Holbeach Utd Ladies 4 Newmarket Town Dev 5
Holbeach United Ladies produced a battling performance away at a strong Newmarket Town Development side, narrowly losing 5-4 in an entertaining nine-goal contest.
With a number of players carrying injuries and this being only the young squad’s second competitive game in ladies’ football, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.
Holbeach showed great character throughout.
After Newmarket opened the scoring on 13 minutes, Kara Butler responded almost immediately, equalising on 15 minutes.
Newmarket struck twice more before the break, but Butler grabbed her second on 45 minutes to send Holbeach into half-time just one goal behind at 3-2.
The Tigers came flying out after the restart, with Butler completing her hat-trick in the 48th minute to make it 3-3.
Newmarket responded strongly, scoring twice in quick succession on 55 and 62 minutes to establish a 5-3 advantage.
But Holbeach refused to give in, and Hannah Murphy pulled one back on 68 minutes to set up a tense finish.
Despite pushing for an equaliser, Holbeach couldn’t quite find the fifth goal and Newmarket held on for a 5-4 victory.
For such a young squad still adjusting to the demands of ladies’ football, there were some really promising individual and team performances.
To score four goals away from home against a good Newmarket side, while managing several injuries, demonstrates the potential within this group.
There is plenty to build on as the team continues to develop and gain experience together.
Holbeach goals: Kara Butler (3), Hannah Murphy (1).
