MATCH PREVIEW: RUSHALL OLYMPIC V NEEDHAM MARKET SAT 30 MARCH 2019, 3PM, EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER CENTRAL DIVISION, DALES LANE.

This weekend, 10th plays 13th in this mid table clash between The Pics and The Marketmen, with the hosts Rushall going into this game on the back of four wins and a draw in their last five outings whilst Needham have drawn one and lost one their last five matches.

Rushall go into this weekend's clash having beaten Stoke City U23s 1-0 at Dales Lane in midweek in a County Cup match, after having visited Suffolk last weekend where they beat Lowestoft Town 4-2- thanks to goals from Aram Soleman, Joseph Hull, Daniel Waldron (x2). Prior to that though, Rushall were held to a goalless by Halesowen at home, despite having beaten AFC Rushden & Diamonds at home 2-0 the Monday previous, with Joseph Hull and Dylan Parker on the scoresheet. Rushall then beat King's Lynn Town 2-1 at home on March 9th after another goal from Hull and a late Tyler Lyttle strike. 

Needham on the other hand, go into the game on the back of having halted their five game losing streak, after defeats to Reddith United 4-1 away, with Joseph Marsden scoring from the penalty spot. The Suffolk side then made the trip to Banbury United, where they lost 2-1 Joseph Marsden again the scorer from twelve yards. Next for the Marketmen was a home game against Tamworth but were unable to grab a result, losing 3-1 with Daniel Morphew heading home from a corner for Needham. In their most recent away trip meanwhie, Needham made the trip to a very windy AFC Rushden & Diamonds losing 2-1 despite Jamie Griffiths' superb free-kick. In their last outing, Needham did pick up a welcome point, drawing 1-1 at home to Coalville Town thanks to Jamie Griffiths' twelfth minute header. 

Rushall's home form sits at 5 wins, 7 draws and 6 defeats in their 18 league games this season with their recent home form reading 3 wins and 2 draws from recent matches. After beating Leiston 2-0 at home (Parker and Lund on the scoresheet), Rushall then drew 0-0 with already relegated Bedworth United in their next home game. Since then, The Pics have beaten King's Lynn 2-1, AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2-1 both at home, before drawing 0-0 with Halesowen in their latest home league match. 

Needham's away from though sits currently at 5 losses on their recent travels, losing 3-1 at Stratford Town with Marsden scoring from the penalty spot, followed by a narrow loss to leaders Kettering Town despite a Marsden brace. After that, Needham made the trip to Redditch United only to return home after a 4-1 defeat as mentioned above, since then the Marketmen lost to Banbury and the Diamonds as noted above. Those matches leave Needham's away record standing at 7 wins, 2 draws and 9 defeats away in the League this campaign.

Top scorers wise, Needham have the fourth highest top scorer in the League, with Joseph Marsden sitting on 18 goals just three behind Stourbridge's Greg Mills who sits top of the standings. Whilst Rushall's Waldron sits twelfth in the list, having netted twelve times in League matches this season. 

Back in September, the two sides shared the spoils at Bloomfields where Daniel Waldron gave The Pics the lead from twelve yards on 27 minutes, but were pegged back 7 minutes later when Luke Ingram arrowed home the equaliser. 

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 122: March 2019 (Game 140)

Game 140 of 2018/19: Thurs 28 March 2019, 7:45pm, Bloomfields, Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division, Needham Market Under-18s v Leiston Under-18s.

Match Preview

Match Report on Club Website

Young Marketmen Put Six Past Leiston To Return To Winning Ways

A brace from Callum Page, as well as goals from Jack Stopher, Evan Collard, George Clayton-Leek and Jamahl Godward see Needham pick up a League double over Leiston

Needham Market Under-18s smashed their Leiston counterparts 6-2 at Bloomfields, in what was a superb all round performance from the Young Marketmen. 

Needham were high fiving at half-time, after having found the net five times by the time the referee blew his whistle for the interval. Leiston though had the first chance with just a minute into proceedings. 

The away side's corner in on the right found McGucking close to goal at the near post but put the ball wide of the post. From that point on however, the majority of the opportunities fell the way of the Young Marketmen, the first one coming with 3 minutes on the clock but shot just wide off the left post. 

Soon after, Needham were the first to go close in the ninth minute, as the hosts' shot on the left hand side in the box from close range was saved well by the keeper. Captain Noah Collard meanwhile heades the rebound just wide off the left post of an open goal. Moments later, Needham then had a shot on the right hand side in the box, only to be blocked behind for a corner. 

The Young Marketmen took the lead though in the tenth minute, Jack Stopher applying a right footed finish from a corner to make it 1-0 Needham. Five minutes later, Needham went close again, as a corner in on the right went just wide off the near post. It didn't take Needham long however to double their lead, after the original shot from the left hand side in the box was saved well by the keeper, Evan Collard was on hand to net the rebound superbly into the bottom right corner, 2-0 Needham on 18 minutes. 

Leiston meanwhile, did force a save out of Needham stopper Bradley Cook, albeit a routine save on 25 minutes, as Josh Roberts’ shot from close range on the right hand side in the box was deflected straight at the keeper at his near post. The home side then burst upfield, on the counter, setting Callum Page through on the right hand side in the box. However, Leiston stopper Harvey Garnham was up to the task, advancing off his line to dive and make a good stop at his near post. 

Needham extended their lead to three a minute after the half-hour mark, as the hosts’ cross in on the right drew Garnham off his line, leaving George Clayton-Leek with an open goal to tap into from a yard out, at the near post. It wasn’t long until three became four, with a Leiston shot sandwiched in between the two Needham goals. The visitors shooting just wide off the top right corner on 38 minutes, before Needham picked up their fourth goal a minute later, Callum Page finding the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 

Still though, Needham were not done yet, Callum Page picking up a brace in quick succession, after a ball squared into the box from the right Page finished it off instinctively, one touch, into the bottom right corner, 5-0 Needham after 42 minutes.
Leiston on the other hand, would be disappointed that they didn’t reduce the arrears to 5-1 a minute before the break. The Blues’ free-kick on the left edge of the box found Callum Pearce in acres of space unmarked at the back post, whose header at goal was headed superbly off the line by Evan Collard. Down the other end, George Clayton-Leek was given the freedom of the right hand side in the penalty area, but couldn’t take advantage shooting straight at the keeper, who simply had to reach up and grab at his near post on 45 minutes, on that note the half-time whistle blew, with Needham leading 5-0 at the interval after a very one-sided first half. 

HALF TIME: Needham Market Under-18s 5-0 Leiston Under-18s

The second half began in similar fashion, Needham winning possession a minute into the half and instantly sending George Clayton-Leek through down the right wing, the cross however ending up on the roof of the net. The young Marketmen did add a sixth goal on 47 minutes, Jamahl Godward getting in on the act, after being set through on the left hand side in the box thanks to a brilliant through bll, leaving the Needham man with a simple finish into the net past the diving keeper. Needham went close to adding to their tally on 53 minutes, when Godward became provider- releasing George Clayton-Leek down the left wing who dribbled on into the box, but shot just wide off the top near corner. 

Leiston meanwhile, grew into the half as time passed, putting an effort wide of the left post on 58 minutes. Down the other end, Needham won a corner on the right on the hour mark, which found a Red player in the centre, whose shot was blocked by Aaron McGucking. Harvey Garnham in the Leiston goal just avoided adding to his side’s woes a minute later, when a Needham through ball down the left forced the Leiston keeper to charge out of his box and just about clear it away to his defender. 

Still though, Needham had chances to add to their tally, as Connor Moore got through brilliantly to the left byline, to pull the ball back to Kadir Akbaba in the centre, where the substitute just missed the ball. However, Alfie Miles was in the right place to pick up the ball across at the far post, forcing a great diving save out of Garnham on 63 minutes. Two minutes later however, Leiston pulled a goal back as Connor Fletcher tried his luck from the left hand side in the box, only to see his shot blocked before poking the rebound towards goal, which just creeped inside the bottom lef corner, 6-1. 

The visitors then had a chance to pull a second goal back on 67 minutes, as a curling shot from the left edge of the box had to be deflected away from the top near corner and behind for a corner. After which, Needham went down the other end, but had a shot blocked from twenty yards out, still 6-1 after 68 minutes. Back came Leiston though, who volleyed a shot from the edge of the box over the bar, with quarter of an hour to go. Next to try their luck was Needham substitute Daniel Hayes, whose shot from 25-yards out was blocked by a defender on 76 minutes. The young Marketmen then won a corner on the left a minute later, which was taken short to Alfie Miles, who looked to find a teammate in the six yard box but only found the keeper standing at his near post. 

There were still opportunities though, for both sides as the clock reached 80 minutes, with Leiston the next to try their luck from thirty yards out on the left but fired wide of the top near corner, although the referee pulled play back for an earlier foul. Following the set-piece Connor Fletcher had a go at adding to both his own and his team’s goal tally, volleying a shot wide of the right post on 81 minutes. Needham then had three opportunities within four minutes, with Kadir Akbaba having the first in the 83rd minute, firing a shot at goal from 25-yards out but was dealt with by a defender. The other two saw Evan Collard involved in both, as the first of the two saw Collard’s free-kick in on the left wing look to be creeping in at the far post, forcing Garnham to punch away, keeping the scoreline at 6-1 with 4 minutes left to play. Needham’s final chance of the evening almost saw them add a seventh goal, as Evan Collard raced through down the left to square a great ball across the box, finding a Needham man running in whose shot hit the outside off the right post and rebounded behind.

Leiston on the other hand, did add to the scoresheet on 88 minutes as Josh Leggett found the bottom right corner to round off the action, 6-2 Needham. The win takes Needham up to fourth in the table, putting the icing on the cake of a good night’s work for the Reds, in what as their penultimate home game of the season, with Coplestonians to come in two weeks’ time. 

FULL TIME: Needham Market Under-18s 6-2 Leiston Under-18s

Needham Market U18:-
1 Bradley Cook
2 Jack Stopher
3 Connor Moore
4 Evan Collard
5 Ryan Pitt
6 Ben Hunt
7 Jamahl Godward
8 Noah Collard
9 Callum Page
10 Tom Fitzgerald
11 George Clayton-Leek
Subs:
12 Alfie Miles
14 Sam Garrod
15 Daniel Hayes
16 Kadir Akbaba
17 Jamie Taylor

Leiston U18:-
1 Harvey Garnham
2 Hayden Ling
3 Dale Pearse
4 Harry Eyre
5 Josh Roberts
6 Aaron McGucking (capt)
7 Dylan Barrack
8 George Cricker
9 Kai Fletcher
10 Owen Pierce
11 Josh Leggett
Subs:
12 Oliver Seymour
14 Connor Fletcher
15 Zac Gissing
16 Callum Pearce
17 Reece Kerry

Goals: Stopher (10'), E.Collard (18'), Clayton-Leek (31'), Page (39', 42'), Godward (47'); C.Fletcher (65'), Leggett (88'). 

MATCH PREVIEW: NEEDHAM MARKET U18 V LEISTON U18 THUR 28.3.19

Match Preview Needham Market U18s v Leiston U18s, Bloomfields, Thurs 28/03/2019, Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division, 7:45pm.

Tonight pits rivals Needham Market and Leiston head to head in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division, with tonight's visitors sitting a place and two points ahead of the Young Marketmen in fifth, having played three games more. The two sides though have similar records, with Needham coming into this grudge match boasting 7 wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats from 14 outings, whilst Leiston have recorded 7 wins also but have drew 5 and lost 5 of their 17 matches this season.

Form:

Needham go into this match on the back of recording 3 wins and 2 draws from their last five matches, all of which have came at Bloomfields. Since defeating Felixstowe & Walton United 2-0 (goals from Calllum Page and Evan Collard), the Reds have beaten 2nd placed Walsham Le Willows 5-1 in the league in what was a superb performance from the sixth placed side, as Kadir Akbaba netted a hat-trick, whilst Callum Page helped himself to a brace of his own. Whitby's goal for Walsham made it 2-1 in the second half, but was to no avail. The Willows though, avenged this defeat by running out 5-0 winners in the Suffolk Under-18 Midweek Cup the following week, also at Bloomfields. Tonight's hosts though responded by thumping Ipswich Wanderers 5-1, with Akbaba again on target, whilst Matthew Cobbold, Thomas Fitzgerald, Callum Page and Daniel Hayes also scored for Needham. The Young Marketmen though were unable to follow that up in their latest outing, as leaders Framlingham Town ran out 2-1 winners, despite Alfie Miles' consolation.

Leiston on the other hand have won 4 and drew 1 of their last five matches. The first seeing the Blues record a 5-1 win themselves away at Woodbridge Town, with Joe Berry grabbing a brace alongside goals from Witness Mhango, Owen Pierce and Zachary Gissing. Leiston then followed that victory up by winning both of their next two matches 5-0, the first at home to Ipswich Wanderers, where Harrison Bacon and Josh Smedley both picked up a brace each and Mhango picking up another goal. The second 5-0 came away at Stowmarket Town, Bacon again netting twice, Mhango once more finding the net, with Josh Leggett and Josh Roberts also on target.

Away from home meanwhile, Leiston have won 3 and drew 1 and lost the other of their last 5 on the road. After a 2-2 draw at Felixstowe & Walton United, where Toby Chenery scored for Leiston, the Blues fell to a 3-0 defeat at Walsham Le Willows, proving to be a minor blip away from home having won their last three. After beating Framlingham Town 2-1, goals from Bacon and Mhango, Leiston then beat Woodbridge and Stowmarket away as already mentioned, leading into tonight's game

Previous Meetings:

08/12/16 Needham Market 6-1 Leiston (Bastone, Carvell, Hynard, Knight, McCrory, McLaughlin; Burman- League 2016/17)

29/03/18 Leiston 4-0 Needham Market (Blades, Darling, Norman - League 2017/18)

20/09/18 Leiston 2-1 Needham Market (FA Youth Cup)

18/10/18 Leiston 1-2 Needham Market (Bacon; Carvell, Akbaba - League 2018/19)

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 121: March 2019 (Game 139)

Game 139: Monday 25 March 2019, 7:45pm, Denny Bros Ram Meadow Stadium, Thurlow Nunn Youth League South Division, Bury Town Under-18 v Holland Under-18 Blues

Match Preview

Match Report on club website
Report on FTGIG

Bury Town Under-18s end their Holland counterparts ten game winning run, inflicting only their third defeat of the League season in the process after a superb 4-0 win at Denny Bros Stadium, after a hat-trick from Captain & MOTM Charlie Cook and a goal from Amin Mohammad. The clean sheet is also only the first time this season Bury have picked up back to back clean sheets this season, having beaten Little Oakley 1-0 away last week. 

Holland though had an early opportunity as early as the second minute, as a free-kick in on the right wing into the box was headed wide off the top corner at the far post. Bury though, who fielded six Under-16s in their starting XI, won a free-kick of their own in the fifteenth minute. Charlie Cook’s set-piece from the halfway line finding Andrew Conroy at the right post, who headed just over the bar. 

The home side then had a great chance to open the scoring on 24 minutes, when Callum Steed was pushed down to the ground on the right hand side in the box. Cook stepped up to brilliantly place the spot-kick into the top right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way to give Bury a 1-0 lead with 20 first half minutes to play. Back came Holland though, who won a corner on the right on 27 minutes which was partially cleared away in a packed penalty area, with the header back towards goal headed away by a Bury defender. Holland then had a go at goal two minutes later, but hit a low effort straight at Reynolds at his left post. Holland then had another shot at the Bury goal on 31 minutes, the visitor’s low shot from the right edge of the box however was off target off the far post, with Reynolds able to gather anyway. 

Three minutes later, Holland went close to equalising, when a corner in from the right was headed towards goal at the near post but was headed off the line at the top far corner. Down the other end, Bury went close to doubling their advantage with ten minutes to go before the break, as Charlie Cook let fly from outside the box but was just palmed away by the keeper down to his left. The Young Blues had another good chance to increase their lead on 36 minutes, after setting Andrew Conroy through on the right hand side in the box who squared the ball across to Amin Mohammad in the centre, who just couldn’t reach. 

Bury then won another free-kick after the 40th minute, Cook’s set-piece though curled over the top left corner. Holland then won a free-kick on the left edge of the box three minutes later, as Bastone’s original set-piece was blocked by the wall back to the Holland man, whose rebound strike was also blocked by a Bury defender. The Blues meanwhile, had one last opportunity a minute into added time, Cook’s free-kick in from the right wing was inadvertently headed towards his own goal by a Holland defender but was bailed out by his keeper, catching on his goal line. That was it for the first half, as Bury led 1-0 at the break thanks to Cook’s penalty midway through the half. 

HALF TIME: Bury Town Under-18s 1-0 Holland Under-18 Blue.

The second half began with Holland having the more of the chances, as they chased an equalising goal. The away side though never really troubled Reynolds in the Bury goal, as Holland fired a strike from range comfortably wide off the Bury keeper’s left post on 47 minutes. Whilst neither side really troubled either keeper during the game,  the chances falling fairly close to each other, with the next four going the way of the away side. Holland heading a corner in on the left wide off the top left corner from the far post on 49 minutes. Nine minutes later, Holland won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right edge of the box but fired over the top left corner. On 61 minutes, Holland went close again following a corner in on the left. The set-piece was swung in dangerously across the face of face of goal, forcing Connor Reynolds to tip away at his far post on his goal line, where Harrington running in headed wide off the top right corner from a yard out. 

The away side then almost pulled level a minute later, as Rose got through to the left edge of the box where he was met by Reynolds charging out to clear. The Holland man just beat the Bury stopper to the ball, toe poking it towards the bottom near corner, just before the two collided, but was cleared off the line superbly by a retreating defender. At the other end, great play from Bury saw Tinde set Mohammad through on the left hand side of the Holland box on 67 minutes, as the latter shot low at goal from eight yards out but was blocked well by the advancing keeper. Six minutes later, the second placed side went agonisingly close to levelling proceedings twice in quick succession, the first attempt from the right was palmed away well by the strong hands of Reynolds, only as far as Seward who picked up the rebound on the left just outside the six-yard box but smacked his shot off the outside of the left post. Shortly after however, the away side shot low but straight at Reynolds from the edge of the box. 

Holland were denied once again by Reynolds on 76 minutes, as Gray’s ferocious shot from the left hand side in the box was palmed away by Reynolds, standing firm at his near post, before the woodwork came to Bury’s rescue, with inside of the far post denying a Holland header from the rebound. Bury though fought back, as Amin Mohammad’s shot in the box was deflected behind for a corner on 78 minutes. Bury then won another penalty two minutes later, when Mohammad was brought down by the outstretched hand of the grounded keeper on the left hand side in the box. Again, Charlie Cook stepped up to dispatch his second spot-kick of the evening into the top right corner, 2-0 Bury with nine minutes to go. The Bury skipper wasn’t done there, determined to pick up a hat-trick, as his free-kick went over the top left corner on 84 minutes. 

Bury then extending their lead to 3-0 with 2 minutes left on the clock, with Mohammad grabbing his second goal in as many games, slotting into the bottom left corner from close range. Still not satisfied, Bury almost had fourth goal two minutes into stoppage time, when a Bury free-kick in from the left picked out Andrew Conroy at the far post whose header at goal went straight to the keeper at his left post. The Blues though rounded off the scoring six minutes into added time, as Charlie Cook picked up a hat-trick with a goal of the season contender, firing into the roof of the net from distance. With that Bury ran out 4-0 winners, picking up their third league shut out off the season, and their second in a row. 

FULL TIME: Bury Town Under-18 4-0 Holland Under-18 

Bury Town Under-18s:-

1 Connor Reynolds

2 Joseph Gunn

3 Tyler Matthews

4 Ben Lyddiatt

5 Andrew Conroy 

6 Ethan Heap

7 Callum Steed

8 Charlie Cook (c)

9 Amin Mohammad

10 Louis Johnson (59’ Tinde)

11 William Allison

Subs:

12 Adam Newton (unused)

14 Thomas Bristley (unused)

15 Chester Rudnicki

16 John Tinde

17 James Field-Rayner

Holland U18:-

1 Lachlaj Carpenter

2 Thomas White

3 Jage Bruce

4 Brandon Hunt (c)

5 James Williams 

6 Jayden Randall

7 Charlie Rose

8 Ryan Harrington

9 Matthew Gray

10 Sonny Bastone

11 Marcus Russell

Subs: 

12 Mitchell Kill.

14 Finley Capo

15 Josh Seward

16 Jonathan Brown

Booked: Cook (10’), Hunt (33’), Holland (37’), Rose (45’), Kill (90’+2’),

Goals: Cook (25’pen, 81‘pen, 90‘+6’), Mohammad (88‘).

Follow Bury Town Under-18s on Twitter for my match updates

Attendance: 43.

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 119: March 2019 (Game 137)

Game 137: Sat 23 March 2019, 3pm, Bloomfields, Evo-Stik Southern League Cdntdal Premier Division, Needham Market v Coalville Town

Match Preview
Match Programme

Needham Market and Coalville Town played out a 1-1 draw, after Jamie Griffiths' early goal was cancelled out by a late equaliser from Scott McManus after a mistake by Needham keeper Jake Jessup. The fourteenth placed Marketmen will feel aggrieved that their performance didn't pick up the vital three points it deserved defensively, as Coalville snatched a point in stoppage time.

The Ravens though had the first opportunity on 2 minutes but the low strike towards the bottom right corner was straight forward for Needham keeper Jake Jessup. Needham meanwhile, went infront on 12 minutes, captain Gareth Heath setting winger Adam Mills through on the left hand side in the box. The latter then with onw touch squared across the box to find striker Jamie Griffiths running in, eight yards out at the far post, to tap into the roof off the net, finishing off some superb passing play with a great finish to make it 1-0 to Needham early on. That lead could've been doubled just four minutes later, when Needham went close, when James Baker (playing at centre-back to cover for absent Dan Morphew) found Adam Mills with a great through ball from the halfway line. The winger hared onto the pass to progress through onto the left hand side in the box, which after beating his marker Mills fired a first time volley just over the bar, from a tight angle. Yet again great play from the hosts, who were looking to end their five game straight losing run. 

Coalville however, had other ideas but struggled to break down what was a strong Needham defence for the majority if not whole of the game. The Ravens though went close on 23 minutes, McGlinchey trying his luck from the left hand side in the box came close to levelling proceedings, as the shot thundered off the top off the bar and over. Two minutes later, Berridge then went for goal for Coalville from the left edge of the box but curled the shot wide off the top far corner. The Ravens then had another half chance on 27 minutes, but fired a shot/cross from the left byline inside the Needham area just over the bar. 

Down the other end, Jamie Griffiths had a go at extending both his and Needham's goal tally on 28 minutes. The striker's fierce volley from the left edge of the box however was deflected behind the near post for a corner. Defensively meanwhile, Needham restricted Coalville to very few shots in the hosts' penalty area with a majority of the Ravens' attempts coming from outside the box. The latest example of this saw Andrew Wright's shot from the edge of the box go straight into Jessup's gloves at head height on 38 minutes. Soon after meanwhile, Coalville tried their luck from the right edge of the box but curled the shot over the top left corner. Again, Coalville were denied from outside the box with 6 minutes to play before the break, as McGlinchey's shot from the left edge of the box was deflected behind for a corner by James Baker. Coalville also had the final chance of the half on the verge of half-time, firing a shot just wide of the bottom left corner from distance. 

HALF TIME: Needham Market 1-0 Coalville Town

HT thoughts: Attack v defence, Needham have been strong in defence whilst Coalville have been confident in possession but restricted to shots outside the box. .

Into the second half, Coalville continued to look for an equaliser, as Doyle-Charles' free-kick on the very right edge of the box on 47 minutes was swung into the near post, only to be headed just over the near corner by the diving Mitchell. A minute later, Needham meanwhile picked out Adam Mills with a superb pass, before the latter tried a half volley from the left hand side in the box, but was deflected over for a corner. The Ravens then went back down the other end and won a free-kick on the left from range on 51 minutes. The set-piece into the box however was headed just over the bar at the far post. The visitors then tried their luck from close range in the area a minute later, but was blocked by a Needham defender with handball appeals waved away by the referee. Shortly after though, Coalville had a shot from range but hit it wide off the top left corner. 

With ten second half minutes played Needham had a great chance to double their lead, goalscorer Jamie Griffiths crossing in a superb ball in from the left byline but was just above the head of Joe Marsden running in to the eight yard region. Although Coalville were having more opportunities, Needham still looked domimant and the more likeliest to score, with the home side keeping out anything Coalville threw at them until late on. Long before that though, Coalville tried their luck from the left hand side in the box and fired a low shot at goal but was denied well by Jessup. 

Despite Needham having the better chances, the home side needed a second goal just to make sure of the points, which unfortunately for the Marketmen they couldn't quite do so. Still though, Coalville were being reduced to half chances, with the next falling to McGlinchey on 63 minutes. The attacking player's shot from the left edge of the box was blocked away before Towers tried his luck from the right edge of the box but was also denied by a Needham block. Needham then had their latest chance moments later, as the Coaville keeper was caught in no man's land, his clearance went only as far as Joe Marsden. The Needham top scorer ran closer to goal to get a better shooting position, but his shot was awkwardly saved by the retreating keeper, with his goal still otherwise unprotected. The Marketmen then had another opportunity with 25 minutes to play from a corner. Skipper Gareth Heath's set-piece from the right found James Baker leaping the highest at the far post to direct a great header at goal but straight at the keeper. 

Needham then had another chance on 66 minutes, when left-back Callum Sturgess played a one-two with a teammate to get through in the box but was prevented a shot as two defenders got back to deal with the situation. Down the other end, Coalville were growing into the game as time began to run out, with the Ravens' hitting a low shot from the left edge of the box wide off the bottom left corner on 68 minutes. Three minutes later, Coalville then had a good chance to equalise. After getting through well on the right hand side in the box, the shot went just wide off the near post. On 74 minutes Coalville had another shot on target, as the attempt from the right hand side in the box was straight at Jessup at his near post. Back down the other end, Needham thought they had a second goal on 77 minutes, when Adam Ills got through on the left hand side in the box, drawing the keeper off his line. Mills then lobbed the keeper superbly to nestle the ball into the bottom far corner. The hosts' celebrations however were short lived, as the flag was up for offside. 

The Ravens though, had another shot from the edge of the box on 79 minutes but was fired wide off the right post. With Coalville chasing a late lifeline, captain Towers had a go at goal from the right edge of the box, blasting well over the bar with 8 minutes to play. The away side then brought Needham 'stopper Jake Jessup into action a minute later, superbly maintaining his side's slender advantage. A Coalville shot from the left hand side in the box was blocked well by a defender before the rebound was placed well towards the bottom left corner and was destined to break Needham hearts of three points,before Jessup was able to get across to pakm behind, a superb save. Following the corner however, Coalville shot off target as they remained a goal behind. 

The visitors were then handed a late chance to equalise when Nicholas Ingram conceded a free-kick on the left, a minute into second half stoppage time. The free-kick into the far post was originally caught by Needham 'keeper Jake Jessup who dropped it after having came a long way to get to the ball in the first place. McManus was the quickest to react, netting into the empty net to share the spoils, 1-1. Both sides had a chance each however to grab all three points, Needham having the penultimate chance of the afternoon on 90+3 minutes, Adam Mills shooting straight at the keeper frim the left edge of the box. Three minutes later though, Coalville curled a free kick on the left edge of the box wide off the top near corner, as the points were shared on a day where Needham at least end their run of five straight defeats. 

FULL TIME: Needham Market 1-1 Coalville Town.

FT thoughts: Needham threw it away late on. Otherwise great from Needham mostly, Coalville otherwise never really looked like scoring. 

Teams:

Needham Market:-
1 Jake Jessup
2 Jake Dye
3 Callum Sturgess
4 Russell Short
5 Keiran Morphew
6 James Baker
7 Joseph Marsden
8 Gareth Heath (capt)
9 Jamie Griffiths (89' N.Ingram)
10 Samuel Squire
11 Adam Mills
Subs:
12 Jeremiah Kamanzi
14 Regan Pelling
15 Nicholas Ingram
16 Bradley Cook (GK)

Coalville Town:-
1 Richard Walton
2 Kalerm Thomas
3 Scott McManus
4 Stephen Towers (capt)
5 Thomas Burgin (73' Shaw)
6 Kieren Fenton
7 Joe Doyle-Charles
8 Andrew Wright
9 Kairo Mitchell (70' Omotola)
10 Timothy Berridge
11 Thomas McGlinchey
Subs:
12 Dean Freeman
14 Tolani Omotola
15 Oliver Luto
16 Luke Shaw
17 Alexander Dean

Booked: Marsden (50'), Doyle:Charles (54'), Dye (63'), Berridge (75'), Fenton (86'), Mills (90'+2').

Goals: Griffiths (12'); McManus (90'+1').

Att 270
Sponsor's MOTM: Needham No.4 Russell Short
My MOTM: Needham No.2 Jake Dye.

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 120: March 2019 (Game 138)

Game 138: Sun 24 March 2019, 10:30am, Premier Logos Bury Districts & Sunday FL Division One, Gainsborough Plating Fields, Horringer Court BSE, Tostock Pirates v Gym United

Match Report on FTGIG

Gym United reduce the gap to three points between themselves and leaders Tostock Pirates after a 0-3 win over the leaders at Gainsborough. Tostock though controlled the game early on, as Tostock's No.11 fired an early shot from the right edge of the box just over the bar on 5 minutes, after a lively start. Tostock then went close as early as the seventh minute, after a fierce shot from the left edge of the box was saved well by the keeper at his near post. The loose ball though went across the face of goal, with Tostock's No.8 running in who couldn't quite tap into the net, after what was a great shot matched by the keeper. Tostock continued to dominate early on, as No.13's shot from 30-yards out on the left went over the bar on 13 minutes. As the half progressed though, Gym grew into the game and had their first chance on 20 minutes. Andrew Wood was set through one-on-one after a great defence splitting pass, forcing the keeper to rush out and block the shot well, picking up a knock in the process, after what was brave goalkeeping. Then on 22 minutes, Gym's No.21 had a go at the Tostock goal, but blasted over from the edge of the box. Down the other end, Tostock went close again, and should've arguably went infront on 27 minutes, as a corner in on the left was whipped in superbly across the face of goal, finding No.4 a yard out at the far post who headed just wide.

For the large part of the first half the game flowed, but as the half began to draw to a close the tention went up a few notches, as Tostock's No.18 was the first of three players to be booked in the space of six minutes for swiping out Gym's No.21, who I would like to wish a speedy recovery from injury. Despite that, Tostock had another great chance to go infront on 36 minutes, No.11 getting through to the right edge of the box only to fire his shot wide off the top left corner.

Gym though scored two vital goals in two minutes to take a vital lead, with the opener coming on 42 minutes. The visitors' cross in on the left finding a man unmarked a yard out at the far post, who had a free header to find the bottom near corner, 1-0 Gym. In quickfire time, the second soon arrived, No.11 getting through on the right hand side in the box from close range to finish superbly past the onrushing keeper and into the roof of the net. Gym even had another opportunity to add to their tally a minute into first half stoppage time, No.11 again with it- whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked away well.

HALF TIME: Tostock Pirates 0-2 Gym United

HT thoughts: Tostock had a few chances, and maybe should've went infront. Half of two halves, once Gym grew into the game they controlled it, and took their chances well at the end of an entertaining half.

The second half was controlled well by Gym, who had the first chance of the half straight from kickoff. Around fifteen seconds from the restart, Andrew Wood was set through to the right edge of the box to get into a shooting position. The shot however was blasted over the top near corner. Although Tostock refused to let the two goal difference stop them from attacking when in possession, Gym had more of the second half opportunities. This very much being the case for the two or three that followed. The first of which on 51 minutes saw Gym's No.9 fire his shot well over the bar. The second then saw Gym's No.9 force a great save out off the Tostock keeper on 55 minutes, as the United man's great low drilled strike from the left edge of the box was heading towards the bottom far corner, that was until the keeper dived across superbly well to palm behind for a corner. Tostock meanwhile, had a great chance to pull a goal back on 61 minutes, setting No.3 through down the left wing picked out No.11 with a great first time through ball, as the latter advanced to the edge of the box, where he was met by the Gym keeper. Under pressure however, the Tostock man curled his shot just wide off the top left corner.

Gym on the other hand had two shots in the space of sixty seconds, smashing the first from the left edge of the box low and straight at the keeper on 63 minutes. Whilst the second saw No.7 shoot wide off the top left corner. Although Gym were remaining dominant, Tostock kept creating chances in what was a great flowing game. Tostock's latest opportunity fell on 65 minutes, as No.8 spotted the keeper off his line so had a shot at goal but put it over the bar. Five minutes later another chance came Tostock's way, as No.7's free-kick from the right edge of the box was taken short to No.11 through on the right hand side in the box to drill dangerously across the face of goal, with No.4 at the far post just unable to touch it home. As the clock ticked down to the final 16 minutes, Gym had another chance themselves. Wood's free-kick from the left edge of the box was blocked by the wall as far as No.9, whose follow up strike was drilled low and just wide off the bottom left corner. Even though they were already 2-0 up, Gym were determined to grab a third goal on 77 minutes, when No.20's low shot from the right edge of the box was hit wide off the bottom near corner.

Tostock then had their final opportunity of the morning on 81 minutes, their No.20 having a shot from the right side in the box blocked away. Gym on the other hand wrapped up the points in stoppage time, releasing No.7 through to the left hand side in the box to put a great finish past the onrushing keeper into the bottom right corner, 3-0 Gym with the last chance of the game. Gym now reduce the gap between the two sides to three points, with Tostock currently top having played two games extra.

FULL TIME: Tostock Pirates 0-3 Gym United

FT thoughts- Had Tostock taken early 1st half chances it could've been different, Gym though took their chances when it looked like being 0-0 at HT, and were in control from then on. 2nd half Gym remained dominant and could've possibly been further infront, but Tostock still had chances and could've possibly made it closer than scoreline suggests. Very much a good top of the table clash, both sides showing why they are first and second.

Tostock Pirates:-
Darren Atkins
Christopher Brock
Jake Gathercole
Sam Goddard
Thomas Goddard
Lewis Kemp
Charlie Leighton
Dan Shinn (GK)
Ben Virtue
Elliott Barnard
Adam Seymore
Subs:
Jamie Cooke
Callum Lee
Matthew Chaplin (unused)

Gym United:-
Damien Goshawk (GK)
10 Andrew Wood
Ross Beech
Liam Bolton
Jack Brame
Nathan Clarke
Arron Joseph
Alex McIntosh (GOAL x2)
Matthew Morton
Wayne Proctor (GOAL x1)
Charlie Robinson
Subs:
Kevin Atkinson
Shaun Hunsdon
Todd Hutcherson
Martin McConnell
Nigel Brame (unused)

Booked: T18 (32'), G18 (35'), G9 (39'), G7 (48'), T4 (75'), G88 (83').