Jockeys look to renew bid for promotion against Melford
ON THE MARK: Aaron Turner was among the goalscorers for Newmarket Town on Saturday.
Newmarket Town boss Kevin Grainger will be looking for his team to get their promotion bid back on track against strugglers Long Melford.
Having watched their unbeaten start in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division disappear following a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Brightlingsea Regent at the end of last month, the Jockeys manager sees the trip to Stoneylands (3pm) as the ideal fixture for his side to get back on the winning trail.
“It is usually quite a tough pitch to play on over there and with all the rain we have had it will make conditions tough,” said Grainger. “But although we have had to juggle the squad around due to injuries and absentees, we should be too strong for Long Melford and get the three points.”
The Town Ground outfit will go into the clash with third-bottom Long Melford full of confidence after booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Thurlow Nunn League First Division Knockout Cup, following a 3-1 win over a youthful Downham Town on Saturday.
Tony Wright opened the scoring mid-way through the opening period, before the hosts scored with their only meaningful attack of the first half.
Newmarket regained the lead early on in the second half thanks Abdul Sannah’s strike, before Aaron Turner wrapped up the scoring minutes later.
“We kept the ball well on Saturday and to be fair we always looked pretty comfortable. We now look forward to taking on Halstead in the quarter-finals,” said Grainger.
It will be a case of Ely City boss Alan Alsop asking his players to produce more of the same against CRC on Saturday after the Robins secured a 5-2 win on the road at FC Clacton at the weekend.
City raced into a 4-0 lead at the break thanks to goals from Andrew Claydon, Luke Parkinson, Josh Bridgeman and Austen Diaper before adding a fifth through Claydon in the second half.
The Seasiders took advantage of Ely switching off when grabbing two goals of their own, but they turned out to be nothing more than consolation efforts.
“To be honest, we didn’t play well and it certainly was not one of our best performances,” said Alsop.
“All-in-all though they have had some good results at home so it was a good win. If we had played like we did against Felixstowe the weekend earlier we would have hit nine or 10.”
City, who will be missing centre-half Ben Lawrence for Saturday’s clash against CRC, have received some positive news after Adam Murray revealed he will be staying at the Unwin Ground for the time being despite an approach from Ryman League Division One North outfit AFC Sudbury.
“Sudbury have made a seven-day approach for Adam but he has assured me he will be staying until the end of the season, which is a big boost for us as we have not got the biggest squad as it is,” said Alsop.
One player who has said farewell to the Robins, however, is defender Lewis McDonald, who has made the switch to Ryman League Division One North outfit Soham Town Rangers.
On Saturday, McDonald’s new club put aside their exit from the FA Trophy by taking another three points in the league with a 3-0 win at basement side Ware, before falling to a 1-0 defeat at home to Witham Town on Tuesday. This Saturday Rangers will be on their travels again when taking on Aveley.
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Weather for Newmarket
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
