On a cold October night the youth team squared up against Conference Premier club Rushden and Diamonds the boys for long periods of the game matched their full time opponents.
 
The game started with Newmarket applying the sort of quality and pressure that has been a huge part of our play this season, with some good running by the front 3 of Andy Fox, Des Ford and Thomas Moffat, backed up by the quality provided from skipper George Tolliday and Warren Reddick. Although chances were few and far between Rushden certainly knew they were in for a game. Unfortunately when you play good teams sometimes a half chance is all that is required and on 25 minuets Rushden won a free kick on the edge of the box an despite a great save from Chris Palmer in the Newmarket goal a Rushden attacker reacted 1st to scramble the ball over the line. For the rest of the half the visitors took control, however the defence stood firm. Unfortunately another attack from Rushden in the 40th minuet saw their right winger lob Chris Palmer to make the score 2-0 and that was the way it stayed until half time.
 
The second half was an all together different affair. We asked the boys to be brave, not just in the tackles but to try and play at every opportunity so they could show the 200 strong crowd just why we have scored 55 goals in 8 games prior to this one. Although Rushden ran in 2 goals on the break the boys certainly gave as good as they got playing with the passion and quality that really got the crowd going. This was rewarded as Alex Prigg scored one of the better goals of the evening with a fine team move creating the opportunity for a somewhat scuffed finish over the line. It could so easily have been 4-2 right at the death as Kieran Raja turned and shot only for the Rushden keeper to make a fine save from close range.
 
All in all the boys should be very proud of their efforts, the bravery demanded of them was there for all to see and at times the football was a pleasure to watch.

The youth team travelled to Somersham for the 1st round of the Ridgeons Youth Cup. Having knocked out rivals Soham in the prelimenary rounds a couple of weeks earlier the youth team were keen to progress, 4 changes were made to the team that were successful at Yarmouth with Hendrik Koopmans coming in at right back, Dom Smith and Warren Redick in the middle of the park and Alex Prigg taking over from Des Ford in the number 9 role. Despite the changes Town started the game confidently taking the game to their hosts, the ball was being passed well and chances were starting to come. The young jockys dominance was rewarded when Captain George Tolliday applied the simplest of finishes following an Alex Prigg cross. This seemed to open up the floodgates somewhat and goals from Warren Reddick, Alex Prigg and a second George Tolliday strike saw the half time score at 4-0.

Despite the lead, too many long passes were being attempted which lead to play breaking down too often. This in mind the message was to be patient in the second half and look to move the ball quickly and simply. The second half showed just what the boys are capable of when they do things simply, goals from Des Ford, George Tolliday, Andy Fox and a second half hat trick from Alex Prigg ensured we run out 10-1 winners with the hosts getting a consolation from a corner. Next up for the Youth Team is Rushden and Diamonds in the FA Youth cup, they boys have played some great football at times this season so please come along and lend us your support

The young jockeys returned to league action against local rivals Soham. Having meet 2 weeks prior in a fantastic game witch Newmarket edged 1-0 Town were expecting a tough game. On a wet night Newmarket turned on the style to produce a fantastic performance playing some really exciting football. After some good hard work from the home team the teams were dead locked at 0-0 after 40 mins, in a sucker punch Newmarket managed 3 quick goals before the break to send them in 3-0 up.

The message at half time was to keep playing and the openings will come. The second half started with Newmarket adding to their lead to pull 4 goals ahead. The game was opened up further when Soham pulled a goal back, what followed came as a pleasant surprise to all the Newmarket followers as 5 goals were run in from the young jockeys, with soham notching a second, leaving the final score at 9-2. The pleasing thing was the football played, full of flair and creativity and a real advert for youth football.

On Wednesday the 22nd the youth team made the long trip to Great Yarmouth for the first qualifying round of the FA youth cup. Town were in confident mood after 27 goals in their opening 4 matches and after an even opening 20 minuets 2 goals from right winger Andy Fox bagged a brace to put us 2 goals ahead, the first from the penalty spot and the second was a great move instigated by captain George Tolliday seeing Andy round the left back and blast home with his right foot. With the boys starting to relax with a 2 goal lead the hosts started to come back into the game with a series of long balls into the box. It was one of these hopeful passes that caused havoc in our box leading to a penalty for the home team which was duly converted. The scores remained same until half time.

Thursday night saw the Newmarket Town Youth team back in action against rivals Soham. Last season Soham Town powered to the title, so the youth team were expecting a tougher test than in previous games that saw them score 26 goals . From the start the youth team signalled their intentions taking the game to the visitors, with some crunching tackles from the midfield trio of Reddick, Tolliday and Stopher. Soham also gave as good as they got with the end result being a very good game of football. As the game progressed Newmarket started to get the ball down and play with some fantastic passing football. Unfortunately a lack of composure in the final third saw the scores level at half time. With New market doing all the leg work and So ham looking dangerous on the break the game was finely poised.

The message to the team at half time was simple, don't panic and keep passing and take your chance when it comes. Then on 55 minutes a moment of brilliance/luck came when Andy Fox received the ball in the right wing channel and whipping the ball towards the back post the ball flew over the Soham keeper's head and we had the lead. The game then opened up as Soham looked for an equaliser creating a couple of good chances whilst Newmarket always remained a constant threat on the break. The hosts held on for a well deserved win and progression into the next round.

Team: Palmer, Motley, Raja, Bloxham, Wolf, Stopher, Toliday, Reddick, Fox, Cummins, Ford.

Subs: Prigg, Koopmans, Moffat, Smith, Saunders