Newmarket Town manager expects ‘lots of twists and turns’ in Eastern Region Division One North title race with Harpenden Town, Histon and AFC Dunstable

Newmarket Town manager Kevin Parsons is anticipating ‘lots of twists and turns’ in the Eastern Region Division One North title race.

Despite currently finding themselves five points adrift of table-topping Harpenden Town, the race for top spot is in second-placed Newmarket’s hands.

Parsons’ side have played one less game than the leaders, who they are set to host at the Tristel Global Stadium early next month.

And with Histon (3rd) and AFC Dunstable (4th) in close proximity, it is shaping up to be a four-way battle at the summit.

Parsons, who has seen his team rack up nine wins in a row in all competitions, said: “Looking at the table it would be hard to say we’re not in the title race at the moment.

“It’s in our hands in some ways but we’ve got some tough games to come and we still have to play the other teams in the top four.

“Harpenden also have to play Dunstable twice, so it looks like it will be a really tight end to the season.

“There will be lots of twists and turns and between the top four teams anything can happen.”

Fourth-placed Dunstable will provide the opposition on Sunday (2pm) when Newmarket return to action following the postponement of last weekend’s clash against Real Bedford Reserves.

October’s reverse fixture finished 2-1 in Newmarket’s favour – and Parsons is expecting another closely-fought encounter.

“It’s a big game, no doubt,” added Parsons. “It was tough against them at home and it will be tough again at the weekend.

“We’ll be missing (leading goalscorer) Millie Docking due to her Cambridge United commitments, but we’ve got a good squad and we want to keep our run going.”

The trip to Dunstable will mark a 145th outing in a Newmarket shirt for Beth Seymour, who became the club’s outright leading appearance maker earlier this month in the 2-1 win over Real Bedford Reserves.

And Parsons has paid tribute to his captain, who had to battle back from a serious knee injury.

“When you consider we only play 22 games in the league each season, to reach 144 appearances is a fantastic achievement,” said Parsons.

“Beth obviously missed a lot of football because of Covid and also the ACL injury, so to battle back sums up her character.

“She’s our flagbearer, she’s excellent in the dressing room and is the leader of our team.

“Beth has a massive influence on the younger players in the team and she’s someone you’d always want in your group. We’re lucky to have her and she deserves massive respect for this achievement.”