Newmarket Town feel a sense of ‘relief’ after picking up first Isthmian League North Division victory over Maldon & Tiptree

While there was no suggestion of any panic, manager Michael Shinn has admitted that there was plenty of relief after his Newmarket Town side picked up their first league win of the season on Monday night.

Good runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy during the opening two months of the campaign meant that the newly-promoted Jockeys had been restricted to playing just three Pitching In Isthmian League North Division fixtures following the previous term’s promotion.

All of those had been away from home at Felixstowe & Walton United, Redbridge and Bury Town – and they had been beaten on each occasion.

However, Josh Lee struck in the 90th minute at Maldon & Tiptree to secure a 1-0 victory for Shinn’s side – and in doing so wrapped up the club’s first ever three points at Step 4.

“The win is important for everybody connected with the football club,” said Shinn, who saw his side lose 3-1 to Cambridge City in the FA Trophy at the weekend (see page 39).

“The supporters were desperate to see the boys get their first win and it stops the questions about when the first win will come.

“But I was never too stressed about the situation. We’ve had some good success in the cups and some good runs, which is not always something we’ve had in my time at the club.

“And when you look at Felixstowe, Redbridge, Bury and Maldon as the first four fixtures – all away from home – that’s pretty disastrous and really tough.

“But of course you want to get that win as quickly as possible and you could see the relief in some of the boys’ faces after the game. It was nice to see that and nice to see them celebrating.

“The manner in which we won the game – scoring so late – is also pleasing.”

After four straight away games, Newmarket now have the chance to build upon their maiden league victory with back-to-back home matches.

Walthamstow, who are three points better off than Newmarket, will visit the Tristel Stadium on Saturday (3pm), while on Tuesday evening Concord Ranges will be their visitors (7.45pm).

Newmarket lost just once on their own patch last season on their way to winning the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division play-offs – and Shinn is hoping that opposition teams will continue to find life tough at the Cricket Field Road venue.

He added: “It’s no secret that our home form has been pretty good in recent years.

“It’s been good having those coach trips and games in the cup, but it’s nice to be playing in front of a home crowd. Hopefully we can build on the win from Monday.”