My Season Review 2018/19 Part 85: December 2018 (Game 99)

99: Sat 29 December 2018, 3pm, Evo-Stik Southern Central Premier Division, Top Field, Hitchin Town v Needham Market

Needham Market ended 2018 with an away win to see the Marketmen see the year out in sixth, after a 2-1 win at Hitchin Town (who the Reds beat 8-1 in their first home game in August). 

The hosts though started on the front foot, having multiple chances to score whilst Needham made fewer but clearer cut chances (which they made advantage of two of them) throughout the game. 

Hitchin though got a man through on the left wing (believe to be their No.11) who blasted well off target, and out for a throw on the far side on 5 minutes. A minute later the Canaries went close again at Top Field, this time from a cross in on the left, which was headed off target of the near post on 6 minutes. Whilst Needham still tried to grab a foothold in proceedings, Hitchin continued to heap the early pressure on, as arguably the longest throw I've ever seen was looped into the box from the right and found a Canary in the centre. 

However, Kieran Morphew was on hand for the Suffolk side to head away to a Hitchin man in the box,  whose shot towards the near post was blocked by Kamanzi after 10 minutes. Three minutes later, Needham created their first opportunity of the afternoon as Joseph Marsden was set through onto the left byline in the box. The winger then squared towards Baker - running into the six yard box but was beaten to it by a defender. 

Back came Hitchin, who themselves got to the left byline in the box but shot low and wide of the near post on 14 minutes. Then on the quarter-of-an-hour mark, the Hertfordshire side tried their luck with a low strike from range but struck well wide off the left post. The Marketmen could've went infront the following minute though, as a low ball into Marsden at the far post found the Needham top scorer running into the six yard box. Unfortunately for the Reds, the right winger tapped his effort low but straight at the keeper, whilst at the other end Jake Jessup foiled Hitchin with a great stop. 

The home side got through to the right side in the box before aiming for the giant Needham 6 foot 7 keeper's top left corner, on 17 minutes. However, the stopper dived up well to palm away before having to palm behind the rebound effort, on the byline out for a corner. From the resulting corner, the hosts' low shot forced the defence to clear off the line; followed by Webb's volley on the follow-up- which was deflected wide off the left post for a corner after 18 minutes. 

The home side will feel agrieved that they weren't awarded at least one of their several penalty appeals (which I'm personally unsure of as was down opposite end of the field), with the first on 21 minutes seeing a low ball in on the left feeding a Hitchin man who went down (not sure if contact or how much myself) to no joy. The Canaries then attempted a volley from 18-yards out, but sliced the shot well over the top far corner on 23 minutes. James Baker then had to go alone for Needham a minute later, after flicking the ball over the defender's head, the striker tried a 20-yard volley on the right but hit it well wide off the near post. With 20 minutes left of the half, Callum Sturgess' cross in on the left found Gareth Heath six-yards out at the near post. The captain's header towards goal forced Johnson to palm behind well diving up towards his top right corner. Again, Needham tried to set it on a plate for Baker from point blank range, this time Marsden's ball in on the left, towards the forward at the far post saw keeper dive down to punch away ahead of Baker on 26 minutes. 

Needham then hit the bar a minute later. Heath's corner in on the left found Marsden running at the near post whose header came back off the bar via a deflection off the keeper. Then on 28 minutes, Kieran Morphew, still forward from the previous corner, crossed in from the right- as his ball in was headed down at the far post and was laid off for Heath to shoot at goal. 

However, the Needham skipper's strike was deflected behind the left post for another corner. The Marketmen though did open the scoring on 31 minutes, thanks to superb link-up play on the left wing, as Adam Mills set Heath down the left wing who repaid the favour on the overlap. Mills' low cross in then found Baker who teed up Heath just outside the box to smash the ball into the bottom left corner. Needham then had a half chance on 36 minutes, after Kamanzi's free-kick from 30-yards out on thecright was headed out to Marsden on the right edge of the box. The first time volley though rolled off the shin of the winger's foot and wide of the target. Hitchin then had another penalty appeal turned down two minutes later, as a cross in on the left found a home player in possession- holding it up. 

Keiran Morphew was then deemed by the crowd (again I was too far away to see personally) to have shoved him to the ground, with the referee unmoved. The final chance then fell to the Canaries three minutes before the break, as a cross in from the left found a man leaping up to make contact- but just couldn't reach. That was it for the first half, with Hitchin creating multiple chances, but Needham having arguably the fewer but better ones. 

HALF TIME: Hitchin Town 0-1 Needham Market

A minute into the second forty-five minutes, Hitchin had a third penalty appeal with again huge appeals from the crowd (which I was once more down the other end to personally say) as the ref again said no. Back came Needham though on 47 minutes, as Mills' shot from the left edge of the box which swerved towards the far post but was caught by the keeper- as it headed off target. Then on the hour mark, Mills had another shot at goal, this time going close to extending his side's lead. The left winger's volley on the left edge of the box was defected towards the bottom far corner, as the keeper caught diving across goal, but spilt the ball as Heath closed in- forcing the keeper to gather just in time. 

Two minutes later, Needham doubled their lead as Heath's corner in on the right outswung to Marsden two yards from goal to bundle the ball into the bottom left corner. Hitchin though never gave up on getting a result, shooting wildly wide of the left post on 70 minutes. Two minutes later, Hitchin then went for goal from the right side in the box but shot low and wide of Jessup's near post. As the game entered the final ten minutes, Johnson (in the home goal) kicked the ball out which fell to Marsden 20-yards out but shot low and straight at the relieved keeper. The Canaries then went straight down the other end and won a corner, which was headed way-ward. 

Marsden then had another low shot at goal, on the right with 9 minutes left, but this time was denied by a good diving save by the keeper who palmed behind for a corner, from Dobson's corner Needham went close again. The substitute's cross in found Kamanzi at the far post but got underneath the ball and looped the header over the bar, and onto the roof of the net. 

Hitchin however, kept up hope of forcing a grandstand finish as a low shot on the left edge of the box went off the far post on 82 minutes, before Jessup was forced to save a shot from the right byline inside the area- standing strong at his near post on 84 minutes. Again though, Needham had a great chance to go 3-0 up, as substitute Jamie Griffiths was set through on goal down the centre whose shot from eighteen yards towards the bottom right corner was saved well by the foot of the diving keeper. 

Two more chances remained, both falling for Hitchin with the first on 89 minutes as the shot from outside the box went wildly wide off the right post. From the final chance Hitchin grabbed a very late consolation, deep into the four alloated minutes of stoppage time as a shot in the area towards the right post was blocked, which fell to Ferrell on the left from six-yards out to slot in past the advancing Jessup at his near post. Despite the goal, Needham ensured that they ended 2018 with a good away win infront of 378 in attendance.

 FULL TIME: Hitchin Town 1-2 Needham Market

Hitchin Town:-

1 Michael Johnson

2 Edwin Mensah

3 Noah Chesmain

4 Jay Dowie

5 Daniel Webb (c)

6 Lewis Ferrell

7 Michael Cain (71' Belgrove)

8 Josh Bickerstaff

9 Ezra Forde

10 Moses Olanrewaju (65' Nolan)

11 Alfie Cue

Subs:

12 Scott Belgrove

14 Matt Nolan

15 Alex Anderson

16 Craig Packham

17 Desejado Da Silva

Needham Market:-

1 Jake Jessup

2 Jake Dye

3 Callum Sturgess

4 Samuel Squire

5 Keiran Morphew

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Joseph Marsden (83' Ingram)

8 Gareth Heath (c)

9 James Baker (70' Griffiths)

10 Jeremiah Kamanzi

11 Adam Mills (77' Dobson)

Subs:

12 Reece Dobson

14 Luke Ingram

15 Jamie Griffiths

16 Finlay Shorten (GK).

Goals: Ferrell (90'+4'); Heath (31'), Marsden (62'). 

Booked: Dowie (33'), Cain (45'+2'),

Att: 378. 

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 84: December 2018 (Game 98)

98: Sat 22nd December 2018, 3pm, Evo-Stik Southern Premier Central Division, Needham Market v Bedworth United

Match Programme

Needham Market go up to a season best fourth after a 4-1 win over winless Bedworth who sit rock bottom at Christmas.

Despite the result, it's fair to say errors from the visitors were the difference, as the Marketmen handed out the punishment to spread the festive cheer amongst the home support. Bedworth though refused to roll over, keeping it at 0-0 for most of the first half and threatening the home goal a fair bit first half. No doubt, if they continue to play how they did first half they will pick up that illusive first win.

It was the visitors that went for goal first, as the shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide off the right post for a corner on 2 minutes. Two minutes later, although it was a clearance it's worth mentioning Daniel Morphew's ball 60-yards from goal, which ended up on target but straight at the keeper. Needham struggled to really break down Bedworth in the opening half, but when they did the end product proved frustrating for The Marketmen. Adam Mills' shot on 5 minutes from the left edge of the box going low but just wide off the far post as Luke Ingram ran in. On 7 minutes, Tonge saw his effort blocked behind the near post, from the left edge of the box, for a corner as both sides looked to settle quickly. Dobson was then tackled 50-yards out where the Bedworth effort towards Jessup's top left corner was caught by the home keeper on 8 minutes. Not many (deliberate) shots on target arrived in the first half, as Bedworth's attempt from the edge of the box went low and wide of the right post on 11 minutes.

The Marketmen then released Ingram through on the right, after great passing in the build-up on 14 minutes whose ball across found Baker sliding in at the near post, point blank range- but was beaten to it by the defender. The hosts almost had the opener a minute later, as a free-kick on the left wing was swung into the near post. A Bedworth defender then sliced his clearance towards his own goal, forcing his keeper to tip over the bar well. As if a theme in this match, were almost accidental own goals kept coming, this time Joseph Marsden (playing at right-back as Jake Dye started on the bench) crossing into the United box on the right after 17 minutes.

Abraham though headed the ball wide off his own near post from close range. Again, the Marketmen went close on 22 minutes as James Baker set Adam Mills through on the left side in the box whose half volley shot wide off the far post- but was offside anyway. The duo, who were responsible for the Reds' three goals v Redditch in midweek, linked up once more four minutes before the half-hour mark, Mills this time through on the left side in the box finding Baker at the near post. The striker's tap towards the bottom far corner from close range, however was palmed away by the keeper who got across just in time to dive away and palm off the goalline- with a foul given in Bedworth's favour anyway.

Time for the next close encounter of the (almost) own goal variety on 29 minutes, as a Bedworth ball into the box saw miscommunication in the Needham rear-guard as both Keiran Morphew and Gareth Heath leapt up to head away- as the latter headed just behind his own left post. Maslen-Jones then had a shot blocked, by Keiran Morphew, on the edge of the box on 30 minutes, before Hancocks shot wide of the left post from 25-yards out a minute later. The visitors then won a free-kick on rhe right edge of the box but was blocked away on 34 minutes. Ten minutes before the break, Needham set Luke Ingram through on the right side of the box with the opposite weary of fouling but the home winger could only fire into the sidenetting rather than the top corner. Although that was a great chance to go infront, Ingram won Needham a penalty in the league for the first time for a while (that I remember) two minutes later. Ingram got through into the box, beating one cautious defender cutting into the middle whilst another sent him sprauling for a spot-kick.

Top scorer, and arguably another candidate for MOTM (which Ingram did deserve, but thought Marsden edged it personally) Joe Marsden took the responsibility of cooly dispatching the kick into the bottom right corner, sending Martin the wrong way for 1-0 Needham. A goal which represented a fairly tight first half, as the action continued with Gibson's shot in the area being blocked by Keiran Morphew on 44 minutes. Then as the half entered stoppage time, a United cross in from the right found Tonge in the centre who flicked well over the bar. Back came Needham though a minute into added time, Reece Dobson's 18-yard effort was deflected (from my view it looked like it) wide of the right post for a goal-kick. That was it for the opening half, as Needham went in a goal up.


HALF TIME: Needham Market 1-0 Bedworth United

At the break, the visitors were forced into a change as Martin pulled his quad presumably saving Baker's shot, and had to be replaced by Harrison who it's fair to say looked a little shaky. Matters weren't helped by the fact that the substitute keeper was beaten three minutes into the second half, as Ingram got through on the right side in the box. The winger then teed up fellow winger Mills who slotted past the advancing keeper and defenders on the line and into the net to double the Marketmen lead. That lead though was reduced back to one, after 50 minutes. First though, Gareth Heath got through on the right side in the box whose low close range shot was saved well by the diving Harrison. United then countered down the left into the Reds' box as Abraham beat Jessup and found the bottom right corner- to give the bottom side a lifeline.

The Marketmen though went close again, forcing Bedworth to stay strong and hang on. As Heath's attempted lob over the 'keeper on the left side in the box, after 54 minutes, saw the stopper tip just over his near post. Back came United on the hour-mark, as their shot on the left edge of the box was half-volleyed comfortably wide off the far post. Again, Keiran Morphew kept Bedworth out on 62 minutes, this time heading a shot from the left-hand side in the box off the goalline. Eight minutes later, Bedworth then struck just over the bar from 25-yards before Mills had a shot blocked in the box by Maslen-Jones on 73 minutes.

Needham then went close again once more, as Ingram fired a shot from the edge of the box just over the top right corner after 74 minutes. With 15 minutes remaining however, The Marketmen went 3-1 up as Harrison's sliced miskicked clearance fell to Mills on the left side in the area. The winger then lobbed the stranded keeper to find Baker at the back post over the defenders, as the striker finished low into the net past the retreating United players. Rowe then had a free-kick on the left edge of the Needham box, but saw the shot blocked on 77 minutes, followed by a United shot on the right side in the box going off target of the far post on 79 minutes. However, the resulting shot did go wide from the same area. Mills then went agonisingly close to doubling his goal tally for the afternoon on 81 minutes. The Needham man again got through on the left-hand side in the penalty area, but shot just the wrong side off the far post.

A minute later though, United then hit an effort on the right straight at Jessup who dealt with it with ease, despite a brief fumble. Again, Mills went close from the left side in the box- this time though on 84 minutes his low shot was denied by the knees of the diving Harrison but was offside anyway. Not for the first time in the match, the hosts shot just wide off far post again from the same area as the first. On this occasion though it was Marsden who went a yard away from making it 4-1. United kept fighting however, on 88 minutes as an effort on the right forced a Needham man to head away at the far post (on the line).

The Marketmen then rounded off the scoring a minute into added time, as the club's season top scorer Joseph Marsden curled an absolute beauty into the bottom left corner from 20-yards out- to pick up a brace giving the diving keeper no chance. United then had the final shot a minute kater, as their shot on the right was headed away- but was heading on target.

The full-time whistle then followed as Needham went up to a season high fourth place and ended their home 2018 action with a win.

FULL TIME: Needham Market 4-1 Bedworth United

TEAMS:

Needham Market:-
1 Jake Jessup
2 Joseph Marsden
3 Callum Sturgess
4 Jeremiah Kamanzi
5 Keiran Morphew
6 Daniel Morphew
7 Luke Ingram (78' Issa)
8 Gareth Heath (c)
9 James Baker
10 Reece Dobson (67' Dye)
11 Adam Mills (85' Griffiths)
Subs:
12 Tariq Issa
14 Samuel Squire
15 Jamie Griffiths
16 Jake Dye
17 Finlay Shorten (GK)

Bedworth United:-
1 James Martin (HT' Harrison)
2 J'cee Abraham
3 Luke Rowe (c)
4 Elliot Parrott
5 Bradley Maslen-Jones
6 Thomas Sharpe
7 Kai Tonge (56' Whitmore)
8 Barry Fitzharris (72' Christie)
9 Montel Gibson
10 James Hancocks
11 Reece Blackmore
Subs:
12 Daniel Summerfield
13 (GK No.1) Adam Harrison
14 Jake Whitmore
15 Iyseden Christie
16 Owen Story

Booked: Fitzharris (35'). Blackmore (66'), K Morphew (67').
Goal: Marsden (38', 90'+1'), Mills (48') Baker (75'); Abraham (50').

Stat: This result means Needham do the double over their opposition, after a 4-0 win away in the Reds' first ever game in their new league.

Att 252.

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 83: December 2018 (Game 97)

97: Tue 18 Dec 2018, 7:45pm, Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Central Division, Bloomfields, Needham Market v Redditch United

Match Programme

Needham Market came from behind to win a game of two halves in wet conditions against Redditch.

The win, which takes the Marketmen to sixth in the table, required the home side to refocus after being dominated first half and take control following going behind. 

As stated above, the visitors could've easily had been further in front in the first half. The first shot falling on 2 minutes, as Bunn's shot from the left edge of the box was palmed behind by Jessup diving down to his right. The away side then had a shot from the edge of the box blocked by Dan Morphew on eight minutes, before Redditch won a free-kick on the right edge of the box a minute later. The set-piece however was blocked by the wall. On ten minutes a Redditch strike on the right (20-yards out) was blocked again by Dan Morphew, followed by an effort on the right forcing Jessup to dive down and palm away the awkward effort down to his right at his near post after 15 minutes. 

You wouldn't have thought Redditch were as low down as the table suggested as the away side went for goal sgain on 20 minutes, the shot on the left edge of the box was hit low and straight at Jessup. 

The home stopper though fumbled but gathered the loose ball. Nelson then got through into the box on the right after 23 minutes but fired well over the bar. The persistence from the visitors continued, as Bunn's effort on thecright edge of the box was headed away by Kieran Morphew a minute later. 

However, Redditch did go 1-0 up on 29 minutes Evans' shot on the right from fifteen yards empathically beating Jessup into his top near corner- a goal that was the least Redditch deserved. The Marketmen though sparked into action following that goal, winning a free-kick on the right edge of the box on 33 minutes. The ball in though was cleared to a Needham man outside the box whose effort found Mills on the right close to goal. However, the home winger air swiped and missed the ball as it went behind for a goalkick. The hosts then had an effort in the area off target of the right post. The keeper slid out to gather, as Mills went to challenge. Both players missed the ball as Mills went over the keeper but no penalty was given on 36 minutes. Two minutes later, Redditch had a rare chance since going in front as their free-kick on the left wing forced Jessup to push away at his far post. 

With the last chance of the half, Needham drew level a minute left before half-time. Mills headed the ball past a defender on the left edge of the box, and beat him to the loose ball in the area. The Needham winger's low shot though was palmed away by the diving keeper down to his left. Leaving an open goal for the running Baker to stab into from close range, narrowly beating the defender to it- showing great desire to win the ball. That poacher's finish meant the sides went in level at half-time. 

HALF TIME: Needham Market 1-1 Redditch United

Needham kicked on from where they left off first half, as Dobson's free-kick on the right edge bounced straight to the keeper at his near post on 47 minutes. Heath then tried his luck with a free-kick from a similar area but 25-yards out after 52 minutes. However, his low strike hit Mills in the area, as the winger chased and won the ball back on the right byline close to goal, but blazed over the bar. A rare chance for Redditch then fell their way, as a cross in on the right found the home defence stood watching forcing Jessup to dive down to his far post to palm away on 53 minutes. The Marketmen then pressed for a second goal, as Dobson fired well over from long range on 73 minutes before Needham went in front two minutes later. 

Baker getting through on the right in the box, who squared to Mills (with the duo being involved in all three Needham goals) and slotted comfortably into the bottom right corner. With 13 minutes remaining, Needham right-back Jake Dye ran through to the right edge of the box but shot low and straight at the keeper. Redditch then had two further chances to level proceedings, the first on 79 minutes saw a shot on the right byline from close range- which Jessup caught diving to his near post. The second came a minute later, with the shot on the left edge of the box being blocked. Back came the Marketmen as Mills' low 30-yard drive went just wide of the right post on 82 minutes, followed by the Needham left winger shooting from 40-yards on the left but wide of the near post on 84 minutes. 

Once more it was a case of being in the right place at the right time for Needham's third goal with five minutes to play, as Mills' shot just indide the box on the left stung the hands of the keeper- which was struvk straight at him. Baker though was on hand at the back post to tap into the middle of the right corner to grab his brace- again after a Mills shot being saved. As time then ticked down, Issa was accused to have fouled outside the Redditch box as Baker shot over the bar anyway on 89 minutes. A minute later, the Needham MOTM (selected by match sponsor) Baker saw the keeper off his line but shot wildly off target from distance. 

The final action though, of note, saw Redditch have a shot blocked from the left edge of the box on 90+3 minutes as Needham ran out 3-1 winners- seeing the Reds bounce back well after the FA Trophy situation. 

FULL-TIME: Needham Market 1-1 Redditch United

TEAMS:

Needham Market-

1 Jake Jessup

2 Jake Dye

3 Callum Sturgess (67' Ingram)

4 Samuel Squire (73' Kamanzi)

5 Kieran Morphew

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Joe Marsden

8 Gareth Heath (c)

9 James Baker

10 Reece Dobson (82' Issa)

11 Adam Mills

Subs:

12 Jeremiah Kamanzi

14 Luke Ingram

15 Tariq Issa

16 Conor McLaughlin

17 Finlay Shorten

Redditch United-

1 Reece Francis

2 Jamie Ashmore

3 Sam Tye

4 Ahmed Ali

5 Nyeko Sinclair

6 Richard Evans (c)

7 Michael Nelson

8 Robbie Bunn

9 Mitchell Piggon (69' Reynolds)

10 George Washbourne

11 Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham (63' Howards)

Subs:

12 Milan Butterfield

14 Harry Franklin

15 Max Loveridge

16 Leam Howards

17 David Reynolds

Booked: Dobson (37'), Ali (51'), Washbourne (58'), Whittingham (63'- after he walked off). Marsden (83'). 

Goals: Baker (44', 85'), Mills (75'); Evans (29'). 

Att 206

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 82: December 2018 (Games 94-95)

94/95: Sun 16 Dec 2018, 10:30am, Hardwick Heath Pitches 1 & 3, Premier Logos Bury & Districts Sunday League Div 3 & 2. The Kings Arms v Thurston FC & Lakenheath v Beck Row

Goals galore as Kings Arms beat Thurston 4-0 and Beck Row ran out 3-1 winners at Lakenheath in two differing outcomes at Hardwick Heath. For the record Kings Arms v Thurston in Division Three on Pitch 1 kicked off at 10:28 so expect times to be mixed. The hosts though instantly attacked down the right side in the area seconds into the encounter, but hit the effort straight at the keeper at his near post. Kings then won a free-kick on the left 25-yards from goal after 1 minute. However the set-piece towards the near post was deflected off a Thurston head in the wall wide of the far post.  

A scramble in the Thurston box then enused but the shot was blocked with the rebound wriggled through to as the low shot was gathered by the keeper diving down to his left after 2 minutes. A minute later, King's No.5 was set through on the left side in the box forcing the visiting keeper to come off his line. However, although the shot went underneath the keeper it also went wide of the near post- but was a good chan e nonetheless. It took Kings opening the scoring for Lakenheath's game to kick off (more than that even) as Kings went a goal up on 5 minutes. The hosts got through down the right hand side in the box with a good low finish finding the far corner. 

Lakenheath's game then kicked off at 10:36 (8 minutes later than Kings Arms v Thurston), but the next chance wasn't until 6 minutes later. Fourteen minutes into action on pitch 1, Thurston had their first real effort, sending it wide of the right post. Kings though replied a minute later, as the shot on the right was saved well by the Thurston stopper down to his right to palm away well. The visitors though then hit a low effort straight at Kings' keeper on 16 minutes. That was then followed by the first action on Pitch 3 (that I noticed, which is a fair bit). Lakenheath got through down the left on 11 minutes, and shot at goal which was deflected behind the left post for a corner. Then on 21 minutes back on Pitch 1, Kings' shot on the right side in the box was blocked as the rebound was fired over the bar. 

Thurston though won a free-kick on the right wing after 25 minutes, with the ball into the far post being claimed well by the keeper on his line as he was fouled over his goalline (free-kick was given). Over to the Division 2 encounter on Pitch 3, Lakenheath fired a low shot straight at the keeper on 18 minutes, before Thurston had another chance back on Pitch 1 after 28 minutes. No.17's shot on the left in the box from close range was low but forced a good reaction save out of the keeper. On the hour mark, Kings then teed a man up to shoot on the edge of the box- which was hit fierce and low as the drive swerved just wide of the right post. 

Back on Pitch 3, Row went for goal on the left but shot over the bar after 24 minutes, whilst Kings went close again on 33 minutes in the Div 3 clash. The ball fell to a Kings man on the right side in the box whose low shot seemed to hit the far post and go wide, for what was a great chance. A minute later, the hosts' cutback on the left side in the area was fired over the bar as they searched for a second having created multiple good chances. That was to be the pattern as another Kings shot, this time on 35 minutes, went wide of the left post. Pitch 3 then saw Lakenheath perplexed as to how they didn't go in front. The hosts shot in the area beat the keeper but hit the underside of the bar bounced on the line and eventually away for a corner on 28 minutes. From the resulting corner though, Lakenheath went 1-0 up as the corner was slotted into the bottom left corner a minute later. What was a minute in current time (happened just as I noted Lakenheath's goal down) goes down as nine minutes (38 mins on Pitch 1) later in terms of match times, as an 8 pass buildup saw Kings net into the centre of the Thurston goal. 

Lakenheath then shot over the bar on 31 minutes, before Row equalised a minute later. The visitors found themselves through on the right side in the box to finish low and past the keeper into the bottom left corner with ease. Three minutes before the break on Pitch 1, a Kings low drive on the right side in the box was deflected just wide of the far post for a corner- from which No.12's shot was scuffed and blocked after 43 minutes. 

Lakenheath then were almost back infront, as a low shot was just grabbed by the keeper down to his left a yard off his line after 36 minutes. Soon after on Pitch 1 the referee signalled for the interval.

HALF TIME: The Kings Arms (Suffolk) FC (Sundays) 2-0 Thurston FC (Sundays) (Div 3)

Row then turned the game on it's head by going 1-2 up on 38 minutes, forcing a response from Lakenheath. Which the hosts abligised to, shooting just wide of the right post after 39 minutes. Row though soon found themselves through on the left hand side in the area, bur saw the shot palmed over by the keeper on 42 minutes. To add to the madness, Kings' game resumed at 11:19, before Lakenheath's game paused for the break. In between the two whistles Thurston had a shot at goal. The strike on the left side in the box from close range though was saved by the keeper, on 46 minutes.

HALF TIME: Lakenheath FC (Sundays) 1-2 Beck Row

The next notable action saw Thurston appeals for a penalty waved away, as a ball across goal on the left side in the box on 48 minutes saw a man bundled over in the centre. Thurston spurred on though, as No.14's shot on the left edge was blocked on 50 minutes, before Kings had an effort blocked of their own with this one being a long ranger from the left (4 minutes later). A very good free-kick (from the left edge of the area) then put Kings 3-0 up after 56 minutes, as the ball into the far post from close range was headed into the bottom right corner well by No.4. After 23 minutes difference between the kick off times (second half), Lakenheath resumed their encounter at 11:32am, but had to wait a fair while for the first meaningful action (that I noticed). First though, Kings' low shot on the left edge of the box went wife of the far post on 73 minutes. 

Back though to Pitch 3, as Row got through down the left byline and cut the ball back on 51 minutes. The shot however was fired over the bar. Lakenheath will wonder how they didn't level proceedings four minutes later, as a ball upfield was missed by the Row keeper but was shot onto the face off the unguarded bar as the ball bounced away. Back to Pitch 1, as Kings' No.7 shot into the left sidenetting from inside the box after 79 minutes. Lakenheath then fired well over the bar on 57 minutes in the Division 2 match, followed by a Kings cross in on the left byline being chested down on the right edge of the box. The low strike however went just wide off the far post after 84 minutes. Back on Pitch 3 a Row shot on the left from close range went just wide off the right post. 

Switching focus back to Pitch 1, on this cold Sunday morning (or early afternoon by the time we finished) Kings rounded of the scoring in their match, as they won a corner on the left on 86 minutes. The ball in was headed into the bottom near corner for Kings 4 Thurston 0. Lakenheath then had a free-kick on the edge of the box blocked on 63 minutes in the second tier game, succeeded by the following corner being put over the top right corner a minute later. Despite the scoreline, Thurston kept up the search of a consolation goal on Pitch 1 as a low effort on the right ended up going wide of the near post on 87 minutes. Two minutes kater though, Kings' No.7 tried his luck from the edge of the box. His attempt however was deflected behind the left post for a corner. 

The action though didn't stop there on either Pitch, as Kings had a go from 25-yards on the right but fired over the top near corber, after 90+3 minutes. Row then went 1-3 up on 70 minutes, before Kings again went for goal from 25-yards. This time the shot on the left went pow and wide off the far post on 90+5 minutes. A minute later, Kings then had a go from twenty yards on the left, but again with the exact same result. 

Row then shot over the bar from close range after 76 minutes on Pitch 3, before Kings had the final shot of their match. The low shot (after 90+10 minutes) on the left going straight to the keeper at his near post, concluding a 4-0 win. 

FULL TIME: The Kings Arms (Suffolk) FC (Sundays) 4-0 Thurston FC (Sundays) (Pitch 1, Div 3).

Despite one game finishing, and the other reaching it's final stages the chances kept falling. Lakenheath had the latest on 81 minutes, with a shot on the left in the area being blocked, before the rebound was volleyed wide of the right post. Row then had a shot at goal themselves a minute later, forcing the home keeper to palm behind for a corner well, diving to his left. The two sides then shared a chance each to end the action, Lakenheath going first as the hosts in Blue had a shot blocked after cutback from the right side in the area, with 4 minutes to play. 

As Row sealed their 3-1 win shooting low on the right but wide of the far post after 87 minutes. Following those results, Kings Arms (12 pts, 4 wins and 1 loss) are third in Division Three, leaving Thurston in seventh (6 pts coming from 2 wins and 4 losses). Meanwhile the Division 2 match leaves Lakenheath third (13 pts with a record of won 4, drawn 1 lost 4) and Beck Row second from bottom (eighth, after 2 wins and six losses).

FULL TIME: Lakenheath FC (Sun) 1-3 Beck Row (Pitch 3, Div 2) 

TEAMS:

Div 2:-

Lakenheath-

Anthony Changelo

Julio Diaz

Junior Frederic

Jerome Gardener

Will Morales

Jackson Roberts

Ryan Stead

Hayden Clark

Kevin Martinez

Hugo Santibanez (x1)

Subs:

Mataki Charlery 

Stephen Hancock

Brian Winter

Beck Row:-
Sam Byrne
Thomas Carter
Oliver Ellis
Dale Mackender
Gav Maynard
Sam Molyneux
David Orbell
Chris Smith
Luke Turner (GOAL x2)
Martin Turner (GOAL x1)
Subs:
Elliott Stace

Div 3-

The Kings Arms:

Harrison Atkins

Elliot Chaplin (x1)

Oliver Chaplin

Michael Coulson

Robin Holland

Jack Hubbard (c, x1)

Jack Marcham

Westley Newton

Josh Thompson

Calvin Tickner (x1)

Christopher Whitlow (x1)

Subs:

Bradley Banks

Kaion Rankin-Ebanks

Thurston FC (Sun):-
Jack Anderson
Harry Baker
Adam Everitt
Alex Gardiner
Jordan Gardiner
Aaron Hamlin
Jordan Hamiln
Hugh Williams
George Wragg
Joseph Wragg
Adam Wright
Subs:
Brett Hamblin
Ben Wright
Dominykas Zindulis

Booked: Row (54'), Lakenheath (56'), Lakenheath (90'+1'). 

3 (10:27)' Bury1-0. 13' 2-0. 19' 2-1. 22' B shot on left gk saves diving at near last action HT. 10:51 ko. 13' & 14' 4-1 18' 4-2. 

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 81: December 2018 (Game 93)

93: Sat 15 Dec 2018, 3pm, Bloomfields 3G Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior/Counties League First Division North, Needham Market Reserves v Norwich CBS

Match Programme
Match Report on Club Website

Reserves Beaten by CBS in tough conditions

By Drew Kendall

Brace from Carvell not enough as Reserves fall to defeat

Needham Market Reserves ended up losing 2-4 to Norwich CBS despite leading 2-1 at the break in tough conditions on the 3G pitch at Bloomfields.

Although the rain flooded down most of the day, the Young Marketmen played well and will feel disappointed to not get at least a point. The game was a very close encounter, but entertaining which had it very worth while for those who braved the weather. Two minutes in Norwich won a corner on the left, with the header at the near post caught by Elsdon whose brief fumble saw the visiting man head straight at him. A minute later, Roman Carvell gave The Young Marketmen the lead.

The Needham No.9 was set through to the left edge of the box before finishing well into the far corner. Norwich then attacked down the left and went close on 4 minutes, and cut into the box but shot just over the top right corner.

Clayton-Leek then got through down the middle, and set a teammate through on the right side in the box who shot wide off the near post on 6 minutes. Norwich then attacked down the right and into the area. However, the shot was fired over the bar. Norwich then close again on 7 minutes, as the visitors' corner in on the right was met by a Blue head at the back post but headed the ball just over the top right corner. The visitors then got through on the left side in the box a minute later, but saw their close range shot blocked following shaky Needham defending. Norwich then won a free-kick on the edge of the box on the left wing, but saw the effort blocked by the legs of the wall on 9 minutes. Norwich then had an effort on the left after 10 minutes, but the Needham defender was able to kick the ball back to Elsdon.

Norwich kept up their attempts to level proceedings, with the action being very much non stop and very competitive throughout the half, after a cross in on the left found Jones at the far post, but headed over the bar on 14 minutes. The following minute saw Norwich win a corner on the left, but again the header at the near post went over the bar. Needham then went agonisingly close to a second goal on 17 minutes, Carvell was once more set down the right. The home forward then got to the byline and pulled a dangerous ball across the face of goal but nobody was around to tap home. CBS then countered down on the right and into the box. The shot however was saved well by Owen Elsdon with the rebound bouncing off a Norwich man for a goal-kick.

Norwich then went for goal on the left edge of the box on 19 minutes, forcing Elsdon into a great diving save waist high to his left to palm behind for a corner. From which, Santa almost brought gifts of joy for the Young Marketmen. As the youngster brought the ball down the left who picked out Carvell in the centre. The defender though slid in and missed the ball as Carvell teed up his teammate but the defence intercepted. CBS then scuffed a shot at goal from the edge of the box as Needham cleared behind for a corner on 21 minutes. The away side then forced another great save from Elsdon in the home goal three minutes later, as a cross in from the left was nodded towards goal at the near post- requiring Elsdon to dive and palm away with a visiting man running in.

Soon after though, Norwich were level. A cross in from the left was chested in by Jones at the far post from a yard out (might have already crossed the line, if he did touch it), with the goal given to James Page.

Norwich then got through on the left side in the box after 27 minutes, as Elsdon was taken out of the equation but the shot was kept out by one of the defenders on the line to clear away. Santa then counteres down the left and beat the CBS keeper, who then squared to Clayton-Leek on the edge of the box whose shot at the open goal beat everyone in front of him apart from the crossbar. That being said both sides should've been 2-1 up directly after each other. The action continued on the half hour mark, as a Norwich corner on the right was headed across goal at the back post but the following goal was ruled out for a foul despite being put into the left corner. Three minutes later though, the Young Marketmen went close again, as Carvell got down the left wing and cut into the edge of the box. He then lobbed the keeper who was off his line, but Swatman recovered well to palm over the bar.

The corner in though was put wide of the left post. Norwich then got through on left side in the box as Elsdon came sliding out with Woerndl on the left post to clear the low shot off the line, after 34 minutes. Five minutes later, the away side again got through on the left side in the box and got a yard out from goal. Elsdon though was alert to get down and prevent a shot at goal. The visitors then thought they had taken the lead four minutes before the break, as they got through on goal and slotted past Elsdon. However the flag was up for offside.

Seconds later, the hosts had another good chance as Clayton-Leek shot low from twenty-yards forcing Swatman to palm behind for a corner down to his right. A minute before the break, Abrahams found himself on the left byline close to goal, but saw his shot palmed away. The following cross in though saw Needham retake the lead. The ball in from the left was missed by the keeper at the far post, leaving an empty net for Roman Carvell to double his tally and simply tap into, 2-1. A minute into added time, the hosts then had a penalty appeal turned down as Abrahams shot on the left beyline seemed to hit a hand but nothing was given as Needham went in 2-1 up at the break.

HALF TIME: Needham Market Reserves 2-1 Norwich CBS.

Norwich began the second half looking for an equaliser, as the shot on the right edge of the box was shot over the bar with Elsdon out of goal on 46 minutes. Down the other end, a minute later the Reds had a good chance to double the lead, and were slotted through on the left side in the box but shot over the bar. Clayton-Leek then had a shot blocked from the left edge of the box after 48 minutes, before Needham went close as a teammate's shot in the centre hit the right post but bounced with the keeper rooted. Two minutes later, the visitors crossed in from the right with the shot at the far post went straight to Elsdon at his left post.

On 53 minutes, a Needham free-kick just inside their own half found Abrahams down the centre who headed wide of the right post from 18-yards out. A minute later, Norwich then shot at goal on the left side in the box before Woerndl blocked with Elsdon able to gather at his near post. Norwich then levelled proceedings on 56 minutes   as Page was set through in the box and was slotted under Elsdon and into the net. The game then began to slightly turn in Norwich's favour, as the away side went close again on the hour mark. A cutback on the left saw a Norwich man sliding in hitting the post from point blank at the near post.

Two minutes later, a CBS long throw on the right was headed at the near post but went wide of the far post. Then after 63 minutes the away side were set through down the centre but the shot was blocked behind for a corner at the left post. On 64 minutes Santa then went on another festive run dowm the left and beat the keeper to square across to Carvell 18-yards from goal. The forward then got into the box as the keeper got back. However, the defender slid in to put off the Needham man. With 25 minutes to play, CBS' cross in on the right was headed at goal at the far post but was cleared. Only as far a Norwich man on the edge of the box who sliced wide of the right post.

On 66 minutes, Santa then won the ball back down the middle and set up Clayton-Leek in the box. The creative younger then went agonisingly close as he stabbed the ball just past the keeper but narrowly beat the left post. With 19 minutes to play, the away side won a corner on the right which was headed out to the edge of the box.

The shot however was sliced wide of the right post. CBS' Rose then fired a low drive at goal on 72 minutes, forcing Elsdon to get down low and across to his left to palm away well. The away side then turned the game on their head a minute later, as Page sealed his hat-trick. The away side kept going for a fourth goal after 76 minutes, as Norwich went for goal on the edge of the box but was blocked.

Two minutes later, the away side tried their luck at goal with a curler from the left edge of the box but Elsdon caught the effort at the far post. CBS were then set through on the right side in the box, as the shot was sliced wide of the near post on 79 minutes. Seconds later, Norwich had an effort on the right edge of the box as Elsdon did well to punch over the bar. From the resulting corner though, it proved invain as a short corner on the left was crossed into the far corner where Roecastle tapped into the bottom left corner from close range (on 80 minutes).

Sam Garrard then went for goal with a low shot for Needham from the right edge of the box, on 82 minutes. The substitute though drilled low and just wide of the far corner. The away side then had a shot at goal on the right side in the box a minute later, but shot low and straight at Elsdon. The Young Marketmen then went for goal on the left edge of the box with 6 minutes to play. Unfortunately though, the shot went wildly over the bar.

Back came CBS two minutes later, as the hosts headed the ball straight to the visitors, as the shot on the right edge of the box went over the bar. After 87 minutes CBS crossed the ball in from the right byline which found a visiting man in acres of space close to goal.

However he headed wide of the bottom left corner. Then with a minute left the away side had a shot on the right side in the box, but shot low and wide of the near post. The final chance fell to CBS on 90+1 minutes, whose low shot on the right edge of the box went wide of the bottom far corner. That was that as the Reserves lost out 4-2 despite a very encouraging performance.

FULL TIME: Needham Market Reserves 2-4 Norwich CBS

TEAMS:

Needham Market Reserves:-
1 Owen Elsdon
2 Thomas Raby
3 Jes Nevard
4 Tom Woerndl (c)
5 Ryan Pitt (67' Garrard)
6 Owen Cook
7 George Exworth
8 Ethan Abrahams
9 Roman Carvell
10 Jose Santa De La Paz
11 George Clayton-Leek (75' Fitzgerald)
Subs:
12 Jack Stopher
14 Sam Garrard
15 Lachlan Birrell
16 Thomas Fitzgerald
17 Alexander Silveri

Norwich CBS:-
1 Asa Swatman
2 Joe Easton
3 Kevan Rose
4 Shaun Jones
5 Davey Barraclough
6 James Page
7 Karl Horty
8 Tim Henery
9 Paul Cook (c)
10 Jordan Roecastle
11 Stephen Drake (52' Jason)
Subs:
12 Luke Tuttle
14 Jack Jason
15 Anthony Warner
16 David Coyle

Booked: Clayton-Leek (30'), Easton (35'). Carvell (45'+2'). 

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 80: December 2018 (Game 92)

92: Thur 13 December 2018, 7:45pm, Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Youth League Central Division, Bloomfields, Needham Market Under-18s v Hadleigh United Under-18s

Match Report on Club Website

An Off Day for Young Marketmen as Hadleigh Win Comfortably

By Drew Kendall

Bad night for the Under-18s as they fall to first home defeat of the season

Needham Market Under-18s beaten comfortably by visiting Hadleigh on a night to forget for the Reds. On four minutes, Hadleigh almost took advantage of the home defence failing to clear as the visiting No.7 stabbed towards goal from six-yards out on the left but Bradley Cook in the home goal stood strong to block at his near post.

A minute later though, a cross in from the right from the Young Marketmen was headed away as far as a Needham man at the far post who blasted wildly over the bar. Then on 13 minutes, a Needham corner in on the right picked out a Hadleigh defender in the centre, who invertedly chested the ball towards his own goal with his keeper able to gather. The visitors the went for goal on the left but shot wide of the far post after 14 minutes. On 15 minutes, the Young Marketmen then went close as a corner in on the left was shot on the near side in the box, as the curled attempt beat the diving keeper but was cleared off the line by a defender. Hadleigh then won a corner on the left on 20 minutes as Bradley Cook was forced to parry away diving to his left on his goalline. Two minutes later however, Hadleigh’s No.4 had a shot from range but sliced wide of the right post. The Young Marketmen though had another opportunity on 25 minutes, as No.4 was teed up on the edge of the box but shot low and wide of the left post.

The visitors though won a corner on the left on 29 minutes, as Cook was forced to palm away at his near post, with the rebound put wide for a goal-kick from point blank range. Hadleigh though crossed a ball in from the left on 33 minutes, with the header in the middle going over the top far corner but was offside anyway. The following minute though, Hadleigh went in front, as the away side got through down the left side in the area as Cook went to close down over on the byline.

The home shot-stopper dived down twice in the attempt of gathering possession but was unsuccessful. The visiting man the lobbed the Needham stopper and his defenders back to cover where No.7 was free in acres of space at the back post to tap into an empty net from two yards out. That goal got Hadleigh tails up for more, as the away side won a free-kick on the left wing which was touched towards goal but was deflected just wide of the right post for a corner on 45 minutes. Hadleigh though doubled their advantage from the resulting a corner, a minute into added time, sending a looping header over Cook’s head and bouncing well over the line for 0-2 Hadleigh. That was half-time as Needham went into the break two goals down on a night where they never got going.

HALF TIME: Needham Market Under-18s 0-2 Hadleigh United Under-18s

A minute after the interval, the home side won a corner on the right but shot over the bar at the far post. On 52 minutes, the away side tripled their advantage though, as a cross in on the left found a man all alone at the back post to stoop a simple header into the bottom right corner past the desperate dive of Cook. Four minutes later, the away side then ran through down the centre and into the box, but saw their low shot saved well by Cook who got down to palm away.

Hadleigh then extended their lead to four goals to nil on 62 minutes, as a visiting man got through on the left side in the box, close to Cook’s near post. The Hadleigh player weaved through several challenges to get a shot at goal. Which despite Cook, at his near post to close down the angle, got a hand to the ball it found its way into his far corner. The away side showed no signs of settling for four goals either, as they won a free-kick twenty-five yards out on the right. However, the set-piece was struck low and just wide of the far post on 67 minutes. Three minutes later, Hadleigh’s No.7 got through down the left hand side in the box and beat a man twice on the byline to cut inside to the centre. The winger then shot at goal but was stopped by Cook from close range, who also kept out the rebound shot on the far side in the box. Had it not been from that double from Cook it could’ve got worse for the Reds, with Hadleigh going close again with 15 minutes left. No.9 teeing up No.16 on the edge of the box, whose low shot went just wide of the left post. The home side though had a rare second half chance after 76 minutes, as a shot on the right wsd deflected wide of the right post for a corner.

Back came the visitors though, as No.15 was set through at the left byline inside the box, but saw his shot deflected straight at Cook at his near post on 80 minutes. Four minutes later, Hadleigh then whipped a cross in on the right which went over the head of Cook and was level with the crossbar. The ball in though picked out a man at the back post whose shot was blocked, as the ball fell to a visiting man in the middle whose first shot was also blocked. His second attempt however was saved well by Cook at his right post. With 3 minutes to go, the Reds won a corner on the right, which was cleared out to a home man 35-yards from goal whose effort went straight at the keeper but was on target. Then on 88 minutes, the away side tried their luck from 20-yards on the right, but were denied by a block by the defender. Hadleigh then had the final two chances of the game, with the first falling on 89 minutes, as the shot on the left edge of the box was sliced wide of the top far corner. Hadleigh rounded off the scoring though with almost the last touch of the game, as No.17 got through on the right six-yards from goal. Cook tried to narrow down the angle but was beaten again, as the ball went into the near corner despite the home stopper getting a hand to it.

FULL TIME: Needham Market Under-18s 0-5 Hadleigh United Under-18s.

Needham Market U18s:-
Brad Cook (GK)
Matthew Cobbold
Thomas Fitzgerald
Sam Garrod
Daniel Hayes
Ben Hunt
Alfie Miles
Hayden Pollock
Morgan Rushton
Connor Scott Moore
Jamie Smith
SUBS:
Jack Boyle
Jose Noel Santa De La Paz
Joshua Okpolokpo
Jamie Taylor
Terry Wasswa

Hadleigh United U18s:-
Maximillian Brassington (GOAL x1)
Jaryd Challis
Ryan Chidlow (GOAL x1)
James Colcomb
Joel Cooper (C)
Harry Croft
George Crowe
Curtis Harvey
Dominic Morley
Felix Vardon-Barber
James Wilding
Subs:
Shane Murphy (GOAL x3)

Lewis Oakes
Regan Partridge
Finley Smith
Franklin White