Newmarket Town set up Norwich City clash after FA Cup win over AFC Sudbury

Newmarket Town overcame the odds on Sunday to secure themselves a place in the second round qualifying of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

The Jockeys made the trip to fellow Eastern Region Women’s Football League Division One North side AFC Sudbury without a recognised goalkeeper.

Number one Dominika Szary was suspended and despite the best efforts of manager Kevin Parsons, a replacement could not be sought and so outfield player Hannah Gordon donned the gloves.

As it was, Newmarket took the lead on three occasions thanks to Annabel Cuthbert’s hat-trick, but each time their hosts pegged them back.

It meant penalties were required to determine a winner, and with Gordon saving one of the home side’s spot kicks, Newmarket went on to triumph 4-2.

Parsons said: “We tried to recruit a keeper and spoke to a few clubs but we had no joy.

“It meant we went there with no real pressure on us. We knew it was going to be tough with or without a recognised goalkeeper because Sudbury are a well drilled team.

“We kept taking the lead and they kept equalising, but we did really well to get ourselves through.

“It was great to see Hannah play a key role in the shootout and Annabel’s hat-trick was brilliant.”

Newmarket’s reward for the weekend’s victory is a home clash against higher-league Norwich City on October 18.

The teams met in a pre-season friendly during the summer, with the Canaries winning by a comfortable 7-1 margin.

“It’s a really big draw having a club like Norwich coming to us,” added Parsons.

“We played them in pre-season with a mixed side and they were very good – they probably could have scored a few more on the day.

“But hopefully we will be up to full strength. We’ll be the underdogs and they’ll be no pressure again – that suits us.

“We’ll be looking to show them what we can do.”

The tie will also see Newmarket reunited with goalkeeper Ellie-Rai Quinn Nicholls, who joined Norwich earlier this year.

Of more immediate concern for Parsons’ side will be Sunday’s League Cup encounter away at Stevenage Women Development (1.30pm).