East Coast travelled to Newmarket with most of the team having played no hockey, or indeed set foot on a hockey pitch since March.

The team was also quite different to the one that finished the 2019/20 season with Robbie Guy, Aiden Flatt, Johnny Rust and Gareth Bowker all taking their places in the new starting line up.

Newmarket made a strong start to game as East Coast looked understandably rusty and off the pace.
It was however East Coast that took the lead when Matt Payne deflected a penalty corner strike from Matt Eagle into the goal.

It was downhill from that point for the visitors as Newmarket opened up a 5-1 lead to expose the lack of practice and match fitness of the East Coast players.

The visitors rallied late in the game when a still injured Ollie Payne scored with a neat reverse stick flick into the roof of the net.
Matt Payne then reduced the deficit further by once again guiding the ball into the goal from a Matt Eagle penalty corner strike.

East Coast finished the game with a late attacking flurry with Gareth Bowker working tirelessly on the left flank to provide some much needed energy to the now tiring midfield.

There were many positives to take away from the game despite the disappointing score line.
Another game or two and hopefully things will come together again.