Newmarket Town head into FA Vase tie at Downham Town full of confidence and on a positive run of form

Newmarket Town manager Michael Shinn believes that Tuesday evening’s chaotic 4-4 draw at Lakenheath is further evidence of the progress that his side have made this season.

Goals from Isaac Maynard and Ryan Cole twice put the Jockeys in front, only for hosting Heath to respond on both occasions before going on to open up a 4-2 lead with 10 minutes of the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division contest remaining.

However, Shinn’s men rallied and were rewarded with late goals from Ben Robinson and Ally Conway to extend their positive run of form to just one defeat from their last six outings in all competitions.

Shinn said: “At 4-2 with little time left to play, I wasn’t sure if we’d get back into it.

“But we kept going, put them under pressure and that forced some mistakes which we were able to capitalise on.

“It was one of those games that in previous seasons we wouldn’t have come back in. We conceded twice in what felt like five minutes to go 4-2 down and in years gone by we’d have ended up losing five or six.

“We’ve been happy with the season so far. Even in some of our defeats at Dereham and Hadleigh, we had decent periods where we’d been dominant and there wasn’t much wrong with the performances.

“We’ve not had one performance this season that’s really disappointed me. We’re not getting excited because it’s still early, but we’re making good progress.”

Newmarket will now switch their focus to the Isuzu FA Vase on Saturday when they travel to face Downham Town (3pm). The newly-promoted hosts have made a positive start to life in the Premier Division and sit fifth, one place and one point better off than Newmarket.

“It feels like all of the cup ties we’ve had this season have been awkward,” added Shinn. “Teams that get promoted tend to have a bit of momentum when they’re new to the level and have good first seasons.

“I don’t know masses about Downham, but the bits I do know, they’ve got some real threats.

“We’re going to need to have the same performance levels we’ve had for much of the season and if we do then we’re capable of getting a good result.”

Going into the game, Shinn has bolstered his squad with the signing of goalkeeper James Young.

The former Haverhill Rovers and Haverhill Borough shot stopper is set to provide some competition for the experienced Alex Archer.

Shinn said: “It’s important to have competition in all positions and I don’t think goalkeeper should be any different.

“As there is only one position up for grabs it can be difficult, but it’s up to both of them to fight it out and that’s what you want.

“I think having that competition is going to be healthy for Arch, but also for Youngy as well.”

One player that will not feature against Downham at the weekend is defender James Chivers, who remains unavailable.