SEASON INTERVIEW: Byron Lawrence 03.01.2021

Next in the series of Needham Market F.C. Player Interviews I conducted for the club, which are available on the club's YouTube channel (embedded below), I spoke to midfielder Byron Lawrence earlier this year about his start to life as a Marketman. 

YouTube video: 

DK: How do you summarise your first season at the club?

BL: Yeah, it's been really good, there's not really been any bad points really other than going out to Hitchin early on, but but we've had such a good run in the league and the FA Trophy was enjoyable so we've kind of made up for that and we just thought we're happy with where we are. It's been really enjoyable.

When I joined I didn't know how we'd get on in the league, I knew that Kev(in Horlock) wanted to play good football, but I was waiting to see what we wlukd actually be like when we started playing times and after a few games in I could tell we were going to be a hard to beat, against teams, that we were going to be good going forward, looking to beat anyone that we play. And it's been like that the whole season, obviously we didn't have many league games, but it was good! 

DK: You even scored an absolute screamer! 

BL: Yeah, against Royston! It felt good as well, they're a very good team, I know some of their players fairly well, but I don't really know about Royston. It felt good to score against them, I enjoyed that goal and I managed to score in the next game against Lowestoft and I haven't scored since, so hopefully I can get some more goals when we get back! 

DK: What's was the highlight of the season? 

BL: I didn't play in the Suffolk Premier Cup, obviously, because I was cup-tied, and Gloucester away was good, it was a really enjoyable night, we just felt a bit gutted that we didn't get something out off it, because on another night we could've, not necessarily beaten them but, got a draw and see what happens - I don't know! Gloucester was a weird one, it was enjoyable but I wouldn't say it was the highlight, it could be any of the good wins we've had really! It could be the Royston one, the Bromsgrove one, we had a good one against Stratford. I don't know about a highlight but the wins we've had I've enjoyed them all. 

DK: That Gloucester one was a tough one but a good really, because we did extremely well against a side that pretty much a whole division above us! 

BL: For about half hour or even longer I thought we were the better team, but they did show early on that they were a good team. They did deserve to be 3-0 up to be honest, they started really well so it was a shame that we let 3 goals in. But we did really well in that game, I thought for a lot of it we were really good, just a shame we couldn't get anything out off it! They're a good team, so it's nothing to be really ashamed off! 

DK: When Fowkesy made it 3-2 I thought we had every chance of taking it to penalties! 

BL: Yeah, we felt that on the pitch as well, we had our tails up and we were ready to go and get another. Even though Marco (Marcus Garnham) gets some stick for the goal, I think if we look at all their goals they weren't great from all of us really. There were times where some us in midfield weren't getting close enough, so it's nit just Marco with that goal, but I think it was a time we thought we could've gone on and got something. We were playing really well, it's a shame but came away feeling like we matched them at times, which was good for a full-time team a league above! 

DK: And also I thought at times Gloucester were quite poor at the back at times and if Heathy's shot that hits the post goes in, or Pagey scores a one on one then it's a completely different game! 

BL: Yeah it could've been, maybe on the other side of that, you never know in football what could've been but yeah we did well overall. 

DK: Not to say the club was already on the map, but with being unbeaten in the league and the FA Trophy, I think it's fair to say attracted a lot more deserved attention from outside! 

BL: Yeah, obviously I've kept an eye on Needham when I've been at the other clubs I've played fot and then I've always seen Needham as being a decent team, which looked like they'd got a good set up and stuff, but this season it seems that we're on the map as a footballing team that are looking like a force! 

DK: I think it's very fair to say that promotion is very much within the club's sights in the near future!

BL: Hopefully, when I signed Kev kind of said, that he's not expecting us to get promoted but he wants to do as well as he can. He wants a team that are looking to push on. I think Kev has said it in interviews, even he's a bit, well not surprised that we're doing so well but maybe none of us thought as good as start as we did. But the thing is we've got going and no-one is surprised that were playing like we can now. So hopefully we can keep that going, who knows if we'll be able to! 

DK: What would you say was the best team performance? 

BL: Royston was really good, Royston pegged us back for a lot of the second half and we battered them football wise in the first half, and we had to dig out a win in the second half, but I don't know if that's me thinking because I scored the goal that I'd rate it as the best one. But I think Bromsgrove was really dominant one actually, that might be the best one we've had. We just seemed like we were better than them the whole ninety minutes all over the place! So yeah it might be Bromsgrove, we've had a few games where I think we've been really good, but for ninety minutes I think Bromsgrove's the best one! 

There was Three Bridges as well, but probably Bromsgrove. In fact Three Bridges we probably weren't as good as we could've been, even though we did beat them comfortably, but Bromsgrove in terms of how we played the whole game, probably that one! 

DK: I'd agree with that, because the Bromsgrove one especially stands out for me because of last season, we played them at home and we lost 3-0, so to this year reverse that, it's something quite good! 

BL: Yeah, we've done that with a few teams this season, in terms of the Royston, Bromsgrove, and some other really good teams that last season were up there so that's only how we can kind of judge how by playing these kind of teams, because they'll probably be up there at the end of the season or around abouts and we've given them a good game and beaten them deservedly! 

DK: Have you got a standout moment from the season?

BL: I don't know, we've talked about games but I suppose personally my goal against Royston maybe, I feel like I can do that more as well but this season Kev's brought me in as more of a number 4, which I'm really enjoying. I played that role a little bit in previous seasons for other teams, but Kev wants to do that role but I'm really enjoying it, but it means I'm not getting as forward as much, but I don't mind that because we've got enough players going forward, which is a good thing. So we'll leave to the likes of Pagey (Callum Page), Fowkesy (Ben Fowkes), Bil(ly Hunt), Noah (Collard), Heathy, full-backs anyone really is go forward attacking so I'm happy to be the number 4 and get on the ball and work on that side of my game a bit more! 

How well everyone at the club have welcomed me into Needham, and I'm grateful to have had a place to come play football with a great bunch of boys, especially this year during the pandemic. 

DK: Yeah, we've got goalscorers all round the pitch now! 

BL: Yeah, we have! I'm trying to think of who can help attacking just then and everyone in our team can! 

DK: Marco (Marcus Garnham) will score next game! 

BL: I don't know about that, maybe he's the only one. But yeah, we can attack from all over the pitch! 

DK: With the season being so stop start, would you say being unbeaten in the league and the trophy run has it made it feel a lot more rewarding? 

BL: Yeah, we do feel great about being unbeaten in the league and the trophy run, it is rewarding it's just frustrating as well, I mean when the season was stopped for us we were on a good run so who knows if we can carry that on, but hopefully we can - which I'm sure with the team we've got we will! But it is rewarding that we've stopped and then we've started and we've still been playing the way we are, which hopefully even if it's a month away from when we can start again that hopefully we can carry that on! Everyone's confident in our team that we will and obviously we won't get complacent and assume we'll go and beat teams, but we've got good lads here so I don't think that'll happen! 

INTERVIEW: Daniel Morphew on 2020-21 Season

Dan Morphew interview 10.01.2021

During lockdown early in 2021, I spoke to a few members of the Needham Market F.C. squad to get their thoughts on the short campaign, albeit a fair few coming prior to the season being officially curtailed. At the time of posting, the Marketmen's 2021-22 pre-season campaign is set to get underway just three weeks tomorrow (Wednesday 14th July), so what better time to reflect on what was a positive few months the club had on the pitch last season. 

In this interview, I caught up with Centre-Back Daniel Morphew. Here's what we discussed. 

DK: To start off, how do you look back at the season from a team perspective?

DM: From a team perspective it was a good start really, unbeaten in the league, we went out early in the FA Cup, which was disappointing. We had a great result against Leiston in the FA Trophy. We obviously did well to finish off the 2019-20 Suffolk Premier Cup, but as we'd played so few games it's difficult to summarise too much, but we got off to a good start and it was looking promising. It was such a shame that it hasn't continued further and play more games ans enjoy more success really. I think that was on the cards, but we've not been able to fulfil that unfortunately!

DK: From the start that we did have though, it looks like almost the perfect start.

DM: Yeah, I think in the games we've won we've played well in. The games we drew in the league we could've played better, and there's been games - like in the FA Trophy that we've won without having to struggle necessarily, until the Gloucester game, where we played well for sixty minutes having after 20 minutes conceding a few goals and not necessarily let ourselves down but not played as well as we should've done and sort of let the game get out off control, sort of gave ourselves a hard task. I'd say in the league we had a good start, but we would've liked to have beaten Banbury and Redditch, but the games we did win - like Bromsgrove at home - we had some really good performances, some really strong performances and things were looking up and we would've looked to have maintained that for the rest of the year and establish a promotion. It would've been a push really but it's such a shame that it's been curtailed!

DK: What would you say has been the highlight of the 2020-21 season?

DM: I think for me personally, performance wise, most probably the game against Bromsgrove at home, I think it one of our better games, and the standout that we were outstanding in, one of the better games and one of the better performances, so that's the highlight for me personally. Obviously winning the Suffolk Premier Cup was quite nice to win something for the people of Needham Market, so that's a highlight as well!

I think, obviously there's been a lot of uncertainty definitely, we've had a lot of stop and start, after the first stop we picked up quite well. When we did restart obviously it ended with a defeat to Gloucester, but I think Gloucester were acquitted ourselves fairly well and I think in the previous game against Leiston we sort of showed them we were kick on as we were as we left off. So despite the difficulty of the season, we started really well. We were playing good football, we had a really good team spirit, we had a really good group of lads at the club so things were looking up really. So hopefully that continues into next year if the league is to be null and void or whatever is to happen, hopefully that carries on! 

DK: In that Gloucester game, in the last sixty minutes that we dominated, we looked that we were more than capable of going up to step 2.

DM: In that Gloucester game I think we showed what were capable of like you say, it's difficult to talk too much about because we were 3-1 down so maybe they'd taken their foot off the pedal a little bit, they made a couple of substitutions as well. I think even the first half at 2-0, 3-1 down, we were playing well, we'd just given them that head start. I think on another day I think if we played Gloucester again, I think we'd give them a good game and with the start we made we almost waited to see how Gloucester were and of a sudden we were 2-0 down, whereas if we played them again I'd like to think at the start start we'd find ourselves and have belief that'd we'd win or that we were good enough to compete I think that shows that we're capable of competing at that level of football. So when we get the chance we'll push on!

DK: Overall, there's been a real strong team spirit, not just this season but in other seasons - but especially this season it becomes really important because of obviously the pandemic and the stop-start nature! 

DM: Definitely, we have a good dressing room, we have like a solid core if you like for the time that I've been here. Me, Keiran (Morphew), Luke (Ingram) and Gareth Heath we've all been here and sort of the more experienced players have come in, Marcus (Garnham) who's well known, Byron (Lawrence) who's also well known. We all gel really well. With the likes of Joe Marsden we have a good level of such an older core and then the younger lads coming through like Noah (Collard), (Callum Page) Pagey, Jose (Santa), Jake Dye. And we have a really good mix of personalities in that there's no conflict in the dressing room, that we have a good team spirit and I think it's an easy dressing room to come into as a new player, for the likes of (Ben Fowkes) Fowkesy, Josh Pollard etc, we've created something special this year!

DK: How pleasing to win the Premier Cup and get some silverware?

DM: I think as a player, you don't get too many opportunities in your playing time to win trophies. I think that whether you're playing SIL, Division Two or you're playing step 3 like we are , you only get so many opportunities to win a trophy - a league or a trophy, it's always nice to do that. I think that as a club it's a big thing, to have won it only two times before in recent history it's difficult to win it. So to be the best team in Suffolk at Non League, I think it's a big thing for the club to win those sort of competitions! I'd like to say we'd want to establish ourselves as the best non league side in non league, that's what we want to do really!

DK: As the season, albeit short, would you say it's matched or succeeded any kind of targets you had?

DM: I think the season being so close to the start it's difficult to say whether it's matched any expectations, so although we got off to a good start, we wanted to start well, we wanted to be around the promotion conversation. For me personally, we've matched our expectations, I think to exceed our expectations are that we needed to have played more games and would've needed to have been there at the end of the season, so if we'd have been at the top at the end of the season and in the final of the Suffolk Premier Cup and a good FA Trophy run, I think realistically we expected to be in the play offs at the end of the season. I think we've done well, but in terms of our expectations it was looking promising to beat!

We've just got to make sure we put our foot on the pedal and come back and do it again next season. 

REPORT + REACTION | NEEDHAM MARKET U15 JPL V JUNIOR HOOPS U15 JPL | 19.06.2021

Fixture Details:-
Date: Saturday 19 June 2021
Kick Off Time: 11am
Venue: Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena, Needham Market F.C., Quinton Road. 
Competition: Nerf Junior Premier League U15 National Cup 2020-2021 Semi Final 

Needham Market U15 JPL side advance to the Nerf Junior Premier League U15 National Cup Final after a clinical performance in a 6-4 topsy-turvy win over Junior Hoops. 

The win means the young Reds become the first Needham Market side to reach a national cup final as they take on Henley Lions FC Blues at Gloucester City AFC at 10am on Saturday 26th June - after Henley overcame Oakwood 14-13 on penalties following a 3-3 draw. 

The young Reds are the top scorers in the competition with 23 goals in 5 matches, ten more than final opponents Henley, who however boast 3 clean sheets in four matches in the cup - making for an interesting final. 

Needham started brightly as it took them just mere seconds to get through dangerously down the right-hand side, but the ball from am acute angle was deflected straight to the Junior Hoops goalkeeper. 

Hoops by contrast quickly broke down the other end 40 seconds later, shooting narrowly over the top left-hand corner. 

The next good chance though came ten minutes in as the hosts fired a good low strike wide of the bottom far corner, whilst at the other end the Hoops' centre-forward headed narrowly over the bar from close range a minute later. 

The Young Reds meanwhile broke the deadlock on 13 minutes with a well worked goal as Magic Smalls was threaded through inside the box to weave through to shoot, firing home on the rebound into the bottom left-hand corner after the forward's initial shot was blocked. 

Goalscorer Smalls then went close to a quick second, curling and dipping a dangerous free-kick narrowly over the top left-hand corner on 17 minutes. 

Three minutes later, the visitors went close albeit for an offside flag, shooting just an inch wide from a dangerous ball squared across the face of goal. 

Junior Hoops went close again a minute later, drawing a great save out of goalkeeper Lewis Clements, who got down well to his bottom left-hand post to beat away a ferocious 30-yard strike. 

But it wasn't long before Junior Hoop drew level, as they restored parity on 23 minutes, clever play from the visitors saw the team in green release a man through on the end of a long ball inside the box to lift his shot over Clements and into the roof of the net from close range. 

Needham though looked to respond five minutes later, hitting a low well hit 20-yard strike straight at the goalkeeper, although Hoops curled their shot an inch wide of the bottom right-hand corner from the edge of the box soon after. 

Three minutes before the interval, goalscorer Smalls had a shot well saved from an offside position inside the box before the forward turned provider for Ashton Dozier a minute later to regain the home side's advantage. 

Smalls released his forward partner through past the defence, drawing the keeper off his line whilst also holding up possession. Dozier then rounded the goalkeeper before finishing low into the middle of the net past the covering defenders, 2-1. 

Needham went into the break 2-1 up thanks to a great diving save from Clements to preserve their one goal lead on the stroke of half-time, diving up well to his top left-hand corner to parry away a powerful right on the edge of the box. 

Just two minutes after the restart, Needham made that late first half save count, adding a third goal as Ashton Dozier picked up a very quick brace, poking home Jake Mayhew's low left wing cross on the byline into the bottom near corner from point blank range, 3-1. 

Ten minutes later, Needham's Alex Oakley was denied from making it 4-1, after the number 9 weaved through onto the edge of the box the home man saw his curling shot helped behind for a corner by the goalkeeper down at his bottom left-hand corner. 

At the other end though, Junior Hoops were awarded a penalty just shy of the hour mark after the Needham man was accused of dragging his man down inside the box. Up stepped the visitors to cooly dispatch his spot-kick well, blasting it down the middle as he watched the 'keeper dive across to his right. 

But Needham reacted quickly to restored their two goal lead, doing so two minutes after conceding as Magic Smalls picked up his second of the game and Needham's fourth finishing a ball squared into the box first time into the bottom left-hand corner on 61 minutes. 

Six minutes later, it was high gives for Needham, as Smalls again turned provider - this time for Alex Oakley, releasing the latter through with just the 'keeper to beat as the number 9 smashed his shot home into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Junior Hoops however went agonisingly close twice within a minute, after hitting the post from close range, the away side leapt highest to head a right wing cross just an inch wide of the top left-hand corner. 

The away side then looked to get themselves back into the contest with exactly ten minutes to go, reducing Needham's lead to just two as they headed home from point blank range at the near post from a right wing pinpoint cross. 

However, Alex Oakley practically sealed his side's spot in the final only a minute later looping a right wing cross-turned-shot over the 'keeper, who got fingertips to it as the ball dipped home into the bottom far corner. 

Needham then looked to add to their lead on 74 minutes as the goalkeeper smothered the shot from just outside the box. The away side though piled on the pressure late on as they fired a shot just an inch wide of the bottom left-hand corner. 

The Hoops though rounded off the ten goal thriller by heading home a free bullet header from close range into the top right-hand corner four minutes from time, whilst the only real blemish for the home side saw captain Conner Lane dismissed for two yellow cards towards the end as Needham advance to the final. 

Needham

9 Alex Oakley 2 

10 Magic Smalls

18 Jake Mayhew

17 Oliver Flemming

20 Ashton Dozier  

1 Lewis Clements        

8 Conner Lane (c)

Joseph Collins    

James Letts    

Aiden Jolly

Jayden Hanna    

Finn Mills    

Flynn Crosthwaite    

Isaac Joseph Read    

Dylan Sadler    

Ben Smith      

Ben Batho    

Booked: NM (29'), JH15 (52'), N4 (59'),JH6 (61'), N6 (66'), JH10 (78'), Lane (79', 80'), JH15 (80+2').

Needham Goals: Smalls (13', 61'), Dozier (38', 42'), Oakley (67', 76').

Hoops Goal Times: (23'), (59'pen), (70'), (76').

POST MATCH INTERVIEW: Jason Curtis | Needham Market U15 JPL v Junior Hoops | National Cup SF!

DK: Congratulations on being the first Needham side to ever make a National Cup Final!

JC: Thankyou Drew! Another frenetic game, lots of goals, keep telling you we promise goals, but really enjoyed it today!

DK: And you brought us ten in fact!

JC: Yeah, lots of goals, as I've said before we'll play on the front foot, we'll try and score goals - which leaves us open sometimes, but entertaining football!

DK: And a brace for two of your players?

JC: I think it was 3 braces, Magic (Smalls) 2, Ashton (Dozier) 2 and Alex (Oakley) 2.

(On the 6th Needham goal) I think it was a cross come shot and I think the goalie helped it in, but Alex is claiming it!

DK: We'll call it a brilliant shot, which we've seen a few of them here!

JC: Saw the goalie off his line!

DK: Saw the goalie off his line, thought this would be the perfect goal to get us through to the final!

JC: Yeah, we'll take that!

DK: And we're waiting for the winner of Oakwood and Henley Lions?

JC: As with every round we don't know much about them yet, all I can do is have a look at results and then we'll prepare as we can ready for next weekend in the final! 

DK: And you're going to the place that the first team last were!

JC: Yeah, absolutely, Gloucester I'm told that there's lovely facilities there, so we'll enjoy the weekend! 

DK: In the second half when the opposition kind of lost their heads for a little bit, the lads did very well to keep focused and punish them really. 

JC: Yeah, absolutely, it's instilled in them. The emotions were high, but I do try and encourage. We're here to play football, don't get caught up in the moment. Sometimes it's difficult to manage, but we did ok! 

DK: Even with ten men even though we were pretty much home and hosed then! 

JC: Unfortunate second yellow, a really shame for the captain, who's been through thick and thin with me, so massively disappointed for him - that's the only negative of the day really, because obviously he's going to miss the final. 

DK: And there was a brilliant atmosphere to roar you guys on! 

JC: Again, amazing support from the club! Lots of neutrals here today again, I saw friends of friends, of friends and it made for a great atmosphere! 

DK: And obviously with the final one more game before you do it all again! 

JC: A big push next week and we'll all have a, lovely rest! 

On being the first Needham Market team to make a national cup final: I'm immensely proud of the achievement and look forward to seeing the boys represent Needham Market on a National stage.

We'll prepare for the final as any other game by concentrating on our strengths and look to impose them on the opposition.

Shorter report

Needham Market U15 JPL side advance to the Nerf Junior Premier League U15 National Cup Final after a clinical performance in a 6-4 topsy-turvy win over Junior Hoops.

The young Reds prevailed with ten men in a ten goal thriller in what manager Jason Curtis described as a "frenetic game."

"As I've said before we'll play on the front foot, we'll try and score goals - which leaves us open sometimes, but entertaining football!" 

The win means the young Reds become the first Needham Market side to reach a national cup final as they take on Henley Lions FC Blues at Gloucester City AFC at 10am on Saturday 26th June - after Henley overcame Oakwood 14-13 on penalties following a 3-3 draw. 

On the club history making feat, Curtis said, "I'm immensely proud of the achievement and look forward to seeing the boys represent Needham Market on a National stage." 

"We'll prepare for the final as any other game by concentrating on our strengths and look to impose them on the opposition." 

The young Reds are the top scorers in the competition with 23 goals in 5 matches, ten more than final opponents Henley, who however boast 3 clean sheets in four matches in the cup - making for an interesting final. 

Needham started brightly as they broke the deadlock on 13 minutes with a well worked goal, forward Magic Smalls was threaded through inside the box, weaving into space to shoot before firing home on the rebound into the bottom left-hand corner after the forward's initial shot was blocked. 

But ten minutes later, Junior Hoop drew level, as clever play from the visitors saw the team in green release a man through on the end of a long ball inside the box to lift his shot over Clements and into the roof of the net from close range. 

Two minutes before the interval though, Needham retook the lead. Goalscorer Smalls turned provider for his fellow forward Ashton Dozier, as the former released the latter through past the defence, who held it up before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing low, into the middle off the net, 2-1 Needham. 

Just two minutes after the restart, Needham made a crucial save from goalkeeper Lewis Clements count as they added a third goal. Ashton Dozier picked up a very quick brace, poking home Jake Mayhew's low left wing cross on the byline into the bottom near corner from point blank range, 3-1. 

At the other end though, Junior Hoops were awarded a penalty just shy of the hour mark after the Needham man was penalised for dragging his man down inside the box. Up stepped the visitors to cooly dispatch his spot-kick well, blasting it down the middle as he watched the 'keeper dive across to his right. 

But Needham reacted quickly to restored their two goal lead, doing so two minutes after conceding as Magic Smalls picked up his second of the game and Needham's fourth finishing a ball squared into the box first time into the bottom left-hand corner on 61 minutes. 

Six minutes later, it was high gives for Needham, as Smalls again turned provider - this time for Alex Oakley, releasing the latter through with just the 'keeper to beat as the number 9 smashed his shot home into the bottom left-hand corner. 

The away side then looked to get themselves back into the contest with exactly ten minutes to go, reducing Needham's lead to just two as they headed home from point blank range at the near post from a right wing pinpoint cross. 

However, Alex Oakley practically sealed his side's spot in the final only a minute later looping a right wing cross-turned-shot over the 'keeper, who got fingertips to it as the ball dipped home into the bottom far corner. 

The Hoops though rounded off the ten goal thriller by heading home a free bullet header from close range into the top right-hand corner four minutes from time, whilst the only real blemish for the home side saw captain Conner Lane dismissed for two yellow cards towards the end as Needham advance to the final. 

The "only negative" for Curtis however came as the game entered stoppage time when captain Conner Lane was sent off for two yellow cards. 

The manager added "it was an unfortunate second yellow, a real shame for the captain, who's been through thick and thin with me, so massively disappointed for him - that's the only negative of the day really, because obviously he's going to miss the final."

On his team remaining focused irregardless of what's happened on the pitch, Curtis said "It's instilled in them. The emotions were high, but I do try and encourage. We're here to play football, don't get caught up in the moment. Sometimes it's difficult to manage, but we did ok!" 

REPORT + REACTION | Needham Market U15 JPL v Stourbridge U15 JPL 12.06.2021

Fixture Details:-

Date: Saturday 12 June 2021
Kick Off Time: 1:15pm
Fixture: Needham Market U15 JPL v Stourbridge U15 JPL
Venue: Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena, Needham Market F.C., Quinton Road. 
Competition: Junior Premier League U15 (National) Cup 2020-21 Quarter Final 

Penalty Shootout and Interview:

Needham Market continue their Junior Premier League National Cup run as they overcome a very strong Stourbridge side on penalties. 

The dramatic result means Needham will be at home again next week, as they take on Junior Hoops in the Semi Final - ahead of the Final at Gloucester (date obviously TBC)

The young Reds battled hard from the first second to the very last, showing some very strong resilience and determination to push on from being pulled back level four times before prevailing on spot-kicks thanks to some heroic saves from goalkeeper Lewis Clements. 

Needham exploded out off the blocks, quickly winning a penalty in the first minute as the Needham number 11 was brought down as he shot just an inch wide of the bottom left-hand corner after being fed through in the box. 

Up stepped Dylan Sadler, who confidently dispatched the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way as he cooly nestled the penalty into the bottom right-hand corner, 1-0 Needham. 

The game, as the scoreline suggests was a topsy-turvy, absolutely crazy eighty minute affair, which as aforementioned saw Needham take the lead four times in normal time, before responding well under pressure in the penalty shootout - in a fantastic advert for U15 & Junior Premier League Football in general, in which both sides refused to accept defeat. 

Stourbridge responded to going behind by going close early on, as the visitors curled a dangerous free-kick from just outside the box just over the top left-hand corner on 6 minutes. 

At the other end, Needham went agonisingly close after 13 minutes, after the Needham number 11 got through on the right-hand side in the box, he squared the ball across to Ollie Flemming, who just couldn't quite get a touch to it as it fell to a red shirt on the far side in the box who drilled their shot an inch wide of the bottom right-hand corner. 

Six minutes later, clever play from Needham saw Ollie Flemming spin well inside the box, who squared the ball to the number 11 from eight yards out, whose shot was blocked. 

The latter meanwhile was released through close to goal with just the 'keeper to beat, only to hit a very difficult half-volley narrowly wide of the bottom right-hand corner. 

A great save from the goalkeeper denied Ollie Flemming from making it 2-0 to Needham on 26 minutes, after being set through past the defender his close range poke goal-wards needed smothering away by the goalkeeper. 

Whilst on the hour mark, Stourbridge were an inch away from equalising, as a pinpoint left-wing cross into the six-yard box was instinctively headed towards the near post, bouncing an inch ahead of the post and just wide. 

But Stourbridge were level five minutes later as the away side weaved through in the box before seeing a ball across the box partially cleared to a man sho cooly slotted the rebound home into the bottom left-hand corner from close range. 

However, Needham looked to respond a minute later as Ashton Dozier drew the 'keeper off his line whilst cutting the ball back to a teammate on the edge of the box, where the latter attempted to curl his strike over the defender on the line into the top left-hand corner, but the defender stood firm on his line to head it over for a corner. 

The resulting set-piece then saw Needham draw another strong save out off the Stourbridge shot-stopper to deny the number 16's low shot towards his bottom left-hand corner. 

The young Reds, who scored in the second minute of the half, retook the lead in the penultimate minute before half-time. The move started with Ashton Dozier who ran through free on the right-hand side close to goal, where the striker's shot was well saved by the goalkeeper, making himself big. The rebound though fell back to Dozier who cleverly guided a ball across to Magic Smalls past the keeper at the back post who had a simple tap in into the bottom corner to regain Needham's lead at the interval. 

Into the second half, Needham went close just four minutes after the restart as the defender needed to alert to prevent Ashton Dozier getting there first to a ball in from 2 yards out, as the defender turned just wide for a corner. 

Dozier went agonisingly close himself on 47 minutes, after being set through one on one by Aiden Jolly, the forward poked his shot past the goalkeeper but just wide of the bottom right-hand corner from close range. 

Two minutes later, Dozier was mere margins away from getting on the end of the number 9's ball smashed across the box as the ball went just wide. 

Stourbridge however drew level for the second time of the afternoon on 53 minutes as a 30-yard free-kick was spilt by the goalkeeper into his own bottom left-hand corner, though the 'keeper proved to be unaffected by his mistake later on. 

After a dangerous foul saw the away side receive their second, and final, booking of the game Magic Smalls curled the dangerous 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the top left-hand corner on 57 minutes. 

Back at the other end, some great defending from Needham prevented Stourbridge from getting a clear shot at goal, defending valiantly to put in multiple blocks as the ball pinballed around the hosts' six yard box. 

Needham took advantage of that the very next minute as they retook the lead once again on the hour mark, after Jake Mayhew drove through down the left-hand side onto the byline, the winger then squared the ball across on a plate for Ashton Dozier to poke home from point blank range. 3-2 to Needham with 20 minutes remaining. 

The home side quickly followed that by going an inch away from doubling their advantage two minutes later, goalscorer Dozier was fed through in the box as he weaved to shoot - ultimately seeing his shot deflected an inch wide of the bottom right-hand corner. 

The game continued to provide plenty of topsy-turvy drama as the Reds poked narrowly over from close range on 67 minutes, whilst a great save from Needham 'keeper Clements two minutes later saw the young side preserve their lead, off his line well to smother the shot before pouncing onto the loose ball. 

But with ten minutes to go, Stourbridge drew level for the third time, tapping a ball across the face of goal home from point blank range into the bottom right-hand corner, 3-3.

Impressively, Needham were unfazed by the equaliser as the retook the lead just two minutes later as Ollie Flemming added his name to the scoresheet following a well worked goal. Flemming beat the defender well as he ran through into the box before bending his shot cleverly round the onrushing goalkeeper, into the bottom far corner off the inside of the post. 

Clements meanwhile made a great save to keep his side in front on 74 minutes, standing firm to beat the shot away from the edge of the box. 

The Reds then went close twice within seconds just two minutes later, the first saw a shot deflected just over for a corner - from which Ollie Flemming was there first but couldn't quite get a touch to it. 

At the other end, Stourbridge saw a, low shot deflected behind for a corner, whilst Needham hit the post in the 79th minute. After being laid off in space on the edge of the box, Jake Mayhew saw his low strike smashed towards goal go just wide off the outside of the left-hand upright. 

As the game entered injury time, Stourbridge saw a close range shot well saved by Clements, before Mayhew broke through free inside the box only to smash low into the side netting two minutes later. 

Three minutes into stoppage time, the home side released Flemming through one on one, but was denied by the advancing goalkeeper. 

Then in dramatic fashion, Stourbridge sent the last eight tie to penalties with the last kick off the game, tapping home a dangerous ball across the face of goal into the bottom right-hand corner, 4-4. 

Onto the shootout, Needham took first duly made it count as the number 11 stepped up first to send the 'keeper the wrong way as he confidently dispatched his spot kick into the bottom right-hand corner. Goalkeeper Clements, who was the hero in the shootout, maintained his side's advantage as he dived down brilliantly to his bottom right-hand side to palm away the spot-kick. 1-0 to Needham after one each. 

The number 15 made it 2 from 2 for the hosts with a carbon copy of the first penalty, whilst Clements made an incredible save to thwart Stourbridge again, this time diving away to his left to beat it away. 

Magic Smalls then put Needham on the verge of a semi final spot, as he made it 3-0, cooly dispatching his penalty out off the 'keeper's reach and into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Stourbridge though gave themselves a small glimmer of hope as the sent the' keeper the wrong way as they cooly found the bottom left-hand corner, but it was game over with Needham's next penalty. 

The number 14, like his teammates was never fazed by the pressure as he showed great composure to send the keeper the wrong way and slot home into the bottom right-hand corner to hand Needham a 4-1 shootout victory. 

After the game, in a nice touch from Needham, the home side gave, Stourbridge a guard of honour as they walked off the pitch, putting the finishing touches on a a very good even contest. 

Needham face Junior Hoops at Bloomfields on Saturday for a place in the National Cup Final. 

Needham:-

10 Magic Smalls 

18 Jake Mayhew

17 Ollie Flemming

20 Ashton Dozier

1 Lewis Clements       

Ben Batho    

Aiden Jolly    

James Letts    

Flynn Crosthwaite    

Conner Lane    

Ben Smith    

Finn Mills    

Alex Oakley       

Jayden Hanna    

Joseph Collins

Booked: Stourbridge (22'), Stourbridge (55'). 

Goals: Sadler (2'pen), Smalls (39'), Dozier (60'), Flemming (72'); Stourbridge (35'), (53'), (70'), (80'+5').

POST MATCH REACTION | JASON CURTIS | NEEDHAM MARKET U15 JPL V STOURBRIDGE U15 JPL | 12.06.2021

DK: Congrats on a very topsy-turvy win today, what did you think of it?

JC: I won't know until tomorrow, when my heart stops beating so hard, four times ahead, four times pegged back. All credit to Stourbridge to be fair, because they didn't give up, but we still had it in the locker to win it on penalties.

DK: Yeah, went in front from a second minute penalty and battled all the way!

JC: Yeah, right from the start, really good move, just how we like to play, five or six passes - definite penalty and it set us on our way.

DK: And you always guarantee goals and we got it in abundance!

JC: I promised you that about three or four weeks ago, we'll always get goals, really pleased for the boys!

DK: To pegged back 3 times and to still score a fourth towards the end, that takes the bottle that you always talk about.

JC: Yeah, a never say die attitude, they don't know how to give up, they don't know how to lose. We hate losing, in the nicest possible way we try and breed winners if we can, look even getting pegged back the fourth time we easily could've lost our heads on penalties but we still won on the penalties even so I'm just really pleased for the boys, really pleased for them!

DK: Four different goalscorers as well!

JC: Yeah, we could've had eight different goalscorers today, the amount of chances we've missed! Before it was 1-1 it should've been 3-0 or 4-0 if I'm brutally honest, but we don't like to do things the easy way! 

DK: We could've had 16 goals in the last two weeks!

JC: Yeah, absolutely, again we create so many chances and I don't want to be too harsh on the attacking players, because we do miss a lot but we create loads.

DK: And when you create loads you can miss them. 

JC: Yeah, you're going to miss some! If you were scoring every single time then the boys wouldn't be playing at this level, they'd be playing in an academy somewhere, we all make mistakes. 

DK: And the goalkeeper made an unfortunate mistake for one of their goals, but his response to not only make some crucial saves towards the end of the game and then to save the two penalties! 

JC: Yeah, he did! Two big saves in the game and honestly was the hero in the penalty shootout so 

I'm pleased for him. Again he was another lad who could've lost his head, but he came back stronger, he bounced back and he's won us the tie!

DK: And home in the semi finals as well! 

JC: Yeah, Junior Hoops or Grantham Town (we now know its Junior Hoops) and we'll find out later today who they are!

DK: And hopefully it'll be another good one like today! 

JC: I'll take a clean sheet next time!

DK: If you'd be so lucky!! 

Short report:

Needham Market U15 JPL Manager Jason Curtis was "really pleased" with his side's "never say  die attitude," as the young Reds advanced to the semi finals of the Junior Premier League U15 National Semi Finals after a penalty shootout win over Stourbridge.

On the opposition Curtis said "all credit to Stourbridge to be fair, because they didn't give up, but we still had it in the locker to win it on penalties." 

"We went ahead four times, four times pegged back. They don't know how to give up, they don't know how to lose. We hate losing, in the nicest possible way we try and breed winners if we can, look even getting pegged back the fourth time we easily could've lost our heads on penalties but we still won on the penalties even so I'm just really pleased for the boys, really pleased for them!"

Needham didn't take long to go in front, as they went ahead after just two minutes from a cooly taken penalty from Dylan Sadler, "we were at it right from the start, it was a really good move, just how we like to play, five or six passes - and it set us on our way." 

"We could've had eight different goalscorers today, the amount of chances we've missed! Before it was 1-1 it should've been 3-0 or 4-0 if I'm brutally honest, but we don't like to do things the easy way!" 

"We create so many chances and I don't want to be too harsh on the attacking players, because we do miss a lot but we create loads." 

"You're going to miss some! If you were scoring every single time then the boys wouldn't be playing at this level, they'd be playing in an academy somewhere, we all make mistakes."

Needham then struck at the end of the half as Magic Smalls regained Needham's lead just four minutes after being pegged back after a clever ball past the goalkeeper from Ashton Dozier. 

Stourbridge then levelled thirteen minutes into the second half after an unfortunate goalkeeping mistake, who Curtis later praised for his reaction to that, adding "he made two saves in the game and honestly was the hero in the penalty shootout so I'm pleased for him. Again he was another lad who could've lost his head, but he came back stronger, he bounced back and he's won us the tie!" 

Needham responded quickly to retake the lead on the hour mark as Jale Mayhew set up Ashton Dozier to make it 3-2, whilst Stourbridge struck again with ten minutes to go to make it level at 3 goals each. 

The hosts roared back though to go in front for the fourth time two minutes later thanks to Ollie, Flemming's audacious low shot round the goalkeeper, before Stourbridge drew level with the last kick of normal time. 

In the shootout, Needham relished under the pressure, scoring all four of their penalties whilst goalkeeper Lewis Clements made two crucial saves to be the hero in the shootout. 

The dramatic win sets up a semi final tie for Needham, once again at home, as they welcome Junior Hoops at Bloomfields 3G, kick off at midday. 

INTERVIEW | Junior Premier League East Region Interview | 09.06.2021

With the JPL 2020-21 season drawing to a close, the League's East Region kindly offered to do an interview to discuss the inaugural league campaign. 

The league is currently at the Quarter-Finals stage of cup competitions, notably with Needham Market U15 JPL side flying the flag for the East Region in the National Cup (Saturday, 1:15pm KO, v Stourbridge). 

1. First of all, do you mind telling us about how you came to form the league in our region?

A: Sure - we own a football tour company - Tour4You. This led us to conversations with the JPL over a possible collaboration on that front, however, we were so impressed with their ethos and brand that we begun to talk about supporting their growth in the East Region. We recognised a gap in the market for a league that bridged the gap between grassroots and academy without damaging the local leagues by diluting the standard of our programme. Our approach is to offer the opportunity for the best local talent to play with and against each other and compete nationally in the cup competitions. Our aim is to offer another level to the local pyramid rather than add a league that competes with existing grassroots leagues.

2. With this being the inaugural year of JPL Football in our region, how do you reflect on the season? 

A: Fundamentally we have been delighted with the success of the league in the East this season. When we initially sat down with the JPL we were at the start of the 2019/20 season and in very much 'normal' times. We had immediate interest in the league via our local contacts and were excited by the opportunity for the local children.

However, as you can imagine, the onset of the pandemic presented incredible challenges us in getting it off the ground because naturally priorities of those who had registered interest were shifted elsewhere. Nonetheless, we were thrilled to be able to launch as we had planned and the league has been exceptionally well received locally. Our members recognise they are present in formative years of the JPL in the East of England but have totally bought into the ethos of the programme. The environments clubs have created have been excellent, centred around the child, and we already have some wonderful individual success stories! We have concluded the season with some teams having a great run in the national competitions, connecting with the wider JPL across the rest of the country. In summary, we have been delighted with year one. To continue the upward trend, we are looking for more people passionate about developing the striving players of the region to get in touch and grow the provision! 

3. From the outside point of view, it's been a successful and very competitive first season, would you agree? 

A: Absolutely; and that's what we're after. We're looking to remove the large and non-competitive scores from youth games but adding another layer to the local provision. There have been some excellent games this year that have advertised youth football in the East of England in a great way. This has been supported with some great coaching and parenting whereby players have been encouraged to try things, make mistakes and have another go. The real test will be feedback from the players, but what we set out to achieve this season in the climate of the pandemic has only been surpassed, but this is largely down to the commitment of the clubs involved.

4. What's been the most rewarding part of this season so far? 

A: Great question. Personally, the moment the first ball was kicked which was the cherry on a cake of a significant amount of work leading up to that point. 

However, equal to that has been seeing programmes enter the league who have previously run excellent training programmes without a games programme join the league.

The array of clips sent to our twitter profile demonstrating excellent individual moments for the players. The amount of young aspiring referees we have supported into regular games in a learning environment. In truth, the programme itself has been incredibly rewarding for all the reasons mentioned and plenty more I've missed off!

5. The situation with COVID has obviously had an effect, can you describe how it had an effect on the league this season? (What challenges has it created?) 

A: Yes, COVID clearly had huge implications on the process of establishing the league. Initially, logistically, clubs were unable to hold sessions for new teams or get players and/or parents together. This prevented a number of clubs from joining. Whilst the financial commitment is comparable with local grassroots leagues, without knowing when football return, it was naturally challenging for parents and clubs to commit to a new initiative. Again, logistically our introductions to clubs often took place on a phone call or zoom call when in an ideal world we would have visited clubs more often to highlight the benefits of the JPL. Ultimately, we brought the programme to this region at the most challenging time in recent history. However, there was no way of predicting that. This year has had its own similar challenges with clubs generally taking an understandably cautious approach to new projects. However, we are proud to be part of an organisation which fundamentally puts the children first and this was reflected in the restructure of the provision for this season. Specifically, prioritising the league first, ensuring that is concluded before turning attention to the national competitions. Furthermore, we were thrilled to see competitions cut short from last season played out to a conclusion this year.

6. It must be rewarding to have a team from the region progressing quickly, for example Needham Market are currently in the Quarter-Finals of the National U15 Cup, flying the flag for the Eastern Region?

A: It's great; we're delighted for Jason and his group to play clubs from outside East Anglia and see the wider programme of the JPL. Ultimately, we're not interested in the results but we're thrilled that the group are thoroughly enjoying the experience of knock-out competition. They've fully embraced the programme this season and developed a great group of young players so its wonderful to see their hard work gaining them opportunities and exposure!

Likewise, we have been delighted to see how teams who havent progressed as far in the competition have remained connected to Needham's progression and support them from afar. Ultimately, that epitomises the community spirit of the JPL that both Martin, Rich and all other league officers highlighted in our initial conversations. We're glad that spirit has extended into our region and look forward to celebrating the acheivements of the whole JPL community at the national finals events.

It's worth noting we are also delighted with the progression of other teams within the region, notably Personal Best Soccer, who operate a great private programme reaching the U14 national final!

7. What plans do you have in mind regarding the league next season, will there be any changes, aka will you add any extra leagues at different age groups, do you intend to expand the league etc?

A: First and foremost we want to consolidate what we currently have. However, there is growth planned for the league and we are currently seeking interest in the younger age groups (U9-12) while still having several spaces U13 to 16. Our ambition is not to grow the league indefinitely so we are looking for each club to take ownership of their 'patch'. We then wont recruit clubs onto that 'patch' if the talent pool cannot be justified. Therefore, despite the obvious challenges over the last 18 months, we are actively encouraging clubs to get in touch and be part of this project while the opportunity exists!

AFC Sudbury U18 v Leiston U18 | Suffolk Boys U18 Midweek Cup Final | 27.05.2021

Fixture Details:-
Date: Thursday 27 May 2021 
Kick Off Time: 19:30
Fixture: AFC Sudbury Under-18s v Leiston Under-18s (Thurlow Nunn Youth League South v Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central) 
Competition: Blue Square Solutions Suffolk Boys' U18 Midweek Cup Final 
Venue: Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena, Needham Market F.C., Quinton Road, Needham Market.

AFC Sudbury win their fifth straight Blue Square Solutions Suffolk Boys' U18 Midweek Cup with a rampant second half in which they struck five to retain their trophy against Leiston, who played well and can count themselves unfortunate to be beaten by six goals by a clinical Sudbury side. 

Sudbury were unchanged from smashing 11 past Ipswich Wanderers in their semi final- which included Shane Temple who returned for the semi final having scored three in as many games on trial at Sunderland, which was also at Bloomfields, whilst Leiston booked their spot having defeated Felixstowe & Walton United 6-0 in their last four tie - both of which were played last Tuesday. 

The first half was a very closely contested affair, as the half-time scoreline of 2-1 reflected - although Sudbury could've arguably had been further in front, while Leiston also created some very dangerous chances themselves, which set up a very interesting second half. 

But as mentioned the second half saw Sudbury spare little mercy on their opponents, making it 5-1 with 3 goals within 8 minutes just before the hour mark. Curtis Harvey then rounded off proceedings, sealing Sudbury's grip on the trophy, with a late brace - both of which courtesy of Shane Temple's assists. 

Sudbury started the game on the front foot, as Jake Barnyard's dangerous right wing low cross into the six yard box forced Kolinio Biaukula to turn it behind for a corner, from which Jesper Lawrence's free header went just over the top right corner from Luke Hipkin's set-piece.

At the end, Leiston's Drew Connick headed just off target seconds later, whilst Josh Stokes deflected Leiston goalkeeper Harvey Garnham's ball on his line an inch wide of Garnham's left-hand post. 

As the game entered the tenth minute, Sudbury were denied by some great resilient defending from Leiston from breaking the deadlock. 

In truth it was quite a chaotic few seconds, as goal bound shots were separated by mere seconds, beginning with Jake Barnyard being set through by a defence splitting pass into the box, as the forward looked to smash home into the bottom far corner. Garnham however was equal to it to get a strong boot across to keep it out. 

The rebound then fell to Jack Palmer, whose close range low fierce strike was cleared off the line by defender Kyle French, before the rebound fell once again to Barnyard, who also fired low past Garnham towards goal, but this time it was the other Leiston centre back, Taylor Sumpter who put his body on the line to make a superb goal-line block. 

But it was 1-0 to the reigning Champions just two minutes later, Luke Hipkin once more threaded Jake Barnyard through with a defence splitting pass, with the latter this time cleverly beating the defender with a "Ronaldo Chop" before absolutely thumping a curling strike home empathically into the top left-hand corner. 

Sudbury almost made it 2-0 in quick succession two minutes later, as Shane Temple teed up Josh Stokes free 25-yards from goal but the latter could only curl narrowly over the top left-hand corner. 

Leiston however went close three times within four minutes in response to going behind, the first seeing a dangerous 25-yard central free-kick headed across the face of goal, forcing Sudbury goalkeeper Blunkell to tip it away vitally on his goal-line on 18 minutes, whilst the Sudbury shot-stopper was alert three minutes later to turn Ben Morling's corner away from underneath his crossbar. The rebound them fell to the awau side who skewed the half-volley just wide of the bottom left-hand corner. 

Shortly after, a Leiston corner found Oliver Godbold free from point blank range, who headed just wide via the outside of the post. 

Back at the other end, Sudbury had another great chance on 27 minutes, goalscorer Jake Barnyard cut inside well onto the edge of the box before sending his strike curling narrowly wide of the top left-hand corner.

Shortly after the hour mark, after being fed through inside the box by Luke Hipkin, Shane Temple poked his shot just wide of the post on 32 minutes, just prior to Sudbury netting their second goal of the night two minutes later. 

Jake Barnyard, scorer of the yellows' first goal, raced through on goal down the right wing to square the ball on a plate for Shane Temple running in eight yards to confidently finish with a deft flick with the outside off his boot into the bottom left-hand corner to double his team's lead.

Two almost became three for Sudbury on 37 minutes, after Alfie Adams' brilliant ball across the goal-line from the left byline just evaded Barnyard running in at the far post, the ball back across found Jack Palmer from seven yards out but the latter thundered his half volley an inch wide of the bottom left-hand corner. 

Three minutes later though, Leiston halved the deficit to 2-1, as Tyler Blair dispatched the rebound into the top left-hand corner after Oliver Godblld's shot was well saved by the legs of Josh Blunkell. 

In response to conceding, Sudbury went close on 41 minutes as Luke Hipkin shot just over after beating Garnham to a through ball. 

Then as the game entered into the second minute first half stoppage time, Sudbury went close twice in quick succession. Firstly, Alfie Adams' shot thumped at goal, following a cutback, was heroically blocked by the chest of Tyler French on the goal line, before a defender was well placed to clear Josh Ambrose ferocious shot on the turn from close range off the goal-line as an entertaining half drew to a close. 

Into the second half, Sudbury started it all guns blazing as Josh Stokes jinked through to see his quick strike deflected just an inch wide of the bottom left-hand corner for a corner to Sudbury on 46 minutes, from Hipkins' set-piece Stokes was denied once more. This time his shot fired towards goal was denied by the back of Taylor Sumpter, the rebound then fell to Alfie Adams outside the box, but he could only fire an inch wide of the bottom right-hand corner. 

A quickfire goal spree of three goals in 8 second half minutes then saw Sudbury quickly race to a 5-1 lead. Jack Palmer restored Sudbury's 2 goal lead on 51 minutes, firing home into the bottom left-hand corner, despite a hand from Harvey Garnham - who couldn't quite keep it out. 

Between the holders' third and fourth goals, Sudbury skipper Tedd Penn forced a great save out off Harvey Garnham two minutes later, as Penn's 25-yard curling strike was looking to creeping the bottom left-hand corner until Garnham got down well to parry it away. 

Josh Ambrose then added his side's fourth goal soon after, after being set through in the box the number 11 finished well from a tight angle into the bottom corner, off the inside of the post. 

Seconds after Sudbury had a great chance again, as a long ball almost found Barnyard running in, but Garnham was off his line well to smother. 

It was high fives for Sudbury just prior to the hour mark, this time it was Alfie Adams who was set through with just the onrushing Garnham to beat, as the, Sudbury number 9 finished cooly past him into the bottom left-hand corner for 5-1. 

Josh Ambrose meanwhile looked to make it 6 with what would've been his second goal of the evening on 64 minutes, as his shot from inside the box was headed behind well by Taylor Sumpter for a corner, whilst Sudbury then headed a Luke Hipkin corner narrowly wide nine minutes later. 

Two goals within two minutes in the final four minutes then put the gloss on a rampant second half from Sudbury, who put Leiston to the sword - a scoreline which from the Leiston perspective looked slightly harsh, though Sudbury were undoubtedly the more clinical side as the scoreline evidently suggests. 

Curtis Harvey helped himself with both goals, picking up a late grace, both of which were set up by Shane Temple. 

Harvey's first and Sudbury's sixth arrived after 86 minutes as Temple's clever ball round the defender fed Harvey through one on one with Garnham to finish cooly past the goalkeeper and into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Harvey then rounded off proceedings with his side's seventh goal two minutes later, this time set up by Temple on the left byline as Harvey finished off, with a rather scuffed finish which just beat the defender sliding in and over the line for the final 7th goal. 

Sudbury retain the trophy for a fifth consecutive season courtesy of an explosive second half team performance. 

AFC Sudbury:-

1 Josh Blunkell

2 Finlay Long

20 Jesper Lawrence 

6 Ted Penn (c) 

9 Alfie Adams

12 Luke Hipkin

15 Jack Palmer

16 Jake Barnyard 

22 Josh Stokes

10 Shane Temple

11 Josh Ambrose 

Subs:

1 Luke Craigie (80' Blunkell) 

17 Owen Lennie

19 Curtis Harvey 

23 Dan Smith

28 Brad Byrne

Leiston:-

1 Harvey Garnham

2 Kolinio Biaukula

3 Callum Pearce

4 Tyler Blair

5 Taylor Sumpter

6 Kyle French

7 Oliver Godbold

8 Ben Morling

9 Grant Overett

10 Ash Wilding 

11 Drew Connick

Subs:

12 Callum Tucker

14 Owen Andrews

15 Josh Bailey

16 Hayden Brown

17 Jacobbi Tugman

Booked: Sumpter (45'), Godbold (45'+1'), Temple (45'+1'), Stokes (57'), Tucker (89'). 

Goals: Barnyard (12'), Temple (34'), Palmer (51'), Ambrose (54'), Adams (59'), Harvey (86', 88'); Blair (40').

Needham Market U15 JPL v Corby Town U15 JPL 05.06.2021

Fixture Details:-
Date: Saturday 5th June 2021
Kick Off Time: 12:30pm
Fixture: Needham Market Under-15s JPL v Corby Town Under-15s JPL
Venue: Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena, Bloomfields - Needham Market F.C., Quinton Road, Needham Market. 
Competition: Junior Premier League U15 (National) Cup Competition 2020 - 2021 3rd Round (last 16)

Needham Market Under-15s advance to the Quarter-Finals of the Junior Premier League National Cup after a hard fought 2-1 win over a good Corby Town side at Bloomfields. 

Whilst Needham could have arguably scored more, Corby did pose a threat as the away side went in front after 14 minutes. 

Needham however responded 13 minutes later to draw level, before going in front shortly after the half-hour mark. 

The second half, Needham controlled a fair amount of possession and were unlucky to not add to their tally. Corby however did look to capitalise when chances fell their away, but Needham looked quite comfortable for most of the second half. 

Needham started brightly as the hosts' number 11 whipped a dangerous ball towards the man in the centre, but he just couldn't quite get his jead onto it in the second minute. 

Needham continued their bright start as they drew a good save from the Corby goalkeeper on 11 minutes, as a cutback fed the hosts' winger free inside the box, whose low shot was well saved by the foot of the goalkeeper. 

At the other end, the Needham shot-stopper got down well himself to react quickly to deny Corby the opening goal on 14 minutes. The Northamptonshire side countered quickly down the left wing, where the man free from 12-yards out shot low towards thr bottom near corner, forcing the 'keeper down well to stick out a foot and turn it behind. 

From the resulting corner however, Corby broke the deadlock as a low corner found the striker free 12-yards out who fired a first time half-volley home into the bottom corner. 

Needham looked to respond three minutes later as high pressure inside Corby's six yard box saw the deflection from the attempted clearance rebound narrowly wide of the right-hand upright. 

The Reds then drew a good save out off the keeper on 18 minutes. This time, Needham got through dangerously down the left-hand side as the resulting low cross in towards the Needham winger needed parrying away by the goalkeeper diving across on his goal-line with the Needham man just unable to get on the end of the cross. 

Magic Smalls picked out the Needham number 5 close to goal three minutes later, but the latter headed just wide of the right-hand post, before Smalls curled a 30-yard free-kick over the crossbar two minutes later. 

Needham meanwhile drew level three minutes before the hour mark with a well worked goal, as a low ball across the face of goal was flicked goal bound by Ashton Dozier as the ball then went in off both a defender and Jake Mayhew before going into the net. 

Needham looked to take the lead on 29 minutes but the cutback, after some brilliant play to keep the ball in twice by the number 11, was intercepted by a defender, whilst Corby curled a free-kick from the right edge of the box just over the crossbar two minutes later. 

Sixty seconds later, it was 2-1 to Needham as Flynn Crosthwaite's low left wing cross was turned home by a defender into the bottom far corner. 

Corby however had a great chance to equalise four minutes before the interval, as the visitors' striker headed agonisingly wide from a yard out. 

Needham though were denied by by some good goalkeeping on 38 minutes, after kicking away a ball through to Ashton Dozier, the keeper was on hand to tip over a well hit Magic Smalls strike for a corner as the half drew to a close, with Needham leading 2-1 at the break. 

Into the second half, Corby looked to draw level on 49 minutes as the number 9 headed an inch wide of the far corner from four yards out, whilst the away side fired narrowly over the bar from 20-yards out on 53 minutes. 

Seconds later however, Needham went agonisingly close themselves, after cutting the ball back to Dozier the strike could only shoot agonisingly first time just over the crossbar. 

Needham then looked to double their lead shortly after, this time forcing the keeper to parry away the shot before quickly gathering the loose ball. 

Needham arguably could've been out off sight, but Corby didn't make it easy for the young Reds, as the latest chance saw the hosts' short corner find a man free in the box who turned smartly before curling a shot an inch wide of the bottom far corner on 57 minutes. 

Needham then went close again a minute later, as Ashton Dozier was set through on goal, the 'keeper smothered his initial shot well off his line, but the rebound cannoned goal-wards off the chest of the Needham forward only to be cleared off the line well by a vitally placed defender. 

Dozier was then mere inches away from connecting with a dangerous cross into the six yard box, with the keeper there behind him to claim the ball just after on 64 minutes.

The hosts were denied once more by the Corby goalkeeper six minutes later, again getting a strong foot across to block the shot from a fairly tight angle behind for a corner. 

Needham continued to press in search of a third goal, nearly getting it with nine minutes remaining as the Needham captain released Ashton Dozier through on goal, the striker twisted and turned past the defender but could only slot his finish just wide of the bottom right-hand corner from close range. 

Dozier then fired an inch wide of the bottom corner a minute later, before the hosts guided a free header just over following a short corner on 78 minutes. 

Then as the game entered its final minute, Dozier went agonisingly close once more to sealing his side's Quarter Final spot, but shot just an inch wide of the target as Needham saw the final moments out to advance to the last eight. 

The young Reds will play either Rushall Olympic or Stourbridge - which is confidently presumed to be a home tie next Saturday (12th June), kick off 1pm at Bloomfields.

After the game, I spoke to Needham Market U15 JPL manager Jason Curtis, here is the transcript below. 

POST MATCH REACTION | JASON CURTIS | NEEDHAM MARKET U15 JPL V CORBY TOWN U15 JPL 05.06.2021

DK: Congrats on a very good win today, first of all what did you make of it?

JC: Yeah, we made hard work of it again, obviously we won 2-1 and missed a few chances at the end there. It should've been a little bit simplier, but we'll take getting to the quarter finals! 

DK: The team as you've said before, showed great determination to come back from a fairly early goal to lead 2-1 at half time.

JC: Yeah, like I said last week, the grit determination, never say die attitude, they just don't know how to lose.

DK: Second half you looked on top!

JC: Yeah, the momentum as they were stronger and fitter, but again we just needed that third goal. That might have ended up with four, five or six, you just never know.

DK: Definitely and they were two good goals as well!

JC: Yeah, definitely, we will stick to our principles. We'll pass it, move it quickly, and goals will come. We'll create chances, so two really good team goals!

DK: Like you say into the Quarter-Finals, against either Rushall Olympic or Stourbridge?

JC: Yeah, I believe that's the half of the draw, and I believe we're at home. We don't know much about either of them at this stage, I'll do a little bit of homework in midweek and we'll go again ready for Saturday.

As I've said before, that's why we're in here, the JPL, just because of the levels. The teams and the clubs involved, it's really exciting.

DK: Even with the roll in, roll off it didn't seem to affect the momentum.

JC: Yeah, we've got a strong squad! Everyone is involved, it's a hot day, everyone needed that breather for ten to fifteen minutes off and then come back on again, so that worked really well for us! I'm delighted with everybody.

DK: We liked playing on the wings, I presume that's something you encourage?

JC: Definitely yeah, we play that way to make the pitch really, really big when in possession, with the wingers on the touchline.

DK: So I presume you're confident going into next week?

JC: Yeah, absolutely! We've got every ounce of belief in these boys, they've been terrific! Let's keep the season rolling!

DK: And if it is a home tie, 1pm, hopefully see some supporters down here again!

JC: Definitely, get the supporters behind us once again, and represent the club! 

Needham Market:-

10 Magic Smalls

20 Ashton Dozier

Finn Mills

Jayden Hanna

Isaac Joseph Reid

Lewis Clements

Ben Batho

Joseph Collins 

Ben Smith 

Oliver Flemming

Alex Oakley

Dylan Sadler

Nat Salsby    

James Letts    

Conner Lane

Jake Mayhew

Flynn Crosthwaite

Goals: J.Mayhew (27'), F.Crosthwaite (32')

CORBY (14'). 

INTERVIEWS | Jason Curtis | Needham Market U15 JPL Manager | 01.06.2021

On Tuesday, I spoke to Needham Market U15s JPL Manager Jason Curtis about his side's run to the last 16 (third round), where they host Corby Town on Saturday having beaten Coventry City Sky Blues & Lowestoft Town in the previous rounds.

In this week's interview, we previewed Saturday's game as well as looking back at the team's win over Coventry.

DK: Congratulations on another good win at the weekend!

JC: Yeah, it was really, really good, very pleased! One thing we will do is entertain! 

DK: What was the game like then? 

JC: A bit of a roller-coaster! 0-0 at half-time, but we'd been very much on the front foot, the dominant team. We'd hit the crossbar, one cleared off the line, another three or four half chances so I'm a little bit disappointed is probably the right word, if I had to say. At my half-time team talk we should've been a couple of goals up, but we weren't ten out off ten by any means, we weren't fully at the races. Then in the second half, against the run of play, we went one behind, then two behind very quickly. We got one back to make it 2-1, then they went straight up the other end and had a shot. One of our lads handballed it on the line, got sent off. They scored the penalty, so we're 3-1 down, with ten men with twenty minutes to go. But we went out all guns blazing and ended up winning 6-3, scoring 5 goals in the last 20 minutes with ten men! 

DK: Sounds like a chaotic but entertaining game! 

JC: It was a proper cup game! 

DK: Next week you've got Corby Town? 

JC: Yes, they beat Kidderminster Harriers in the last round, so as I've said before when we last spoke, this is the beauty of the Junior Premier League, you play in the National Cup you're playing against very like minded similar clubs, that are step 1, step 2, step 3 of the non league pyramid. They're proper football clubs with intent to get players into their first team, a development plan, quality facilities. We're in the last 16 of the country now. So Corby Town amongst them will be another very very good test for us! 

DK: Definitely, and there's a lot of, if you don't mind me saying it, big scalps being taken, the beauty of it! 

JC: Yeah, definitely! Like I say there's some really big serious clubs left in the competition, just enjoying every minute of it! Last 16, like I say, in the whole country Needham Market aren't doing too bad! 

DK: Exactly, and like you say being in the last 16 of a national competition is something to enjoy in the moment but also be able look back on in the future! 

JC: That's the most important thing for me! I can remember when I was playing youth football and so many fond memories. All I want the boys in the team to A) enjoy the moment now but B) you'll look back on it with some fondness. I hope they take some little nuggets of information away from me and realise what a wonderful journey it's been for them as they take that into senior football! 

DK: You've got a home tie for the second week in a row, which must be nice?

JC: Yeah, we've seemed to have done a lot of travelling this year so to get a couple of home ties back to back in the cup is a welcome bonus! 

DK: And like we spoke about last week it means that hopefully you'll get some of the club's supporters come down and behind the team! 

JC: Definitely, we had family and friends of our players, but also there were a number of people that come to watch the games, that are externally interested or some that are involved with the club. It was a really good atmosphere, certainly when we went 4-3, 5-3 up and looked like we were going to win the tie, then it got really noisy on Saturday at Bloomfields, which was fantastic. We would love it to be even noisier this week, a big support, let's try and push the boys into the last eight of the competition, the quarter finals and then we can start to get really excited! 

DK: Definitely, I think not just your team but everyone else in the club must be excited, considering its a last 16 tie! 

JC: Yeah, we've had lots of compliments and congratulations from the women's, the seniors, the coaches in the EJA teams, the youth set up as well. So lots of people are showing a little bot of an interest, but again if we can get them all down on Saturday, I'd be pleased to see the support as much as the boys would be! Little bit more of a favourable kick off time of 12:30pm, as opposed to an early morning. The Hub will be open, for drinks and refreshments, the sun will be shining and lots of goals! 

DK: Definitely, considering you've beaten Lowestoft 5-2, obviously Coventry (City Community) 6-3, you've scored ten (in a game) in your league - so you're right there goals are pretty much guaranteed! 

JC: Yeah, we'll get some goals! I don't think we've got it in our DNA to draw 0-0, we play on the front foot, we play some quick exciting football, so they'll be goals in the game! 

DK: That's the beauty of youth football, because both teams are young you're so attack minded, there's going to be goals! 

JC: Definitely, that just creates further excitement! Once one goes in, you generally see the floodgates open as the game opens a little bit more, it'll be interesting! 

DK: Last time I spoke to you I asked you how you preview the game, I'm sure it'd be the same answer again? 

JC: Yeah, the boys are buzzing! Given the turn around in the game on Saturday, we're delighted in the home draw. We don't know anything about Corby and they don't know anything about us, but one thing is for certain, they'll be no mugs. You don't get to the last sixteen if you're not a good team, but we'll look to play ourselves the way I know we can and look to get the result! The boys deserve it, they've worked so hard this season! 

That game against Coventry is us in a nutshell, 3-1 down, twenty minutes to go, down to ten men - other teams that I've seen would've just folded and it could've ended up on a back end of a bit of a thrashing, 5 or 6-1. But not this group of boys, they grit their teeth, they got stuck in, got one back and once it was 3-2 (to Coventry) it was absolutely one way traffic. They have a never say die attitude! 

Interview before the Coventry game:-

DK: Congratulations on making it through to the second round of the JPL National Cup, you must be pleased? 

 

JC: Yes, very pleased, it's always nice to beat a local rival in the process! We now face Coventry in the next round which we are looking forward to! We’re the only remaining team from the Eastern Region in the competition. The final is either at the end of June or early July and will be held at Gloucester, as it says from being national it ranges from teams from Newcastle all the way down to Somerset involved.

 

DK: I looked back at your season and you've only lost one game so far, so you've had a pretty good season!

 

JC: Yeah, it's frustrating really! Upto Christmas, we were absolutely flying, five points clear. We'd already beaten St. Neots 3-0, who went onto win the second version of the league. Obviously, as you know, at Christmas we went into lockdown again and came out at the end of March, and the league rather than let it carry on as it was, they cut the league in half into two mini leagues. So the top teams played each other twice and the bottom teams played each other twice. Unfortunately in that second round of league fixtures we came second - losing only once. St Neots have lost 2 and drawn only one but are deemed the winners of the league. That's unfortunately how everything is because of COVID I guess. But yeah, we've been good every week, even the one game we did lose to St. Neots we were actually outstanding that day, just the ball wouldn't go into the net! 

 

DK: And it's the first season of being in that league, so I dare say you're very proud of your lads and how they've adapted to the league?

 

JC: Yeah, definitely! Previously we were in the Eastern Junior Alliance (EJA) and again we were on schedule to win the league, we were in the semi final of the county cup - obviously COVID hit and the season was null and void, so that was a frustration in itself, but moving into the JPL we've recruited well, brought in some fantastic players and every single player in the squad have all kicked on now! They are developing at such a fast rate.

 

DK: Do you think there's much difference between the Junior Premier League and the EJA?

 

JC: The levels aren't too dissimilar at the moment if I'm completely honest, however the JPL is only a year old in the Eastern Region. I honestly see in the next two to three years, the JPL will be the leading league to be involved in. The exciting thing is that obviously they have this national cup, something that the EJA are not able to offer, so we're really excited and looking forward to the next round! 

 

We've also played Ipswich Town's Academy twice, such is the level of where we're at now!

 

DK: I don't know how much you might know about the Coventry City Community side, how do you preview the game?

 

JC: Honestly, we fancy our chances against anybody, it doesn't matter who the opposition are, I have so much belief in the boys and in the team - not just technically, they've got some much desire and heart and will to win. We won't play the occasion, it's just another football match to us. We have a certain style of playing and we'll keep to that style and as I've said already, I fancy our chances against anybody.

 

DK: So for next season, I presume there will be an U16 division with the same or similar teams?

 

JC: Yes there will be, I don't know about the same teams though, as they'll be open to applications, so there may be a few additions, which will hopefully be the case to bump it up to ten teams, rather than just eight, would be great.

 

With our hosting such a big name club, we'd be delighted if supporters could come and support the boys on Saturday 29th May 10:30am KO (Bloomfields 3G), we don't just want it to be considered as youth football. We're representing Needham Market Football Club, so if there's first team and reserve team supporters that are out there twiddling their thumbs, because they've not been able to watch football for a while then we'd want them to come and watch us.