Newmarket Town hit for six at Felixstowe & Walton United in Isthmian League North Division debut

Newmarket Town were dealt a harsh welcome to the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division on Saturday.

The Jockeys, who were making their debut as a Step 4 club, travelled to Felixstowe & Walton United full of optimism after the previous season’s play-off success and a positive summer of work behind them.

However, the size of the task ahead of them over the coming months was laid bare by the Seasiders, who ran out 6-1 winners at the Martello Ground.

But that result only tells a fraction of the full story on the Suffolk coast, where Newmarket started brightly and carved out some good chances, only to find Felixstowe goalkeeper Harry Wright – son of former Ipswich Town number one Richard – in fine form.

Two goals within the space of four first-half minutes then knocked the stuffing out of Newmarket, who shipped four more in the second half before Isaac Maynard’s 88th-minute consolation from the penalty spot.

“In the last half an hour we didn’t get anywhere near them and they were at a different level to us at that point,” said Newmarket manager Michael Shinn.

“But for that first 30 minutes or so we were really good. We were camped in their half, created some chances and their goalkeeper has made an unbelievable save.

“If we take a couple of those chances then it gives us something to hold on to, but the first goal for them ends up knocking the wind out of us. We got a bit erratic after that and once it’s 2-0 at half-time you’ve got an uphill battle on your hands.”

But despite being on the receiving end of a hefty defeat so early on, Shinn does not anticipate that it will have any lasting negative impact on his squad.

Instead, he is hopeful that they can use that experience to hold them in good stead as the season progresses.

He added: “I’d be very surprised if any of the lads in the dressing were under any illusions as to how difficult it was going to be some weeks.

“But I said to the them after the game, they need to make sure that next time we play Felixstowe we show what we’ve learned and it doesn’t end up going the same way.

“Are we anywhere near a side like Felixstowe right now? No, but can we aspire to be like them? Definitely.

“They’ve built what they have over several years and they’re a really good club on and off the pitch.

“It’s all about the reaction to a result like that. We’ve got a good group and I think they’ll use it for good.”

On Saturday (3pm), Newmarket’s focus will switch to the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup when they head to fellow North Division side Wroxham. And like their visitors, the Yachtsmen kicked off the new campaign on a losing note – going down 4-1 at home to Maldon & Tiptree.

“You’re always looking to have a good run in the FA Cup, although that’s something we’ve struggled to do in the last four or five years,” said Shinn. “It’s a tough fixture but they go into it on the back of that defeat at home to Maldon so we’re both in similar positions.

“I expect it to be competitive and I don’t think there will be too much between the two sides.”

Shinn is set to have summer signing Jose Santa de la Paz available for selection at Trafford Park after the attacker missed the Felixstowe clash due to concussion.