Newmarket Town FC v Great Yarmouth Town FC
Saturday 24th September 2002. Report by Martin Baxter.
A cup tie in the famous old FA Vase took the Bloaters into “Sunny Suffolk” to face higher league opposition in Newmarket Town in what looked to be a very tough draw.
Before the match I caught up with Yarmouth’s joint manager Dan Nolan, who told me ” We have had to make 5 changes from last Saturday’s game with player’s being unavailable, and despite this I really feel we have a chance of causing an upset today as Newmarket have not been at their best recently and this could be a good time to play them”
The eye-catching name in the starting line-ups was the return of ex club captain George Barnden who has returned to the club this week for a second spell and he started in central midfield and first team squad debuts were also given to several of the youngsters.
The game started on the 3G pitch and Yarmouth found themselves under early pressure and the Jockey boys front pairing of Paterson and Stoker were proving a real handful with their physical presence.
Paterson had 2 early chances putting one over the bar and then just missing connecting with a right-wing cross that went sailing across the visitor’s box and he then put a header over the bar from a corner in the 7th minute .
Although they started slowly Yarmouth began to grow into this encounter and they were now getting more possession and they won a couple of corners, which they unfortunately did not take advantage of, however the home side still looked the more likely and that man Paterson should have done better with a free header from a corner which went sailing over the bar.
However, it was Yarmouth who actually created the best chance of the game so far when in the 28th minute a dangerous cross from Jacobs was met by Fenn who sent a golden opportunity sailing over the bar from 12 yards out and as so often is the case in football the Jockey boys went straight up the other end and Paterson somehow managed to connect with a cross to put his side 1-0 up.
The home side now had their tails up and the Bloaters were grateful to keeper Lane who made 2 first class saves to keep his team in this cup tie, however in the 39th minute the 2nd goal finally arrived when the Bloaters defence failed to stop a cross coming over from the right and Paterson coolly slotted home to give the Jockey boys one foot into the next round of the vase.
Leading up to half time Lane was called into action yet again this time with a point-blank stop to deny Seymour putting this game to bed for Newmarket.
Half time: Newmarket Town 2 Great Yarmouth Town 0.
The 2nd half started and the visitors were now defending the goal which backs on to the world-famous racecourse and after playing far too many hopeful long balls in the first 45 minutes, Yarmouth were now keeping the ball on the ground and were trying to play through the channels and they looked much more comfortable with this change in style, however it was the home side who had the first effort of the 2nd period when Seymour put an effort just wide of the post.
In the 52nd minute Barnden had a header sail over the bar as the Bloaters went looking for a lifeline back into the match and then once again they had their reliable keeper to keep that lifeline alive with yet another great save from Paterson who was searching for his hat-trick on the day.
Yarmouth then created a couple of half-chances of their own through firstly Duffield and then Couzens but were unable to pull that vital goal back and in the 80th minute Robinson volleyed home to seemingly wrap up victory for Newmarket.
However, 3 minutes later that lifeline finally arrived when Trenery was brought down in the box and Couzens converted the spot kick to make it 3-1.
The home side then responded and should really have converted a 4th goal but were once again foiled on 2 occasions by Lane, who looks a totally different keeper now and he was given a round of applause for his heroics from both sets of fans.
With time running out Yarmouth replaced Duffield with Revell and Fenn with Jacob Smith and then in the 88th minute the comeback looked truly on as Jacobs scored with a close-range volley to give this excellent cup tie a grandstand finish. However the Bloaters could not create that one more opportunity, despite pressing their opponents back deep into their own half and the ref blew the final whistle.
Final Score: Newmarket Town 3 Great Yarmouth Town 2.
Yarmouth line up: Lane, Gooch, Duffield, Perry, Vincent, Hoilletts, Jacobs, Barnden,Trennery, Couzens, Fenn. Subs: Woodhouse, Riches, Revell, Smith.
Yarmouth man of the match: Reuben Lane.
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