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| The soggy Newmarket match report provides permanent testament to Cathy's reporting efforts, and cold fingers! |
Dullingham Polo Club was enveloped in ground level cloud and the air filled with a cold and persistent drizzle as the girls arrived for their first encounter with Newmarket Town, a new team to the league this season. The stiff and biting wind was best combatted by constant movement and the blues made a spritely start, making early use of the large and wide pitch to put the home team under pressure. An early goal came Scarlett's way, stabbing the ball home through a crowded area with the outside of her right boot to make it 1-0. A couple of minutes later and Tia was on the scoresheet, finding the net after consistent Stortford pressure. Five minutes on, Ellie-Mae continued her run of extraordinary goals, flying down the right flank then cutting in and striking home powerfully from a wide angle. In truth the result was already sealed at this early point as Stortford looked in comfortable control, though Newmarket, constantly maintained by a positive stream of encouragement from their coach, battled bravely on, giving their all throughout the game. Reward from the effort came just before the break, a long range and speculative effort wrong footed both Stortford defence and keeper and crawled over the goal-line.
Early second half exchanges saw Tia and Ellie-Mae both go close and Skye make a save, Scarlett thread a beauty of a pass through to Tia whose shot was thwarted, before a corner produced the next goal for the blues. Ellie-Mae crossed to Scarlett who looped a ball goal-wards, nodded home at close range by Tia to make it 4-1 to the visitors. A second headed goal nearly followed, Scarlett providing the chance for Abigail whose effort was grasped by the keeper.
At the other end a bouncing ball in the Stortford penalty area was struck onto a defender's raised arm, the ref pointing quickly to the spot and Newmarket left eagerly anticipating a second goal. Skye dashed their hopes though, dealing with the powerfully hit spot-kick with a two handed parry over the bar.
Newmarket's spirit had run its course and in the final quarter the play was all in the blues favour, Ellie-Mae, Scarlett, Elly and Faye all going close. A free kick from Emily was parried down into the area, Scarlett quickly pouncing to score her second and the team's fifth. Then, in the final minutes, Tia broached Newmarket's defences twice in quick succession. Her hat-trick was secured when a super ball from Scarlett put her in position to jink into the box and find the net and her fourth coming with almost the last kick of the game, a rebounded ball of a defender falling to her feet for the sweetest of tap-ins.
A fine win in atrocious conditions but a pitch that suited us down to the ground. Oh to play there in spring sunshine and T-shirt warmth!
Result: won 1-7
Team: Skye, Simi, Emily (c), Abigail, Abby, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Faye, Tia
Subs: Elly
Scorers: Tia (4), Scarlett (2), Ellie-Mae
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