Soham Town Rangers' struggles in the league continued after a Josh Lee goal was enough to hand neighbours Newmarket Town a 1-0 derby victory.
The local rivals made the short trip to Soham on Tuesday (September 5) night in a scrappy game that Newmarket were always on top of.
Soham were without five first-team players through injury and set out as a 4-4-2 formation with Sam Mulready and Ryan Sharman up front, but they could not penetrate a set Newmarket defence.
With willing runners getting in behind Soham's back four, the Jockeys eventually grabbed a deserved goal after 64 minutes when Lee squeezed home a cross.
Soham failed to create many opportunities, with the returning Joe Carden missing their best chance when he fluffed his shot on the half-turn.
The Jockeys were good value for the win and should've scored a second in added time through a penalty, but the ball was skied over the bar.
READ MORE: Mixed fortunes for Soham after FA Vase triumph is soured by fifth league defeat
Despite seven league defeats from eight, Soham Town chairman Mark Goldsack remained optimistic and said: "Missing five players from a young and inexperienced squad is a huge ask, so this and a possible new signing or two should help raise morale as they play the last of the league top eight teams in the first nine fixtures.
"The only one outside of the top eight was a win!"
Soham next travel to Mulbarton on Saturday, September 9, in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Divison, with sincere hopes of a return of some of the long injured list.
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