Royston Town v Needham Market 23.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 77. All Time Game No: 605.
Date & KO: Tuesday 23 November 2021, 7:45pm.
Fixture: Royston Town v Needham Market.
Venue: Garden Walk.
Competition: The Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-3qwWL4_zm0ioW02-40i42ZJSUsCbfzo

A late Hans Mpongo equaliser earns Needham Market a late point away at Royston.

Kevin Horlock made 2 changes to the team who beat Tamworth at home on Saturday, Noah Collard and Hans Mpongo started on the bench as Ben Fowkes and Harvey Sayer returned from illness and injury respectively. 

The Marketmen were on top in the first half and wasted little time before going in front courtesy of a well worked team goal in the third minute. Jake Dye was fed through down the left wing, who in turn fed Callum Page through inside the box. The on-loan Ipswich Town attacker then delicately chipped the ball over to Luke Ingram whose shot on the turn was blocked as far as Ben Fowkes, free at the back post, to first time guide home his eighth goal in all competitions. 

Page meanwhile saw his inviting ball into the box cleared seven minutes later, whilst clever linkup play between Page, Fowkes and Tommy Northwood resulted in Fowkes' low shot being denied by the outside base of the post on 13 minutes.

Needham were dominant in the first half as moments later, a clever solo run and powerful shot at goal from just outside the box by Harvey Sayer forced goalkeeper Oliver Williams to shovel it behind for a corner.

Luke Ingram however saw a neat flick from the on-loan Colchester United forward's corner blocked behind off the line on 21 minutes, whilst Keiran Morphew's header was deflected just over onto the roof of the net on the hour mark.

After Page lashed a good strike narrowly wide into the side-netting, the home side went close themselves on 33 minutes.

Isaac Galliford drove into space well just outside the box, but the Crows' forward fired just over the crossbar. 

Down the other end, the Marketmen almost doubled their lead after 40 minutes, Sayer's dangerous corner into the six yard box was glanced just wide by Rhamar Garrett-Douglas on the goal-line with nobody in Needham yellow able to capitalise. 

But in stoppage time, Needham did deservedly double their lead, Marcus Garnham's long ball over the defence threaded Luke Ingram through on goal to cleverly chip the ball over the onrushing Williams and into the net to go joint club top scorer with Fowkes and Page, 2-0.

Seven minutes after the restart, Needham kept the pressure on as Ben Fowkes forced Williams to shovel his fierce shot behind for a corner, whilst Williams got up well to punch away Sayer's dangerous corner with Dan Morphew storming in, looking to meet it.

The visitors arguably had the better of the play upto the hour mark, after which an eight minute goal frenzy from Royston turned the game on it's head.

After the Crows were awarded a penalty for a foul on Brandon Adams, the striker smashed home his side's first goal of the net on 62 minutes, before Daniel Newton's powerful header from Scott Bridges' corner drew Royston level four minutes later - coming after Garnham had thwarted Galliford's low shot. 

And the hosts turnaround was complete on 68 minutes as Adams latched onto a short back pass on the half-way line before driving all the way through on goal to fire home his second of the night into the bottom corner. 

The momentum then swung once again as Needham went back on top, with Williams needing to be alert to catch Needham Man Of The Match Kyle Hammond's header across the face of goal towards Hans Mpongo.

Six minutes from time, the six goal thriller was rounded off with another well worked Needham goal, goalscorer Fowkes cleverly beat his defender before smashing a low ball on a plate for Mpongo running in at the far post to tap his side back level. 

Reinvigorated by the goal, Needham went close on 86 minutes, as Page thumped his shot just wide of the bottom corner. 

Royston however looked to catch Needham on the counter three minutes later, Galliford's long run and ball across the box found Freddie Brown, but the substitute fired his first time shot just wide. 

In the first of five minutes of stoppage time, Needham also went close to finding a late winner, Tom Maycock's first time cushioned cross in found Tom Fitzgerald whose shot was deflected behind crucially for a corner with the two sides sharing the spoils.

Needham switch focus onto the FA Trophy on Saturday, when the Marketmen host Welwyn Garden City.

Royston Town:-

1 Oliver Williams

17 Rhamar Garrett-Douglas

3 Daniel Brathwaite (C)

20 Daniel Newton

6 Ronnie Henry

4 Scott Bridges (74' Brown)

14 Marcus Gouldbourne

2 Ed Asafu-Adjaye

16 Isa Rotimi (60' Murray)

11 Isaac Galliford

9 Brandon Adams (80' Titchmarsh)

Subs:

18 Makai Murray

7 Finlay Titchmarsh

8 Glodi Kweme

15 Freddie Brown

12 Tom Newman

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham (GK)

2 Thomas Northwood (60' Mpongo)

3 Jake Dye (74' Maycock)

14 Kyle Hammond

5 Keiran Morphew (C)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Luke Ingram (51' Collard)

8 Thomas Fitzgerald

9 Ben Fowkes

10 Harvey Sayer

11 Callum Page

Subs:

12 Noah Collard

15 Hans Mpongo

16 Thomas Maycock

17 Emmanuel Machaya

18 Hugh Cullum

Booked: Braithwaite (67'), Asafu-Adjaye (70'), Collard (90'+5'), Murray (95').

Goals: Adams (62'pen, 68'), Newton (66'); Fowkes (3'), Ingram (45'+2'), Mpongo (84').

Needham Market v Tamworth 20.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 74. All Time Game No: 602.

Date & KO: Saturday 20 November 2021, 3pm.

Fixture: Needham Market v Tamworth.

Venue: Bloomfields.

Competition: The Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central.

Needham Market move a place up to twelfth following a 1-0 win over Tamworth, who went into the weekend in the top 6. 

Kevin Horlock made two changes from the Marketmen's 2-1 away win at Nuneaton Borough, Noah Collard and Hans Mpongo coming into the starting eleven with Ben Fowkes (ill) and Colchester loanee Harvey Sayer (calf strain) unavailable. Academy graduate Tommy Northwood made his home first team debut, whilst Tom Maycock returned to the squad on the bench after being recalled from his loan at AFC Sudbury, with Callum Sturgess on the bench despite still recovering from a dead leg sustained last weekend.

Callum Page's first half solo finish proved enough to extend the Reds' winning run to three matches, although clear cut chances were at a premium.

Early on, Tamworth arguably had the better of the early chances but found the home defence tough to break down, though it was Needham who had the opening half chance of the afternoon as Noah Collard saw a well taken shot from outside the box well blocked inside the first few minutes.

Tamworth meanwhile were denied from point blank range by Garnham in the fifth minute, who then got down well to his near post to smother away the shot in the following minute just after Alex Jones' shot was well blocked by the home defence. 

However, after Jack Concannon fired just wide of the target from just outside the box in the tenth minute, Needham had the better chances.

Tom Fitzgerald found Kyle Hammond whose driving run through midfield got him in a shooting position but his low shot was comfortably held by goalkeeper Singh on 16 minutes. 

Needham began to put the pressure on the visitors four minutes later, but Noah Collard flying across couldn't quite get his head properly onto Callum Page's excellent ball into the box, whilst Jake Dye's exquisite left-wing cross in moments later curled narrowly wide of the far post. 

In clinical fashion, Needham broke the deadlock with what proved to be the match-winner in the 22nd minute, Callum Page beat his defender well just outside the box before hammering home across goal via the inside of the right-hand post for his seventh goal of the league campaign.

And just seconds after that goal, Needham looked to quickly double their lead, but nobody was around to get on the end of Tommy Northwood's great right wing cross into the box.

Tom Fitzgerald meanwhile went close to adding to the Marketmen's lead on 34 minutes, flashing a fierce 30-yard strike narrowly wide of the bottom right-hand corner, before Callum Page's dangerous strike was deflected behind off Hans Mpongo. 

Some resolute defending however from the Needham backline denied Tamworth three times in quick succession with three consecutive shots in the 43rd minute being blocked one after another. 

Up the other end, Noah Collard cleverly broke through into the box but couldn't quite pick out Callum Page due to a vital interception by a Tamworth defender. 

Three minutes into first half stoppage time, Needham almost captialised on a mix up in the away defence as Tommy Northwood did excellently to win possession on the half-way line and ride a challenge to thread the ball towards Noah Collard, who blocked Singh's clearance from inside the box as far as Hans Mpongo who beat the scrambling keeper to the rebound but a defender was there to hack the ball clear. 

In the second half, although Needham had chances to arguably seal the three points some strong defending from the home side preserved their lead and clean sheet, with Marcus Garnham down well to his right to smother Alex Jones' low strike from outside the box ten minutes after the restart. 

Moments later, Needham broke quickly and were denied agonisingly from extending their lead. 

Luke Ingram set up Noah Collard in space from close range, the midfielder's excellent first time strike though was denied by the face of the crossbar, falling as far as Hans Mpongo whose header found Callum Page who beat him man well to strike fiercely at goal, from a tight angle, forcing Singh down well to smother it back into play. 

Noah Collard again looked to add his goal tally for the season on 67 minutes, firing narrowly over the crossbar from distance, prior to a comfortable save from Marcus Garnham down the other end 6 minutes later saw the stopper hold onto McDonald's low dangerously positioned free-kick. 

With just ten minutes to go, substitute Emmanuel Machaya then unselfishly fed, Match Sponsors Peter & Sarah Forster's MOTM, Callum Page free outside the box who exploited space before flashing his strike just wide of the top right-hand corner, happening just before Tamworth striker Alex Jones was shown a straight red card.

Page then returned the favour five minutes later, with his great ball in finding Machaya free at the back post whose low close range shot was tipped just wide by the goalkeeper. 

The duo linked up once more in the 86th minute, Machaya this time fed Page through on the left wing to drive on through into the box only to fire just wide into the top near side-netting. 

Two minutes later though, Page was again found free in space inside the box who in turn teed up Collard who took a touch before firing straight at Singh from point blank range. 

But just as the game entered four minutes of stoppage time, a strong save from Marcus Garnham maintained Needham's advantage, off his line well to smother the shot behind for a corner after a visiting man had been found in space inside the box.

The full-time whistle then wrapped up a third win in a row for Needham, who travel to Royston Town in the league on Tuesday (23rd November).

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham (GK)

2 Thomas Northwood (61' Maycock)

3 Jake Dye

14 Kyle Hammond

5 Keiran Morphew (C)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Luke Ingram

8 Noah Collard

9 Hans Mpongo (61' Machaya)

10 Callum Page

11 Thomas Fitzgerald 

Subs:

12 Hugh Cullum

15 Emmanuel Machaya

16 Thomas Maycock

17 Callum Sturgess

18 Nathan Munson (GK)

Tamworth:-

1 Jasbir Singh (GK)

2 Christopher Cox (83' Brown)

3 Callum Cockerill-Mollett (28' Riley)

4 Ryan Beswick (C)

5 Orrin Pendley

6 Henri Wilder

7 Lucas Yeomans

8 Aaron Forde

9 Alexander Jones

10 Jack Concannon

11 Tyrell Waite (61' McDonald)

Subs:

12 Shaquille Mcdonald

14 Jordaan Brown

15 Martin Riley

16 Jack Thomas

17 Charlie Shaw

Booked: Fitzgerald (13'), Waite (39'), Wilder (53'), T coach (55').

Goal: Page (22').

Red Card: Jones (81').

Att 288. Match Sponsors Peter & Sarah Forster's MOTM: 10 Callum Page.

Needham Market record a third straight win on all competitions with a 1-0 win over Tamworth.

Tamworth however had the better of the early chances, Alex Jones' shot was blocked with the rebound going just wide off a home defender for a corner. 

Jack Concannon then fired just wide from just outside the box, before Kyle Hammond's low shot from distance was tamecand comfortable for Singh to collect. 

Arguably whilst Needham had more of the possession and edged the chances, Tamworth continued to look a threat, with Callum Page's dangerous cross seeing Noah Collard just unable to direct it goalwards in the 20th minute.

Two minutes however, Needham broke the deadlock as Callum Page hammered a low strike home via the inside of the post for his seventh goal of the season. 

Tom Fitzgerald almost doubled his side's lead on 34 minutes, flashing a 30-yard fierce strike narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

Nine minutes later though, Tamworth went close to drawing level as three shots from close range were blocked in quick succession by the home defence.

Needham however went close ten minutes into the second half, after Noah Collard's shot rebounded back into play off the crossbar MOTM Callum Page then saw his shot well smothered by Singh.

Collard then fired narrowly over the bar from range on 67 minutes, whilst Page flashed a great strike just wide with 10 minutes to go. Tamworth meanwhile were reduced to ten men shortly after as Alex Jones was shown a straight red card, whilst Machaya's close range strike was well saved by Singh on 85 minutes. Page then fired just wide into the side-netting soon after, whilst Collard's shot was smothered from point blank range.

Just as the game entered stoppage time however a crucial stop from Marcus Garnham smothered the shot behind.

Goal: Page (22').

Red Card: Jones (81').

Att 288. Callum Page MOTM. 

Nuneaton Borough v Needham Market 16.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 73. All Time Game No: 601.
Date & KO: Tuesday 16 November 2021, 7:45pm.
Fixture: Nuneaton Borough v Needham Market.
Venue: Liberty Way.
Competition: The Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central.

Needham Market move up to thirteenth place in the Southern Premier Central table after a 2-1 victory on the road to Nuneaton Borough. 

Kevin Horlock made two changes from the FA Trophy win over Margate, later adding Noah Collard was unavailable due to work and Callum Sturgess due to a dead leg sustained on Saturday - with Tom Fitzgerald and Academy graduate Tommy Northwood coming in, the latter making his first team debut at right-back, moving Jake Dye to left-back.

Arguably Needham had more of the possession and chances throughout the evening, with the Marketmen having the first shot of the night in the twelfth minute.

Ben Fowkes weaved his way through into the box from the left wing, only to see his low shot from in space comfortably saved by goalkeeper Tony Breeden.

Up the other end though two minutes later, Keiran Morphew was required to head a dangerous cross into the box just a centre-metre wide of the bottom corner. 

The Suffolk side, sporting their yellow away kit, went agonisingly close on 15 minutes as Callum Page was fed in space outside the box, but fired his shot narrowly over the crossbar. Needham did however have the ball in the net seconds later, but Luke Ingram's clever lob from 18-yards out which found the net was ruled out for offside.

Needham Man Of The Match, as chosen by the travelling Needham contingent, Dan Morphew was alert though three minutes later to head a dangerous looking cross into the six yard box behind for a corner. Similarly, in the 21st minute Callum Page's dangerous cross in across the face of goal required a vital glanced header behind for a corner by a defender 

Four minutes later meanwhile, a shot from a dangerous ball into the box from the visitors required a quick reaction stop from goalkeeper Marcus Garnham, tipping Scott McManus' effort just over his crossbar. 

Just shy of the half-hour mark, Nuneaton went agonisingly close to going in front, Ryan Edwards' header going just over onto the roof of the net. 

Nuneaton meanwhile tested the visiting defence again in the 31st minute, Gregory Kaziboni found space outside the box only to fire narrowly wide of the bottom corner. 

At the other end, the Marketmen had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 37th minute, Callum Page drove through with just Breeden to beat, who was caught off his line, but the on-loan Ipswich Town and Needham academy graduate attacker dragged his shot just a centre-metre wide of the bottom corner. 

Ben Fowkes almost opened the scoring for Needham three minutes later, his shot from inside the box though was deflected narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

Just as the half entered stoppage time, Tom Fitzgerald tried his luck at goal from 25-yards out, firing just over the top left-hand corner, whilst Callum Page's dangerous low ball across the face of goal was gathered well by Breeden as both sides went into the break level. 

Early into the second half however Needham did break the deadlock - Ben Fowkes' low ball smashed across the face of goal was mis-controlled by the defender allowing Harvey Sayer behind him to thump the ball home into the roof of the net from a yard out at the back post, 1-0 after 49 minutes - Sayer making it two goals for him in as many games. 

Following the goal, the flow of the game changed once more as Nuneaton dominated the play from then until the equaliser. 

First Nuneaton hit an overhead kick just over the crossbar on 55 minutes, whilst a left wing corner found Danny King free at the far post who could only volley over the crossbar two minutes later.

Just after the hour mark Borough restored parity. After a corner fell to ex-professional Leroy Lita, his fierce strike was blocked as far as Damien McCrory who spun round to fire home on the half-volley into the roof of the net, 1-1. 

Again though the momentum and dominance swung back into Needham's favour, first Ben Fowkes cut inside into the box to see his shot well blocked, before on the rebound Tom Fitzgerald fed Harvey Sayer into space, who cut inside from the opposing wing to fire towards goal - stinging the hands of Breeden who opted to punch the strike away on 64 minutes. 

A belated birthday present though for Luke Ingram, who was making a club record 373rd appearance, ultimately settled the match for Needham, hammering home his seventh goal of the season first time into the bottom left-hand corner, after Callum Page's shot was blocked from close range following Ben Fowkes' inviting cutback, 2-1 Needham after 67 minutes. 

The Marketmen swiftly looked to increase their lead two minutes later, substitute Hans Mpongo almost made an instant impact as his close range free header from Harvey Sayer's pinpoint cross was just beaten away by Breeden down low to his right-hand post - just prior to Callum Page's close range shot being smothered away well by the home stopper.

A crucial stop from Marcus Garnham meanwhile secured all three points for the visitors five minutes from time, after a back pass was latched onto by Danny King which released him through on goal led to the forward's low shot being palmed away crucially by Garnham.  

Luke Ingram's match-winner also takes him 50 goals away from the club record incidentally, with Needham hoping to make it 3 wins on the spin when they host Tamworth on Saturday. 

Nuneaton Borough:-

13 Tony Breeden

2 Ryan Edwards (74' Baker)

3 Thomas Armitage (74' Tellyn)

4 Damien McCrory (c)

5 Liam Daly 

6 Scott McManus (33' Noble)

7 Leroy Lita

8 Gift Mussa

9 Anthony Dwyer

10 Gregory Kaziboni

11 Danny King

Subs:

12 Louis Baker

13 Curtis Howe (GK)

14 Luke Benbow

15 Cain Noble

16 Zachary Tellyn

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Thomas Northwood (68' Mpongo)

3 Jake Dye

14 Kyle Hammond

5 Keiran Morphew (c)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Ben Fowkes (77' Clark)

8 Thomas Fitzgerald

9 Luke Ingram

10 Callum Page

11 Harvey Sayer

Subs:

12 Hans Mpongo

15 Hugh Cullum

16 Taylor Clark

17 Owen Elsdon (GK)

18 Emmanuel Machaya

Booked: Mussa (21'), Fitzgerald (25'), K.Morphew (75'). 

Goals: McCrory (61'); Sayer (49'), Ingram (67').

Att: 430.

Moreton Hall Ferals v Danepak 14.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 72. All Time Game No: 600.
Date & KO: Saturday 14 November 2021, 10:30am.
Fixture: Moreton Hall Ferals v Danepak.
Venue: Hardwick Heath Pitch 1.
Competition: Premier Logos Bury & District Sunday Football League Division One.

77' GOAL 2-2!@FreddieHogg7 puts it on a plate for @bennewdick28! @Charlie_Glover_ then makes it 3-2 straight after! pic.twitter.com/VUIr9CSpN8

— Drew Kendall (@DKendallMedia) November 14, 2021

Moreton Hall Ferals extend their 100% league record to eight league games after a topsy-turvy seven goal thriller with Danepak.

The home side quickly went in front after 32 seconds, Charlie Glover's cross fell to Fred Stewart-Hogg free on the right-hand side in the box, whose lay off to Harry Whiting-Noakes saw the midfielder place his fifth Ferals goal home well into the bottom left-hand corner, 1-0 Ferals. 

Danepak however had an almost equally as instant response, drawing level on 2 minutes, James Dean was found in acres on the left-hand side of the area to finish cooly into the bottom right-hand corner, his eleventh goal of the season levelling it up at 1-1.

Eleven minutes later, Ferals went close to regaining the lead - Harry Whiting-Noakes' left wing cross dangerously close to goal was just a centre-metre away from finding Callum Dove at the near post with the goal gaping. 

At the other end though, a terrific save from Aston Fallows denied Danepak from taking the lead on 15 minutes, James Dean was fed in possession just outside the box where the forward's arrowed strike towards the roof of the net needed tipping over by the diving Fallows.

But two minutes later, Danepak did go in front, Ross Bailey latched onto the loose ball from 12-yards out before finishing confidently into the bottom right-hand corner, 1-2 Danepak. 

And the visitors could've been 3-1 up had it not been for some determined defending from Ferals on 32 minutes, first James Dean's point blank range shot was vitally blocked by Charlie Larter, before a low shot on the left-hand edge of the six yard box was thwarted by a great stop by Fallows at his near post, with Fred Stewart-Hogg on hand to leap highest and glance away the resulting inviting ball chipped up onto the goal-line. 

The home side however went close ten minutes later, Sam Waterson's long ball over the defence was flicked on by Harry Whiting-Noakes onto Fred Stewart-Hogg, releasing the latter through onside one-on-one with the onrushing goalkeeper Smith, but could only fire narrowly wide of the bottom right-hand corner.

Ferals meanwhile went close again on 43 minutes, Ben Newdick drove all the way through down the right wing, beating a few defenders in the process on his way towards the byline where his great low ball into Callum Dove free at the near post, whose poked shot went just wide into the side netting. 

Two minutes later, Newdick went agonisingly close to drawing Ferals level - the latter leapt like a salmon to meet Charlie Glover's left wing cross but got underneath it as his header looped narrowly over the top left-hand corner.

The entertaining Sunday League encounter got more dramatic the more time ticked on, as Ferals went close to equalising in the 51st minute, Charlie Glover cut inside well just outside the box, his shot however was spilt by Smith as far as Callum Dove lurking from point blank range, but the forward could only poke his shot a centre-metre wide of the bottom corner. 

The home side went equally as close three minutes later, George Crowe's pinpoint long range free-kick po icked out Casey Underwood free in space whose header towards goal was claimed well by Smith on his goal-line. 

The chances suddenly began to flow more frequently, with Danepak having two great chances within a minute - first Ross Bailey volleyed just over from 25-yards out, whilst Halen Smith dangerous low ball picked out James Dean in space from 12-yards, but the striker's first time shot was well held by Fallows, down quickly to his right-hand side to save after 65 minutes.  

A great reaction save from Jamie Smith at the other end denied Ferals from drawing back level on 70 minutes, Jake Peasgood beat the full-back cleverly down the right-hand side to square across an inviting ball to Callum Dove I space whose well taken finish was parried away well by the stopper.

Arguably in deserved fashion, the Blues were level seven minutes later, George Glover fed Fred Stewart-Hogg just outside the box, who cleverly drove through into the box before putting the ball across the face of goal on a plate for Ben Newdick to tap home his fifth goal of the season into the roof of the net, 2-2. 

Straight away, Ferals turned the game on it's head once more, Callum Dove threaded a defence splitting pass onto Charlie Glover, who just poked it past the goalkeeper into the bottom left-hand corner for his seventh goal of the season, despite the best efforts of the retreating defender; 3-2 Ferals. 

A goal of the season contender from Billy Peck on 84 minutes made it 4-2 to Ferals, the substitute was found free outside the box and with goalkeeper Smith rushing out to close him down the forward lifted the ball over the stopper exquisitely as the ball bounced once before nestling into the roof of the net. 

Another quickfire goal however set up a nervy grandstand finish as Ross Bailey took advantage of space outside the box to fire home his third goal of the season - second of the game - into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Ferals however saw out the final 5 minutes, just edging an entertaining 7 goal thriller. It's an Moreton Hall Derby for Ferals next weekend as they host Moreton Hall 96 in the Open KO Cup 3rd Round. 

Ferals:-

1 Aston Fallows

88 George Crowe (64' Peasgood)

5 Craig Defew (75' Allen)

10 Sam Waterson

28 Ben Newdick

8 Charlie Larter (c)

6 Casey Underwood

7 Fred Stewart-Hogg

33 Harry Whiting-Noakes (83' Peck)

15 Charlie Glover (82' J.Whiting-Noakes)

11 Callum Dove

Subs:

9 Jake Peasgood

12 Dan Allen

19 Jack Whiting-Noakes

14 Billy Peck

50 Adrian Crowe

Danepak:-

1 Jamie Smith

2 Jordan Piggott

6 James Sillet (c)

19 Lee Buckle

16 Kfir Kulater (58' Davis)

7 Ross Bailey

4 Lewis Bishop

14 Tom Wood

3 Taylor Vickers 

18 Halen Smith

10 James Dean

Subs:

15 Ryan Kirnon

20 Craig Davis

Booked: Piggott (40'), Sillet (67').

Goals: H.Whiting-Noakes (1'), Newdick (77'), Glover (78'), Peck (84'); Dean (2'), Bailey (17', 85'). 

Needham Market v Margate 13.11.2021 FA Trophy

Season: 2021-22. Game: 71. All Time Game No: 599.
Date & KO: Saturday 13 November 2021, 3pm.
Fixture: Needham Market v Margate.
Venue: Bloomfields.
Competition: Buildbase FA Trophy 1st Round Proper.

Kevin Horlock Interview:-

Goals:-

Needham Market eclipse their club record run in the FA Trophy with a dramatic late home 1st Round Proper win over Isthmian Premier Division side Margate.

A game which for neutrals certainly didn't disappoint with Needham going into the break with a 2-0 lead having arguably enjoyed more of the possession, whilst Margate battled hard in the second half and wiped out that advantage, albeit the visitors succumbed to defeat in stoppage time.

The result means Needham will host Southern League Division One Central side Welwyn Garden City in the 2nd Round, who knocked out Carshalton Athletic winning 2-1. 

Kevin Horlock made one change to the Needham lineup against Leiston with the club's joint second top scorer this season Byron Lawrence, after the horrific injury last week, being replaced by Callum Sturgess, with Kyle Hammond moving into midfield and also donning the number 14 shirt - leaving the number 4 shirt unused in tribute to Lawrence, whilst Luke Ingram made club history - making his 372nd Needham appearance (having been at the club since 2013) - surpassing Rhys Barber's previous record of 370 matches between 2006-2012 .

Just two minutes were on the clock when Ben Fowkes had the opening chance of the game, but shot just wide of the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Needham goalkeeper Marcus Garnham meanwhile made a routine low stop to deny Vance Bola's 20-yard shot on the turn two minutes later. 

The Needham stopper however was drawn into a decent stop on the half-hour mark, getting across quickly to gather Lema's shot after good link-up play between Agyemang and Blackman. 

Needham though broke up the other end, as on-loan Ipswich Town attacker Callum Page's hammered strike just outside the box was blocked bravely by the backside of a defender. Although, it was the Marketmen, who had arguably enjoyed more of the possession who broke the deadlock just seconds later. 

On-loan Colchester United forward Harvey Sayers weaved his way through three defenders as he cut inside from the right wing just inside the box to smash home a brilliant strike into the bottom right-hand corner for his maiden Needham goal, 1-0. 

Some great play from the Marketmen in the 39th minute almost saw them quickly increase their lead. Noah Collard drove through brilliantly between the defence into the penalty area, the midfielder then slotted through fellow Academy Graduate Callum Page through inside the box, whose low shot was well smothered by the goalkeeper off his line, before Collard's dangerous lifted ball over the defence towards Ben Fowkes at the far post was vitally headed away by a defender. 

Goalscorer Sayer meanwhile had a great chance three minutes later to double his side's lead, firing just off target having again cut inside onto the edge of the box, whilst the aforementioned winger provided the assist for Needham's second on the 45th minute.

After Sam Blackman, who was also booked for dissent following the goal, brought down Callum Page from 30-yards out, Sayer swung the set-piece into Ben Fowkes who was on hand from close range to poke the ball underneath the goalkeeper and into the net, who in turn became Needham's season top scorer with 7 goals.

The second half was a more tighter affair in terms of clear cut chances, with Margate arguably shading the chances in the half. 

It was the visitors who had the first chance of the second half on 58 minutes, as a good low shot from point blank range was smothered away by Marcus Garnham before a strong block on a follow up shot from outside the box was deflected behind. Needham broke quickly up the other end, with Callum Sturgess almost lobbing the goalkeeper with his goalbound left wing cross, but Pat Ohman reacted well to reach up and collect the effort.

Margate though were denied by a good save from Marcus Garnham moments later, a cross into the box cross found Martial Godo whose shot was beaten away by the Needham stopper down low at his right-hand post. 

But Margate did halve Needham's lead on 62 minutes, James Bessey-Saldanha slotted through Vance Bola who beat his defender before firing home into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Very little then happened in terms of shots towards goal until the 81st minute, when Luke Ingram kept possession well inside the box but could only smash his strike narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner. 

The visitors then set up a dramatic grandstand finale eight minutes, drawing back on level terms as Sam Blackman's cross into the box found Ben Greenhalgh leap like a slamon at the back post to nod home into the top left-hand corner, 2-2. 

In response to being pegged back, Needham forced two good saves in quick succession from goalkeeper Ohman in the 84th minute, first Keiran Morphew's flick on from a dangerous corner towards the far right-hand post was well held by the diving stopper, prior to goalscorer Sayer's low shot from outside the box being equally as well saved by Ohman.

A crucial save from a point blank range header however from Garnham thwarted Margate from fully turning the game on it's head two minutes later, whilst the home side settled the cup tie in dramatic fashion three minutes into stoppage time. 

Substitute Hans Mpongo picked up his second Needham goal as he leapt like a salmon to bullet head home Kyle Hammond's sumptuous cross into the bottom right-hand corner to send the Marketmen into the Second Round Proper. 

The Marketmen are back in league action on Tuesday when they travel to Nuneaton Borough (7:45pm).

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Jake Dye

3 Callum Sturgess (60' Fitzgerald)

14 Kyle Hammond

5 Keiran Morphew (c)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Ben Fowkes (77' Mpongo)

8 Noah Collard

9 Luke Ingram

10 Callum Page

11 Harvey Sayer

Subs:

12 Thomas Fitzgerald

15 Hans Mpongo

16 Hugh Cullum

17 Emmanuel Machaya

18 Owen Elsdon (GK)

Margate:-

1 Pat Ohman

2 Crossley Lema

3 Joe Anderson 

4 Montel Agyemang

5 Lewis Knight

6 Ben Swift (c)

7 James Bessey-Saldanha

8 Sam Blackman

9 Vance Bola

10 Martial Godo (75' Palmer)

11 Ben Greenhalgh

Subs:

12 Harrison Hatful

13 Dan Colmer (GK)

14 George Lamb

16 Reece Prestedge

17 Fynn Rutherford

20 Ryan Palmer

Booked: Blackman (45'), Greenhalgh (52'), Garnham (90').

Goals: Sayer (31'), Fowkes (45'), Mpongo (90'+3'); Bola (62'), Greenhalgh (82'). 

Needham Market MOTM chosen by match sponsor Clarke Fencing: 11 Harvey Sayer

A late bullet header from substitute Hans Mpongo sees Needham eclipse club history with a dramatic win over Margate.

Needham were arguably the better team in the first half, whilst Margate battled hard in the second half, wiping out Needham's first half two goal lead.

Needham went close after 2 minutes, Ben Fowkes however shot just wide of the bottom corner, whilst Garnham down the other end was equal to Bola's low shot soon after. 

After a crucial save from Garnham down one end, Needham broke the deadlock as Harvey Sayer picked up his maiden Needham goal in style, beating three defenders before firing into the bottom corner from 20-yards on 31 minutes. 

Callum Page was denied minutes later, whilst Ben Fowkes picked up his seventh of the season, diverting MOTM Sayer's low free-kick underneath the goalkeeper to double the hosts lead.

Margate set up a grandstand finish though as Bola placed a good low shot into the bottom corner in the 62nd minute, whilst Greenhalgh leapt like a salmon to nod the visitors level on 82 minutes after having been denied by Garnham shortly prior to the equaliser. 

Hans Mpongo settled the tie in stunning fashion, equally leaping like a salmon to bullet head home Hammond's cross. 

Goals: Sayer (31'), Fowkes (45'), Mpongo (90'+3')

Bola (62'), Greenhalgh (82')

Star Man: Harvey Sayer.

Bury Town U23 v Potters Bar Town U23 8.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 70.
Date & KO: Monday 8 November 2021, 7:45pm.
Fixture: Bury Town Under-23 v Potters Bar Town Under-23.
Venue: (Denny Bros Stadium) Ram Meadow.
Competition: Isthmian Development North Division.

BLUES U23S RECORD HOME WIN OVER POTTERS BAR

BY DREW KENDALL

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Three goals in the first 51 minutes proved enough in a 3-1 win over their Potters Bar Town counterparts.

A young Bury Town Under-23s side pick up a 3-1 home win over Potters Bar Town in the Isthmian Development North Division.

The Blues' starting eleven included 7 of the club's current Under-18s, whom also started Thursday's Under-18 game at Royston, and it didn't take long for the home side to go close.

There were just seven minutes on the clock when Max Maughn was threaded through one-on-one with the goalkeeper inside the box, although his shot smashed towards the top corner rebounded back into play off the outside face of the left-hand post. 

Bury were agonisingly denied again a minute later, this time Jack Turner beat the goalkeeper off his line as he cutback inside, beating the stopper once more in the process where he curled a ball in on a plate for Charlie Smith free inside the six yard box who couldn't quite tap home.

Ben Haddoch meanwhile saw his low 25-yard low shot smothered by the goalkeeper on 13 minutes, just before Bury did deservedly break the deadlock a minute later.

Jack Turner found himself free down the right-hand byline where his dangerous ball in fell to Clinton Frank arriving at the far post, who turned his back to goal to unselfishly lay the ball off to Ben Haddoch arriving on the edge of the box to first time smash home into the bottom right-hand corner, 1-0 Bury. 

Captain Ollie Fenn went agonisingly close to doubling Bury's lead in the 19th minute, the midfielder was just unable to get the vital touch to tap Will Gardner's free-kick into an empty net. 

Gardner however benefited from Ben Haddoch's dangerously in-swinging free-kick six minutes later, but headed it just wide of the gaping top left-hand corner. 

The defender though did double his side's lead in the 26th minute, after Max Maughn was tugged back by Kondo as he ran past the last defender just outside the box, Gardner took the free-kick and scored it via a deflection off Kondo in the wall and into the bottom left-hand corner.

Maughn was then found on the left-hand byline free I side the box but put his effort just over the crossbar on the 32nd minute, and the former went close again two minutes later. Maughn, one-on-one with the goalkeeper inside the box, could only fire just over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy. 

Five minutes before the break, Bury went close again as Ben Haddoch's exquisite left wing free-kick found Ollie Fenn at the back post but the midfielder headed over the crossbar. 

A minute into first half stoppage time meanwhile, Bury continued to look for a third goal as Max Maughn set Ben Haddoch up on the edge of the box, who beat his defender before toe poking his shot just over the crossbar. 

The home side though did extend their lead to 3-0 just six minutes after the restart, Max Maughn's inviting ball across from the right wing picked out Charlie Smith arriving in space inside the six yard box to slide in and poke home into the bottom near corner.

Potters Bar though reduced the deficit to 3-1 soon after on 53 minutes, Reggie Hubbard leapt like a salmon to head a right wing corner at the far post across goal into the top corner. 

On the back of that, the visitors then caused some problems to the home defence - firstly hitting a dangerous strike from outside the box narrowly wide of the bottom right-hand corner for a goal-kick on 57 minutes, before seeing a shot from a corner at the far post slapped just wide by goalkeeper Joe Wilson reacting quickly ten minutes later. 

Whilst Bury dominated the first half, the second half was much more end to end though the chances fizzled out as the game drew to a close. 

Despite that, Clinton Frank's dangerous low strike from inside the box went narrowly wide on 71 minutes, before down the other end Emmanuel Atta smashed a shot wide of the bottom corner from long range two minutes later. 

Evan Conroy meanwhile found space on the turn to shoot inside the box, but fired just wide of the bottom corner with 11 minutes left of play. 

Potters Bar however were reduced to ten men five minutes into stoppage time when Kreka was shown a straight red card for a two footed challenge on Max Maughn as he looked to drive into the box, just outside the area. 

Maughn's low free-kick however went under the wall and almost found the net had it not have smacked the outside face of the right-hand post.

The Development team pick up a 3-1 victory, ahead of a trip to Tilbury on Thursday (18th November). The Blues' Under-18s are in home action however on Monday (15th November) when they host Royston Town in the league, looking to respond to the away defeat. 

Bury Town:-

1 Joe Wilson 

2 Thomas Gee

3 William Gardner

4 Oliver Fenn (c) (HT' Hogg)

5 George Allison 

6 Joe White (HT' Walton-Ross)

7 Maxwell Maughn

8 Charlie Smith (73' Gannaway)

9 Jack Turner

10 Ben Haddoch

11 Clinton Frank

Subs:

12 Joe Hogg

14 Luke Gannaway

16 Owen Walton-Ross

Potters Bar Town:-

1 Jack Fletcher

2 James Mwanka (59' Atta)

3 Ogun Kunle Bandele

4 Deivi Kreka

5 Evan Conroy

6 Kristian Kondo 

7 Mario Staurou

8 Paul Schouwenberg

9 Reggie Hubbard

10 Jadon Anderson

11 Tayla Smart

Sub:

12 Emmanuel Atta

Booked: Schouwenberg (20'), Kondo (25'), Frank (25'), Allison (72'), Turner (75'), Haddock (78').

Goals: Haddoch (14'), Gardner (26'), Smith (51')

Hubbard (53').

Sent Off: D Kreka (90'+5'). 

Moreton Hall Ferals v Mellis 7.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 69.

Date & KO: Sunday 7 November 2021, 10:30am.

Fixture: Moreton Hall Ferals v Mellis.

Venue: Hardwick Heath Pitch 1.

Competition: Premier Logos Bury District Sunday Football League Division One.

Moreton Hall Ferals record a seventh straight league win of 2021-22 with a 5-0 win over Mellis. 

The defending champions went close just two minutes in, as Callum Dove's dangerous low ball across was just behind the man running in who would've otherwise had a tap in. 

Ten minutes later, Dan Allen was picked out by a great ball from Craig Defew but for the former's finish to be headed off the line from point blank range by the well placed Stevenson. And it was the same defender who denied George Crowe's well hit strike from just outside the box in the 14th minute, this time deflection it wide crucially for a Ferals corner. 

From that set-piece, Ferals broke the deadlock as Crowe's corner to Callum Dongray saw the latter pounce on the loose ball to powerfully place the ball home into the bottom left-hand corner, 1-0 Ferals. 

Straight after the goal, Ferals went close to potentially doubling their lead - a clever one-two between Harry Whiting-Noakes and Callum Dove however was intercepted at the right time by the defender, Dove otherwise would've been through with just the goalkeeper to beat. 

The former of the Ferals duo was then the beneficiary himself of a clever pass into the box, the midfielder, dubbed the Ferals' Robbie Keane, received the ball on the penalty spot before spinning well towards goal only to see his low shot blocked.

In quickfire fashion Ferals doubled their lead in the 19th minute, a great long ball from Jack Brame released Callum Dove one-on-one with the keeper who cleverly picked out the bottom right-hand corner from point blank range, 2-0 Ferals. 

At the other end though a great sliding challenge from Jack Brame denied Mellis a shot from point blank range on 27 minutes, whilst Ferals tripled their lead to 3-0 on the half-hour mark. Callum Dove threaded Craig Defew through on goal, who finished well found the defender and goalkeeper as the ball just had enough on it to trickle into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Will Goulding however leapt like a salmon in Ferals' box, but could only head over the bar from six yards out on 37 minutes, before Brendan Head's 50-yard strike was parried away well by Fallows at his top corner five minutes later.

Into the second half, Ferals were denied by a good stop from Mellis keeper Will Cobbold, after a quick one-two from a short corner with Charlie Larter, Dove cut inside well into the box but saw his shot parried behind well by Cobbold down at his near post after 59 minutes.  

And a minute later Ferals extended their advantage to four-nil, George Crowe's pinpoint corner found Callum Dongray free from point blank range to bullet head his second of the morning down into the ground and up into the top left-hand near corner. 

Ten minutes later, Ferals arguably should've extended their lead twice in the space of two minutes - first Fred Stewart-Hogg fired his half-volleyed over from ten yards out, whilst Craig Defew's sumptuous left wing cross put the ball on a plate for Dan Allen free at the back post from point blank range but the latter could only head just over the empty net. 

George Crowe's inviting ball into the box meanwhile forced Hayden Wilby to flick his dangerous set-piece just over the crossbar on 74 minutes, whilst Will Goulding was the first player to be cautioned for a push on Jack Brame as he ran through onto the edge of the box three minutes later. 

Brame took the set-piece, smashing it otherwise into the top corner but for a great defensive goal-line header from Ben Hughman to divert it onto the crossbar and back into play. 

Ferals however were reduced to ten men soon after as Brame was shown a red card for a retaliation tackle on the half way line.

Up the other end meanwhile, Goulding headed a pinpoint corner just over after 85 minutes, before Ferals did round of the scoring in the 90th minute.

Fred Stewart-Hogg beat the defender as he raced through into the box, the midfielder then squared the ball on a plate to Harry Whiting-Noakes who thumped the ball home into the bottom right-hand corner, 5-0.

Ferals will look to maintain this momentum when they host Danepak on Sunday.

Ferals:-

1 Aston Fallows

27 Jack Brame

20 Callum Dongray

88 George Crowe

12 Dan Allen

5 Craig Defew

19 Jack Whiting-Noakes

8 Charlie Larter (c)

33 Harry Whiting-Noakes

7 Fred Stewart-Hogg

11 Callum Dove

Mellis:-

1 Will Cobbold

14 Brendan Head

2 Tom Davey

6 Ben Hughman

15 Jack Stevenson

12 Hayden Wilby

10 Tom Pecky

17 Callum Nash

7 Luke Ashford

5 Will Goulding 

8 Harry Roungson

Subs:

4 Roman Newell

16 Rob Payne

Booked: Goulding (77'), Dongray (80').

Goals: Dongray (15', 60'), Dove (19'), Defew (30'), H.Whiting-Noakes (90').

Sent Off: Brame (78').

Bury Town U23 v Haringey Borough U23 01.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 66.
Date & KO: Monday 1 November 2021, 7:45pm.
Fixture: Bury Town Under-23 v Haringey Borough Under-23 .
Venue: (Denny Bros) Ram Meadow Stadium.
Competition: Bluefin Sports Insurance Isthmian Development League North Division.

Haringey's Late Winner Settles Seven Goal Thriller At Ram Meadow.

A unbelievable ninety minutes of football ended in defeat for Bury's Development team in heartbreaking fashion.

Bury Town Under-23s fell to a 4-3 defeat in a action packed encounter with Haringey Borough that had virtually everything possible. 

The Blues' starting eleven featured six current Bury Town Under-18 players, including 2 more amongst the substitutes with captain Charlie Cook formerly one also. 

Bury got off to the best possible start, as the home side were awarded a penalty in the second minute after a foul on Angus Mills as he drove through into the box.

Up-stepped the pacey winger, who duly smashed it past the goalkeeper into the bottom left-hand corner, 1-0 Bury.

The league leaders however equalised in the eleventh minute, the away side drove through in space down the left-hand side in the Bury box where the cutback found Andre Odeku in space to finish confidently into the bottom far corner, 1-1. 

With the game being end to end and despite both sides creating good chances, it was the away side who came close to grabbing the third goal of the game, Michael Melanarkitis' great curling strike from the right wing was dipping towards goal until it crashed onto the top of the crossbar on the 15th minute. 

Eight minutes later, goalscorer Odeku got on the end of an invtingly dangerous ball across the face of goal, but could only sidefoot off target from point blank range. 

The crossbar again denied Haringey from taking the lead after 28 minutes, this time Denzel Effah drove through on goal, where he took the ball past Stobbart but in doing so forced himself wide, although the forward turned well to shoot but saw his shot from a tight angle cannon back into play off the face of the crossbar. 

Bury however, were awarded a second penalty five minutes before the break, after Nathan Kremou took out Clinton Frank's legs as he had beaten him inside the box.

Up stepped Frank, who duly dispatched it into the bottom right-hand corner to restore the Blues' advantage. 

But the league leaders were back on level terms in the 44th minute, Denzel Effah was threaded through one on one towards the bylinw with the onrushing Stobbart inside the box, the latter took the ball away from the stopper before finishing low into the net, 2-2 at half-time.

In the second half, whilst it was still end to end it was Bury who had the more of the possession and the more chances, Callum Chambers-Shaw almost provided the assist for what would've been a well worked Bury third goal, but his dangerous right wing low ball across the face of goal just evaded Clinton Frank arriving on 47 minutes. 

Down the other end moments later however, Denzel Effah found himself through on goal with just Stobbart to beat but the stopper was alert to gsther the low shot. 

The Haringey forward though did pick up a brace in the space of ten minutes, adding to his first half equaliser to give Haringey the lead for the first time by tapping home from point blank range after Stobbart had parried away Dillion Wood's dangerous ball across from the byline, 2-3 Haringey.

In response though, Chambers-Shaw found space inside the box but could only shoot low and straight at Haringey goalkeeper Dervishas on 56 minutes, whilst Clinton Frank drove through into the box but also saw his shot at the near post caught by the shot-stopper two minutes later. 

Refusing to accept defeat, Bury had a great chance on the hour mark, Callum Chambers-Shaw fed Charlie Smith in space just outside the box, although his low shot lacked power with the keeper able to get across to gather. 

At the other end, a crucial save from Dan Stobbart thwarted Haringey from making it 4-2, after a good turn outside the box the visitors' good low strike was matched by the Bury stopper's save, down well at his near post on 63 minutes. 

Nine minutes later, Bury went agonisingly close again, after two great interceptions from Tom Gee saw the young defender poke the ball onto Jack Turner. The striker spun well, but didn't quite get enough power as he would've liked on his 30-yard strike as the 'keeper was able to gather. 

Turner meanwhile went close to drawing Bury level on 75 minutes, but couldn't direct his glancing towering header from Ben Haddoch's free-kick on target, instead heading just wide of the far post. 

The two then looked to combine from a free-kick two minutes later, as Haddoch's free-kick into the box led to Turner being pushed from behind inside the box. Turner himself took the spot-kick, Bury's third of the evening, to draw Bury level - dispatching it just past the fingertips of the goalkeeper into the bottom left-hand corner, 3-3!

Immediately after that goal, Turner tried his luck at goal from 30-yards, albeit he got too much power on his strike as he fired over. 

Haringey on the other hand, still posed a dangerous threat, forcing a excellent stop from Dan Stobbart in the 84th minute, the goalkeeper quickly got down low to his left-hand side to tip the shot behind for a corner.

Heartbreakingly for Bury, Haringey did find what proved to be the winner a minute later as Andre Odeku picked up a brace as he guided home a ball across the box from close range to settle the topsy-turvy encounter 4-3 in Haringey's favour. 

In stoppage time however, Haringey were reduced to ten men after an off the ball incident involving Charlie Cook.

Bury's Under-23's are in home action once more on Monday 8th November, when they entertain Potters Bar Town (7:45pm).

Bury Town:-

1 Daniel Stobbart

2 Thomas Gee

3 Charlie Cook (c) 

4 Owen Walton-Ross

5 George Allison

6 Kacper Grochocki (64' Hogg)

7 Angus Mills (37' Smith)

8 Ben Haddoch

9 Jack Turner

10 Callum Chambers-Shaw

11 Clinton Frank (71' Gannaway) 

Subs:

12 Joe Hogg

14 Luke Gannaway

15 Charlie Smith

Haringey Borough:-

1 Qamil Dervishas

2 Silas Stewart-Cans

3 Dillion Woods

4 Hector Chanque Beta

5 Charne Iemba (c) (64' 12)

6 Nathan Kremou

7 Oliver Jovanovic (69' 20)

8 Michael Melanarkitis

9 Andre Odeku

10 Constantine Michael

11 Denzel Effah

Subs:

12 Ergis Kastrati

17 Jeremy Matuasilva (79' on)

20 Harry Phillipou

Booked: Odeku (19'), Haddoch (82'), Stewart-Cans (90'), Walton-Ross (90'+3').

Sin Binned: Walton-Ross (45'+2').

Sent off: J Matuasilva (90').

Goals: Mills (3'pen), Frank (41'pen), Turner (85'pen); Odeku (11', 85'), Effah (44', 54').

Leiston v Needham Market 02.11.2021 BFP REPORT

Local Derby ends in defeat for Needham Market as Finlay Barnes' late penalty hands Leiston 3 points.

Kevin Horlock made one change from Saturday's FA Trophy victory at St Ives Town with Noah Collard back from suspension coming in for Callum Sturgess, with Kyle Hammond moving to right-back in the Needham manager's 40th official game in charge. 

Horlock later said "I didn't think either goalkeeper had much to do all night, but that's the fine margins. They put the ball in the net fair play to them."

The ex-Northern Ireland international was pleased with his side's performance, adding "we've had a few tough ones to take, but that hurt tonight. I thought the lads were excellent first half. We were by far the better team, we created a number of chances and pinned them in their half."

There was little for either goalkeeper to do throughout the night, with Ben Fowkes firing over from inside the box the best Needham chance of the first half, shortly after Marcus Garnham had denied William Davies from the penalty spot.

"Fowkes had a half chance, Ingram nearly scored with a header. Other than that there weren't many chances in the game, neither 'keepers had to make many saves, which in the balance of it probably was heading for a draw," Horlock added.

Luke Ingram nearly got his head to a dangerous Byron Lawrence free-kick just before the interval, whilst Marcus Garnham thwarted Brendan Ocran from close range in the second half."

But ultimately it was the home side who took all three points, denying Needham a deserved point with Fin Barnes dispatching a penalty after Garnham brought down Will Davies. 

Horlock saw it similarly, concluding that, "It looked like it was going to be a nil-nil stalemate, I didn't see a goal being scored quite honesty, but the penalty got given and the lad (Finlay Barnes) tucked it away quite nicely. It was a long way back from there, eight minutes to go. I said to the lads, it's another great performance, but we've got to keep believing. I think we deserved a point tonight. But at the end of the day it's about getting three points."

"We didn't score when we were on top and when you don't score when you're on top it puts you under a bit of pressure." 

Ahead of Saturday's home clash with league leaders Peterborough Sports, Horlock said "a tough game Saturday with Peterborough being top, but we don't fear anybody. We're eighteenth, Leiston are in and around the play-offs, anyone that watches that game will tell you that those positions are wrong."

Those views were mirrored by Leiston defender/midfielder Joe Marsden, who after beating his former club said, "I thought the game was fairly even, Needham had the better of the first 20-30 minutes, we didn't settle into it well enough and I think the second half we had the better of it. It's fine margins at this level and thankfully tonight we've came out on top, kept a clean sheet and Fin (Barnes) had the composure to step up and score the penalty at the end."

"On another day it could've been a draw, it was a relatively even game," the former Marketmen added.

Leiston: Donkin, Marsden, Dunbar (c), Saunders, Odelusi, Hutchings, Ocran (89' Hunter), Quantrell, Davies, Switters (63' Barnes), Mills. Subs unused: Eagle, Allen, Podd.

Leiston bookings: Switters.

Needham Market: Garnham, Hammond, Dye, Lawrence, K.Morphew (c), D.Morphew, Fowkes (70' Santa), Collard, Ingram, Page, Sayer (86' Mpongo). Subs unused: Fitzgerald, Machaya, Cullum. 

Needham bookings: Hammond, Garnham. 

Att: 285. 

Leiston v Needham Market 02.11.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 67.
Date & KO: Tuesday 2 November 2021, 7:45pm.
Fixture: Leiston v Needham Market.
Venue: Watson and Hillhouse Stadium, Victory Ground.
Competition: The Pitching In Southern League Premier Central Division.

Joe Marsden Post Match Interview:-

Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview:-

Local Derby ends in defeat for Needham Market as Finlay Barnes' late penalty hands Leiston 3 points.

Kevin Horlock made one change from Saturday's FA Trophy victory at St Ives Town with Noah Collard back from suspension coming in for Callum Sturgess, with Kyle Hammond moving to right-back in the Needham manager's 40th official game in charge, whilst the home side made three changes from their 3-1 FA Trophy success at Hitchin Town - Eagle, Bailey-Dennis and Ben Hunter making way for captain Seb Dunbar, George Quantrell and top scorer William Davies with ex-Needham trio Adam Mills, Brendan Ocran and Joe Marsden also in the hosts' starting eleven. 

In an entertaining game of two halves, it was the Marketmen who had more of the possession and chances in the opening 45 minutes, whilst Leiston did likewise in the second half - with neither goalkeeper really being troubled greatly throughout the evening and was looking to end in a stalemate until Finlay Barnes struck from the penalty spot late on. 

And the first chance went the way of the Marketmen in the 6th minute, Callum Page pulled the ball back to Noah Collard arriving on the edge of the box, but the midfielder's low shot went wide of the bottom corner. 

Up the other end however, Leiston were awarded a penalty two minutes later for a foul on ex-Marketman Joe Marsden. William Davies stepped up, but saw his penalty palmed onto the outside of his right-hand post by ex-Leiston goalkeeper Marcus Garnham as the scoreline remained goalless after 9 minutes.

Arguably the best chance in the first half fell to the visitors in the twelfth minute, Luke Ingram latched onto a long ball in space down the right wing before slotting Ben Fowkes in space inside the box but the latter couldn't keep his shot down as he fired over the crossbar. 

The Marketmen then troubled the Leiston backline twice in quick succession two minutes later, first Callum Page drove through onto the right-hand byline where the on-loan Ipswich Town midfielder's low dangerous ball into the six yard box was smothered away by Donkin with nobody in Needham yellow there to capitalise on the loose ball. 

Ben Fowkes did likewise just seconds after, but his inviting low ball across the six yard box passed through with nobody around to provide the finishing touch. 

Needham continued to create chances though, ex-Leiston Kyle Hammond fed on-loan Colchester United midfielder Harvey Sayer in space twenty-five yards from goal, but the latter could only fire his shot wide of the bottom far corner on 18 minutes. 

Callum Page on the other hand, drew a save - albeit fairly comfortable - from Donkin in the 27th minute, the attacking midfielder was found in space just outside the box, but his low shot was well gathered by the home goalkeeper at his bottom corner.

Six minutes later, ex-Leiston Byron Lawrence's dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box went narrowly over the bar after Ben Fowkes was brought down by Oliver Saunders, whilst the Needham forward worked Donkin in the 36th minute. 

After being threaded through onside in the hosts' penalty area, Fowkes found space from close range to shoot at a tight angle, although Leiston captain Seb Dunbar's slight deflection made it slightly easier for Donkin to take the catch. 

The last chance of the goalless first half also went to the Marketmen on 41 minutes, after receiving the ball from Sayer's short corner Byron Lawrence picked out Luke Ingram with a peach of a cross into the six yard box, but Ingram could only chest it straight to Donkin. 

The second half however, saw Leiston edge the second half, although it was Needham who had the first chance of the second half - five minutes after the restart. Callum Page was fed in space just outside the box, but could only slice his shot just wide of the top near corner. 

After Kyle Hammond became the first Needham player to go in the book for a foul just outside his own box, Odelusi's curling set-piece forced a quick save from Garnham who got across his goal to make the stop on the hour mark. 

Six minutes later, Brendan Ocran found space to turn and shoot inside the box but Garnham dived down well to his left-hand side to palm the ball away. 

And the Needham stopper was forced into another good stop on 69 minutes, off his line well to smother a low shot from close range at his near post, whilst the follow up effort was blocked and cleared by the visiting defence. 

However, Leiston were awarded a second penalty with ten minutes to go as Marcus Garnham leaping to collect a long ball into his box fouled William Davies. Substitute Finlay Barnes took the resulting spot-kick, ultimately settling the match as he sent Garnham the wrong way, finding the bottom left-hand corner to give his side an 82nd minute lead. 

Needham did create chances after that, but nothing of real note to trouble the Leiston goalkeeper with Garnham forced into another good stop with the final real action of note in the 84th minute.

The visiting goalkeeper got down well at his near left-hand post to beat away a low strike, with the rebound fired over from close range. 

Leiston:-

1 Samuel Donkin (GK)

2 Joseph Marsden

3 Sebastian Dunbar (C)

4 Oliver Saunders

16 Oluwasijuola Odelusi

6 Jake Hutchings

7 Brendan Ocran (89' Hunter)

8 George Quantrell

9 William Davies

10 Dylan Switters (63' Barnes)

11 Adam Mills

Subs:

12 Finlay Barnes

14 Ben Hunter

15 Robert Eagle

20 Sam Allen

17 Harrison Podd (GK)

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham (GK)

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Jake Dye

4 Byron Lawrence

5 Keiran Morphew (C)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Ben Fowkes (70' Santa)

8 Noah Collard

9 Luke Ingram

10 Callum Page

11 Harvey Sayer (86' Mpongo)

Subs:

12 Thomas Fitzgerald

14 Emmanuel Machaya

15 Hans Mpongo

16 Hugh Cullum

17 Jose Santa De La Paz

Booked: Switters (30'), Hammond (59'), Garnham (81').

Goals: Barnes (82'pen).

Att: 285. 

Howards v Moreton Hall Ferals 31.10.2021

Season: 2021-22. Game: 65.
Date & KO: Sunday 31 October 2021, 10:30am.
Fixture: Howards v Moreton Hall Ferals.
Venue: Tollgate Playing Fields, Northumberland Avenue.
Competition: Premier Logos Bury & District Sunday League Division One. 

Moreton Hall Ferals record their sixth straight Bury Sunday Division One win of the season with a 6-1 away success at Howards in torrential rain.

The home side though had the opening chance in the eighth minute, but the low strike from around the edge of the box was well blocked by Ben Newdick. 

Ferals however broke the deadlock after 25 minutes, a well worked goal it was too as Callum Dove threaded Charlie Glover through down the left-hand side in the box, the winger then rounded stand in goalkeeper Steve Holder which despite the latter's attempts to hold him back the Ferals man finished well into the empty bottom far corner, 1-0 Ferals. 

Two minutes later, a good stop from Holder denied Ferals from doubling their lead, parrying away Ben Newdick's good shot at his near post. Shortly after that, Fred Stewart-Hogg then ghosted through well inside the box, beating two defender's only to see his low shot from close range smothered by Holder. 

And straight from that save, Howards drew level. Captain James Attwood latched onto Holder's long ball to finish over stand in goalkeeper Charlie Larter. 

In response though, George Crowe looped a free header narrowly over from close range on the half hour mark, whilst Ferals thought they'd regained the lead six minutes later, but for an offside flag.

Sam Waterson was adjudged to have been in an offside poisiton when he was in space to tap into the empty bottom corner after Ben Newdick's great strike had rebounded to him off the inside of the right-hand upright. 

Two minutes before half-time, Newdick was thwarted again, this time his close range finish from Lewis Kemp's cross was kicked away by Holder. 

Arguably with the goal of the season, Ferals regained their lead a minute into first half stoppage time, Charlie Glover's peach of a cross found Jack Brame in space from close range who bettered Wayne Rooney's overhead kick against Man City, finding the bottom left-hand corner, 2-1 Ferals. 

Into the second half, Ferals enjoyed the majority of the chances despite the rain still continuing to hammer down, with the first chance arriving just seven minutes into the half. Ben Newdick was threaded through inside the box, only to see Holder stick out his foot to block the low strike, before Sam Waterson's fierce strike went just wide of the bottom corner just prior to the hour mark.

With two goals in as many minutes, Ferals raced into a quick 4-1 advantage, first Charlie Glover drove through in space inside the box, just beating Holder's attempt to hack it clear from close range to poke home into the empty net, for his second and Ferals' third goal of the morning.

Shortly after, Ben Newdick added his name to the score-sheet in the 63rd minute, having been threaded through inside the box the Ferals man smashed home across goal into the bottom far corner via a slight deflection. 

Up the other end, Charlie Larter was forced into two good saves by the home side - first the stand in stopper got down low to hold onto Mitchell Bryant's long distance strike after 65 minutes, with the second seeing Jordan Grandinetti's powerful low strike held well by Larter three minutes later. 

After seeing a fierce strike well saved by Holder, Charlie Glover sealed his hat-trick, adding Ferals' fifth goal in the process on 72 minutes, the winger drove through well into the box doing well to also keep his footing to poke past Holder off his line into the vacant bottom far corner. 

Billy Peck meanwhile glanced Glover's cross narrowly wide three minutes later, whilst Sam Waterson saw another fierce low strike blocked soon after. 

With the rain finally relenting in the final ten minutes, Jack Brame capped off the goalfest with another screamer - smashing home an audacious 25-yarder into the top right-hand corner in the last minute of normal time. 

That outrageous finish rounded off a good 6-1 win for Ferals, who host Mellis on Sunday. 

Howards:-

1 Steve Holder

4 James Attwood (c)

21 Ryan Lay

6 Ashley Thompson

3 Jack Stone

11 Liam Hume

2 Harry Hogg

8 Sam Whiting

19 Jordan Grandinetti

10 Mitchell Bryant

7 Michael Brzezinski (86' Chandler)

Sub:

23 Ally Chandler

Moreton Hall Ferals:-

1 Charlie Larter

3 Lewis Kemp

20 Callum Dongray

4 Jack Brame 

88 George Crowe

10 Sam Waterson (c)

19 Jack Whiting-Noakes (63' Peck)

7 Fred Stewart-Hogg

15 Ben Newdick 

12 Charlie Glover

11 Callum Dove

Subs:

14 Billy Peck

50 Adrian Crowe

Booked: H8 (88').

Goals: Attwood (28'); Glover (25', 61', 72'), Brame (45'+1', 89'), Newdick (63').