeper. Newmarket’s confidence soared and within seconds from the kick-off it was Whitmore himself, scorching the turf for the equaliser. Newmarket pressed forward, sensing victory. Bryant’s cross was beautifully picked up by Spivey, but he couldn’t quite control it. The next time round he would do better. Acklam rounded off an excellent run with an equally excellent pass to Spivey, who brought the ball under control and made it three goals for Newmarket with a very cool shot. Chesterton fought back and with Newmarket struggling to deal with long shots and set pieces the final fifteen minutes were tense. There were several occasions where Chesterton went close. Eventually they scored from a free kick the ball sailing into the net with the aid of the wind. Stavrakakis’ brave efforts at the death secured the home side their first league point of the season.

This was a disappointing result against fellow relegation candidates, not least as Newmarket controlled lengthy stretches of the game. Town began brightly with Man of the Match Lebon leading the way from left midfield with energy and determination. Newmarket were unable to capitalise on the corner he won early on. Then Spivey, who was showing similar levels of determination up front, had the opposition goal keeper scrambling to cover a shot that went narrowly wide. Chesterton came back into the game ten minutes in and both sides had equal amounts of possession in the centre of the field but the Newmarket defence dealt comfortably with any threat presented by the home forwards. Then a speculative long range free kick skidded past Stavrakakis to put the home side into an unexpected lead. Newmarket went straight back on the attack and dominated play with neat pass and go football. Again they failed to capitalise and Chesterton seized on two goal mouth opportunities to turn around three goals ahead.

The second half began badly for Town. A missed tackle, almost from the kick off, was well exploited by Chesterton to take a 4-0 lead. Newmarket remained in the game which moved from end to end. Both sides had half chances but Chesterton made the most of theirs, adding a fifth goal. But Newmarket’s doggedness eventually paid off with Andrews scoring a sweet goal. The Chesterton defence suddenly began to look vulnerable. But so too did Newmarket’s. Despite several brave individual performances at the back, the opposition took two further goals in quick succession. Newmarket continued to battle and looked threatening down both flanks. Spivey fed Bryant to narrow the lead. Spivey’s good run deserved better than a shot which hit both posts without going in. Whitmore also had a couple of opportunities. Chesterton’s eighth goal in the closing minute, again against the run of play, was cruel reward for the effort that Newmarket put into this game.

A difficult match in which Newmarket failed to win the individual battles, making it too easy for their opponents. Newmarket started very well indeed with flowing football and lovely passes. For 20 minutes Newmarket took the game to Bluntisham who managed very little in reply. Fredrik Koopmans’ debut in outfield worked well with good physical blocks and a couple of neat passes. The rest of the team seemed to be in good form too with lots of possibilities created. Although Newmarket lacked the finishing touch in the attack Whitmore’s volley was only just caught by Bluntisham’s goalie. Ten minutes before half time Bluntisham got a lucky through-ball that caught the Newmarket defence standing. Even though Stavrakakis managed to put in a superb block, the ball did go in via a deflection on the rebound. That first goal seemed to unsettle Newmarket and two more goals followed in quick succession before the half time whistle. At one point an opposition player was allowed to cut through the mid-field as well as Newmarket’s defensive line totally unopposed. This was going to be typical of much of the second half with a fourth Bluntisham goal within minutes of the restart.

Newmarket then seemed to regain some composure with man-of-the-match Hendrik Koopmans working extremely hard in order to dominate the mid-field. For a while this seemed to work with only two attacks getting through, even though these were close shaves, hitting the wood work on both occasions. As is typical this season Newmarket did not close down individual players and Bluntisham was allowed another break from a great diagonal pass across the field. This broke Newmarket’s regained composure, leading to three more Bluntisham goals. During the final stages of the match Newmarket seemed to shrug off the score line and started to put in some good attacks, with Bryant and Spivey coming very close to opening the Newmarket account.

Newmarket lost to an impressive and in form Haverhill side. But, as has frequently been the case this season, the margin of defeat was an unfair reflection on Newmarket's performance. The home side began brightly with Lebon testing the visiting keeper early. But ten minutes in, Haverhill stepped up a gear and their combination of direct running and accurate passing allowed them to take control of the game and score four goals in quick succession. Newmarket battled gamely, conceding only one further goal in the remaining twenty minutes of the half. They attempted to play a passing game - which made sense given that they were conceding height and weight to opponents in every position on the pitch.

Newmarket were more positive throughout the second half. Spivey and man of the match Bryant began to win in midfield and the Haverhill goal came under pressure. Andrews had a shot blocked and Bryant went close with a shot. Lebon was denied a shot in the penalty area and Spivey thought he had scored from a Poulton free kick only to learn that it had been disallowed for an infringement. Haverhill remained a potent threat to the end and added to lead with some attractive moves and clinical finishing. But overall the second half was a more balanced affair.

The score line said more about the home side’s experience in playing on a muddy pitch than the actual run of play. Newmarket started very well, making the first half a very even game where both sides had their chances. Haverhill came close hitting the post after which the ball bounced out and into the arms of Stavrakakis. The conditions were truly atrocious with high winds and slashing rain. This did not suit Newmarket’s passing game at all and the ball frequently dropped dead on the watery and muddy pitch. Nevertheless the ball was push up the field several times through the middle or over the wing by Bryant. On two occasions Spivey was unlucky in the way the ball fell and he just couldn’t quite break through. Newmarket’s defensive line – featuring man-of-the-match Field – was solid and held well until the dying seconds of the first half when Newmarket conceded a goal from a corner. The goal mouth was packed with players and with the ball not worked away quickly enough it was almost inevitable a Haverhill player would get a foot to it.

In the second half Newmarket were determined to continue their excellent performance. However, Haverhill now sensed they could press hard having both the wind and their physical presence to their advantage. It paid off and early on they extended their lead. Haverhill now got the momentum and by playing the ball diagonally managed to outplay Newmarket’s defence to make it 3-0 to the home side. By this time the pitch was in a dreadful state with Newmarket having to play into the icy wind and slashing rain. This made it very difficult to set up an attack, yet for a period the home side was held at bay. However, towards the end of the match Newmarket was caught out by the stronger Haverhill players and the home side put in another run of three goals. Despite the score line Newmarket came away with the knowledge that they were an equally strong side in the first half. More favourable weather conditions may have led to a very different outcome.

Newmarket lost to top of the table Hardwick but the score line flattered the home side. Newmarket were unrecognisable as the side that had conceded thirteen goals at home to Hardwick a few weeks ago. Newmarket began brightly, taking advantage of a steeply sloping pitch. But Hardwick went ahead at the end of their first attack, benefiting from a harsh penalty decision against Stavrakakis, the Newmarket keeper.

Newmarket continued to dominate play for twenty minutes, with Edwards prominent in a defensive midfield role and Bryant prompting elegant attacks down the right. Newmarket sliced open the Hardwick defence at will but were unable to convert the dominance into goals. Bryant had a couple of shots well saved and Whitmore and Andrews were denied in scrambles in the penalty area. Against the run of play Hardwick scored, a slick headed corner exposing Newmarket’s lack of height at the back. Hardwick quickly extended the lead via an attacker that the visiting supporters believed was a long way off-side. This encouraged the home side and Newmarket were pushed onto the back foot. Stavrakakis made a good save and the back four, with man of the match Jones prominent at right back, looked cohesive. No further goals were conceded.

Newmarket turned round into the wind and against the slope and came under some significant pressure but battled for the duration. Opponents were closed down and some fine tackling was on display. In possession Newmarket played a thoughtful passing game and always looked dangerous on the counter attack. Although the second half was goalless, Newmarket looked the side more likely to score. Andrews’ touch on a Whitmore free-kick bobbled past the post. Whitmore put a shot narrowly over the bar and a long range shot from Koopmans drew a save from the Hardwick keeper.

A winnable game for Newmarket that was effectively lost through hesitant and tentative play in the first half. Playing into a strong head wind Newmarket dominated the second half of the match with lovely passes and attacking play. Playing into the icy wind at Newmarket’s home ground, Ely aggressively took control of the game early on. Once more Newmarket were not closing down their man at an individual level, giving their opponents space and time, resulting in Ely’s first goal ten minutes into the match. Newmarket didn’t manage to keep possession of the ball and time and again Ely came back. Good defensive work by Poulton, Edwards and Field prevented Ely from making the most of their physical advantage although a couple of shots, from a series of corners, hit the cross bar. Just before half time Newmarket set up a promising attack over the right wing, only for Whitmore to be denied a shot on goal. Ely countered well and increased their lead.

In the second half Newmarket was a different team. The ball was kept on the ground and passed around to set up three speedy attacks by Bryant on the right wing. Edwards picked up one of the crosses but was brought down. The resulting penalty was expertly taken by Spivey placing the ball into the corner of the net. Against the run of play Ely managed to scramble a third goal from a corner half-way through the second half. Newmarket showed the right attitude. They immediately fought themselves back into the game and started to attack once more with man-of-the-match Edwards now doing great work in the centre of the field. An excellent through pass put Lebbon, who had fooled the off-side trap, clear and he scored with a beautiful half-volley over the goalie. Ely suddenly looked vulnerable. At the very end Fredrik Koopmans who had come on for Stavrakakis in the second half made his only mistake of the match and led a powerful shot slip though his hands to give Ely their final goal. Newmarket should take confidence from their second half performance, knowing they can contain and even beat strong and talented teams.

Newmarket came from behind to win a classic cup tie. They had come to the game with growing self belief but, though a division lower, Lakenheath’s fine league form was on display in the early stages as they took the game to the visitors. Newmarket’s defence with Poulton and Field at its heart looked solid. Jones made a couple of fine tackles too. Newmarket looked sharp on the break with Acklam and Lebon exploiting space on the flanks and the central midfield combination of Spivey, Koopmans and Bryant stringing neat passes together. There were no real chances at either end for a good twenty minutes but, just as Newmarket seemed to be gaining the upper hand in the centre of the field, the momentum went out of their game. Lakenheath exploited this well. A speculative long ball into the Newmarket penalty area was allowed to bounce and the home side pounced to take the lead. Newmarket came back forcefully. Edwards had a fine run from left back and Poulton drew a good save from the Lakenheath keeper from the resultant corner.

Newmarket had the advantage in territory and possession throughout the second half but Lakenheath always posed a serious threat on the break. And, for some time, the visitors struggled to turn possession in midfield into anything truly threatening. Then Bryant found space out on the right and turned back a raking flat cross which Whitmore despatched with verve. The game began to open up. Lakenheath had several chances but the energy of Koopmans and Lebon and deft touches from Andrews produced several chances for the visitors. Surprisingly no further goals were added in normal time Newmarket looked stronger and more creative for much of extra time but then injuries reduced them to ten men and Lakenheath pressed forward sensing victory. Excellent tackling by Spivey and Edwards and defensive heading by Poulton kept Newmarket in the game. At the death it came down to penalties. Both sides showed composure and accurate finishing but Stavrakakis capped a fine display between the sticks to make the crucial save.

If anyone wished for an enjoyable afternoon of football then this was it; courtesy of an outstanding Newmarket side. Given the quality of football they played and the chances they created it is almost unbelievable they didn’t come away with the points. Right from the start Newmarket took the game to the opposition, led by two early charges of Whitmore. When Grampian did manage to build up an attack Poulton’s defensive organisation quickly wrestled the ball back into Newmarket’s possession. The coaching instructions were followed to the letter and most of the time the ball was kept on the deck. This allowed Edwards and Acklam to move the ball up the flanks to the strong mid-field, where especially Spivey created many chances in combination with man-of-the-match Whitmore. It was therefore unfortunate that a Grampian corner led to an unnecessary goal. Closer man-marking may have prevented that.

Newmarket bounced back, displaying some lovely passing combinations either through the centre of mid-field or over the wings with Lebon and Bryant making some good runs. The resulting chances were many, starting with Whitmore’s beautiful volley hitting the inside post yet somehow bouncing back on the field. Also Spivey and Bryant came close, triggering many gasps from the sidelines! There was a hunger in Newmarket’s play with every player wanting to get in on the act and sensing that the game was there for the taking.

In the first few moments of the second half Edwards went on a tremendous run and only just lifted the ball over the cross bar. This was followed by another attack where the ball was nicely held up by Whitmore who played it into the box from where a cool-headed Spivey levelled the score. Against the run of play Grampian won a soft penalty and missed it. The initiative remained with Newmarket with both Field and Jones displaying confidence in tackling as well as in the air. It was therefore very unfortunate that Grampian managed to score a second goal from a rather simple cross, the only one from active play! Grampian then came back in to contention briefly, hitting the post . But Newmarket pressed hard in the final few minutes of the match with a Lebon header hitting the woodwork. Despite this undeserved loss, Newmarket took a large stride towards realising their potential in this game and it is only a matter of time before the points start to come..

Newmarket again went down fighting and the final score flattered the visitors. In the early stages both sides struggled to master windy conditions. Neither side played to feet but the visitors benefited from this style of play being bigger in most positions. Newmarket’s rather tentative tackling and heading added to the advantage and the home side was pressed back and went behind to two quick goals. Field also made a goal-line clearance. But Town came back into the game as Spivey and man of the match Koopmans began to assert themselves in midfield. There was more thought and snap to Newmarket’s game and much of the final stages of the half were played in Priory’s territory. A quick-fire move down the left involving Edwards, Koopmans and Acklam allowed Lebon to threaten and reminded the team what they were capable of.

With the wind behind them, Newmarket’s industrious midfield dominated large passages of the second half but the team was unable to capitalise despite sustained pressure that led to a series of well taken corners by Winter. Parkside looked ragged at the back and held onto their lead only by virtue of their own goal-line clearance and some confident keeping. Town tired and lost shape following a couple of substitutions. Parkside seized on this and bounced back to score two further goals in the dying minutes.

Following last week’s fighting display Newmarket was expected to come away with some points. In the first 25 minutes it did indeed look like a pretty even match with the only danger on either side coming from free kicks. Stavrakakis made a couple of fine saves and it was unfortunate that one of his efforts rebounded in front of the opposition’s attacker who wasted no time in powering the ball into the net. This seemed to unsettle the visitors and instead of relying on their passing game to level the score, they resorted to the long high ball, playing directly into the hands of the home side.

At an individual level Koopmans worked particularly hard in midfield and also debutant Jones had a good match. Overall though Bluntisham players were not closed down and could kick at will. It was inevitable that this lead to further goals and a final score that did not reflect the strength of the teams. One hopes that, in typical fashion, Newmarket will bounce back next week and give a surprise performance.

Newmarket restored their pride and re-gained confidence after two heavy defeats in a fighting display against last season’s league and cup winners. Newmarket began in determined mood. The defence was resolute with Field winning a series of headers and the fit again Edwards bringing some bite to the right side. The home team held possession far more effectively than in recent games. Acklam distributed fluidly from the back and was encouraged to run at the opposition who looked bemused at being on the back foot. Winter’s teasing cross worried the St Ives keeper, a last ditch tackle denied Bryant as he homed on goal and a thrusting run from Spivey was thwarted by brave keeping.

It was goalless at half time but Newmarket turned round as the better side. Rangers raised their game in the second half and mounted a series of increasingly threatening attacks. Newmarket’s defence resisted well until the St Ives centre forward was given a fraction too long to turn and drilled home from the edge of the penalty area. The home defence briefly lost its composure and St Ives quickly took a 2-0 lead. Newmarket fought back and Whitmore had two close range efforts scrambled away. But the game was opening up and St Ives stretched a tiring Newmarket side and scored a third following a good cross from the right and also hit the bar. But man of the match Stavrakakis kept Newmarket in the game with a couple of brave diving saves at the feet of St Ives forwards and by stopping a couple of fierce gaol-bound shots. The home side scrapped to the final whistle and several counter attacks had St Ives back-peddling uncomfortably.

Newmarket were comprehensively beaten by a team that exposed the home side's lack of physical presence and its inability to retain possession. The visitors scored straight from the kick off and thereafter it was largely one-way traffic. Hardwick's crosses proved to be particularly troublesome. Virtually all of the seven goals they scored in the first half came this way. Newmarket kept fighting with Poulton showing character but the home side were unable to string accurate passes together and the opposition's confidence grew.

Newmarket began the second half in more cohesive fashion although Hardwick remained in control and extended their lead to 9 goals. Newmarket, especially man of the match Lebon, kept scrapping and were briefly able to press Hardwick back. Lebon picked up a good free kick from Winter and fed Whitmore who took the goal well. The home side's confidence returned somewhat. Passes went to feet, players began calling for the ball and running into space. Hardwick began to look a little rattled and it was hard to work out why the score line was as it was. But sadly the respite was brief. Hardwick gathered themselves and scored a further five goals in quick succession. Keeper Koopmans will have taken personal satisfaction from a penalty save in the dying minutes.

High wind always seems to cause lots of anxiety for Newmarket and the team responded poorly. Instead of keeping the ball on the ground and relying on their passing ability, Newmarket continuously hoofed the ball forward. Given the fact that most of the opposing players were considerably taller, Huntingdon easily collected the ball to play it up the field to their eagerly awaiting forwards. Newmarket managed to hold out for the first twenty minutes, mainly due to good tackling work by Spivey and excellent goal keeping by Stavrakakis. However, by just kicking the ball over the top ball possession was very one-sided and soon led to the first three goals by Huntingdon.

Instead of changing their game play, Newmarket stuck to their ill-fated strategy. At this point leadership on the field was required but none came. Subsequently the Newmarket defensive line was ripped apart. Had it not been for the attentive work by Stavrakakis the score line could have been worse still. This was by far the worse performance of Newmarket for a long time. Yes, the coach did not have any substitutes and the conditions were not favourable. However, by mentally not lifting themselves after the first few goals, the match was effectively handed to Huntingdon.

Another deceptive score-line. Town were the better side for much of this game and were unlucky not to have taken points from this game. The team conceded two soft goals early in the first half which revealed a certain lack of decisiveness when defending. Man of the match Spivey’s subsequent drop into the centre of defence added resolve and Newmarket’s confidence began to build. A series of neat interchanges down both flanks troubled the opposition and, twenty minutes in, the home side was controlling midfield with Bryant and the energetic Hendrik Koopmans prominent. Unfortunately Town were unable to convert this dominance into shots on the Histon goal.

Newmarket continued to grow in confidence in the second half. Winter shot into the side netting early on. Stavrakakis, switched from goal-keeping duties to right midfield, added extra penetration. He released Lebon who, with keeper to beat, shot narrowly wide. Completely against the run of play Newmarket then fell three goals behind in Histon’s first attack of the half. A breakdown of communication between Town’s defender and keeper gifted the goal to Histon. Newmarket bounced straight back with Whitmore netting after a fine solo run from the half way line. Poulton began to push forward from right back and Acklam was increasingly threatening down the left. When Acklam was brought down after a jinking run, Winter went close with a thumping shot from the resulting free-kick. Whitmore then hit the post and a corner and a cross in quick succession troubled the Hornets’ keeper but the ball just would not fall for Newmarket’s strikers.

Newmarket conceded a fourth goal in the dying minutes, again against the flow of play due a momentary defensive lapse. The final score flattered the visitors and Newmarket can take many positives from this game as they continue to re-model.

Newmarket’s first match of the season was always going to be surrounded by much anxiety what with several personnel changes, including a new coach and little training as an entire squad. Despite all this Newmarket started well, with excellent man-on-man play. In most instances Newmarket managed to claim the ball back already in mid-field. In the few instances where Haverhill did break through the defensive line held strong, with man-of-the-match Poulton running a tight ship and keeper Fredrik Koopmans showing confidence in his ball handling. The new set up of Newmarket will take time to develop a strong passing game. Subsequently today the team had to rely on sheer individual effort. It was a joy to see the enthusiasm and eagerness for the ball and it was unfortunate not to be ahead at the half way point (0 – 0).

After 40 minutes the energy started to sap from the Newmarket team and a physically strong Haverhill took advantage by scoring two early goals in the second half. However, Newmarket bounced back with an excellent corner from Winter, headed in by Stavrakakis, reveling in his new-found role! Hendrik Koopmans tried to follow this up with an excellent run at goal and his shot was surely going into the top left corner if it hadn’t been for an outstanding save by Haverhill’s keeper. A few minutes later Fredrik Koopmans had to retire through injury with Stavrakakis taking the keeper’s role once more. Even though debutant Hall went close in leveling the score, by now Newmarket were tiring, allowing Haverhill players too much individual space. This led to a number of goals in quick succession, resulting in a final score of 6-1.

This score line was totally at odds with the effort, enthusiasm and positive attitude that Newmarket displayed. The new coach therefore took heart from the potential he has to work with!