Needham Market U18 v Coplestonians U18 25.2.20

132: Tue 25 February 2020, 7:45pm, Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena, Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division, Needham Market Under-18s v Coplestonians Under-18s

YOUNG MARKETMEN MAKE IT NINE STRAIGHT WINS

BY DREW KENDALL

A treble for Ben Harris, alongside braces apiece for Kai Fletcher and Evan Collard, an own goal and a goal for Taylor Sumpter see Needham thrash Coplestonians.

Needham Market Under-18s make it 9 league wins from 9 with a one-sided victory over Coplestonians.

For the practically whole game, Needham were camped in their visitors half, having chance after chance when they weren't able to add to the scoresheet- with the first opportunity coming in the first minute. A great cross in on the left picked out Konnor Fletcher close to goal, whose header looped up and just over of the top of the crossbar. Three minutes later, Tom Fitzgerald went narrowly close to breaking the deadlock, firing just wide of the top corner from 30-yards out. 

The young Marketmen did open the scoring though in the seventh minute, Ben Harris' shot just outside the box dipped into the bottom corner, 1-0 Needham. The next chance then came on 11 minutes, a throw-in to Kai Fletcher stood on the edge of the box allowed the striker to spin the defender well but sliced his shot wide of the far post, whilst Evan Collard's short free-kick to Kieran Double a minute later saw the latter's long range shot go narrowly over the crossbar. Coplestonians almost found their own net meanwhile 14 minutes in, a cross into the box on the left saw the number 11 slice his clearance back towards his own goal but was bailed out by his keeper who tipped the ball upwards to then claim on his goal-line. 

Needham though doubled their lead on 18 minutes, an Evan Collard low and fierce free-kick from 20-yards out was parried by the keeper straight to Kai Fletcher lurking close to goal to simply tap into the bottom corner, 2-0 Needham. Two minutes later Needham went agonisingly close to a third goal, Kai Fletcher weaved through brilliantly down the left byline in the box to deliver a dangerous ball across the box towards Konnor Fletcher, but the keeper got down well to parry behind Fletcher running in. Konnor Fletcher's low corner in a minute later meanwhile picked out Evan Collard free in the box, although the latter's shot went narrowly over the top far corner. 

Ben Harris was then denied by some great goalkeeping on 23 minutes, an excellent ball over the top released Harris through on goal, whose shot though was well saved by the keeper who had strayed off his line. The spilled ball however was almost met by Harris with the goal partially gaping but was prevented from shooting by some great defending. The home side then struck the crossbar three minutes later, after Evan Collard cut in from the wing to the right edge of the box before threading Tom Fitzgerald through on the near side in the box whose great strike rebounded over off the face of the crossbar. Kieran Double then fired a 40-yard strike at goal, which just dipped over the top far corner on 31 minutes, before Needham added a third goal seconds later. A great cross in from Ben Harris on the left wing found Evan Collard eight yards out in the centre whose great header looped home into the top left corner, despite a hand from the keeper's despairing dive, 3-0 Needham. 

Eight minutes before the break, Needham almost extended their lead further as great team play saw Evan Collard on the right edge of the box play a give and go one-two with Kai Fletcher, as the latter then got through to the right side of the box to deliver a low dangerous ball across the box only to go an inch wide of the far post, just evading the man sliding in. Brilliant play again from the home side saw Konnor Fletcher through dangerously on the right byline to square across the box to Ben Harris sliding in at the back post, only to be denied contact by some good defending to put behind for a corner. The resulting corner was taken short to Evan Collard whose fierce shot was beaten well behind his near post by the keeper for another corner on 38 minutes. This time though the short corner found Fitzgerald free 12-yards from goal but saw his low shot blocked on 39 minutes.


Tommy Northwood then set Kai Fletcher through with an excellent low through-ball past the defence, although the striker beat the defence he wasn't able to beat the keeper who rushed off his line to gather, with 5 minutes remaining of the first half. Seconds later, a great cutback in the box found Evan Collard in acres of space, whose first time shot went straight at the keeper's chest at the near post, with almost the rest of the goal to aim at. 

Collard however turned provider on 41 minutes, another give and go one-two with Kai Fletcher again saw the former reach the byline where his low ball across just evaded the Red shirt sliding in close to the back post as the ball went just wide of the post. Needham did grab a fourth goal meanwhile on 43 minutes, another clever one-two this time between Collard and Konnor Fletcher saw Collard get onto the return once more on the byline to again square into the centre where the Coplestonians defender could only convert into the roof of his own net from 2 yards out, 4-0 Needham.

Needham then struck the upright twice in a minute, the first coming on the stroke of the interval, Fitzgerald's great low first time shot on the edge of the box came back into play off the inside of the post, whilst a fantastic cross in a minute later found Ben Harris free 7-yards out at the back post but was denied by the outside of the post. 

Jut before the half-time whistle Needham added a fifth goal, Ben Harris found on the left-hand side of the box to finish low and well into the net, 5-0 Needham at the break.

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

Needham's dominance continued in the second half, playing absolutely sublime football as the home side went close just 30 seconds after the restart, Ben Harris was fed on the edge of the box to in turn pick out Jose Santa in the box, who turned well to unleash a fierce strike at goal but was beaten away by the keeper well. On 47 minutes another good chance went begging for the scintillating young Marketmen , the Cops' keeper gave away possession straight to Ben Harris on the left who looked to thread Jose Santa through down the centre but was denied by the foot of the defender, although the latter did pick up the loose ball on the byline to cut the ball back to Evan Collard who shot just wide of the far post. 

Again Needham were denied another goal by an inch on 52 minutes, Kieran Double's great through-ball to Konnor Fletcher down the right wing saw the latter make a great run in to square dangerously across the face of goal to Jose Santa, who just couldn't quite reach as the ball just beat the bottom far corner. Great play from Ben Hunt to play a quick one-two from a short corner led to the substitute's troublesome great cross being headed behind by a defender at his far post with Red shirts lurking, prior to Jose Santa having a low shot in the box saved by the diving keeper seconds later. 

Konnor Fletcher was next to be denied a deserved goal on 54 minutes, curling a great free-kick towards the top corner on the right edge of the box but was tipped over by a great save from the keeper. Four minutes later though Needham were unlucky once more, Konnor Fletcher's great corner found the foot of Taylor Sumpter 12-yards from goal who passed the ball onto Jose Santa just about six-yards out but took an airshot. Ben Harris was then released down the left by an excellent through-ball on 59 minutes, Harris' run drawing the keeper off his line out to meet him, with the keeper's deflection on the attempted ball over him into the box seeing Jose Santa get to the ball but some fantastic defending did enough to prevent the shot at goal. 

More excellent play on 64 minutes saw Jose Santa feed Konnor Fletcher on the wing to proceed into the box on the byline, although this time the cutback was deflected behind. Sixty minutes later, a ball into the box fell kindly to Evan Collard on the edge of the area whose low shot was blocked as far as Ben Harris who shot just over the crossbar. Jose Santa went agonisingly close to getting on the scoresheet seconds later, after being set through on the edge of the penalty area the shot went just the wrong side of the bottom corner. 

Konnor Fletcher once more got through dangerously on the right close to goal to cross low to Jose Santa but the ball went centimeters past the far corner on 66 minutes. Ben Harris sealed his hat-trick though on 67 minutes, through on the left byline close to the near post his attempt was carried over the line off the underside of the diving keeper down at his near post to make it 6-0 to Needham. Four minutes later, another great ball across goal by Konnor Fletcher saw 4 Needham shirts queuing up in the middle but where all denied by some good keeping, as the visiting custodian got down well to gather at his near post. 

Evan Collard was next to pick up his brace 17 minutes from time, another brilliant run down the right wing and into the box by Konnor Fletcher saw the winger cutback brilliantly to Evan Collard 12-yards from goal to finish cooly first time into the bottom far corner, 7-0 Needham. The aforementioned Fletcher was denied a goal of his own on 76 minutes- after being set through close to goal his low shot was well saved by the keeper who had came out to narrow the angle. Taylor Sumpter notched the hosts' eighth goal of the evening on 77 minutes, Tom Fitzgerald's great curling corner towards the goal-line at the back post found the defender who nodded over the line from a yard out. 

Needham rounded off the scoring with 11 minutes remaining, Kieran Double threading Kai Fletcher through past the defence to cooly finish in off the inside of the bottom left-hand post from outside the box, 9-0 Needham and a brace for Kai Fletcher. Konnor Flecher was then fed on the right wing to cut inside well on 81 minutes, the winger laid off possession to Ben Hunt whose shot was well saved by the keeper down at his left-hand post. Kai Fletcher then went centimeters away from a hat-trick a minute later, after cutting into the box from the wing the striker's low shot was deflected just past the far post. Konnor Fletcher was fed through into the box again on 86 minutes but this time fired a shot fiercely into the side-netting.

The winger went even closer a minute later, on this occassion the low shot came back into play of the inside of the far post. With a minute remaining Jose Santa rattled the face of the crossbar with a fierce strike, whilst Fitzgerald hit the rebound centimeters wide of the bottom corner. On the stroke of the final whistle, Taylor Sumpter's dangerous ball in low on the left found Konnor Fletcher running in close to the back post but was again denied by a vital hand by the diving keeper to palm away. That was the final action of a straight forward Needham win who continue their 100% record. 

90 CLOSE Tylor great dangerous low ball in left Konnor running in far close range gk dives. Down vital hand to palm away last action. 

FT 9-0

Needham

1 Rob Weller

2 Tommy Northwood

3 Alfie Parnell 

4 Kieran Double 

5 Jacob Thomas

6 Taylor Sumpter 

7 Konnor

8 Evan Collard

9 Kai Fletcher

10 Thomas Fitzgerald (capt)

11 Ben Harris

Subs 

12 Ben Hunt

14 Kris Sylzo

15 Jose Santa

Goals: Harris (7', 45'+2', 67'), Kai Fletcher (18', 79'), Collard (31', 73'), C6 og (43'), Sumpter (77').

Bury Town Women v Brettvale Women 23.2.20

131: Sunday 23 February 2020, 2pm, Culford Sports Centre, Suffolk Girls and Women's League Women's KO Cup 2019/2020 Semi Final, Bury Town Women v Brettvale Women. 

Brettvale progress to the Suffolk Women's League Cup Final after coming from behind twice to win 3-2 late on at Culford.

It was Brettvale who had the first chance a minute in, through down the right wing but the cross in was headed just wide of the bottom far corner from close range. Bury though had their first chance 2 minutes later, Mia Banbury's 25-yarder took a deflection off the head of a defender whilst also taking a touch of Katie Walker on its way through to the keeper.

Bury forced a good save from the keeper however on 6 minutes, Sophie Hemming's 30-yard freekick dipped towards the bottom corner but was saved by the keeper, whilst Brettvale shot just over the bar from 25-yards out. Brettvale then had another good chance denied on 12 minutes, the shot just outside the box was well blocked by Claire Ellis whilst keeper Debbie Greeves was on hand to make a good save to deny a low shot from the rebound.

Katie Walker was next to have a great chance at goal, the Bury youngster's shot on the edge of the box went narrowly wide of the bottom far corner on 13 minutes. It was Bury who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, thanks to an excellent Sophie Hemming 35-yard free-kick, which looped over the keeper and into the middle far corner, 1-0 Bury. Brettvale though drew level instantly, a low ball across the box was tapped home from close range, 1-1 on 21 minutes.

Next to try her luck at goal was Bury midfielder Stacey Roper, whose good strike from 25-yards was parried away by the keeper at her top corner on 26 minutes, meanwhile Greeves was forced into a good save down the other end a minute later, the low shot at the edge of the box going straight at the keeper. The visitors then followed that up by going even closer on 34 minutes, this time the shot from just outside the box went an inch wide of the bottom corner, before Brettvale then saw a shot in the box, following a corner, swerve narrowly wide of the bottom far corner six minutes before the break.

Bury however were thwarted from grabbing an almost certain goal on 40 minutes, Roper's great cross into the six yard box in search of Norma Locker would've given the latter a practically free header into the net had the keeper not shown great keeping to come off her line and take a great catch. On the stroke of half time though, Brettvale flashed a shot just wide of the top far corner from the right edge of the box as both sides went into the break level at 1-1.

HALF TIME: Bury Town Women 1-1 Brettvale Women

Into the second half, it was Brettvale who had the first few chances early on, the first a minute after the restart saw a low shot go just wide of the bottom corner, whilst the away side shot just wide of the near corner from distance on 47 minutes.

Brettvale then went close to taking the lead on 55 minutes, after having a low 30-yard shot parried away by Greeves a Brettvale player was first to the ball with her back to goal to backheel past Greeves to an unmarked teammate, but was denied by a great sliding tackle by a Bury defender to clear and prevent a shot at the unguarded net.

Bury though were thwarted a second goal by some good goalkeeping on the 61st minute, Sophie Hemming's great freekick on the 18-yard line brought a good diving save out of the Brettvale keeper to parry away, whilst Locker's long range airborne strike dipped straight into the keeper's chest two minutes later.

Bury did regain their lead though seconds later, a good ball towards Katie Walker on the right edge of the box was intercepted by the keeper, who spilt possession for Walker running behind her to tap home from 10-yards out into the empty net, 2-1 Bury.

Walker almost added to her own and her team's goal tally on 64 minutes, after keeping the ball well 30-yards out the striker's shot was well caught by the keeper. Walker then went close to her second goal of the afternoon, shooting narrowly wide of the bottom far corner on 68 minutes.

Five minutes later, Walker was agonisingly close to making it 3-1 to Bury, having weaved through in the box to draw the keeper off her line the shot went just an inch wide of the top corner.

The young forward meanwhile went close again on 74 minutes, again though the shot went narrowly wide of the bottom far corner. Bury continued to search for a third goal, but were denied by the crossbar as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Roper's great corner into Norma Locker eight yards out, with the keeper off her line, saw the Bury midfielder's header go just over off the top of the crossbar with the goal gaping.

Despite Bury's chances they couldn't quite find a third goal, but Brettvale though had no such issues as the visitors shot just wide of the top corner on 83 minutes before drawing level two minutes later.

The late pressure from Brettvale proved the difference in the end, as the equaliser saw a free-kick loop well over the wall and into the top left corner, 2-2. Brettvale completed their late comeback with just three minutes later, a great low cross into the box found a player free eight yards from goal to cooly finish into the bottom corner off the inside of the post, 2-3 Brettvale.

Late heartbreak for Bury as Brettvale battled back to book their place in the Suffolk Girls and Women's Women's League Cup Final.

FULL TIME: Bury Town Women 2-3 Brettvale Women

Bury Town:-
1 Debbie Greeves
2 Kate Sandlan
3 Sophie Hemming
4 Mia Banbury
5 Lisa Pratt (capt)
7 Kirsty Pollard
7 Katie Walker
8 Stacey Roper
9 Julie Brind
14 Norma Locker
15 Claire Ellis
Subs
11 Olivia Hodges
12 Georgia Parker
13 Hayley Turner
16 Claire Ellis
17 Lyndsie Duemmel

Brettvale:-
Amie Barnard
Amy Doyle
Abbie Fisher
 Charlotte Hayward
 Danielle Lynch
 Tarnya Mckew
 Claire Turnbull (capt)
 Kristie Turner
 Rachel White
 Gemma Burnett
 Sheryl Nokes
Sub Used:
Iris Gunnarsdottir
Subs unused:
Shaan Hayre
Samantha Hurr
Rachel Linsdell
Sophie White

Bury Goals: Hemming (20'), Walker (63').
Brettvale goals: (21'), (85'), (87'). Brettvale Scorers: Fisher, R.White, Burnett.

My POTM: Bury Town's Katie Walker.

Alvechurch v Needham Market 22.2.20

129: Sat 22 February 2020, Bet Victor Southern League Central Premier Division, Lye Meadow, Alvechurch v Needham Market

Match reaction playlist

Needham Market hit a late winner to take all three points at Alvechurch. 

Goals from Callum Page and Adam Mills saw the Marketmen reduce the gap to four points to the playoff places, making it 3 straight league wins in the process. 

Needham could've gone in front after 10 seconds, Callum Page instantly getting through in the area but his low shot went across the face of goal and just wide of the bottom far corner. 

Up the other end though on 2 minutes, Marcus Garnham made a fantastic save to keep the scores level, as Winwood volleyed at goal from close range but was tipped over well by the alert Needham stopper. Five minutes later meanwhile, an Alvechurch corner saw a header well saved by Garnham whilst the rebound was fired over the crossbar. 

Needham were on top for the first 20 minutes and went close again on 17 minutes, great play from the visitors saw Adam Mills' good low cross in towards Craig Parker in the box just intercepted by a defender sliding in. 

Alvechurch then began to enjoy more of the ball themselves 7 minutes later as a corner into the box looped up and onto the top of the crossbar on its way over.

Needham though almost broke the deadlock on 26 minutes, more great play from the away side saw Adam Mills release Callum Sturgess down the wing to deliver a few at ball into the box to Luke Ingram whose touch was a bit heavy as his close range shot was well smothered by the keeper. The Marketmen then had another great chance a minute later, Noah Collard's shot curling well to the top near corner but was well claimed by the keeper. 

The home side then had another good chance of their own on 35 minutes, the low shot on the left byline however was deflected wide into the side netting. Four minutes later though, Needham were dispossessed in midfield by Botfield who ran all the way up to the edge of the penalty area but his shot was well caught by Garnham. 

It was Needham who opened the scoring, four minutes before the interval, Craig Parker's ball into the box was picked up well by Adam Mills whose lay off found Callum Page to instinctively drill home into the bottom corner.

Needham were unlucky not to double their lead 2 minutes later, after having a shot denied Craig Parker thundered a fierce strike at goal but was topped over well by the keeper. With the half drawing to a close, Gareth Heath struck the outside of the post with a corner on 43 minutes, whilst Alvechurch saw a low shot on the byline well saved by Garnham as Needham went into the break a goal up. 

HT: Alvechurch 0-1 Needham Market. 

Early into the second half, a great tackle from behind by Jake Dye saw the Marketmen win back possession to then go on the counter attack as Noah Collard was fed by a great ball in midfield, who in turn fed Page in the box, before the latter laid off the ball to Parker, who just couldn't quite reach on 51 minutes. 

Great passing play from Needham again six minutes later saw them go close again, Sturgess and Mills playing a neat one-two down the wing as the former's low cross found Ingram in the box to lay off to Parker whose shot was fired wide of the bottom corner. Page then picked out Parker in the sixty-first minute but this time the midfielder blazed his shot narrowly over the crossbar. 

A Needham cross into the box meanwhile came out to Noah Collard on the edge of the area, as the impressive youngster's fierce shot went just wide of the post. The ball fell to Collard once more on 66 minutes but this time the shot was blasted just over the bar. 

The chances continued to come for the Marketmen as Heath's corner found Ingram close to the near post whose touch went just wide of the target on 70 minutes. 

Deards though rattled the crossbar for Alvechurch on 76 minutes, whilst a fierce strike from Needham playmaker Callum Page was spilt by the keeper but was put behind by a defender on 80 minutes. 

Needham substitute Jose Santa almost doubled his side's lead with just 7 minutes remaining, his shot ending up just wide of the near post. 

A flying save from Marcus Garnham denied Alvechurch what would've been a superb equaliser on 85 minutes, the corner into the box found the head of Hull close to goal but was tipped over well by the visiting custodian. From the resulting corner though Alvechurch drew level, a free header in the box was able to head the ball onto Deards who headed home from close range. 

In response, Needham almost restored their lead instantly, Luke Ingram's low shot at the near post was well saved by the keeper whilst the follow up strike from the forward took a deflection towards goal, where it was smacked clear. 

As the game entered stoppage time, Needham did regain their advantage as the ball fell to Adam Mills on the edge of the box whose deflected shot looped over the keeper and into the bottom corner. 

Needham saw out the final few moments, picking up a deserved three points in the process. 

FT: Alvechurch 1-2 Needham Market. 

Alvechurch:-

1 Matthew Sargeant

2 Linden Dovey

3 Taylor Morrison

4 Ryan Winwood

5 Kyle Morrison

16 Joseph Hull

7 Dominic Brown-Hill

8 Mitchell Botfield

9 Connor Deards

10 Eoin Ashton (63' Zazi) 

11 Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls (73' Phillips) 

Subs:

12 Ryan Wollacot

14 Raajan Gill

15 Nehemia Zazi 

17 Joseph Phillips

 

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Russell Short (36' Dye) 

3 Callum Sturgess

4 Noah Collard

5 Jordao Diogo

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Luke Ingram

8 Gareth Heath (capt)

9 Callum Page

10 Craig Parker (77' Santa) 

11 Adam Mills (92' E.Collard)

Subs

12 Jake Dye

14 Evan Collard

15 Jose Santa

16 Finlay Shorten (GK)

NEEDHAM MOTM: Dan Morphew. 

#UPTHEMARKETMEN #AFCVSNMFC

Goals: Deards (86'); Page (41'), Mills (90'+1').

Horlock:Horlock

"We made hard work of it, we tried something a little bit different today, something we haven't worked on, a diamond and 2 up front, hopefully give us more bodies forward, which I thought worked to a certain extent, out of possession we weren't that great. I thought we were the best team, I thought we deserved to win. My grumble is we didn't put them [chances] to bed early enough. We had another long coach journey, like we always do to away games, lads had loads of haribos, but at the end of the day it was a great win."

"The pitch was not bad, it was a little bit heavy over the far side, my only disappointment was we didn't put them to bed. We had chances, we snatched at things, had we scored 3 or 4 that would've been a more comfortable afternoon. In the end, obviously we conceded off a corner, I thought that was going to happen, I said to them at half-time, we're either going to concede us getting sloppy or making a mistake, or a set piece. The corner's come in and we're all stood like bollards, two free headers which is disappointing, but the reaction was really good. To score late on is nice, I know the team's conceded several late goals in games and lost points, so it was nice to be on the end of a positive side of a, late goal this time."

"Our first goal I thought was a great finish from Pagey [Callum Page], it's what the boy does, he's got composure, he's a good finisher. That's five goals he's now got for the first team now, so he's racking the goals up, which is good for him. Their equaliser was disappointing, it always will be, all goals can be broken down and analysed, but we were a little bit slack and they got two free headers in. It looked like we'd be travelling back with a point, instead of all three which I thought we deserved, but up turns Milzy [Adam Mills]. Milzy can be a bit of a loose cannon at times, I've known him for a lot of years but one thing he does give you is that he scores goals, he's quite direct, albeit a deflection it was a timely goal for us to score with only 30 seconds to go."

"It's quite good that we've got a free week because we've got a few injuries, we've got Keiran [Morphew], [Russell] Short's picked up a calf injury today, I don't know how bad that is. We've also got Billy Hunt out, Joe Marsden, Sam Squire, so the squad is a little bit thin, but like I've said to people it is what it is. Non league football is quite robust, it's Saturday-Tuesday for a lot of the season, albeit we have got a free week so we might be able to regroup and get a little bit of treatment into the lads that need it, but if they're not fit it's a chance for someone else. We've got a really good academy, young players that are knocking on the door, waiting for a chance, so I'm prepared to give them a chance, if we need them I'll give them a chance, we'll find out more that it'll only be good for their development."

Needham Market U18 v Whitton United U18 18.2.20

128: Tuesday 18 February 2020,Bloomfields, Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division, Needham Market Under-18s v Whitton United Under-18s.

Match Report on club website

YOUNG MARKETMEN MAINTAIN 100% LEAGUE RECORD

BY DREW KENDALL

Goals from Evan Collard (brace), Ben Harris, Konnor Fletcher and Kai Fletcher see Needham comfortably beat Whitton counterparts.

Needham Market Under-18s thrashed their Whitton United counterparts in a very one sided encounter in horrendous conditions. 

Despite the rain and very wet surface, Needham went close 2 minutes in, Konnor Fletcher's throw on the right found Kai Fletcher on the edge of the box whose great fierce strike was deflecres on its way to the top near corner though the keeper was able to parry away, whilst the away side slid the ball clear as a home man ran in. The hosts went close again in the tenth minute, a great through ball released Ben Harris down the left to square across to Tom Fitzgerald running in at the far post whose low strike at the bottom corner was saved well by a strong foot by the keeper to kick it away. 

The Whitton stopper kept the scoreline down considerably throughout the evening, doing so again on 13 minutes, showing strong reactions to keep out a fierce freekick out on the left wing from Evan Collard. Three minutes later, the young Marketmen went close again, great passing play from the Reds saw Sylzo fed in his own half to run half the pitch before feeding Kai Fletcher 25-yards out who cut inside to curl a great strike just an inch wide of the top near corner. Needham however continued to hassle the Whitton goal, going close to a deserved opening goal again on the 21st minute as Ben Harris' out swinging cross in forced 5he keeper to flap it away. 

Harris' cross then caused the visiting defence chaos two minutes later, this time forcing a defender to put just wide of his top corner. Needham then had a great chance on 31 minutes, the ball fell to Fitzgerald outside the box but his shot went straight at the keeper at his right-hand post. Eventually, the Needham pressure took its toll, but first the young Reds were denied once more in the 34th minute, Fitzgerald threaded Harris through down the left flank to in turn square to Kai Fletcher, whose close range shot drew anorher good save from the Whitton stopper. 

The opening goal then arrived a minute later as Evan Collard fired a great strike into the bottom far corner, 1-0 Needham. The goalscorer then almost made it 2-0 sixty seconds later, great passing play once more from Needham led to Konnor Fletcher teeing up Collard on the edge of the box, the latter's first time shot towards the top corner though was held well by the keeper. The two Fletcher brothers then linked up superbly well five minutes before the break, Kai through on the box squared across to Konnor who was stretching from 8-yards out but could only put just over the crossbar. 

The latter turned provider though a minute later, Konnor Fletcher feeding Harris through with a great ball, the for ward's great strike though was tipped just over the crossbar by the keeper, making another great stop. Whilst Kai Fletcher shot just wide of the bottom corner from a 42nd minute Fitzgerald corner, Needham then saw another low cross deflected just wide of the top corner on 43 minutes, before Whitton curled a corner goal wards at the near post but was headed well off the line, as Needham deservedly led by a goal to nil at the interval, although arguably unfortunate not to be further ahead. 

HALF TIME: Needham Market Under-18s 1-0 Whitton United Under-18s.

The second half was much more of the same, with chances constantly going the way of the young Marketmen as Konnor Fletcher laid possession off to Evan Collard a minute after the restart, but his shot went just wide of the bottom right corner, whilst moments later a great ball across from Ben Harris found Kai Fletcher diving in 7-yards out but just couldn't reach as the ball went just wide of the bottom far corner. Harris was then released through in the box after a great ball through the defence in the 51st minute bit shot just wide of the near post. 

Kai Fletcher was next to be fed through into the box, but was denied by a good low diving save by the keeper on 52 minutes, but was offside anyway. The striker was thwarted by the keeper again two minutes later, once more fed through in the penalty area, this time his low shot from 10-yards was kicked away by the keeper, whilst Fitzgerald saw an attempt blocked from inside the box seconds later. The home side's dominance continued on 58 minutes, Taylor Sumpter was fed through in the area to pull the back back cleverly to Kai Fletcher who shot just over from 7-yards out. 

The latter was again close to hitting the net a minute later, after Fitzgerald had got through on the edge of the box the keeper came sliding out well to clear as far as a Red shirt to lay the ball off to Fletcher, whose 25-yard shot, with the keeper scampering back, went just wide of the bottom corner. Another great chance came and went for Needham in the 65th minute, a great low ball across on the right was missed by the keeper but just evaded Harris at the back post. 

Needham though did double their advantage in the 66th minute thanks to an absolute world class finish from Evan Collard, to pick up a brace, rifling a rocket of a shot which flew past the keeper and into the roof of the net from 30-yards, 2-0 Needham. The hosts then almost added a third goal a minute later, Harris' great strike outside the box forced another good diving save from the keeper, as the ball swerved back towards goal requiring a defender to overhead kick it back into play, followed by Konnor Fletcher seeing a low shot saved well by the keeper seconds later. 

Evan Collard then went agonising close to grabbing his hat-trick with 69 minutes played, a great low ball across from the byline found Collard running in at the near post but could only tap just wide of the bottom near corner. Up the other end, Whitton forced a rare save out of Owen Elsdon, as Ben Carter's 40-yard great strike went up in the air before dipping underneath the crossbar as the Needham stopper reacted well to parry upwards and gather on 70 minutes. 

Needham meanwhile had a goal ruled out for offside seconds later, Kai Fletcher was threaded through in the box to dispatch a good finish into the bottom near corner. Despite that, Needham did add a third goal four minutes later, Fitzgerald's low shot outside the box forced another good diving save to the keeper down to his left, but could only parry as far as Ben Harris running in to tap home into the bottom near corner from 6-yards, 3-0 Needham. The home side were denied once more by some good goalkeeping as the game entered its final 10 minutes, Collard threaded through Konnor Fletcher in the box, although the latter's low shot was once again well saved by the keeper's feet. 

Konnor Fletcher almost added a fourth goal for Needham on 84 minutes, great play and cross into the centre from Ben Harris found the former at the back post to hit a 10-yard half-volley into the ground towards the far post only to go just wide of the right post for a goal-kick. Fletcher was then fed in the box again a minute later, on this occasion he lifted the ball past the keeper, heading towards the bottom right corner but was cleared ahead of the line by a defender. Evan Collard then had another great opportunity to seal his hat-trick on 88 minutes, weaving through well from close range, his shot though was saved well by the keeper towards the top far corner. 

Seconds later, Needham deservedly added a fourth goal of the evening on 88 minutes, a great ball across on the right was tapped towards the bottom corner from close range by Kai Fletcher, though the keeper made the save. The ball though bounced into the net off Konnor Fletcher, from a yard out. Kai Fletcher then got in on the act a minute later, through once again in the box to dispatch a great first time finish past the keeper and into the bottom far corner, 5-0 Needham. Elsdon though was forced into a great save to maintain his side's clean sheet in the 90th minute, a great strike just outside the box saw the keeper dive across well to his far post to palm the ball away, before parrying away another attempt from a tight angle. The hosts then counter attacked up the other end, and almost notched a sixth goal as a ball across goal was parried by the keeper as far as Fitzgerald, 12 yards from goal, but just couldn't make contact with the ball. Needham however maintain their 100% league record after 8 games, with a routine win over Whitton United. 

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

Needham Market:-

1 Owen Elsdon 

2 Krystian Szylo

3 Taylor Sumpter 

4 Ben Hunt

5 Jes Nevard (capt) 

6 Jacob Thomas

7 Konnor Fletcher 

8 Evan Collard 

9 Kai Fletcher 

10 Tom Fitzgerald 

11 Ben Harris 

Subs

12 Kieran Double 

14 Alfie Parnell 

Whitton United:-

1 Brandon Hardwicke 

2 Dylan Carver

3 Jo Crowe

4 Liam Knights

5 Ben Carter

6 Lewis Andrews

7 Benjamin Charway

8 Harry Dedman

9 Rio Simpson 

10 Aidan Whight

11 Liam Macken

Subs 

12 Charlie Smith

14 Owen Dunn

Goals: Collard (35', 66'), Ben Harris (74'), Konnor Fletcher (88'), Kai Fletcher (89').

Bury Town Women v University of Suffolk Womens 16.2.20

127: Sunday 16 February 2020, Suffolk Girls & Women's League Women's Division, Culford Sports Centre, Bury Town Women v University of Suffolk Women's

Bury Town Women sit second in the Suffolk Women's Division after putting ten unanswered goals past University Of Suffolk, in the only game in the league to survive the weekend due to Storm Dennis. 

The hosts broke the deadlock as early as the eleventh minute, Sophie Hemming was found on the edge of the box to fire home into the bottom corner, 1-0 Bury. The goalscorer then turned provider two minutes later, having been fed in a similar position by Katie Walker, Hemming this time threaded the ball through the defence to Julie Brind, though her shot from inside the area was blocked behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece from Stacey Roper though was headed just wide from a yard out in the 14th minute. 

It was Roper who doubled Bury's lead though after 15 minutes, after being found on the byline inside the area Roper hit a great low finish in off the inside of the far post and into the net, 2-0 Bury. Roper then looked to make it 3-0 to the hosts a minute later, as Bury camped inside their opponents half for practically the entirety of the afternoon, only to shoot just wide of the top corner from outside the box, whilst Norma Locker played in Roper on the edge of the box, with her back to goal laid the ball back to Locker whose shot also went just wide of the top corner in the 17th minute. 

The Blues went close to adding a third goal on 25 minutes, Elise Drury-Garrett's great cross to Livvi Hodges saw the latter shot an inch wide of the bottom corner from outside the box. Four minutes later, great play from Katie Walker saw the youngster cut the ball back for fellow Under-18 player Drury-Garrett, whose shot in the box went narrowly wide of the top corner. 

Bury then had another great chance on 31 minutes when a shot just ousdie the box was deflected wide of the near post. Bury then went again on 35 minutes, Rpper's goal bound cross in required the keeper to make a great save to tip over her crossbar. The hosts also went close from the resulting corner, Roper's ba in found the head of Hemming a yard out at the near post, whose attempt curled just over the top far corner. 

Bury then had two more chances to add to their advantage in the 37th minute, Drury-Garrett'a great low cross in found Katie Grimwood whose low shot was saved by the keeper's foot as far as Hodges who blazed over the bar from the edge of the box. Meanwhile the second opportunity saw Pollard have a shot from close range saved, before Grimwood then had a shot blocked, followed by Roper trying her luck at goal, as the ball came back in play off the inside of the bottom left post. 

Five minutes before the break however Bury made it 3-0, a corner in on the left fell to Locker who pocked home intovtje bottom left corner from 4-yards out. As the half drew to a close Bury had another good chance to extend their lead on the stroke of the interval but the shot went narrowly wide of the bottom corner. 

HALF TIME: Bury Town Women 3-0 University of Suffolk Womens

Bury kicked off the second half by adding a fourth goal six minutes after the restart, Debbie Greeves' cutback finding Julie Brind who finished well into the top right corner. Great play from Walker saw the young forward play a good one-two with Brind to get through in the box, as the former's shot went just wide of the near post on 55 minutes. Walker was then released running through into the box by antoehr great ball 3 minutes later, this time though the shot went just over from 12-yards out. The visitors however then had their sole chance of note during the game, countering down the right as the low shot was kicked away by the Bury substitute keeper on 59 minutes. 

Bury were unlucky not to add a fifth goal on the hour mark, Katie Walker's superb strike hitting the underside of the crossbar before bouncing back into play. The home side however were awarded a penalty a minute later, after a handball in the box. Up stepped Kirsty Pollard whose low shot was saved well by the keeper. Sixty seconds later, Pollard made amends, after being found in the box the forward finished well into the bottom far corner, 5-0 Bury. 

Bury's next chance then came on 64 minutes, Walker weaving through into the box fired a shot an inch wide of the bottom corner, whilst a great ball in from Walker found Pollard 12-yards from goal but the keeper did superbly well to claw, away the shot. The visiting stopper then thwarted Bury again on 69 minutes, Walker's good shot was matched by a good save by the stopper to tip over for a corner, from which Julie Brind saw a shot saved well by the keeper. From the following corner, Bury extended their lead on 70 minutes, Roper's corner on the right found Mia Banbury who rocketed a volley into the top right corner. Bury extended their lead even further on 73 minutes, Pollard running into the six yard box managed to poke a low shot at goal, which the keeper fumbled over the line. Bury struck again with 15 minutes to go, Debbie Greaves squaring a good ball across to Katie Walker close to goal at the back post who hit a good finish from a tight angle into the net. 

Bury then continued to hunt for more goals, going close 3 times in as many minutes, the first saw Pollard feed Brind inside the box whose great first time curling strike dipped just over the top near corner on 76 minutes, whilst Walker saw a great cross denied by the keeper before Lisa Pratt saw a shot denied well from close range on 77 minutes. The first chance then saw Pratt curl a great strike in from the wing but was spilt by the keeper as the away side got the ball clear. Katie Walker then added Bury's eighth goal with 11 minutes remaining, firing a great fierce strike outside the box which went off the head of a defender and in off the inside of the top near post into the top far corner, 8-0 Bury. 

Two minutes later, Pollard then fed Hemming to fire at goal from 18-yards out, though the latter's well hit strike went an inch wide of the bottom corner. Roper then did well to cut in on the left, to fire at goal but saw her strike deflected just over the crossbar on 84 minutes. With 5 minutes left, Bury added a ninth goal, the cross in on the left was guided home into the bottom far corner by Pollard from close range in the centre. The hosts then shot just wide of the bottom corner a minute later, before Brind saw a close range shot come back into play off the base of the near post on 87 minutes. 

Bury deservedly hit double figures though in the 89th minute, as Georgia Parker rounded off proceedings with a stunning strike from 30-yards out, which curled and dipped well over the keeper and into the net, 10-0 Bury as the game reached its conclusion. Bury go into next week's home league Cup semi final against Brettvale in good form, having now won their last 3 games, scoring 22 goals in the process, whilst conceding just once. 

FULL TIME: Bury Town Women 10-0 University of Suffolk Women's

1 Debbie Greeves 

2 Kate Sandlan

3 Sophie Hemming 

5 Lisa Pratt (capt) 

7 Katie Walker

14 Norma Locker 

4 Mia Banbury 

9 Jules Brind

7 Kirsty Pollard 

8 Stacey Roper

12 Georgia Parker 

Subs

8 Elise Drury-Garrett

16 Katie Grimwood

11 Olivia Hodges

17

University of Suffolk:-

Chloe Besford

Caroline Cimatti

 Ellen Dell

 Demi Flowers

 Tallulah Lawless

 Anita Leite

 Nicola Smith

 Christeena Sunny

 Olivia Fellows

 Lauren Nursey 

Goals: Hemming (11'), Roper (15'), Locker (40'), Brind (51'), Banbury (70'), Pollard (73', 85'), Walker (75', 79'), Parker (89').

Needham Market v Lowestoft Town 15.2.20

126: Saturday 15 February 2020, 3pm, Bloomfields, Bet Victor Southern League Central Premier Division, Needham Market v Lowestoft Town

Horlock interview

Garnham interview

Needham Market pick up a good 1-0 win over local rivals Lowestoft thanks to an Adam Mills second half goal.

Storm Dennis caused havoc in the first half, as both teams struggled somewhat to cope with the conditions though Needham went close early on as Mills' cutback to Billy Hunt whose shot went inch wide of the far post after 7 minutes. That coming before Needham curled a freekick just over the bar a minute later. 

The Marketmen, who had a lot more of the ball and had chances, thought they had gone in front on 35 minutes, Mills rounding Tibbles to score but the flag was up for offside, whilst Ruffles clearance sliced over his bar four minutes later as the sides went into the break goalless. 

HALF TIME: Needham Market 0-0 Lowestoft Town

Into the second half, Needham broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart, Joe Marsden's cross in was nodded home by Mills free in the six-yard box. The goal was almost followed by a second as a cross in 3 minutes later just evaded Marsden at the back post, whilst Page looked to thread a red shirt through in the middle on 53 minutes but Lowestoft keeper Tibbles was first to the ball. Up the other end, Reed got through in the box but was thwarted by a great save by Garnham on 54 minutes. 

On the hour mark, Callum Page did well to intercept a Lowestoft pass inside the visitors' box but the angle was to tight as the shot went over and wide. Lowestoft then thought they had an equaliser as a low cross into the box was finished into the bottom far corner by Reed only to be ruled out for offside on 78 minutes. 

As the game entered the lengthy stoppage time, after a injury to Marsden, Garnham was on top form to make a good double save, first from a freekick before then getting across to tip behind the follow up shot, whilst Needham's Billy Hunt made space to shoot, round a defender, outside the box but was easy for Tibbles on 93 minutes. 

Needham utilised the wind well in the second half and almost made it 2-0 4 minutes into added time, Parker and Page linking up well on the edge of the box as the latter's first time shot came back in play off the crossbar. Just before the final whistle though, Needham had another fantastic chance, substitute Luke Ingram cut the ball back well to fellow substitute Craig Parker but his low shot was straight at Tibbles. Needham therefore record a league double over their Suffolk rivals.

FULL TIME: Needham Market 1-0 Lowestoft Town 

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Joseph Marsden (88' Dye) 

3 Callum Sturgess

4 Russell Short (89' Parker) 

5 Keiran Morphew

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Callum Page

8 Gareth Heath (capt)

9 Billy Hunt

10 Noah Collard

11 Adam Mills (70' Ingram) 

Subs

12 Craig Parker

14 Jordao Diogo

15 Jake Dye

16 Luke Ingram

17 Finlay Shorten (GK)

Lowestoft Town:-

1 Luis Tibbles

2 Dylan Ruffles (50' Cole) 

3 Jack Wilkinson

4 Ross Jarvis (capt, 77' Deeks) 

5 Joshua Curry

6 Adam Tann

7 Miguel Lopez (68' M.Wilkinson)

8 Andrew Fisk

9 Jake Reed

10 Malachi Linton

11 Jack Zielonka

Subs

12 Travis Cole

14 Kyle Richardson

15 Marcus Wilkinson

16 Louis McIntosh

17 Connor Deeks

Booked: Heath (19'), Ruffles (45'), Mills (64'), Collard (75'), Fisk (83'). 

Goal: Mills (48').

MOTM: Dan Morphew

Att 346

Post match reaction from Needham Market manager Kevin Horlock:

"[On the game] It certainly wasn't a humdinger of a game, the conditions were fairly difficult for both teams, but I'm massively pleased with the result. Defensively we performed really well, I'll always ask for more from them [the players], I want to drive the lads, I want to raise standards and be better and that's my job as manager, so the only thing that I would be disappointed about is that we didn't really get the ball down and play a little bit more in the second half and didn't put the game to bed when we had chances to."

"[On being at home] It was nice, it was a game I was really looking forward to, especially after the result and performance on Tuesday. I did question the lads, I said that your challenge know is to back that up. We had a great performance and result at Coalville but it means nothing if you come here today and let yourselves down, so I'm really pleased that the lads have backed it up and now we go with a little bit of a spring in our step going Chesham in the cup and all to play for. We're probably the underdogs, they're flying high in their division, only lost one at home, but its a game that I think we could win it if we play anywhere near as well as we have the last couple of games."

"[Going into Chesham] We'll see how everybody is, Joe [Marsden] doesn't look like he's going to be fit with the injury that he's got [during the win over Lowestoft], we'll assess the lads, some of the lads that are playing Tuesday and today, and some of the lads that are coming back from injury so we'll assess where we're at on Monday and then we'll go from there."

"[On injury to Marsden] At first I feared the worst, like most people, it didn't look great- not from the tackle- I just thought his foot got caught on landing. I have spoken to Joe before he went to hospital, so he'll have that checked out properly, he's hoping it's not as bad as we all first feared, fingers crossed as he's been brilliant for us since I've come in. I really like his quality, he's filled in at right back and done really well, so fingers crossed it's nothing serious."

"[On the wind] It was difficult, I thought we were brilliant, I thought we were a little bit better in the first half than second if I'm honest, we defended really well, we nullified the threat of Reed whose a very good player, there's no doubt about that, his track record says that. When we got to half time at 0-0 I'm quite pleased, when we're going to the wind I was hoping we were going to get the ball down and play a little bit more, but that happens in football. I think we scored and then we went in the mode of 'we're happy with that, we'll take that' and just went away from being on the front foot and that aggressive stance we took in the first half, which then became a little bit sloppy and then it got them [Lowestoft] into the game a little bit more, but the way the lads have seen it out, we've dealt with corners, we've defended really well. So I'm more than happy."

"[Said to players at HT] The conditions weren't great, going against the wind it was difficult to get clearances. I said be brave, get the ball down and play. I said to them to trust each other, move the ball quick and if it doesn't happen or you make mistakes then I'm to blame as I'm telling you to do it. I just want them to get into that mindset that we have got good players that can play. At this level, quite a lot of teams are direct, but I don't want to be that direct team. I only want to be that direct team when we have to be, I want to get that ball down and play, and I want the players to know that and eventually they will get it. At times I've thought when we did get it down first half we cut them open and played through them, that's the way I want us to play and hopefully by the end of the season people will see that in the performances that we put in."

"It's a tough one today [on his Man of the match], defensively I thought we were really sound Keiran and Dan were brilliant again, Noah [Collard] always catches the eye with his energy. [Russell] Short, I could go on, [Gareth] Heath, Marcus. It was a difficult one today certainly one I enjoyed, I'll probably go home now and celebrate and treat myself to a curry and maybe a few truffles."

Post match reaction from Needham Market goalkeeper Marcus Garnham: "I think first half we played really well, started playing out from the back in tough conditions, Noah [Collard] was an integral part of that, dropping in deep, receiving the ball, and playing the ball out. It was a good first half performance, but second half I think we lost our way a little bit, we gave them [Lowestoft] an opportunity to get out. We didn't know if we should've been pressing or dropping but that will come with time, but it was a good all round performance, in horrendous conditions."

"[On the wind] It was difficult, I tried to hit a few long balls and it came straight back, so I changed it to plan B to play it short and keep the ball moving, to get the ball to do the work, and the boys were tremendous."

"[On the mood in dressing room] "Everyone's buzzing, everyone's excited and happy, looking forward to Tuesday v Chesham."

"[On Horlock] He's let us play. He's came in and said to us to do our own thing, given us a couple of things to work on and luckily for us we've got the results."

"[On his standout] I think Noah [Collard] has been tremendous since he's came into the side, he's not afraid to get onto the ball in tight situations, which is exactly what you need. I think Dan and Keiran [Morphew] were brilliant, Callum's [Sturgess] came in and done well, [Joe] Marsden has been great at right-back, Pagey's [Callum Page] exceptional when he's been given the ball, but I think everyone's dug in and shown good accounts of themselves for the new manager."

"We're taking it a game at a time and see where we end up, we'll try and get three points [each game], and move onto the next one and not look too far ahead, not get too carried away after a few results and stay grounded and move forward together."

Kevin Horlock:

"[On the game] It certainly wasn't a humdinger of a game, the conditions were fairly difficult for both teams, but I'm massively pleased with the result. Defensively we performed really well, I'll always ask for more from them [the players], I want to drive the lads, I want to raise standards and be better and that's my job as manager, so the only thing that I would be disappointed about is that we didn't really get the ball down and play a little bit more in the second half and didn't put the game to bed when we had chances to."

"[On being at home] It was nice, it was a game I was really looking forward to, especially after the result and performance on Tuesday. I did question the lads, I said that your challenge know is to back that up. We had a great performance and result at Coalville but it means nothing if you come here today and let yourselves down, so I'm really pleased that the lads have backed it up and now we go with a little bit of a spring in our step going Chesham in the cup and all to play for. We're probably the underdogs, they're flying high in their division, only lost one at home, but its a game that I think we could win it if we play anywhere near as well as we have the last couple of games."

"[Going into Chesham] We'll see how everybody is, Joe [Marsden] doesn't look like he's going to be fit with the injury that he's got [during the win over Lowestoft], we'll assess the lads, some of the lads that are playing Tuesday and today, and some of the lads that are coming back from injury so we'll assess where we're at on Monday and then we'll go from there."

"[On injury to Marsden] At first I feared the worst, like most people, it didn't look great- not from the tackle- I just thought his foot got caught on landing. I have spoken to Joe before he went to hospital, so he'll have that checked out properly, he's hoping it's not as bad as we all first feared, fingers crossed as he's been brilliant for us since I've come in. I really like his quality, he's filled in at right back and done really well, so fingers crossed it's nothing serious."

"[On the wind] It was difficult, I thought we were brilliant, I thought we were a little bit better in the first half than second if I'm honest, we defended really well, we nullified the threat of Reed whose a very good player, there's no doubt about that, his track record says that. When we got to half time at 0-0 I'm quite pleased, when we're going to the wind I was hoping we were going to get the ball down and play a little bit more, but that happens in football. I think we scored and then we went in the mode of 'we're happy with that, we'll take that' and just went away from being on the front foot and that aggressive stance we took in the first half, which then became a little bit sloppy and then it got them [Lowestoft] into the game a little bit more, but the way the lads have seen it out, we've dealt with corners, we've defended really well. So I'm more than happy."

"[Said to players at HT] The conditions weren't great, going against the wind it was difficult to get clearances. I said be brave, get the ball down and play. I said to them to trust each other, move the ball quick and if it doesn't happen or you make mistakes then I'm to blame as I'm telling you to do it. I just want them to get into that mindset that we have got good players that can play. At this level, quite a lot of teams are direct, but I don't want to be that direct team. I only want to be that direct team when we have to be, I want to get that ball down and play, and I want the players to know that and eventually they will get it. At times I've thought when we did get it down first half we cut them open and played through them, that's the way I want us to play and hopefully by the end of the season people will see that in the performances that we put in."

"It's a tough one today [on his Man of the match], defensively I thought we were really sound Keiran and Dan were brilliant again, Noah [Collard] always catches the eye with his energy. [Russell] Short, I could go on, [Gareth] Heath, Marcus. It was a difficult one today certainly one I enjoyed, I'll probably go home now and celebrate and treat myself to a curry and maybe a few truffles."

Coalville Town v Needham Market 11.2.20

125: Tuesday 11 February 2020, 7:45pm, BetVictor Southern League Central Premier Division, The Mander Cruickshank Solicitors Stadium, Coalville Town v Needham Market

Match Report on club website
Match Footage
Match Reaction footage

LATE PAGE WINNER SINKS RAVENS

BY DREW KENDALL

Needham return from Leicestershire with three big points

Needham return from Leicestershire with three big points

Needham Market net another late winner to take the points at Coalville for the second straight season after an even contest, to earn new manager Kevin Horlock his first victory since taking over the first team.

The Marketmen brought Marcus Garnham, Gareth Heath, Jordao Diogo & Luke Ingram into the starting lineup, as Craig Parker, Jake Dye and Finlay Shorten all dropping to the bench, whilst Callum Sturgess wasn't involved.

Coalville had the first opportunity, Marcus Garnham kicking the ball straight to a opponent who shot wide of the vacant bottom left corner from the edge of the box on 3 minutes, whilst good build-up play from the hosts two minutes later saw Luke Shaw find space inside the box but only to shoot wide of the bottom left, near, corner.

Needham however had a few good chances of their own in quick succession, the first saw Billy Hunt chase down a pass-back well and block the keeper's clearance behind for a goal-kick in the seventh minute, followed by Jordao Diogo feeding Callum Page on the left edge of the penalty area four minutes later, though the latter's shot went just the wrong side of the bottom near corner.

The Marketmen though were awarded a penalty in the twelfth minute as Callum Page ran through from one side of the box to another to work space to shoot but was brought down by a sliding tackle by Pierpoint. Up stepped Joe Marsden, whose spot-kick was caught by the keeper down to his right as the scoreline remained goalless after 13 minutes.

Good defending from the Suffolk side then prevented Coalville an opening goal, as a corner in on the right found a head close to the top near corner only for a well placed defender to chest away ahead of the goal-line on 16 minutes. The Ravens had another good opportunity a minute later, the cross in on the left in towards the forward in the centre, who stood close to goal, saw the latter unable to get enough contact to it to direct goal wards. Of the two goalkeepers, it was Needham stopper Marcus Garnham who was first to be brought into a real good save in the 19th minute, Bennett's cutback found McGurk on the right edge of the penalty area whose low strike required Garnham to dive down to his far corner and beat the ball behind.

The visiting custodian was then forced into another excellent save three minutes later, Taylor's great strike forcing the keeper to get up well and tip over the crossbar, followed by the hosts firing  narrowly wide of the bottom far corner from range on 26 minutes. McGurk tested Garnham's superb reflexes again in the 28th minute, again hitting a great strike on the left edge of the area, this time rocketing up towards the roof of the net but for Garnham to dive up and once more tip over for a corner. The Markemen meanwhile had a couple of good chances themselves within as many minutes, the first on 33 minutes saw Gareth Heath's corner spilt by the keeper on his six-yard line although he was able to gather with no navy shirt around to pounce, followed by Joe Marsden's free-kick which just went over the crossbar from the left-wing.

On the stroke of the interval both sides then had a chance each to break the deadlock, the hosts' cross in was headed back across dangerously at the far post but was cleared by the visiting defence as Noah Collard was fed up the other end to fire a 25-yard strike narrowly over the bar as both sides ended a fairly even first half at a stalemate

HALF TIME: Coalville Town 0-0 Needham Market

The second half saw Needham enjoy more of the ball and have more of the clear cut chances, with the first arriving in the 49th minute. Marsden's clearance found Hunt in midfield who held up the ball well before releasing Adam Mills down the left wing to then proceed into the area only to see his low close range shot parried behind he near post for a corner, whilst Coalville debutant and ex-professional Billy Kee hit a low free-kick that was straight forward for Garnham two minutes later.

Needham meanwhile went close to taking the lead in the 52nd minute, Hunt's ball in on the left byline forced the keeper to dive down and kick behind his near post for a corner, resulting in Heath's set-piece being headed away as far as Marsden outside the box to bend a superb low strike an inch wide of the bottom corner. The Ravens on the other hand hit the woodwork three minutes later as Bennett's low strike went wide off the outside of the post.

Next to go close was Hunt for the Marketmen, after being laid off on the edge of the box the striker's low shot forcing the keeper down well to parry away for a defender to hack behind for a Needham corner on the hour mark, coming just two minutes after the striker almost beat the keeper to a header back by a Coalville defender.

Good play from the visitors eight minutes later then saw Jordao Diogo have a shot blocked from outside the box before Mills' low ball across just evaded substitute Craig Parker in the centre. Great defending from Diogo then denied the Ravens a clear goal in the 69th minute, a corner in found the head of McGurk close to goal, whose header was creeping into the top near corner until the Needham defender flew up spectacularly to head it off the line and out for a corner.

As the game entered its final ten minutes Coalville laid off a Doyle-Charles to shoot at goal just outside the box only to blaze his attempt over the crossbar, whilst Callum Page went agonisingly close for the Marketmen in the last minute of normal time, after being set through down the left wing the forward ran through to the edge of the box to then cut into the far side of the penalty area, where Page then beat the keeper sliding off his line but shot just wide from a tight angle. Page though ensured that miss wouldn't matter just two minutes later, the visitor's Man Of The Match squeezing a great finish from 7-yards out after a scramble saw Parker fed the goalscorer to dink a clever finish over the keeper to dip into the far corner with his fourth league goal in his last five matches, 1-0 Needham.

That goal ensured Needham were this time on the right side of a late winner in Leicestershire following Saturday's late defeat at Barwell.

FULL TIME: Coalville Town 0-1 Needham Market

Coalville Town:-

1 Saul Deeney

2 Stuart Pierpoint

3 Scott McManus

4 Steven Towers (capt, 82' McGlinchey)

5 Kieran Morris

6 Joe Doyle-Charles

7 Jake Bennett (89' Dean)

8 Luke Shaw

9 Billy Kee

10 Adam McGurk (87' Mitchell)

11 Kian Taylor

Subs:

12 Thomas McGlinchey

13 Sean Bowles (GK)

14 Kairo Mitchell

15 Ellis Storey

16 Alexander Dean

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Joseph Marsden

3 Jordao Diogo (78' Santa)

4 Noah Collard

5 Keiran Morphew

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Luke Ingram (63' Parker)

8 Gareth Heath (capt)

9 Billy Hunt

10 Callum Page

11 Adam Mills

Subs

12 Jake Dye

14 Jose Santa

15 Craig Parker

16 Jes Nevard

17 Fin Shorten (GK)

Goals: Page (90'+1).

Post match reaction from manager Kevin Horlock:

"I thought it was almost the complete away performance, my only grumble would be we could've put it to bed a little bit earlier. Look let's not kid ourselves, they're a good outfit and strong, but I thought we coped with that really well, their threat a little bit early on in the first half I thought we maybe dropped a little bit too deep and invited them into us, which we addressed second half and I thought we were a real threat second half. There was some really good performances, we looked solid, I thought Heathy [Gareth Heath] came in and that maturity, that quality, that composure, look I could go through from one Marcus doing well, and I don't want to talk about individuals but here were loads of good performances throughout but it's a squad game, and I said straight from day one I've inherited a really good squad here so I'm really lucky to be in this position where I've came in and the squad's a good one, we've got hungry players with quality that we're slightly underachieving and I've told the lads that so I want to create an environment now that we push each other. They're fighting for places, no-one's guaranteed a start and that can only be healthy, it gives me little headaches in terms of team selection, it's good headaches, we've got a bus full of good lads and we've got lads that aren't here today, Callum Sturgess wasn't well to travel today, Shorty [Russell Short] injured and Sam, Squire injured, so it's a real healthy blend of good experienced players for the level. We've got great kids coming through, I think Noah was outstanding again today, and Pagey [Callum Page] getting the goal, the likes of Jose [Santa De La Paz] and Jes Nevard on the bench, Fin [Shorten] on the bench, which was a harsh decision that I made and said to them that they've all got the chance to play football here, 'show me that you deserve to play' that will enhance the performances of those that are maybe ahead of them at that time and as a club we're ready to go.

"I just thought we were a little bit on the back foot [first half] and encouraged them [Coalville] onto us, I said [to the players] to be braver, we've got good players here, so trust yourselves to defend one v one, and enable our match winners in your Milzy's [Adam Mills], your Pagey's [Callum Page], your Noah's [Collard]. Billy Hunt again who led the line fantastic today, Ingers [Luke Ingram] coming back from injury. Give them players the chance to be matchwinners, which they are. By dropping deep and encouraging them onto us wasn't the way, we did that much better second half and were a real threat and could've scored a couple more."

"I was always hopeful [that the goal would come], and we spoke about it me Munno [Nathan Munson] and Tom [Rothery], we could've been negative, we could've said let's take a point especially after Saturday's result, but we're brave with it and we left players on there that could win football matches, and Pagey's [Callum Page] popped up and done that. I though Parks [Craig Parker], obviously disappointed not to start, come on with the right attitude and made a difference to us, and created the chance for Pagey and I'd always back Pagey to score goals, because that what he is- a goalscorer- but not just a goalscorer, he's got a lot more to his game, but he can certainly finish."

"I said to the lads don't get carried away too much with the highs, don't get too low when it doesn't go so well, but we've got a bus there that makes the journey home a lot better and I go into Saturday with a headache and decisions to make, but I'd like to thing I've created the environment where whoever does get picked will have to be good because there's players chomping on the bit to play ahead of them."

" [On the celebrations in the changing rooms] Rightly so, I said enjoy the moment but not too much, it was a really good away performance and won that I was certainly desperate to get on the board, when a manager comes in you want to win games of football but I've got players that want to win games of football, I want to create a winning environment and if we can help each other and work on stuff and push each other to be better then that's what I wanted."

"[On his choice of MOTM] I would say Noah [Collard] I think his energy, his graft, his quality at times, we won balls back for us that we probably didn't deserve to win but he gives us that footing, so he deserves that good start in the first team and now his challenge is to continue that, as he's going to have dips as all players do, especially young players, we'll look after him, I've got big hopes for him along with a lot of the others."

Barwell v Needham Market 8.2.20

124: Sat 8 February 2020, 3pm, UK Flooring Stadium, Kirby Road, Bet Victor Southern League Central Premier Division, Barwell v Needham Market

Video footage of my interview with Kevin Horlock

Kevin Horlock's first game in charge of Needham Market's first team ends in a 1-0 defeat after a late goal at Barwell, in front of 183 in attendance. 

The game was fairly tight, with the first chance falling to the hosts three minutes in as Edwards' header from a corner was cleared off the line by Jake Dye before the rebound shot went wide of the bottom corner. 

Williams meanwhile had a great chance to give the hosts the lead nine minutes later, having got through close to goal in the box the forward could only slice wide of Shorten's right-hand post. The Marketmen however went close in the thirteenth minute, Billy Hunt's cross in found Joe Marsden at the back post who could only head over the bar, whilst the hosts shot just wide of the bottom corner on 19 minutes. 

Needham though had a great chance two minutes later, Callum Page weaved through in midfield to release Noah Collard down the centre, although his touch was too heavy and ran onto Castle to gather. The visitors then had another good opportunity on 29 minutes as Marsden's volley on the turn went just over the crossbar, followed by the best chance of the half a minute before the interval, Callum Sturgess great cross in on the left forced Castle at his back post to parry away as far as Craig Parker, whose volley was well saved by the keeper who had narrowed the angle well a fair way off his line, as an even first half, which arguably the Marketmen shaded, ended goalless.

HALF TIME: Barwell 0-0 Needham Market

Into the second half, the first real chance went the way of the Marketmen as Parker's 30-yard strike went just over the crossbar a minute after the restart. Fin Shorten though was drawn into his first real piece of action five minutes later, as the shot-stopper made a very good diving save to palm Hollis' great low shot past his right-hand post, with the, save following on from Hickey volleying narrowly over the crossbar. 

Shorten meanwhile was brought into action again on 55 minutes, getting across well to save a near post header from a corner. The keeper was then involved in some good buildup play from the Marketmen four minutes later, Shorten's kick out perfectly picked out Marsden out on the wing who found Callum Page in midfield who returned the favour back to the winger to cut into the area to shoot on target at goal, only to be denied by Cotterill. 

More good buildup play from the away side, in the sixty-fourth minute, saw Needham go close to the opening goal once more, Marsden again picked out Page who this time fed through to Collard, as the latter's strike went narrowly over the crossbar, whilst Marsden's freekick two minutes later dipped dangerously through everybody in the box on its way through to the far post, as the ball went just wide after just evading Page reaching to try and make contact. 

In the latter stages of the game, it was Barwell who took control of the game, despite Needham defending fairly well in an attempt to retain a clean sheet as a header back across in the Needham penalty area required Keiran Morphew to see it clear just ahead of his goal line, before leading to a Needham counter, with Adam Mills' shot being blocked from inside the box on 74 minutes. 

Morphew's excellent long ball to Mills then led to a great chance for Needham a minute later, Mills picking out Hunt in the area to cutback dangerously across the box but couldn't quite find a blue shirt. 

Barwell however grabbed all three points with the final attempt of the game with two minutes to goal, Williams' fantastic 25-yard strike curling well into the bottom left corner, ending Barwell's wait for a win since January 11th whilst inflicting and end to Needham's three game winning run ahead of Tuesday's game at Coalville. 

FT: @BarwellFC1992 1-0 Needham

Barwell:-

1 Liam Castle

2 Micah Richards (18' Towers) 

3 Elliot Percival (61' Ford) 

4 Jayden Cotterill 

5 Jamie McAteer

6 Ross Oulton

7 Tristan Dunkley (67' Davidson-Miller) 

8 Sam Hollis

9 Tolani Omotola

10 Brady Hickey (capt) 

11 Kai Williams

Subs:

12 Jahvan Davidson-Miller 

14 Reece Ford

15 Declan Towers

16 Jac Redhead

17 Eliot Putman 

Needham Market:-

1 Finlay Shorten

2 Jake Dye

3 Callum Sturgess

4 Noah Collard

5 Kieran Morphew (capt)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Joseph Marsden

8 Callum Page (81' Ingram) 

9 Billy Hunt

10 Craig Parker

11 Adam Mills

Subs

12 Gareth Heath

14 Jordao Diogo

15 Luke Ingram

16 Marcus Garnham (GK)

Booked: Hickey (37'), Hunt (81'), K.Morphew (87'). 

Goals: Williams (88').

Post match reaction From Needham Market manager Kevin Horlock:-

"It was a tough game, in tough conditions for both teams. I'm glad the week's over, as I was looking forward to the game, but it wasn't a great spectacle by any means. I went with the same starting lineup that won the last game, I thought that's only fair as I've not seen a lot of of the lads, give them a chance to keep the run going. I thought we did really well in the conditions in the first half, going up the hill and if I'm totally honest at half time I could only see one winner and that going to be us. Unfortunately we didn't get a good grip of the game, we didn't get the ball down and play and be patient, and it turned into a battle. Its really disappointing to obviously concede in any game so late on. A bit of a sicker punch, probably merited a 0-0 today, and it wasn't to be, but I said to the lads in there [changing rooms] that it's early days, they will know what I want of them, we will have a style of play that I want and eventually they will get it."

"Before the game I said [to the players] it'd be wrong of me to come in and make loads of changes, I've not seen the games, I said go out there and play with an intensity that in the first half I thought we did, we battled really well, competed really well, we just lacked that little bit in the second half which I was hoping for going down the hill. I can't really remember either goalkeeper making many saves, I think Fin [Shorten] made a good one in the second half, their keeper got on the end of a cross and did really well but other than that, there were no real other chances which was a little bit disappointing I must admit and something we will address, obviously we've got a tough game on Tuesday at Coalville, I'll get together with Tom [Rothery] & Munno [Nathan Munson] and come up with a team that will hopefully do one better than today and get the three points."

"They were quite direct, I thought we coped with that really well, the goal was disappointing. I thought we could have dealt with that earlier, and to be fair to the eleven [Williams, the goalscorer] I have to say it was a great finish. I felt we could've got closer and stopped the shot, even before that we could have dealt with things a little bit better. After Tuesday I will try and get some work in with the lads on Thursday, as games do come thick and fast, although there's loads of games, at the minute I'm having a look at the lads, seeing what they're about, obviously trying to introduce a couple of the younger lads, and then at the end of the season see what I need and what it's looking like."

"I thought defensively we looked really solid, I thought Keiran [Morphew] and Dan [Morphew] at centre-half did well, their [Barwell] two big lads up front caused a threat and were a real handful but I thought we coped with it reasonably well. I thought Noah [Collard] caught the eye with his energy. We just lacked that little bit of composure, Billy [Hunt] I've not seen much of, but he looks strong, he looks hungry, he does things the right way. Its early days, it's not going to happen overnight, but slowly and surely we will play the way I want to, especially over the coming weeks, hopefully that means winning games of football and coming to places like this and seeing games out."

Report and reaction ©️ Drew Kendall, 2020.

Bury Town Women v Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies 2.2.20

123: Sun 2 February 2020, 2pm, Culford Sports Centre, Suffolk Girls and Women's League Women's Division, Bury Town Women v Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies

Goal footage on my YouTube channel

Bury Town Women make it back to back wins a comfortable 5-0 victory over 12th placed Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies to move into third into the table.

Bury dominated proceedings pretty much from the get go, although the first real chance didn't come until the twelvth minute as the hosts curled a shot over the top corner from inside the box. Bury however did break the deadlock on 15 minutes, Julie Brind getting to the ball on the right byline inside the box to square across to Kirsty Pollard to finish off low into the middle of the net from close range, 1-0 Bury. The promotion chasing Blues then added a second goal three minutes later as Stacey Roper's corner saw Locker's header fall to Hemming on the edge of the box to poke the ball to Brind who lifted a great first time finish dipping over the keeper and into the roof of the net, 2-0 Bury.

Brind however thought she had Bury's added a third and her second in the 22nd second minute, finishing low into the bottom corner after being set through on goal but was deemed offside. Duemmel however went close to adding to Bury's lead a minute later, shooting low and just wide of the bottom corner, whilst Sophie Hemming hit a great low strike just wide into the near side netting from outside the box on 27 minutes.

Debutant Katie Walker then went close to scoring her first goal for the senior side nine minutes before the interval, the young under-18 striker was fed well by Brind, following good passing play from Bury, only to shoot an inch wide of the bottom far corner from inside the box. The impressive striker was then denied by the woodwork two minutes later, this time the low strike from just outside the area came back into play off the bottom face of the far post, prior to a swerving Bury cross being cleared just ahead of far post before Hemming shot wide from range on 39 minutes.

Walker though did deservedly add to the scoresheet 3 minutes before the break, Stacey Roper's great through ball released Walker through one-on-one in the area to cooly nudge the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner, 3-0 Bury at the interval.

HALF TIME: Bury Town Women 3-0 Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies

Bury began the second half with a flurry of decent chances, three of which going narrowly wide with another one or two going straight at the keeper as the hosts searched for a quickfire fourth goal, added to by Mia Banbury's shot which went just wide from the edge of the box the box on 50 minutes, whilst Roper's 40-yarder forced the keeper to reach up well and take the catch seconds later.

Young striker Katie Walker's next involvement saw the goalscorer cut into the box well to cut back, after great buildup play, to Brind though the shot was curled straight at the keeper on 52 minutes. Hemming then beat her defender well a minute later but could only shoot just wide of the far post once more before Walker again beat her marker on the edge of the box only to see her shot punched by the keeper straight to Brind whose follow up shot went wide of the gaping near post into the side netting from close range soon after.

Bury were then handed a fourth goal after a mistake from the Chantry keeper with 59 minutes played, the goal-kick went straight to Mia Banbury on the edge of the box who was the first to get on the end of her touch on inside the box to finish well past the onrushing keeper low into the middle of the net, 4-0 Bury. Norma Locker meanwhile had a great chance to add a fifth Bury goal 2 minutes later, after cutting in well from the wing to the edge of the box the shot went just the wrong side of the bottom far corner, before Mia Banbury was denied an excellent goal by the crossbar in the 63rd minute, hitting a fierce strike inside the area off the underside of the crossbar as the ball bounced down and back into play.

Locker then had a good strike at goal parried away from outside the box a minute later, whilst Roper hit a low freekick out on the wing into the near side netting with 25 minutes remaining. Great play from Bury once more saw the hosts go close once more, Katie Walker's fantastic run down the left wing saw the forward cutback well to Hemming running in whose well hit half-volley went just wide of the top far corner on 68 minutes. It was then high fives for Bury in the 73rd minute as Hemming scored a peach of a free-kick, curling a great 35-yarder over the wall before dipping into the bottom left corner, 5-0 Bury.

Bury skipper Pratt went close to adding a sixth however four minutes later, shooting just over the bar from inside the box, followed by Locker firing a great strike just wide of the top corner from the edge of the area with 10 minutes left. Duemmel almost added a well worked sixth goal 2 minutes later, after being released through on the right hand side in the area, the Bury player nudged the ball passed the onrushing keeper but again the ball went an inch past the far post with Brind lurking, before the latter shot just wide of the far post on 85 minutes. With just three minutes remaining Bury had the last real chance of the game, Roper doing well to retain possession well for Bury in the box as the shot from close range was saved as far as Pratt on the edge of the area, whose well hit strike was well caught by the keeper as Bury as a result move up a place in the league table ahead of next week's visit to Brantham.

FULL TIME: Bury Town Women 5-0 Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies


Bury Town Women:-
1 Kristen Hutchings
2 Lyndsey Duemuel
4 Mia Banbury
5 Lisa Pratt (capt)
7 Kirsty Pollard
8 Stacey Roper
9 Julie Brind
11 Olivia Hodges
14 Norma Locker
15 Claire Ellis
17 Sophie Hemming
Subs
10 Katie Walker
16 Elise Drury-Garrett
3 Zoe Klimche (unused)


Booked: Pratt (29').

Sin binned: Pratt (29').

Goals: Pollard (15'), Brind (18'), Walker (42'), Banbury (59'), Hemming (73').

Video and report ©️ Drew Kendall, 2020.