City unseated at the final hurdle

The first local derby of the season was played on Tuesday night, as the Jockeys and the Lilywhites battled it out to win all 3 points. City were coming off the back of an opening day 2-1 defeat to newly relegated Lowestoft Town, whereas the hosts had played out of their skin to beat last season's play-off finalists Brightlingsea Regent in their opening fixture by the same scoreline.

It was a hot evening, with temperatures nearing 30C, when referee Oliver Morris-Sanders got

the match to get underway.

It didn't take long for City to make the first attack when a corner allowed Michael Salako a headed chance, James Young in the Yellows' goal kept the ball out with a comfortable save.

Henry Hall then tested James Philp at the other end, with City's shot-stopper getting the better of the Newmarket no.3.

A few minutes later and a long ball was collected by ex-Lilywhite Isaac Maynard and, in an attempt to create his team a first chance at goal, crossed the ball into the path of another ex-Lilywhite by the form of Stan Leech. Leech went down in the area claiming a penalty, the first of many during the evening. The referee waving away the appeals.

Newmarket put that failed penalty claim behind them and went looking for the opener. The first effort did indeed end up in the back of the net but Leech had been penalised for a handball in the moments before the ball struck the net.

Next was a free-kick chance which was shot straight at Philp, with another former Lilywhite Ben Robinson taking the kick. Then Philp came to the rescue again, saving a far post header after 21 minutes had been played.

But, it was City who took the lead after early Newmarket pressure. After the ball had gone out for a corner, Jack Thompson whipped in a cross which Ali Njie got a head to, it fell to Michael Salako, who then thumped the ball into the roof of the net for the opening goal of the game.

It didn't take long for Newmarket to respond when a corner found Leech at the far post, the striker's header being cleared off the line.

Leech then got the final chance of the first half when he latched onto a free-kick and saw his effort deflected wide. The following corner didn't amount to much so the first half ended with City leading, 1-0.

The second half would prove to be more difficult for City as Newmarket upped the pressure in search for the equaliser.

The first such chance came 2 minutes into the 2^nd half, an Isaac Maynard free-kick was skied over the bar after being in a promising position.

City looked to get their own chance to double their lead when a Thompson corner eventually found it's way to Alfie Mason, the forthcoming cross saw George Smith have his goal-bound header saved by Young in the hosts' goal.

After Philp thwarted Leech again in the 52^nd minute, City's Thompson and Mason worked together to get Young to keep the score at 1-0.

The next few minutes became hairy for the Lilywhites. The first play saw Leech find Finlay Whiteley, Louis Jenkins latched onto the cross but sent his effort wide.

Robinson went on a mazy run a minute later, and the former City man sent his effort wildly wide. Then, a far post corner was cleared off the line again, with Philp claiming the ball soon after. The resulting clearance eventually got to the feet of Thompson, who magnificently spun round two markers, and then drove towards a shooting position. Unfortunately, Thompson's crack at goal flew wide of the upright.

Newmarket continued to push for the equaliser, Jenkins pouncing on a loose ball and firing it straight at Philp. The Jockeys then beat the offside trap and Leech was given another chance to level the scores but sent his effort high and wide.

There was a brief respite when Jake Eady clumsily gave away a corner, Thompson's delivery saw substitute Ed Tassell head wide from the far post.

Tassell's attempt had been deflected for another corner, this time the cross was saved on the line by Young, Jayden Randell's header unable to catch the Newmarket goalkeeper off-guard.

Newmarket were then given a free-kick after Maynard was fouled, Sam Coombes and Maynard then had a brief coming together which the referee settled down fairly quickly. The free-kick saw captain Randell head away the danger. Mason then did the exact same thing a few minutes later, when he headed away Ben Robinson's curling cross.

Leech was involved again with just 10 minutes remaining. The striker first latched on to a smart left-to-right switch, Leech's strike heading over the bar once more. Then, just two minutes later, he claimed for another penalty after receiving a pass from Maynard, the referee remained unmoved.

City were holding on for as long as they could, Maynard again keeping Philp active. Jordan Foster came down the wing with Njie clearing City's lines again.

But, with the 90 minutes up and injury time beckoning, City were to concede a late goal for the second time in two matches. A long ball was sent up to Josh Coulson, the captain's shot being kept out by Philp, and, as the ball ricocheted to the far side, Leech felt contact and dropped to the floor in the 18-yard box. This time, there was no luck for the Lilywhites, as referee Oliver Morris-Sanders pointed to the penalty spot. Coulson stepped up to take it and slotted it calmly past Philp to give Newmarket what they thoroughly deserved.

In an attempt to regain the lead quickly, City won a corner, Njie's shot being blocked from going any further.

With 98 minutes on the clock and deep into injury time, City's fears were quickly realised. A Ben Robinson free-kick on the right-hand side was whipped in toward Philp, the goalkeeper then spilt it and both Leech and Jenkins attacked the ball, with Jenkins being the lucky one. The ball hit the back of the net and Newmarket turned the tie on it's head in 5 injury time minutes.

There was just enough time for Randell to send a long ball up to Salako and for Young to thwart the City striker then, shortly after, the full time whistle sounded and Newmarket were crowned winners in an cruel and extraordinary twist of fate.

City begin the season with two defeats on the spin in the league, but Jamie Cureton's team will hope to stop the alarming slide when they face Mulbarton Wanderers in the Preliminary round of the FA Cup on the 16^th of August.

Connor Taylor-Creek