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6-0 3rd May 2008 at 3:00 PM

Newmarket Town Res : League match

Buster gets the team a-head!

This was our last home game of a very successful 2007/08 season. Team selection today was a bigger problem than normal for the manager with our normal midfield three all absent due to suspension. Chris Tovey played in central midfield alongside Ossie Mintus who was making his first appearance for the club. Chris Smith moved to a position wide on the right with Matt Bonner moving into midfield. Martin Flack came back into the back line, replacing manager Steve Holden.
The game started with the Gt Shelford players very aware that if Waterbeach should slip up at Gt Paxton it could be possible for us retain the Premier league title, they were also aware that our goal difference was slightly worse than our two closest competitors, so if the opportunity arose goals scored were vital.
On a warm day at Woollards lane the first half seemed lacking in any kind of urgency to say the least. Although totally dominating the possession for the first 45 minutes Shelford seemed to be unable to play at their usual high tempo. They did go in at half time with a one goal lead after Nick Finney was brought down in the Newmarket penalty area. As usual the ever reliable Buster Harradine stepped up to smash the ball home. Other chances came and went due to a mixture of bad luck, some desperate defending and good goalkeeping.
What was said in the changing room at half time I really don't know, but the attitude at the start of the second half was completely changed. After a minute Buster Harradine, who had what must be a near perfect second half, crossed with pace from the left touchline to the far post, a couple of Newmarket defenders attempted to head clear but Matt Bonner rose above them all to power home a header to make it two nil. Seven minutes later Shelford won a corner, Buster delivered a stunning dead ball for Matt Bonner to once again out jump the defenders to rocket a second header home. On 70 minutes, with the unrelenting pressure beginning to tell on the Newmarket players yet another Buster Harradine corner was delivered into the danger area, this time Nick Finney nodded home. On 79 minutes, that man Buster Harradine, this time appearing on the right hand side of the attack crossed into the penalty area the Newmarket 'keeper fumbled the ball and Marlon Bruges was on hand to score yet another headed goal. Five minutes later Matt Bonner broke down the right of the visitors penalty area, Matt, with the chance of scoring a third, took the ball to the goal line looked up and crossed perfectly for Nick Finney to score his second. Two minutes later Shelford should have had a penalty when Chris Tovey stormed into the Newmarket penalty area and was brought down at least a yard inside the area. The referee had a good view of the incident, blew his whistle for the foul and for some reason awarded Shelford a free kick on the edge of the area. Very strange.
Overall a good performance. Ossie Mintus, far from fit, playing his first game in six months gave a perfect example of making things easy by picking good simple passes. Matt Bonner is always a threat playing in the position he did today. But my man of the match today without any doubt must be Buster Harradine. Since Christmas he has improved week by week, his work rate up and down the left flank has been great and what a left foot he has.
As it happens Waterbeach beat Gt Paxton 3-1 to clinch the title, well done to them. As Hundon again drew 2-2 this time with Cottenham we are now confirmed as runners up.
Well done to one and all. Don't forget we still have a chance of winning the challenge cup on Wednesday at Histon FC.