Bury Town v Haverhill Rovers 19.12.2020

Saturday 19 December 2020, 3pm KO, Mid Season Friendly, Denny Bros Ram Meadow Stadium, Bury Town v Haverhill Rovers (The Pitching In Isthmian League North Division v Eastern Counties Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division) 

Bury Town returned to action post lockdown 2.0 with a 5-3 friendly win in what was an action packed friendly which included a lot of drama. 

The Isthmian League North Blues dominated their clash with lower league Haverhill Rovers throughout, despite struggling to work the Haverhill Rovers keeper until the second half - albeit even then the majority of their shots on target found the net, such was their second half rampage. 

Whilst Bury's buildup play was impressive as usual for the step 4 hosts, currently sitting on fourth on their division with 3 wins and a draw from their 4 league outings, their finishing was a bit rusty - which is to be expected having not played for the best part of 5 or 6 weeks. 

But they did still create dangerous chances, as Jake Chambers Shaw was released through onto the left-hand side in acres of space, but the attacking midfielder could only bend his shot wide of the far post in the third minute. 

Rovers meanwhile, who currently sit 18th in their division having won 2 of their 11 league outings so far this season - drawing one and losing eight, drew a good save out of young Bury goalkeeper Joe Wilson in the ninth minute. 

Dangerous play from Rovers saw a cutback pick out a man free close to goal, who drew a comfortable save out of Wilson. 

Bury meanwhile caught Rovers on the counter attack resulting in Cemal Ramadan being released through free towards the edge of the penalty area, though Haverhill left-back Charles Davies denied the striker an almost certain chance at goal, tugging the striker back as the last man and getting a yellow card as a result. 

Bury then forced the keeper into a routine stop on 15 minutes, a clever through ball threaded Cruise Nydazayo through down the left-hand side, who cut in well before firing a shot across goal which was easy for the goalkeeper. 

Rovers however broke the deadlock against the run of play on 27 minutes, a slick counter attack saw Rovers place a great finish just out off reach of Under-18 goalkeeper Joe Wilson and into the bottom left-hand corner, who got a hand to it but it proved to be not quite enough. 

Bury however went close to drawing level on 34 minutes, after a great ball over the defence released Cemal Ramadan through on goal, who cleverly lobbed the keeper well but he recovered well to catch the ball before it crossed the line. 

Haverhill though went down to ten men three minutes later, a lapse of concentration at the back from the visiting goalkeeper saw him give the ball straight to Cruise Nydazayo, who instead of taking aim at the vacant goal from 25-yards, he opted to drive forward towards the edge of the box, beating Davies in the process, the left-back though hauled the forward back, preventing a shot at goal giving the referee no option but to give him his marching orders. 

From the resulting dangerous free-kick, Ramadan's strike was blocked by the wall as far as Ollie Snaith - whose instinctive first time strike towards goal was blocked well by a defender as Haverhill survived. 

Meanwhile, great play from the hosts saw Bury almost draw level on 41 minutes, after Ramadan gkt through dangerously down the byline, his cutback found Snaith whose shot was blocked. The ball then fell back to Ramadan who teed off the midfielder again, which although his second attempt was blocked Joe Hood fired a rocket of a strike narrowly wide of the bottom corner as Rovers preserved their one goal lead going into the interval. 

Into the second half, Bury continued to dominate proceedings with the Blues almost drawing level nine minutes into the half. Taylor Hastings' header back into the danger zone forced the Rovers keeper to rush off his line well and get a hand to it ahead of Altintop lurking dangerously, the rebound however fell to Cemal Ramadan eight yards out whose well hit shot was blocked by a vitally placed defender, only as far as Will Gardner who could only lash a volley over the crossbar. 

Rovers however hit Bury with another sucker punch against the run of play, although Rovers had started the second half brightly despite being a man down, as the visitors found space to fire a good strike home into the net, 0-2 Rovers on 56 minutes. 

Bury meanwhile found their goalscoring rythym two minutes later, marking the start of a rampant scoring spree in which the Blues netted five times in 24 minutes. 

Substitute and massive fans favourite Olly Hughes showed great skill to roll his defender down the left-hand side before crossing a dangerously across the face of goal on a plate for Joe Hood from point blank range to nod home powerfully into the top left hand corner, 1-2.

From that point on Bury were lethal in front of goal and made their higher league status count massively, as Jake Chambers Shaw then weaved through numerous challenges inside the box before shooting low but straight at the keeper on 61 minutes. 

To Rovers credit, they were more lively in the second half, compared to the first half, but Bury continued to dominate throughout - ultimately ending up with the hosts continuously threatening the Rovers goal that it became a procession of Bury chances one after another. 

And the hosts drew deservedly level in the 64th minute after a great defence splitting pass released Cemal Ramadan through inside the box, who laid off possession to Ryan Horne on the edge of the penalty aeea before cooly placing a composed finish past the keeper into the bottom left-hand corner, 2-2. 

Bury though arguably should've taken theead five minutes later, after a great pass cut through the Haverhill defence before Max Maughn fired an inch wide of the bottom right-hand corner from Chambers Shaw's lay off. 

The next twist in this frenzy encounter then arrived in the 71st minute as Bury took the lead for the first time, Max Maughn this time swinging a dangerous ball in underneath the crossbar looking to pick out Hughes, though the keeper's touch away from the striker fell to Joe Hood rushing in from close range to fire an instinctive first time volley home into the net via a slight deflection for his second of the game, 3-2. 

The rampant Blues then got even hungrier for more goals as the game progressed, with Taylor Hastings firstly heading a dangerous corner just centimetres over the crossbar, before Charlie Cook fresh off the subs bench thrashed a first time shot over the bar moments later. 

To say all in attendance went away entertained would be an understatement, with plenty of quality goals to behold - added to by Charlie Cook's cleanly hit unstoppable volley which flew into the left hand corner, making it 4-2 in Bury's favour. 

Moments later however, Cook almost picked up a brace of his own in quick succession, but thundered his thirty yard strike just over the crossbar. 

The scoring spree was then concluded for Bury by an audacious goal from Olly Hughes. The forward was threaded through dangerously past the defence before delicately chipping the onrushing keeper with the ball nestling perfectly into the net. 

That wasn't the end of the action though, as Rovers headed home a consolation goal from close range into the empty net. 

Bury though finished off the dramatic encounter with Max Maughn shooting narrowly wide on the verge of the final whistle. 

The game proved to be both side's last outings in 2020 though due to the ongoing pandemic, so arguably fitting that it was an action packed encounter to mark the occasion. 

FT: Bury Town 5-3 Haverhill Rovers. 

Bury Town FC:-

1 Joe Wilson

2 Joe Hood

3 Will Gardner

4 Ryan Horne

5 Joe White (HT' White) 

6 Baris Altintop (86' Edwards) 

7 Jake Chambers Shaw (76' Angus Mills) 

8 Ryan Jolland (58' Maughn) 

9 Cruise Nydazayo (HT' Hughes) 

10 Cemal Ramadan (86' Brown) 

11 Ollie Snaith (73' Cook) 

Subs:

12 Charlie Cook

14 Max Maughn

16 Olly Hughes 

17 Taylor Hastings 

No Number: Angus Mills

No Number: Carlos Edwards

15 Harry Brown

Haverhill Rovers FC:-

1 Charlie Bell

2 Jacob Joseph

3 Charles Davies

4 Callum Anderson

5 Alfie Carroll (capt) 

7 Marc Abbott

8 Ryan Weaver

Booked: Davies (9'), Haverhill (13'), Nydazayo (25').

Sent Off: Davies (37'). 

Goals: Hood (58', 71'), Horne (64'), Cook (80'), Hughes (82'); (27'), (56'), (88').

REACTION | Joshua Pollard | Gloucester City AFC v Needham Market 15.12.2020

On Wednesday, the day after Needham Market's trip to Gloucester City AFC, defender and goalscorer Josh Pollard gave his thoughts on how he thought the game went.

DK: First of all, you must be disappointed to have lost but what did you make of the game and the team's performance?

JP: Yes was disappointing not to come away with a result but shows how far we have come being disappointed away from home to a top team, I feel not having some away fans on the night made it easier for the ref to give decisions against us, but on the whole was a good performance an showed we can still score goals against good opposition but equally need to be sharper defensively in our own box

DK: Having came on early into the game, how did you find it - must've been tough being thrown straight into the intensity of the game?

JP: Yes was very tough for me as I have had limited game time due to a little injury an the team doing so well it is hard to rotate but when the opportunity comes you have to be ready, it feels great being back out there an hopefully it won’t be to long before we can start the league

DK: Your goal came at a crucial time for us, talk us through what was going through your head as you scored.

JP: Yes if I’m honest I was surprised it was me on the edge, so when the ball fell to me I just went for a good contact an see where it ends up an luckily it was in the back off the net, which I feel but then under pressure just before half time. 

DK: Overall, you lads did the club proud last night - did that game set a marker for where you want to be as a team in the future?

Yes completely the lads as a group all have that desire to play as high as possible, an we shown we can match a team who’s top off the Conference north away from home, it’s a great club to be at with an exciting season ahead one I’m looking forward to I hope the fans have enjoyed so far. 

Gloucester City AFC v Needham Market 15.12.2020

Tuesday 15 December 2020, 7:45pm, The Buildbase FA Trophy Second Round Proper, Meadow Park, Gloucester City AFC v Needham Market

Post Match Interviews: Josh Pollard, Kevin Horlock

Needham Market's club record FA Trophy run ends at the Second Round Proper after a 4-2 defeat to National League North leaders Gloucester City AFC. 

In what was a historic night for both teams, with Gloucester welcoming fans to their home of Meadow Park for the first time in 13 years, the Marketmen battled hard throughout to show an impressive account of themselves as to why they are second in the Southern League Central Premier Division, a level below their hosts. 

However, the night got off to the worst possible start for Needham as Gloucester broke the deadlock after 57 seconds, a long ball released Mensah through inside the box who then rifled a fierce finish home into the top left-hand corner. 

Gloucester started the tie on the front foot and looked keen to be out of sight early on, but were denied by some good defending from the visiting defence as Keiran Morphew blocked a strike on the edge of the box in the third minute. 

Needham however grew into the game well and were undettered by the scoreline, even at 3-0 down, as goos passing play found Ben Fowkes in space from 25-yards out but the forward could only curl his shot over the crossbar on 7 minutes. 

Good defending once more from Keiran Morphew a minute later though to intercept a goos ball forward denied Gloucester a shot at goal despite the hosts then shooting narrowly wide of the left-hand post moments later. 

Fellow centre-back Daniel Morphew then showed some great defending in the ninth minute making two blocks to prevent a shot from close range, although the resulting strike from further out went wide of the target. 

After Needham appeals for a free-kick deep in Gloucester's half were waved away, the home side took advantage on 12 minutes - swiftly doubling their advantage from a quick counter attack. The ball fell kindly for McClure from 10-yards out who duly lashed home a good strike into the roof of the Needham net. 

Needham meanwhile then began to get forward and started to create chances, albeit not too many were clear cut, despite both Callum Sturgess and Ben Fowkes doing well to win the Suffolk side back to back corners after 16 minutes. 

Byron Lawrence meanwhile hit a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box into the Gloucester wall on 21 minutes, whilst great defending from Keiran Morphew saw the centre back shield a, dangerous through-ball back to Marcus Garnham a minute later. 

Gloucester though were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes, after Keiran Morphew was adjudged to have brought down Mensah, but Marcus Garnham did what he's done a few times this season as the shot-stopper denied the hosts from the spot, getting across brilliantly to his bottom left-hand side to beat away McClure's spot-kick. 

The Marketmen then broke upfield and nearly took advantage of that penalty miss after clever play saw Callum Page neatly backheel possession to Gareth Heath on the edge of the box, where the skipper's curled and dipping strike rebounded agonisingly back into play off the inside of the left-hand upright. Possession then fell to Luke Ingram through inside the box but his dangerous pacey cross across goal went out of play for a throw in. 

Gloucester however doubled their lead on 32 minutes, after goalkeeper Garnham had got down well to deny McClure from close range, Jack James was on hand for Gloucester to fire the rebound home into the top left-hand corner, past the man on the line, from close range. 

Whilst the hosts then curled a dangerous shot just wide of the bottom right-hand corner from close range on 38 minutes, a great retreating tackle by a Gloucester defender denied Callum Page a shot at goal from close range seconds later. 

Needham however pulled a vitally timed speculator strike as substitute Josh Pollard received Byron Lawrence's dummied set-piece before curling an audacious strike home into the top right-hand corner, game on! 

Instantly, Needham were denied soon after from reducing the deficit further as Callum Page was denied by a great save from the keeper. 

Needham ended the half strongly with their tails up, drawing a string of three corners - from the last of which drew a good save from the goalkeeper on his goal-line to deny the Marketmen, before then responding well to claim the dangerously dropping loose ball. 

Into the second half, Needham were on top for the majority of the half and didn't look out of place whatsoever, although Garnham stood firm to deny Mensah's dangerous close range strike on 49 minutes. 

Ben Fowkes meanwhile brought Needham fully back into the game by reducing Gloucester's lead to just the single goal, with what Kevin Horlock later described as a 'trademark' finish by the forward, who drilled a great strike across the goalkeeper and into the bottom right-hand corner from close range, 3-2.

From the start of the second half, Needham came out all guns blazing and until Gloucester's fourth goal ultimately killed the tie off the visitors looked likely to force a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Garnham again getting across brilliantly to his left-hand side to deny another low dangerous strike to keep his side in the game on 58 minutes. 

Needham were in full confidence as they searched for an equaliser, with Daniel Morphew spraying dangerously pinpoint long balls forward but Needham just weren't able to create any clear cut chances to restore parity. 

At the other end however, an unfortunate mistake at the back from Marcus Garnham, who slipped, allowed Jack James to pick up his second goal from point blank range pouncing on a rare mistake by the goalkeeper on 72 minutes. 

Needham continued to look to try and reduce the deficit quickly two minutes later as Luke Ingram's dangerous low ball across the penalty area went narrowly wide of the bottom corner. 

Great defending from Keiran Morphew though kept Gloucester out, vitally sticking out a foot to divert a dangerous ball close to goal behind for a corner on 81 minutes, whilst a vital block to deny the hosts from adding further to their lead, following a dangerous close range cutback, kept the scoreline a fairer reflection from Needham's perspective. 

Garnham was then required to save well from a free-kick in stoppage time, before denying tje hosts with a good diving save after Lovett's dangerous long drop-kick. 

It's Gloucester though who advance to the third round, who travel to Maldon and Tiptree whilst should Needham's league be able to restart on Saturday the Marketmen will welcome Hednesford Town to Bloomfields. 

Gloucester City AFC:-

Lovett, Whittle, Daly(C), James, Brunt, Morgan, Dawson (45' Robert), Thomas, O'Sullivan, Mensah, McClure (45' Campbell). 

 

Subs: 

Maher, Robert (45'), Hainault, Campbell (45'), Bremner. 

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Joe Marsden (19' Pollard) 

3 Callum Sturgess

4 Byron Lawrence

5 Daniel Morphew

6 Keiran Morphew

7 Luke Ingram

8 Gareth Heath (capt)

9 Callum Page (86' Mills) 

10 Noah Collard (78' Hunt) 

11 Ben Fowkes

Subs

12 Josh Pollard

14 Billy Hunt

15 Adam Mills

16 Tom Fitzgerald

17 Jose Santa

18 Owen Elsdon (GK)

Goals: Mensah (1'), McClure (12'), James (32', 72'); Pollard (41'), Fowkes (53').

Sporting 87 v AFC Kesgrave 05.12.2020

Saturday 5 December 2020, 1:45pm, Macron Sports Suffolk & Ipswich League Division One, Victory Ground - BSE, Sporting 87 v AFC Kesgrave

Sporting 87 returned to action from lockdown 2.0 with a 2-1 closely thought home win over AFC Kesgrave. 

Kesgrave will feel hard done by to have not came away with a point from the clash, as the away side edged the first half whilst hosts Sporting 87 did likewise in the second half. 

The first chance of the game went the way of the visitors just three minutes in, drawing an excellent save out of the Sporting goalkeeper in the process. The visiting man found space to curl a great strike towards goal, which took an unfortunate deflection off a defender who diverted the ball towards his own bottom corner but was bailed out by the goalkeeper who dived across brilliantly to get across and slap it away - a candidate for save of the season! 

My Sporting Man Of The Match, Courtney Prince, meanwhile created an excellent chance for Sporting in the fifth minute, the number ten was threaded through down the left wing before delivering a dangerous cross into towards the centre forward running in at the back post from six yards out but the keeper was alert well to take the catch. 

Kesgrave then arguably deservedly took the lead on 16 minutes after a long range dangerous dipping free-kick was misjudged by the keeper off his line in an attempt to deal with the ball, with Kesgrave centre-back Emmett Klipalo able to guide a great header home into the empty net, 0-1 AFC Kesgrave. 

Six minutes later meanwhile, Kesgrave had a great chance to double their advantage after great play from the away side saw a dangerous cross into the penalty area headed just wide from close range. 

Sporting however grew into the game and had a good chance as a dangerous long range free-kick was flicked on towards goal by Lebbon Jarrad but was gathered by the well placed goalkeeper on 26 minutes. 

Sporting then went agonisingly close in the 32nd minute as Courtney Price was through dangerously down the left wing his dangerous ball squared across the ball fell to the winger whose shot was vitally blocked by a defender. The ball then fell as far as the hosts' left-back who fired a great low strike at goal but was diverted on route by an offside home shirt on its way through to the keeper. 

Prince then went close himself as an audacious 35-yard right wing free-kick found Prince from close range but could only guide a first time strike straight at the well positioned goalkeeper on 34 minutes. 

Kesgrave on the other hand looked to catch Sporting on the counter attack, as the visitor's quick break led to a man being fed through inside the box but his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper. 

Both teams then went close once before the opening half drew to a close, after Sporting drew a good save out of the keeper from a low well taken direct free-kick on 42 minutes, Kesgrave fired agonisingly just wide of the bottom corner following a counter attack on the stroke of half-time. 

Into the second half, as previously mentioned it was Sporting who edged proceedings, but it was Kesgrave who had the first major opportunity of note after the restart, a dangerous counter attack found the striker six yards out from goal but their header went just wide of the bottom corner on 50 minutes. 

At the other end though, Sporting drew a great stop out of the Kesgrave goalkeeper, whilst the volley towards goal on the rebound was fired just over the crossbar on 52 minutes.

The game continued to be end to end which constant action until the half hour mark, as Kesgrave fired a shot from a dangerous position narrowly over the crossbar on 56 minutes. 

A minute later however Sporting drew level, after a dangerous cross into the box was met by the head of skipper Lebbon Jarrad running in who guided a powerful header into the roof of the net. 

At which point, the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game and really could've ended either way, as Kesgrave looked to respond to being pegged back level just before the half hour mark, smashing a great strike centimetres wide of the bottom left-hand corner. Whilst some expert defending on the hour mark denied Kesgrave from retaking the lead as a pinpoint cross was headed well towards the top right corner and was goal bound until defender Ash Brown somehow got back superbly to head vitally off the goal-line, proving to be a game changing moment with Sporting going onto score the winner 18 minutes later. 

The latest twist in the tale saw Courtney Prince slotted through dangerously inside the box before seeing his fierce strike diverted into the bottom right-hand corner by a defender to make it 2-1 to Sporting. 

Kesgrave meanwhile had a great chance to restore parity ten minutes from time as Matt Oldfield struck a fierce strike straight at the keeper, whilst at the opposite end a superb save kept Kesgrave in the game after getting across brilliantly to palm away an otherwise goal bound shot, that was sneaking into the bottom corner eight minutes later. 

In stoppage time however it was the turn of the Sporting goalkeeper to make a great save to maintain his side's one goal advantage, getting down well to his right to hold onto a low well hit strike on the edge of the penalty area. 

Sporting then finished off proceedings by flashing a long range strike just wide of the bottom corner two minutes later, as the home side ended the game in second place in Division One. 

Sporting 87:

 James Cadby

 Jack Edwards

 Samuel Fenning

 Sam Jackman

 Sam Petersen

 Daniel Steed

 Luke Taylor

 thomas gibson 

5 Ash Brown

8 Lebbon Jarrad

10 Courtney Prince

Subs:

Elliott Chaplin

 Will Frost

 Ryan Hyden

 Sam Marsden

 Liam Watfeh (unused) 

AFC Kesgrave:

4 Matt Oldfield (capt)

6 Emmett Klipalo

Charlie Billett

 Isaac Cocker

 Samuel Dunham

 Kristian Hammond

 Matthew Long

 Kamron Lord

 Ed Milner

 Lewis Thomas

 Oliver Waters

Subs:

Joseph Brett

 Alexander Coldwell

 Paul Cooledge

 MARK RICHARDSON

 ASHLEIGH STEIN

Goals: Jarrad (57'), Prince (78'); Klipalo (16').

REACTION | Jake Dye Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Leiston 12.12.2020

Following Needham Market's club history making FA Trophy 1st Round Proper win over Leiston, Match winner and MOTM Jake Dye gave his reaction to the game.

On the game: I thought first half we were excellent, maybe could've been a little bit more patient with the ball but obviously we haven't played for five weeks, so it's made me very, very happy. I think maybe the second half we made it a little bit difficult for ourselves, over planning areas but I think we were comfortable in the win and through to the next round on Tuesday. 

On his own personal performance: I know, it must be a local thing, but I'll take it! Again Tom (Rothery, Assistant Manager) said about getting round the back and that's what I did! Cal(lum Sturgess, left-back) obviously put in a great ball across the face of the goal and I was there at the right time, right place, so very, very chuffed! I did say to Kev(in Horlock, Manager) maybe I'll start up front on Tuesday, but yeah just a great team performance! 

To be fair I'll say the chip over the keeper was probably a bit of a cross, the crossbar one it was a good strike - obviously unfortunate but very, very happy. I've adapted my game well and now getting forward as much as I can. 

Picking up more goals himself: Obviously it helps the team, obviously helps my confidence as well. Kev's just said to 'just play your game, get as far forward as you can.' If you make mistakes in the final third he can live with that, so just go out and enjoy ourselves. 

On the team performance and dominating majority of the game: Yeah, I'd say so, obviously they had a friendly last week whilst we decided to train. I think where we are in the league we knew we had to come back after the second lockdown and really, really try our bests so we all stayed fit, had two or three really good training sessions and yeah, we did start a little bit sluggish but I think we did grow into the game, like you said. Obviously we got the win and are through to the next round. 

A nice little trip to Gloucester on Tuesday, but yeah really, really happy. 

On travelling to high flying higher league Gloucester in the next round: Yeah, we did do a little bit of research in terms of where they are in the league, obviously they're in the league above, obviously going to be a difficult game, they all are but one we're going to go there and try and win and play in lots of confidence.

Video interview:-

Moreton Hall Ferals v Mellis 06.12.2020

Sunday 6 December 2020, 10:30am, Hardwick Heath Pitch 2, Premier Logos Bury Sunday League Knights Lowe Division One KO Cup 2020-21 Quarter-Final, Moreton Hall Ferals v Mellis

Moreton Hall Ferals return to action following lockdown with a 3-0 Cup Quarter-Final win over Mellis at Hardwick Heath. 

The Knights Lowe Division One Knock Out Cup clash was originally going to be played at Mellis, but was switched to Ferals' home ground a couple of days beforehand and it was the Ferals who controlled proceedings from start finish, despite Mellis playing some good football but not troubling Aston Fallows as much as they would've liked. 

Ferals however almost had the opening goal in the first minute, after a lapse in the visiting defence saw a pass back to the keeper misjudged by the goalkeeper, with the ball going towards the bottom corner until a defender retreated brilliantly to slide the ball off the goal-line, with Ferals' forward Jack Brame unable to get to the ball to see it over the goal-line. 

Ferals meanwhile went close again in the fourth minute, after Bradley Peasgood threaded Callum Dove bearing down on goal, past the defence, the winger's close range stop was denied by the visiting defence. 

Ferals bright start continued as they went agonisingly close to opening the scoring five minutes later as Jack Brame's six yard header bounced on the goal-line but up into the goalkeeper's gloves, whilst George Crowe then saw his dangerous goal bound corner punched crucially behind for a corner by the keeper. 

With the encounter being Ferals' first game in a month due to the second national lockdown, the home side looked rusty in front of goal to begin with, as the Blues saw plenty of good chances go begging. 

One particular example saw Fred Stewart-Hogg's great low cross into Charlie Glover who shot first time from close range but could only sidefoot his strike straight at the keeper, with the goal virtually gaping. 

It soon became a question of when Ferals would break the deadlock, rather than if, as chances continued to fall the host's way after Dove found space to shoot from 30-yards out but saw his audacious dipping strike go just wide of the bottom left-hand corner on 19 minutes. 

Whilst two minutes later, the host's deserved opener arrived as the ball fell to Charlie Glover just inside the box whose deflected strike nestled into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Ferals meanwhile went agonisingly close on 32 minutes, as Callum Dongray curled an exquisite free-kick round the wall but just wide of the top right-hand corner, whilst Jack Brame's shot four minutes later was smothered by the keeper from close range. 

The Ferals though arguably should've doubled their lead on 42 minutes after George Crowe's pinpoint exquisite corner found Dongray, who could only guide a stooping header just wide of the bottom corner. 

At the other end however a world class stop from Aston Fallows preserved Ferals' one goal lead a minute later, reacting superbly to thwart a Mellis man sliding in from point blank range to brilliantly dive across and shovel the ball off the goal-line. 

Into the second half, Ferals continued to dominate proceedings with half-time substitute Ryan Gibbs through brilliantly inside the box but the shot was well saved from a tight angle on 47 minutes. 

Whilst at the other end, a great sliding tackle from George Crowe won back possession for Ferals a minute later, before great play from the home side almost lead to a second goal on 54 minutes. 

After Gibbs drove forward before finding Fred Stewart-Hogg ahead of him, the midfielder then released Charlie Glover through with a great ball over the defence but the latter could only shoot just wide under pressure by the defender. 

Ferals left-back George Crowe then went close to scoring himself, but shot narrowly wide of the top left corner on 56 minutes, before Ryan Gibbs drove through dangerously down the left wing to then cross a great low ball into Charlie Glover inside the box, who then beat his defender cleverly only to shoot just wide from close range in the process. 

Dongray was then denied by a great save from the Mellis keeper on the hour mark, the visiting stopper diving down well to instinctively palm away the centre-back's header. 

Another fantastic chance then went begging for Ferals on 64 minutes, Ryan Gibbs' great cross into Charlie Glover saw the latter only able to guide a close range diving header straight at the keeper. 

The second goal though finally arrived four minutes later, the influential Gibbs fed Callum Dove through just inside the box who then finished well into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Gibbs then rounded off the scoring with a deserved goal to make it 3-0 on 70 minutes, the forward finishing off clinically past the keeper and into the bottom corner after Charlie Glover's through-ball left Gibbs with just the keeper to beat. 

Ferals weren't content with just the three goals however, as the home side went centimetres away from adding a fourth goal two minutes later, but the shot went marginally wide of the post. 

Mellis by contrast fired a great long range strike just wide of the bottom corner on 74 minutes, before Aston Fallows was required to make three expert saves to retain Ferals' clean sheet. 

Both were outstanding saves with the first, on 77 minutes, seeing stopper down well to his bottom right-hand corner to shovel away a great strike, whilst the second ten minutes later drew a good reaction save out of the shot-stopper, smothering a shot from point blank range behind for a corner. 

The goalkeeper, who was my pick for MOTM, continued his top form a minute later to then get down brilliantly to his bottom right-hand corner and palm a strike behind for a corner. 

Ferals progress to the semi-finals, with the tie yet to be arranged. 

Ferals

1 Aston Fallows

33 Brad Peasgood

20 Callum Dongray 

5 Craig Defew 

88 George Crowe 

10 Sam Waterson 

8 Charlie Larter (capt) 

11 Callum Dove 

7 Fred Stewart-Hogg 

15 Charlie Glover 

27 Jack Brame

Subs

3 Ryan Gibbs

28 Ben Newdick

Mellis:-

 Luke Ashford

 Lawrence Brown

 Nathan Brown

 David Coleman

 Will Goulding

 Ben Hugman

 Callum Nash

 Scott Partridge (capt) 

 Harry Rollingson

 Luke Rowe

Jack Stevenson

Subs:

Richard Holding

 Bradley Hunt

 Kieran Manning

 Robert Payne

 Hayden Wilby

Booked: M12 (51'), M14 (79'), 

Goals: Glover (21'), Dove (68'), Gibbs (70').

Needham Market v Leiston 12.12.2020

Saturday 12 December 2020, 2:30pm, The Buildbase FA Trophy First Round Proper, Bloomfields, Needham Market v Leiston

Post Match Interview - Jake Dye

Needham Market make club history as they comfortably knock Suffolk rivals Leiston out of the FA Trophy to set up a visit to National League North leaders Gloucester City in the Second Round Proper on Tuesday. 

Leiston however started brightly, with one rare strike at goal for the visitors seeing Eaton-Collins hit a tame shot towards goal, which was comfortable for Marcus Garnham in the home goal after good play saw the Leiston man released through the Needham backline in the third minute. 

Needham however grew into rythym and dominated proceedings there after with forward Ben Fowkes testing the keeper with a great strike from the edge of the box, though the shot-stopper gathered at the second attempt having spilled the shot. 

Then on the fifth minute, Byron Lawrence, against his former club, had a great chance to give the Marketmen an early lead as the midfielder flashed a good strike across goal but just wide of the bottom left-hand corner. 

A key theme for the Marketmen in many outings this campaign often sees the Reds score first early on and they repeated this feat once again on 12 minutes with Ben Fowkes showing no signs of being in lockdown for five weeks as he finished a great run onto the edge of the box to lash a great strike home into the bottom left-hand corner, 1-0 Needham. 

Needham were then close to doubling their advantage two minutes later, with both Billy Hunt and Keiran Morphew both marginally unfortunate to get on the end of a dangerous Gareth Heath free-kick. 

It was an impressive performance from the Marketmen as Noah Collard dangerously released Callum Page through inside the box with the latter, who has recently featured for Ipswich Town Under-23s, seeing his attempted ball across smothered behind well by some great goalkeeping from Donkin for a Needham corner on 15 minutes. 

Moments later however, Needham went agonisingly close to adding to their advantage as Page's sumptuous cross found Keiran Morphew lurking a yard out from goal. The centre-back however saw his header vitally shovelled off the goal-line Donkin whilst Gareth Heath's clever flick back towards goal rebounded off the underside of the crossbar onto the goal-line and back into play. 

The hosts then deservedly doubled their lead on 32 minutes, capping some excellent team play with a goal of pure class. After Page found Collard, the latter then fed Fowkes through on the left wing, he in turn threaded Callum Sturgess through cleverly on the overlap as his dangerous low cross was tapped home in true poachers style into the bottom corner by Man Kf The Match Jake Dye to notch his third goal for the club, and the second of the campaign. 

Needham were relentless in their search for more goals in the hope of wrapping the tie up as both Noah Collard and Billy Hunt saw dangerous low balls across the penalty area cleared. 

Needham though, thought they had added a third goal on the stroke of the interval after an exquisite free-kick from Byron Lawrence curled dangerously round the wall towards the top corner, which though it beat goalkeeper Donkin it crashed back into play off the crossbar, falling to Billy Hunt who tapped home but was in an offside position. 

Early into the second half however, Ben Fowkes drove forward into the penalty area seconds after the restart but his low strike was straight at Donkin at his near post. 

Topscorer Fowkes, who added his ninth goal since joining the Marketmen from lower league Norwich United in the summer, then tested Donkin again on 50 minutes but his low shot was again well saved by Donkin. 

Needham standout Jake Dye then went marginally close to adding to his personal and his club's goal tally for the afternoon after Jake Dye thumped a dangerous rocket towards the top corner but was denied what would've been a outstanding goal by the frame of the goal as it cannoned fiercely back into play off the angle of both post and crossbar in the fifty-first minute. 

Sixty seconds later however, Needham captain Gareth Heath curled a sumptuous left wing free-kick which clattered narrowly wide of the outside of the post. 

Jake Dye was heavily involved throughout the afternoon and almost added to the headline as he nearly looped an audacious curling cross-come-shot underneath of the crossbar, forcing Donkin to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner on 55 minutes. 

Five minutes later, Needham went close again to adding a third goal as Ben Fowkes was threaded through dangerously inside the box though his dangerous ball squared across the box was vitally beaten away by the diving Donkin with Lawrence running in for what would've been a tap in from inside the six-yard box. 

Leiston meanwhile halved the deficit with fifteen minutes to play, albeit neither really looking like drawing level despite Barnes finishing cooly from 12-yards out having been found in space from a dangerous cutback. 

That goal against the run of play however didn't have much impact on proceedings as Ben Fowkes was fed through on space around the penalty area only to fire a fierce strike narrowly over the crossbar in the eighty-first minute. 

The home side then went close once again a minute later, Gareth Heath smashing a powerful strike towards the bottom corner from 30-yards out requiring Donkin to dive across well and shovel it away. 

Leiston on the other hand went close to drawing level on 86 minutes after a dangerous strike was fired an inch wide of the bottom right-hand corner. 

Needham though were denied once more by some good goalkeeping from restoring their two goal lead a minute into four minutes of stoppage time, substitute Luke Ingram on the end of Noah Collard's clever cutback drawing another strong save from Donkin to dive down and beat it away. 

With that Needham progressed to the second round proper where they travel to high flying National League North side Gloucester City, in which manager Kevin Horlock has expressed that whilst his side will not be expected to win, the label of 'underdogs' will only be applied to his side from "only people outside the football club."

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Jake Dye (79' Ingram) 

3 Callum Sturgess

4 Byron Lawrence

5 Keiran Morphew

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Callum Page

8 Gareth Heath (capt)

9 Billy Hunt (67' Marsden) 

10 Noah Collard

11 Ben Fowkes (87' Mills) 

Subs

12 Luke Ingram

14 Joseph Marsden

15 Adam Mills

16 Joshua Pollard

17 Jose Santa

18 Thomas Fitzgerald

19 Owen Elsdon (GK)

Leiston:-

1 Sam Donkin (capt) 

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Ollie Saunders

4 Kyle Richardson (64' Stannard) 

5 Harry Knights

6 Matt Richardson 

7 Finlay Barnes

8 Josh Hitter

9 Will Davies (73' Jackson) 

10 Jamie Eaton-Collins

11 Marcus Wilkinson (65' Keys) 

Subs:

12 George Keys 

14 Adam Bailey-Dennis

15 Ben Stannard

16 Liam Jackson

17 Olly Godbold

Booked: K.Morphew (49'), Stannard (89').

Goals: Fowkes (12'), Dye (32'); Barnes (75').