Felixstowe + Walton United v Needham Market | 29.07.2022 | Pre-Season Friendly |

Needham Market's pre-season campaign concluded with a 2-2 draw at Isthmian North Division side Felixstowe & Walton United's AGL Arena. 

The Friday night encounter was also the Marketmen's only away friendly, having played the previous six all at home (after the friendly away to Sudbury was cancelled due to the heat), with major chances few and far between. 

Felixstowe, however, had the first opportunity in the third minute - a dangerous free-kick out on the left wing was swung in dangerously towards Garnham's far post, forcing the Needham stopper to follow it and tip it wide for a corner.

With now less than a week to go until Needham's league campaign gets underway, away to AFC Rushden & Diamonds, it was far from ideal preparation when Tom Fitzgerald was forced off with an injury, and was replaced by Archie Exworth, as early as the twelfth minute, after a foul on the half-way line.

Felixstowe, meanwhile, again swung a dangerous left wing in low, across the six yard box, but nobody was around to provide a goalwards touch, as the set-piece went wide of the far post, after 15 minutes. 

The higher league visitors, wearing their yellow away kit, created a great chance three minutes later. Kyle Hammond whipped a great ball into Patrick Brothers, in space down the right-hand side, the latter then flicked it on cleverly to Trialist 9 on the right-hand byline, although his low cross-shot was well blocked. Needham, though, recycled possession well, threading Jake Dye racing through into the box down the far side, whose well taken strike, towards the top near corner, was well held by goalkeeper Callum Robinson.

While Felixstowe glanced a header wide from close range after 26 minutes, Henry Barley jinked inside smartly onto the edge of the box - only to see his shot towards the top corner well held by Garnham at his near post three minutes later - with clear cut chances still at a premium. 

Down the other end, clever play from Needham forced a decent stop from Robinson on the half-hour mark, Kyle Hammond's brilliant first time pass threaded Brothers through dangerously onto the right-hand edge of the box, the midfielder then weaved into a more central position, creating space to shoot, although his excellently low curled across goal was well held by the diving Robinson. 

Straight at the other end, the Seasiders drew a great save out off Garnham, with the onrushing goalkeeper expertly smothering a shot at goal. 

Needham though created arguably the best chance of the opening 33 minutes, but were unable to take advantage of it. Captain Keiran Morphew's great long crossfield ball threaded Trialist 11 through past the defence, and into the box, with just the goalkeeper to beat. The winger controlled the ball nicely, only to get too much power on his strike as he lasered his shot, past the advancing Robinson and, over the crossbar. 

The Trialist looked to make amends for that miss four minute later, this time the number 11 hared through into the box, although nobody was around to latch onto his brilliant ball smashed across the six yard box, low on a plate.

Shortly after that, however, two goals within a minute looked to briefly explode the game into life, with Felixstowe breaking the deadlock after 40 minutes. A left wing free-kick picked out captain Billy Holland in space at the far post, to ferociously volley home low into the bottom left hand corner. 

Sure enough, Needham went straight up the other end and duly restored parity, Archie Exworth threaded Patrick Brothers into space, just outside the box, who utilised the pace on the ball to sweep the ball home, with the side of his foot, into the bottom left-hand corner, 1-1. 

The Southern League Central Premier Division side also had the last chance of the half two minutes into stoppage time, as Trialist 9 just couldn't reach Trialist 7's excellent cross, from close range, as both sides went into the break on level terms.

Kyle Hammond quickly changed that though just nine minutes after the restart, a great through-ball released him through past the defence, one on one with Robinson, where upon reaching the edge of the box the full-back hammed Needham in front, thumping a brilliant strike past Robinson, who could only get a hand to it, into the bottom right-hand corner, 1-2 Needham. 

Needham arguably should've extended their lead in the 56th minute, Jake Dye swung in a peach of a cross from the left wing, picking out Kyle Hammond, in acres of space at the back post. The goalscorer then cushioned a great ball across the six yard box, albeit nobody was there to provide a finishing touch. 

The home side on the other hand salvaged a late draw in stoppage time, as Callum Harrison fired a rocket of a free-kick, from just on the right-hand edge of the box, into the top far corner, 2-2. 

That was that for pre-season for the Marketmen, who now look forward to Saturday's league opener at Rushden. 

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham 

2 Kyle Hammond

5 Keiran Morphew (c)

6 Dan Morphew 

3 Jake Dye

14 Trialist

8 Tom Fitzgerald (12' Exworth)

10 Patrick Brothers 

11 Trialist

7 Trialist (64' Chambers)

9 Trialist (64' Trialist12)

Subs:

Hugh Cullum

18 Archie Exworth

12 Trialist

15 Seth Chambers

Goals: Holland (40'), Harrison (90'); Brothers (41'), Hammond (54').

Att 397.

Needham Market v Bury Town | 26.07.2022 | Pre-Season Friendly |

           Collard fires over late on - photo courtesy of                                             Ben Pooley.

Needham Market concluded their home pre-season campaign with a 4-0 dominant victory over local rivals Isthmian North Division side Bury Town, courtesy of a hat-trick from the Trialist family.

Both sides have a number of fresh faces since the previous season ended in April, but it was the Southern League Central Premier Division hosts that really created any noteable chances, with Bury left frustrated that they never really got going.

The Marketmen started brightly, with Trialist 7 showing great skill to break through onto the right-hand byline, although his low cross into the area was deflected behind by the defender. 

It was from that resulting corner that Needham broke the deadlock after just 7 minutes, good pressure from Trialist 7 - who won the ball back, just outside the Bury box. The forward charged into the box, forcing Ipswich Town loanee Lewis Ridd to narrow down the angle. Although the keeper reacted quickly to smother his low shot, the rebound fell kindly for the onrushing, composed, Patrick Brothers to use the pace on the ball, and guide a first time finish past the sliding defender on the goal-line and into the bottom right hand corner, 1-0 Needham. 

The goalscorer, and Needham Man Of The Match, then looked to test Ridd 6 minutes later, Seth Chambers was fed through down the right wing, the young striker then cut the ball back cleverly to Brothers, in space, on the right hand edge of the box, whose low fierce strike was well caught by the goalkeeper, at his near post. 

Two Trialists meanwhile linked up well for Needham in the 16th minute, Trialist 11 played a perfect through-ball to Trialist 7, racing through on goal, who only had the onrushing Ridd to beat. His shot did beat the goalkeeper, but agonisingly also just beat the bottom left-hand post, as it went wide. 

Ten minutes later, the Reds were denied by the same part of the left-hand post twice within a minute, while an audacious long ball over the top threaded Trialist 7 through on goal, who had just Ridd to beat, the forward's exquisite chip over the goalkeeper crashed back into play off the face of the woodwork. 

Chambers, though, was the second victim of the woodwork, this time the forward was set through racing towards goal, only to see his low shot also cannon back into play off the upright. 

A smart reaction save from Ridd however denied Needham a second goal just 12 minutes before the interval, Jake Dye's sumptuous left wing cross-shot was creeping in underneath Ridd's crossbar, until the stopper dived up well to tip it over his crossbar. 

The resulting corner found Trialist 11 free on the right-hand byline, a minute later, the forward's cutback found fellow Trialist, wearing 7, but the forward from close range just couldn't provide the finishing touch it craved. 

Six minutes before the break, the roles were reversed as Trialist 11 just couldn't latch onto a brilliant cross from Trialist 7, that was swung dangerously across the face of goal - having got on the end of a brilliant ball forward. 

Needham meanwhile picked up a rather deserved second goal on 42 minutes, Kyle Hammond's peach of a left wing corner into the danger area picked out Trialist 14, who leapt like a salmon at the back post to direct a bullet header down towards the bottom near, right-hand corner, only for Ridd to quickly beat it away. The rebound though fell back to the Needham number 14, who reacted quickest, from close range, to smash it into the roof of the net, 2-0 Needham. 

With that, it was soon half-time, with the Marketmen heading into the break with a 2 goal cushion. 

Speaking post match, Horlock felt it was a clinical performance from his side, but also felt his side should've scored more, and arguably should have in the 51st minute.  

Seth Chambers broke through well down the left-hand side of the box, before squaring it across to Trialist 7, the latter though sidefooted his close range shot just over the crossbar. 

Nevertheless, Needham did extend their lead three minutes later, Trialist 11 broke through down the left-hand side of the box, and calmly sidefooted home into the bottom far corner, despite Ridd getting a hand to it, 3-0 Needham. 

And just nine minutes later, Needham rounded off the scoring with a goal similar to the only goal in Saturday's win over Maldon & Tiptree. First, Trialist 7 exploited space inside the box, and made the most of it, to smash a dangerous low ball across the six yard box - only to be tipped away well by the diving Ridd. Patrick Brothers then received the ball back out on the left wing, the midfielder then curled a brilliant cross in - exactly like his assist for Chambers' match-winner Saturday - only this time it was substitute Trialist 15 arriving close to goal, who read it perfectly sliding in to smartly volley home into the top near corner, 4-0 Needham.

Soon after which, there was another Needham debutant from the club's Academy, as Under-18 defender Harry Davison replaced captain Keiran Morphew.

At the other end though, Needham denied Bury any clear sight of ex-Bury goalkeeper Marcus Garnham's goal, with his opposite number by far the busier of the two stoppers. 

Trialist 15 threaded substitute Dimitri Gayle through one on one with Ridd, with ten minutes left on the clock, the forward then poked the ball past the advancing committed Ridd. The substitute's touch though forced him wide, creating a too tight an angle to really squeeze the ball into the net, so instead the youngster cut back possession to fellow substitute Noah Collard, who hashed his low shot wide of the far corner. 

A minute later, Needham had the penultimate noteable opportunity of the evening, Trialist 15 threaded Chambers through on goal inside the box, but a superb recovering tackle denied the latter a shot at goal.

Needham, meanwhile, went close to adding a fifth goal after 88 minutes, Noah Collard's ferocious strike, from the edge of the box, flew just over the crossbar.

Needham now switch focus to Friday's final friendly with, another Isthmian North Division side, Felixstowe + Walton United - albeit this time away at the newly sponsored AGL Arena (Dellwood Avenue). Bury, meanwhile, conclude their pre-season schedule with a home clash with Cambridge City. 

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham 

2 Kyle Hammond (58' Clark)

6 Hugh Cullum

5 Keiran Morphew (c) (68' Davison)

3 Jake Dye

14 Trialist (58' Collard)

8 Tom Fitzgerald

10 Patrick Brothers

7 Trialist 

11 Trialist (68' Gayle)

9 Seth Chambers (58' Trialist15)

Subs:

15 Trialist

18 Noah Collard

12 Taylor Clark 

14 Dimitri Gayle 

15 Harry Davison

Bury Town:-

1 Lewis Ridd

7 Cruise Nydazayo (HT' Yaxley)

3 Will Gardner (HT' Johnson)

4 Joe Hood

2 Ollie Fenn (c) 

5 Joe White

8 Lee Watkins 

11 Max Maughn

10 Charley Barker

9 Cemal Ramadan (78' Sung)

6 Lewis O'Malley

Subs:

12 Sam Sung

16 Joe Yaxley

17 Charlie Johnson

Angus Mills

Booked: Yaxley (84')

Goals: Brothers (7'), Trialist14 (42'), Trialist11 (54'), Trialist15 (63').

Needham Market v Maldon + Tiptree | 23.07.2022 | Pre-Season Friendly |

Needham Market's pre-season campaign continued with a 1-0 win over Isthmian League North Division side Maldon + Tiptree, following an entertaining encounter with chances at both ends.

One of the ever frustrating aspects of pre-season for all teams is player availability, with both sides missing players due to injuries and holidays. Needham however benefited from the return of Patrick Brothers, Kyle Hammond, captain Keiran Morphew and Jake Dye, while Dan Morphew (holiday) and one Trialist (injury) were unavailable.

The Marketmen started brightly and had the ball in the net with just 29 seconds on the clock, although Trialist 9 was adjudged to have brought down the defender as he went onto finish brilliantly into the top far corner. 

The Reds then went close to breaking the deadlock in the fifth minute, the ball fell to Patrick Brothers free from 35-yards, but the midfielder flashed his first time strike just a centimetre wide of the bottom far corner. 

The early chances continued to fall to the home side, as Trialist 9 forced a good save from the onrushing goalkeeper five minutes later. A great ball over the top released the forward through on goal, the forward then drove into the box, only to see his low shot smothered by the shot-stopper. 

Noah Collard was next to try his luck for the hosts in the 17th minute, the midfielder was found free just outside the box but he could only guide his shot narrowly over the crossbar. 

Five minutes later, MOTM Kyle Hammond's brilliant low right wing squared ball forced a defender to divert it behind at the near post for a corner - from which Hammond's sumptuous set-piece found Trialist 9, free at the far post from close range, whose header bounced comfortably for the keeper to gather at his near post. 

The home side again looked to break the deadlock in the 25th minute, Trialist 11 threaded Trialist 9 through past the defence, one-on-one with the onrushing goalkeeper. The forward tried to poke it round the stopper, but the latter was alert well to smother the ball away. 

With another chance just a minute later, Needham went close once more, Kyle Hammond's brilliant right wing cross found Jake Dye free at the far post, whose clever bicycle kick went over the bar. 

At the other end, the Jammers went close in the 28th minute, a dangerously positioned free-kick on the right-hand edge of the box was curled cleverly towards the top far corner until goalkeeper Marcus Garnham dived across to beat it away. 

Eight minutes later, Garnham made another outstanding save to deny the visitors. The Maldon winger broke through into space down the right wing, where his squared ball across goal found the striker, whose instinctive strike from close range was beaten away by the insane reflexes of Garnham at his near post. 

Back down the other end, the Southern League Central Premier Division side forced another good save from the Maldon 'keeper, this time Hammond's right wing cross just evaded the head of Trialist 9 in the six yard box as the loose ball fell to Dye arriving at the far post. The full-back took a touch, but saw his shot well smothered by the onrushing goalkeeper, as the scoreline remained goalless after 37 minutes. 

A superman type flying save from Garnham thwarted the Jammers from opening the scoring, a minute later. A clever 25-yard shot was curled brilliantly towards the top far corner, although matched by the airborne Garnham, who tipped it wide for a corner. 

The final chance of the first half fell to the hosts though, possession fell to Hugh Cullum in space on the halfway line. The centre-back exploited space before firing a low shot towards goal from distance, albeit his shot went narrowly wide of the bottom left hand corner. 

The second half was much the same really, with Assistant Manager Tom Rothery pleased with his side's fitness, with the home side - despite making a few changes in the final half-hour of the encounter - still maintaining the same energy levels. 

While the Marketmen's patience and clever play eventually paid dividends, the only goal of the afternoon didn't arrive until the 68th minute. Prior to that though, chances were slightly more spaced out at the start of the second half. 

First, just two minutes after the restart, Kyle Hammond was released through into space down the right wing only for his audacious cross to just evade a Needham head arriving from close range. 

Maldon, on the other hand, drew another good reaction save from Garnham a minute later. A dangerous left wing corner was swung in towards the top near corner, requiring Garnham, on his line, to be alert and tip it wide of his top near corner. 

The resulting set-piece meanwhile was headed back across, finding a neon yellow shirt free from close range, whose volley went just wide of the top right-hand corner. 

Chances again continued to arrive at both ends as the half progressed, with the latest opportunity arriving in the 50th minute. Needham's Trialist wearing number 9 won possession well on the edge of the box, only to see his low shot go straight to the goalkeeper. 

His opposite number though, Garnham, made another good save in the 63rd minute, this time shovelling away a well hit long range strike towards his bottom left-hand corner.

Needham then quickly broke down the other end moments later, as Trialist 9 was fed through down the right-hand side of the box. The forward then jinked inside to the centre, where his close range low shot was well smothered by the visiting goalkeeper.

But five minutes later, the visitors' resistance was soon broken, courtesy of a smartly well worked goal from the hosting Suffolk side. The ball fell to Patrick Brothers, in space on the left-hand edge of the box, who read the situation perfectly to whip an exquisite curling cross round the defence, on a plate for substitute Seth Chambers, who was arriving close to goal at the back post, to simply pass it home into the bottom right hand corner, 1-0 Needham. 

Although that was the only goal of the afternoon, that was far from the end of the action. Following brilliant skill, and eventual cutback, from Trialist 10 down the left hand side, Kyle Hammond then saw two close range strikes well blocked in quick succession on the 70th minute.

An audacious cross-shot from Taylor Clark then almost caught the visiting goalkeeper out two minutes later, the substitute midfielder's right wing cross was dipping towards the top near corner, although the goalkeeper was alert to collect the ball.

With quarter of an hour to go, Trialist 10 arguably should've had an assist to his name after his low left wing cross was smashed across the six yard box, brilliantly on a plate, though nobody in a red shirt was there. 

Similarly, two minutes later, clever work from Trialist 10 opened up space down the left-hand side of the box, but again nobody was around to latch onto the forward's cutback. 

Shortly after that, Needham forward and midfielder Louie McDonagh and Archie Exworth then came on for Maldon + Tiptree - who due to players being unavailable only had 12 players - with the former having a decent chance to draw level in the 81st minute. 

A dangerous right wing long throw picked out the forward free at the far post, but he could only glance his header just wide of the top left-hand corner from point blank range. 

Following that, there was then a great chance at both ends within the space of four minutes, the first fell to the Marketmen in the 85th minute with Trialist 9's cutback falling to Trialist 10 arriving free from 14-yards out, whose low shot though was smothered well by the diving goalkeeper, down to his right-hand side. 

Garnham on the other hand, was well alert, just prior to stoppage time, to get down smartly to his left-hand side and beat away a fierce long range strike across goal. 

Shortly after that, the visitors' picked out their centre-back in space at the far post, but the latter could only direct his bullet header just wide of the top far corner. 

Overall, it was a fairly even affair throughout the course of the afternoon, and it was Maldon who had the final chance of the game, three minutes into stoppage time. A dangerous free-kick was nodded back across goal, forcing Trialist 15 to crucially head it away partially, as far as the Maldon substitute - although his shot was fired just wide of the bottom left hand corner.

That proved to be the final action of note, with Needham now switching focus to Tuesday's final home friendly with another Isthmian League North Division team in Bury Town - ahead of Friday's final pre-season friendly away to another if Maldon's fellow league opponents Felixstowe + Walton United. 

Needham Market:- First Half:

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Jake Dye

14 Trialist

5 Keiran Morphew (c)

6 Hugh Cullum

7 Patrick Brothers

8 Noah Collard

9 Trialist 

10 Trialist 

11 Trialist

2nd Half:

1 Garnham (vc)

2 Hammond

6 Cullum

15 Trialist 

3 Dye

7 Patrick Brothers (c)

14 Trialist (53' Clark)

8 Noah Collard (60' Chambers)

12 Tom Fitzgerald

9 Trialist

10 Trialist

Subs:

18 Taylor Clark 

16 Seth Chambers

Booked: M4 (22'), M9 (45'+1'), Fitzgerald (59').

Goal: Chambers (68').

Bury Town v Great Yarmouth Town | 22.07.2022 | Pre-Season Friendly | Brian Wadsworth Memorial Trophy |

Bury Town defeated a resilient Great Yarmouth Town side 3-0, as the two side's pre-season campaigns continued, with the game being played for the Brian Wadsworth (ex Great Yarmouth Town goalkeeper and Bury Town director) Memorial Trophy at the Atalian Servest Ram Meadow Stadium.

Given that two divisions separate the two sides, hosting Pitching In Isthmian North Division Bury started on top from the off, only to be denied numerous times by some stunning goalkeeping from the visitors', who play in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division North, goalkeeper Alex Riches. 

The Blues went close just four minutes in, a great long ball released Cemal Ramadan through one-on-one with the onrushing goalkeeper, but the striker and captain could only guide his sidefooted shot just over the bar.

Five minutes later, some quick reactions from the Bloaters' keeper Riches thwarted Bury from taking an early lead. A great low pass across the box found new signing Max Sherlock arriving from ten yards out, where his low first time shot, across goal, towards the bottom right hand corner was diverted away by the outstretched foot of the diving goalkeeper. 

A crucial goal-line clearance from an alert defender denied Bury again in the twelfth minute, Cemal Ramadan picked up possession just outside the box, where upon driving into the box rounded the onrushing 'keeper, down the left-hand side, the forward's shot at the gaping bottom near corner was smacked away off the line.

Riches, however, remained a thorn in Bury's side all night, with the shot-stopper once again keeping out Ramadan three minutes later. Joe Hood's clever low right wing cross picked out the latter, in space from close range, albeit his first time shot towards the bottom near corner, drew the keeper down quickly to his near post, to once again stick out a boot and guide it behind for a corner. 

Returning Blue Cruise Nydazayo then looked to test the goalkeeper in the 17th minute, but his shot was tame and straight at Riches. 

Ramadan though on another night could've, and arguably should've, had a hatful of goals, and nearly opened the deadlock in the twenty-first minute, the Bury skipper rushed through on goal, onto the edge of the box, but could only watch as his clever shot with the outside of his boot go just wide of the bottom left-hand corner. 

Another good reaction save from Riches kept the striker at bay once more, six minutes later. This time, the forward was released into the box by a great long ball, Ramadan then held the ball up well, before spinning round his defender to fire low across goal towards the 'keeper's right-hand post. But Riches was again equal to it, quickly diving down to stick out a foot and kick it behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece meanwhile picked out Will Gardner, leaping like a salmon from six yards out, but the latter could only direct his bullet header narrowly over the crossbar. 

Ramadan though continued to probe the visiting backline, with the striker having 3 chances in as many minutes. The first of which came from a free-kick, which found Ramadan free down the left-hand side, of the penalty area, but he could only laser his shot wide of the bottom far corner, after 36 minutes. 

The next then followed a minute later, only this time a fine save from Riches kept him off the scoresheet. Again, the striker was found through down the left-hand side of the box, although his fierce low strike across goal was superbly beaten behind for a corner by Riches - which Gardner again met, but this time glanced it over at the far post. 

The Blues then had another great chance in the 38th minute, Sherlock read it well to intercept the goalkick only to smash a fierce strike narrowly wide of the gaping bottom left-hand corner. 

A minute later, the hosts' duly persistence paid off as Cemal Ramadan breached Riches' resistance by finishing a well worked move. A perfectly weighted defence splitting pass threaded the strike through one on one with the onrushing goalkeeper, with the striker there first to cooly use the pace on the ball to nutmeg the goalkeeper first time low into the middle of the net, 1-0 Bury. 

At the other end however, a vital goal-line clearance from defender Will Gardner preserved Bury's clean sheet a minute into first half stoppage time. After Ipswich Town loanee Lewis Ridd was caught off his line, having dealing partially with a ball into the box, the ball fell to the visitors free down the left-hand side of the box - whose clever lifted dipping shot towards the roof of the net was headed away by the well positioned Gardner. 

With that Bury lead at the break, and very nearly doubled their advantage just forty-five minutes after the restart, goalscorer Ramadan was threaded through down the right-hand side to smartly cut the ball back to the arriving Max Maughn, free from 8-yards out, albeit the latter could only sidefoot his shot just wide of the bottom left-hand corner. 

A terrific save from Riches denied a ferocious Cruise Nydazayo smashed cross-shot across the face of goal, from the left-hand side on 52 minutes, just seconds before the hosts doubled their lead.

Nydazayo with the assist, this time cutting the ball back to new signing Lee Watkins, who had a simple close range tap in, into the middle of the net, 2-0 Bury. 

A minute later, Nydazayo troubled the away defence once more, this time the winger was fed through on the overlap, down the left-hand side of the box, where he flashed a fierce cross-shot just wide of the top far corner. 

Riches though continued to be Ramadan's nemesis for the evening, standing firm at his near post to deny the former's rocket shot fired towards his top left hand corner, having been threaded into the box by Joe Hood on 58 minutes. 

Two minutes later, Ramadan did have the ball in the net for a second time, albeit offside, when the striker latched onto a through ball to pick up the loose ball and finish cooly into the middle of the net. 

Shortly after, in the 63rd minute, Bury went close again, as Will Gardner leapt like a salmon from close range to meet a dangerous right wing corner at the back post, only this time the defender saw his glancing header crash back into play off the face of the far post. The cross back in meanwhile picked out Joe Hood, but the defender could only head just over the crossbar. 

Down the other end, Yarmouth had a great chance on 66 minutes, a brilliant cutback found the visitor's number 8 arriving onto the left hand edge of the box who could only sidefoot his shot just wide, of the top far corner. 

Back at the other end, the woodwork denied Bury a fourth goal two minutes later, after Joe Hood's fierce cross from the right-hand side rebounded off the defender towards his own goal before cannoning back into play. 

Maughn then fed Hood through into space inside the box, but this time the latter's strike flashed just wide of the top far left-hand corner. 

And with seven minutes left on the clock, Bury rounded off the scoring with another well worked goal. A fantastic ball curved round the defence released Max Maughn racing through one on one with Riches, the attacker oozed composure as he took a touch before finishing past the onrushing goalkeeper and into the bottom right hand corner, 3-0 Bury. A goal that was arguably no less than Bury deserved, but also harsh on the keeper, who had played well all night.

The woodwork though denied Yarmouth a consolation goal, three minutes from the final whistle, as a good low shot from the left-hand side of the box smacked the post before rebounding back into play, while the visitors then sliced a long range strike narrowly wide of the bottom far corner. 

The last chance, albeit only really a half chance, of the night fell to the hosts three minutes into stoppage time as a Joe Hood right wing corner was headed narrowly wide of the near post - with the final whistle following soon after. 

Bury's pre-season campaign continues on Tuesday (26th July) as they travel to Southern Central Premier Division side Needham Market, ahead of a home game on Saturday (30th July) with Northern Premier League Midlands Division side Cambridge City to conclude their summer schedule. 

Yarmouth on the other hand, travel to East Harling on Friday (29th July) and Scole United on the following Tuesday (2nd August) for their final two pre-season friendlies.

Bury Town:-

1 Lewis Ridd

2 Joe Hood

3 Will Gardner

4 Lewis O'Malley

5 Charlie Johnson

6 Joe Yaxley (74' Willcox)

14 Cruise Nydazayo (86' Flack)

8 Lee Watkins (85' Barker)

9 Cemal Ramadan (c) (76' Trialist7)

10 Max Sherlock (76' Curtis)

11 Max Maughn

Subs:

7 Trialist

15 Max Willcox

16 Charley Barker 

17 Ben Curtis 

12 Ethan Flack

Goals: Ramadan (39'), Watkins (52'), Maughn (83').

Needham Market v Braintree Town | 16.07.2022 | Pre-Season Friendly |

The Trialist family continued their scorching pre-season scoring spree with 3 of the 6 goals in Needham Market's 2-4 home defeat to higher league Vanarama National League South Division side Braintree Town.

While Ben Fowkes made his Bloomfields return with the Irons, who themselves seemed short of numbers with a few Trialists of their own, the Marketmen were once again victims of the usual pre-season nightmare for management teams, with the injured trio of Keiran Morphew, Luke Ingram and Byron Lawrence unavailable, while Patrick Brothers and Kyle Hammond were away due to a wedding. Dan Morphew meanwhile also missed out due to suspension, while on the other hand there was a few debutants off the bench from the club's Under-23 team. 

It was the Irons who started brightly, and went close in just the second minute - Matt Rush's volley flying over Marcus Garnham's crossbar from Ben Fowkes' cross.

And the ex-Marketman, who was heavily involved for Braintree, duly set up the opening goal of the afternoon after just 7 minutes, Fowkes' saved shot picked out Trialist 9, who headed home into the far right hand corner, 0-1. 

Six minutes later, there was a familiar sights for Needham fans, Ben Fowkes scoring at Bloomfields, albeit this time for the opposition. A low right wing cross found the winger free at the far post for a simple tap in from point blank range, 0-2. 

At the other end, Needham did have a great chance after 17 minutes, a through-ball sent Trialist 9 racing through with just the goalkeeper to beat, although the stopper was quick off his line to clear the ball out for a throw in. 

By the half-hour mark, Fowkes had registered a goal and two assists, on this occasion his low left wing corner was turned home by Matt Rush, free at point blank range at the near post, 0-3 Braintree.

Four minutes later, the Marketmen went agonisingly close to reducing the deficit, Seth Chambers was threaded through smartly one-on-one down the left-hand side into the box, the striker however shot agonisingly just wide of the bottom far corner, having beaten the onrushing goalkeeper. 

A good, albeit fairly routine, save from Garnham, thwarted Fowkes from adding a fourth Braintree goal four minutes before the interval, the goalkeeper was equal to it, reacting quickly down at his near left-hand post, to beat away the forward's low effort. 

The Marketmen on the other hand almost got themselves on the scoresheet a minute into first half stoppage time, a clever jinking run from Trialist number 7 saw him break through down the right wing and into the box, although his low shot was beaten behind well by the keeper down at his near post. The resulting the set-piece meanwhile was swung dangerously to Trialist number 9, in space, at the back post whose header was shielded by a defender onto the keeper - with the half then coming to an end. 

In a second half that saw the inevitable substitutions, with Needham introducing five Under-23 players, one by one as the half went on, while Braintree slowly introduced new faces every ten minutes or so. So it'd be no surprise to anyone that there were only a handful of notable chances after the restart.

One of which resulted in the visitors' fourth goal of the game, as a dangerous left wing cutback found Trialist number 9 free inside the box, who duly smashed it home into the bottom far right-hand corner. 

In the aftermath of which, Garnham was replaced by ex-Academy graduate Fin Shorten - who like the his fellow substitutes had played the first half of the Under-23's friendly victory over Capel Plough.

Following the restart, Seth Chambers forced a decent save out of the visiting goalkeeper straight after, the striker latched onto a great through-ball past the defence, only to see his shot towards the roof of the net well caught by the goalkeeper.

The returning Shorten was forced into action shortly after, responding quickly, diving across low to his right-hand side to deny a shot across the box after quick play from the away side. 

Further changes then followed as Flynn Crosthwaite - whose ice cold concentration to ball roll the defender inside the box and smartly slot home into the bottom far right-hand corner in the 34th minute of the Under-23's friendly earlier that afternoon - replaced Seth Chambers, Ivan Sanchez soon after made his first team debut in place of Taylor Clark, while Trialist number 9 was replaced by Mo Igwebuike - who in the 20th minute of the Under-23's friendly fired an outrageous dipping strike from 30-yards into the roof of the net - and Under-23's captain Shane Wardley made his first team debut in place of Noah Collard. 

After that, Fin Shorten reacted quickly to dive to his near right-hand side and collect the Braintree number 10's clever curling free-kick over the wall, from the left-hand edge of the area with ten minutes remaining. 

With 3 minutes remaining though, Needham were awarded a penalty after Trialist number 7 was brought down, following Ivan Sanchez's great ball through, which resulted in his shot being smothered by multiple Braintree defenders.

Up-stepped the Trialist, who duly dispatched it in trademark fashion, just past the hand of the goalkeeper, who got a hand to it, but was beaten by placement, into the bottom left-hand corner, 1-4.

Like buses, the Trialist quickly notched an assist the following minute, as his left wing low delivery into the six yard box was sliced spectacularly into his own top near corner by Iron's centre-back Kyran Clements, 2-4. 

That was the last of the action, as Needham switch focus to Tuesday's visit to Isthmian North Division side AFC Sudbury, one of four straight friendlies with sides from that division, with Maldon & Tiptree to follow on Saturday at home, followed by a visit from Bury Town on Tuesday 26th and finally a visit to Felixstowe & Walton United on Friday 29th - ahead of the league opener at AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday August 6th.

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham (55' Shorten)

2 Taylor Clark (70' Sanchez)

5 Hugh Cullum

6 Trialist

3 Jake Dye (c)

14 Trialist

8 Noah Collard (79' Wardley)

10 Tom Fitzgerald 

11 Seth Chambers (62' Crosthwaite)

9 Trialist (74' Igwebuike)

7 Trialist

Subs:

16 Mo Igwebuike

18 Shane Wardley

1 Fin Shorten

12 Flynn Crosthwaite 

15 Ivan Sanchez

Braintree Town:-

1 Jack Sims (72' Trialist1)

2 Baris Altintop

3 Leon Davies

4 Joe Muscatt

5 John White (c)

6 Kyran Clements 

7 Matt Rush (65' Trialist)

8 Alfie Payne

9 Trialist A Levi Amantchi (55' Trialist12)

10 Alfie Matthews

11 Ben Fowkes

Subs:

11 Trialist 

1 Trialist

12 Trialist

Plus 5 more Trialists. 

Goals: Trialist7 (88'pen), Clements (89'og); BT Trialist 9 Levi Amantchi (7', 55'), Fowkes (13'), Rush (30').

Trialists in form at Bloomfields as half of the goals scored by the two teams in Braintree's 4-2 win were scored by unknown players.

It was Braintree's number 9 who opened the scoring, heading home from Ben Fowkes' cross after 7 minutes. 

Six minutes later, the Iron struck again, although this time ex-Marketman Fowkes was the recipient, tapping home from a low cross from close range. 

Fowkes was involved in a lot of the Iron's dangerous play, and picked up a second assist on the half-hour mark, as his corner was turned home by Rush at the near post. 

Into the second half, Braintree soon picked up their fourth goal into the game, Trialist 9 heading home from Fowkes' ball. 

Needham though strike twice within a minute at the end, first Trialist 7 dispatched a plenty, while Clements sliced his clearance into his own net. 

Entertainment: 2 stars.

Star Man: Ben Fowkes (Braintree Town)

Needham Market v Ipswich Wanderers | Suffolk Champions Charity Cup | PSF | 12.07.20222

Kevin Horlock's reaction 

A competitive Suffolk Champions Charity Cup/pre-season friendly between Turner's Hyundai Suffolk Premier Cup holders Needham Market and CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup holders Ipswich Wanderers went the distance, with the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division side retaining the Cup on penalties.

The Marketmen contested the maiden final against the 2020-21 Suffolk Senior Cup winners Lakenheath 3-1 at Ram Meadow last summer, but this time around it was a much closer affair. 

In truth there were numerous chances at both ends, with a stalemate arguably the fair result at the end of 90 minutes. 

It was the newly promoted Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division side though who had the more of the early notable chances, as the visitors' top scorer last season found himself in space on the left hand edge of the box, after seven minutes, only to see his good well struck shot hit home goalkeeper Marcus Garnham in the chest. 

The Wanderers' front man went close to breaking the deadlock a minute later, but couldn't keep down his tap in from close range following a dangerous low right wing cross. 

Down the other end, the Marketmen had their first chance of the night on 14 minutes, Craig Brand was beaten off his line by his own defender as the rebound fell kindly to Noah Collard, arriving on the edge of the box, although the midfielder's shot was well smothered by the grounded goalkeeper and just wide of the base of his left-hand post for a corner.. 

From the resulting set-piece, the ball fell to Trialist number 11, but his shot from edge of the box was blocked, while Seth Chambers could only glance a great header wide of the bottom far left-hand corner, from the cross back into the area.

Down the other end though, Wanderers broke quickly, catching Garnham off his line but two great blocks from Trialist denied what would've been an almost certain open goal. 

Back came Needham though, first Dan Morphew's close range effort from Trialist number 11's corner was blocked, while the latter himself made a great run onto the edge of the box, only to see his rifled shot well charged down by the sliding Wanderers defender, as the score remained goal-less after 21 minutes. 

The home side meanwhile had two brilliant chances in quick succession two minutes later, although Kyle Hammond's fierce half-volley on the edge of the box was well blocked, the ball sat up kindly for Trialist number 14 to smash a fierce 25-yard half-volley first time over the bar. 

The Marketmen however had the chance to break the deadlock on 27 minutes, after being awarded a penalty for a foul on Trialist 11, who'd played a one-two with Taylor Clark before driving through across the box onto the left-hand side, where he was then brought down.

Up stepped Clark, who duly thumped home his penalty past Craig Brand, who guessed right and got a strong hand to it - although the spot-kick was too powerful for him to prevent from nestling into the bottom left hand corner - 1-0 Needham!

The Marketmen ended the half continuing to make chances, with Tom Fitzgerald going to close with a kindly bouncing ball out on the left-hand edge of the box, but the midfielder's fierce volley hit the jumping brave defender flush on his backside, as the score remained 1-0 to Needham after 31 minutes. 

Eleven minutes later, MOTM Kyle Hammond was unfortunate not to gain an assist, after great play from the versatile midfielder/defender saw him play a neat one-two with Noah Collard, the former's great looping cross fell to Seth Chambers free from close range, but the striker could only glance his header just wide for a goal-kick. 

Had it not been for a great stop from Craig Brand a minute later, the home side would've doubled their lead after a first time shot from a dangerous cutback was well stopped by the visiting stopper. 

Just before half-time, some great play from Seth Chambers almost led to a second goal for the Marketmen - the striker did well as his piercing run ended up leaving Lewis Kincaid in his wake as he drove into the box, only to see his cutback intercepted. 

Although the Marketmen led at the interval, just 41 seconds after the restart Wanderers restored parity - Jacob Lay pounced onto the rebound following a smart low stop from Garnham down to his right-hand side to brilliantly fire home the follow up into the top right-hand corner, 1-1. 

The away side were then denied by the woodwork in the 49th minute, goalscorer Lay threaded Matt Blake through in space down the left-hand side of the box, but the acute angle was too tight as the forward's low strike cannoned of the inside base of the far post , after being brilliantly tipped onto the post by Garnham and into the goalkeeper's gloves.

Needham though responded well and almost restored their lead two minutes later, a great run from Kyle Hammond saw the full-back cut through the Wanderers half cleverly before again playing a neat one-two with Collard, only to see his great looping powerful strike, claimed brilliantly by Brand slightly off his line.

having only been on the pitch no more than three minutes, Trialist number 12 was denied by a fantastic save from Brand from giving Needham the lead, the substitute was free from close range as he leapt like a salmon to meet Hammond's audacious left wing corner, but his bullet header towards the bottom far corner was matched by an instinctive diving save by Brand, keeping the score at 1-1 after 55 minutes. 

The chances began to flow for the Marketmen, who went close again just after the hour mark, this time Kyle Hammond's surging run and great one-two with Trialist number 11 opened up space out on the right wing for the former to smash a brilliant ball across the six yard box, albeit just evading Chambers sliding in at the back post. 

The Marketmen then threaded Trialist 12 through past the defence, one on one with Brand smartly a minute later, but the forward's touch was just too heavy as it went behind for a goal-kick. 

However, there was soon to be a slight twist to the tale, as the home side were reduced to ten men in the 63rd minute, after Dan Morphew was shown a straight read card - meaning that Kyle Hammond would take on the armband for the remainder of the game. 

And it was the now Needham captain that continued to look lively, having now swapped from right-back to left-back, he broke through dangerously onto the left hand byline but could only smash his cross into the near side-netting on 65 minutes. 

Three minutes later meanwhile, substitute Trialists 12 and 18 for the home side almost linked up well in what would've been a fantastic goal, the former first broke through in space in the Wanderers half, drawing Brand off his line, but rather than go for goal himself the striker unselfishly looked to square it across on a plate for number 18 but he had slightly adapted his run as the defence cleared. 

Clever anticipation from Needham Trialist number 11 almost fruited a second Needham goal in the 76th minute, the winger was alert to timely intercept Brand's pass out to his defender, although the defender was there to intercept his cutback to Trialist number 18. 

While Howlett skied a free-kick from a promising position, as the game entered the final ten minutes, Needham back down the other end did have the ball in the net with five minutes left on the clock. Trialist 11 threaded Trialist 12 through on goal, albeit offside, when he finished cooly past Brand, into the bottom left hand corner.

A great, albeit routine stop from Garnham, after 88 minutes, ensured that the game would go to penalties, getting down well to smartly hold onto a shot drilled towards goal from close range.

Needham though had a brilliant chance to finish the game a minute later, Hammond's driving run down the left wing created the space to tee the ball across to Trialist 12 running into space, but the latter could only tap it just a centimetre wide of the bottom near corner. 

Hammond on the other hand then got on the end of a peach of a right wing cross a minute into stoppage time, but could only head it agonisingly just wide at the far post from point blank range. 

And with that the competitive game went to spot-kicks, with Needham taking first.

First to step up was Trialist Number 12, but his penalty was denied by a terrific save by Brand down quickly to his bottom left-hand post to beat it away. 

But the advantage was short lived for Wanderers, as substitute Ollie Dunlop's effort crashed off the underside of the crossbar, down onto the goal-line and back out again. 

Up next for Needham was Trialist Number 11, who showed composure, while feinting in his run up, to beat Brand, who guessed right, for placement into the bottom left hand corner, 1-0 Needham.

Penalty saving specialist Marcus Garnham though made a great stop to deny George Mrozek from instantly bringing back Wanderers on level terms, the shot-stopper dived down smartly low to his right hand side to beat it away.

This meant that if Kyle Hammond then scored for Needham that Wanderers could not afford to miss, and the stand-in, stand-in, captain duly did sending Brand the wrong way as he cooly slotted home into the bottom right hand corner, 2-0 Needham.

The pressure was well and truly on Lewis Kincaid as he stepped up to take Wanderers' third penalty, although you wouldn't have known it, as he empathically placed his spot-kick past Garnham, who guessed right, into the goalkeeper's bottom left hand corner. 

Despite that it was still Needham's shootout to effectively lose, as Tom Fitzgerald walked up to towards the Dillon Lockwood Stand end. Again, the midfielder oozed confidence as he duly sent Brand the wrong way and sidefooted a well taken penalty home into the bottom left hand corner. 

This meant that Mark Roper then had to score to force Needham, who apparently it would've been Trialist 14 to take next, to score their next penalty to win it themselves. However, Garnham again read it perfectly to quickly get across low to his right-hand side to beat away the penalty, albeit at a comfortable height for the goalkeeper - to retain the Suffolk Champions Charity Cup for his side.

Needham now move onto Saturday's reunion with, their second top scorer last season, Ben Fowkes, when he returns to Bloomfields with National League South side Braintree Town, ahead of a busy pre-season schedule for Needham - who after which will travel to Isthmian League North side AFC Sudbury on Tuesday 19th July, before returning to Bloomfields on the Saturday to host another Isthmian North Division side in Maldon + Tiptree. 

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham 

2 Kyle Hammond 

3 Trialist (HT' Cullum)

14 Trialist

5 Trialist (72' Trialist 15)

6 Daniel Morphew (c)

7 Taylor Clark (85' Crosthwaite)

8 Tom Fitzgerald

9 Seth Chambers (57' Trialist 18)

10 Noah Collard (52' Trialist 12)

11 Trialist

Subs:

12 Trialist 

15 Trialist

16 Hugh Cullum

17 Flynn Crosthwaite

18 Trialist 

Archie Exworth (unused)

Ipswich Wanderers:-

1 Craig Brand

2 Owen Hammond (58' Roper)

3 Lewis Kincaid

4 Anton Clarke (58' Mrozek)

5 Adam Dunnage

6 Kris Rose (c) (72' Howlett)

7 Jacob Lay

8 Jack Madlay

9 Matt Blake (60' Dunlop)

10 Josh Folkes (74' Child)

11 Teon Leggett

Subs:

0 Connor Child

17 Charlie Howlett

14 Ollie Dunlop

18 George Mrozek

23 Mark Roper

Booked: Clarke (26'), Chambers (39').

Goals: Clark (28'pen); Lay (46').

Sent Off: D.Morphew (63').

PENALTY SHOOTOUT (footage available HERE) : NMFC:- ✖️✔️✔️✔️ (3)

Trialist 12 ✖️

Trialist 11 ✔️

Hammond ✔️

Fitzgerald ✔️

IWFC:- ✖️✖️✔️✖️ (1)

Ollie Dunlop ✖️

George Mrozek ✖️.

3 Lewis Kincaid ✔️

23 Mark Roper ✖️

Needham Market v St Neots Town 09.07.2022

After a two week break, Needham Market's pre-season campaign continued with a 4-0 home win over Northern Premier League Midlands Division One side St Neots Town.

Manager Kevin Horlock, who was missing players such as Patrick Brothers, Dan Morphew, Luke Ingram, and Jake Dye, speaking post match hopes to have a bigger squad to select from for Tuesday's friendly/Suffolk Champions Charity Cup clash at home to Ipswich Wanderers, but was pleased with his side's performance - particularly with the Trialists', two of which found the back of the net against their step 4, and former Southern League Central Premier Division, opposition. 

It was one of those Trialists who quickly broke the deadlock, the number 9 needed just six minutes before scoring, after latching onto a brilliant through ball from Kyle Hammond with just the onrushing goalkeeper to beat, which he did in composed fashion, poking it home into the bottom right-hand corner, 1-0 Needham.

The Marketmen were on top throughout, with the home side going close again on 14 minutes, Kyle Hammond's dangerous free-kick from distance was swung in towards Keiran Morphew at the back post, who was beaten to it by some alert goalkeeping by the visiting stopper off his line, who tipped it behind well for a corner. Trialist number 11's resulting corner this time found the Needham captain, Morphew, free at the back post, whose bullet header was cleared off the line well by the St Neots number 2. 

Seven minutes later, the hosts had another fantastic chance, this time Seth Chambers was threaded through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the forward could only poke his close range shot past the onrushing goalkeeper narrowly wide of the bottom far corner. 

Hammond and Trialist number 11 linked up smartly on numerous occasions during the afternoon, and did so again in the 28th minute, this time a long ball over the top released the former through down the right-hand side, the versatile defender/midfielder played a neat one-two with the latter, only to see his low ball squared across the six yard box vitally parried away by the diving goalkeeper off his line. 

The Reds soon doubled their lead, in the scorching heat at Bloomfields just after the half-hour mark, as a brilliant ball over the defence by Trialist number 9 looked goalwards as it dipped over the onrushing goalkeeper's head and towards the six yard box, it was there that the latter made sure, while getting taken out, tapping home into the vacant net from point blank range, 2-0 Needham.  

As like buses, a second goal arrived just 2 minutes later, a brilliant ball through by Hugh Cullum released Taylor Clark through one on one with the 'keeper, which saw an ice cool finish from the latter to calmly sidefoot it home into the bottom far corner for Needham's third goal. 

Great pressure from Hammond and Trialist number 9 then forced a mistake from the visiting goalkeeper, who picked up a pass back just outside his six yard box under pressure, six minutes before the break. The short free-kick was teed up to Trialist number 11, whose rifled low shot was well smothered by the legs of the advancing goalkeeper, with the stopper reacted superbly well to quickly retreat and tip over Hugh Cullum's stunning dipping strike from the right-hand edge of the box.  

The last chance of the opening half then arrived a minute into first half stoppage time, more entertaining play from the hosts saw Tom Fitzgerald scoop a great ball over the top in search of Trialist Number 9 one on one with the 'keeper, but the latter got there first to gather the ball. 

The second half saw St Neots seemingly field a vastly different team, with the visitors creating a few good chances and forced a few good stops from Needham goalkeeper Marcus Garnham. Their first major chance of note arrived in the 52nd minute, when a man free from close range saw his close range shot well blocked by Hugh Cullum, while the visitor's number 10 fired the rebound wide of the top left hand corner. 

At the other end, a terrific strike from Kyle Hammond saw Needham go close to a fourth goal, blasting a strike narrowly over the bar from outside the box after 55 minutes. 

Sixty seconds later, with the best goal of the bunch, Trialist number 11 went arguably one better than Conor Chaplin's free-kick in the same goal a fortnight before from a fairly similar position. The Needham 11 picked up his second goal of the game in style, curling an audacious free-kick home into the top right-hand corner to round off the scoring at 4-0.

Then two minutes later came the wholesale Needham changes, with six players coming on and going off in one go. Kyle Hammond, Keiran Morphew, Tom Fitzgerald and Trialists number 9, 11 and 14 all making way for Trialist number 15, Noah Collard, Archie Exworth and current Academy players Dimitri Gayle, Flynn Crosthwaite (who's debut penalty against Ipswich went viral on TikTok) and First Team debutant Mo Igwebuike - who in the 2pm game on the 3G pitch scored an outrageous 18th minute rocket into the top left hand corner from outside the box in 1-1 draw for the Academy over Brantham Athletic Reserves.

And two of those substitutes were involved in a great chance for the Marketmen in the 70th minute, Igwebuike threaded Archie Exworth through free on the left wing overlap, with the latter's clever low cross on the byline into the danger area forcing the defender to deflect it behind into the side netting. The resulting corner though fell to Taylor Clark, who fired his strike over the crossbar. 

The midfielder then looked to turn provider five minutes later, as his brilliant squared ball across the six yard box forced a defender to put it behind for a corner. 

St Neots though broke down the other end and forced a good low save from Marcus Garnham, who dived down well to his right-hand side to gather the well hit shot on 83 minutes. 

Needham on the other hand were awarded a penalty a minute later, after Dimitri Gayle was taken out having intercepted a pass out from the goalkeeper. Up stepped Seth Chambers, who beat the keeper but was unfortunate to see his penalty hit the outside base of the right-hand post and rebound behind for a goal-kick, as the scoreline remained at 4-0 after 85 minutes. 

Four minutes later, some clever unfazed skill from Dimitri Gayle, to keep possession to work space to cross the ball in earned his side a corner, which did see Needham put the ball in the net for a fifth time - albeit ruled out for offside just as the game entered the ninetieth minute. Collard played a quick one-two from the short corner to Exworth, before finding Chambers in space just outside the box, the latter then threaded a pass through the eye of a needle back to Collard inside the box. The midfielder's neat low ball across the box however was partially blocked by the goalkeeper off his line well as far as Seth Chambers, whose shot looked goal-bound when Hugh Cullum was in an offside position as he made sure from a yard out at the far post. 

That was that, as the Marketmen now advance onto Tuesday's home clash with Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division side Ipswich Wanderers, as well as Saturday's home meeting with ex-Marketmen Ben Fowkes' new club Vanarama National League South side Braintree Town. Full reaction from Kevin Horlock and more to follow in the next day or so!

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Kyle Hammond (58' Collard)

3 Trialist 

5 Keiran Morphew (c) (58' Trialist15)

6 Hugh Cullum

7 Seth Chambers

8 Thomas Fitzgerald (58' Crosthwaite)

9 Trialist (58' Gayle)

10 Taylor Clark

11 Trialist (58' Igwebuike)

14 Trialist (58' Exworth)

Subs:

12 Noah Collard

18 Archie Exworth 

16 Dimitri Gayle

17 Flynn Crosthwaite

15 Trialist 

16 Mo Igwebuike 

Goals: Trialist9 - (6'), Trialist11 (31', 56'), Clark (33').

Stowmarket Town v Ipswich Town U23 08.07.2022

A first half downward bullet header from hosts' Stowmarket Town captain Tom Bullard proved the difference in what was mostly an entertaining pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town Under-23s.

There were plenty of chances at both ends throughout the encounter at Greens Meadow, although Stow were evidently the only side to capitalise with 16 minutes on the clock, while the second half - albeit expected in pre-season - included wholesale changes by both sides, therefore stemming the flow of the game, despite there still being several notable chances in their second half. 

Good early pressure from Ipswich trio Ben Haddoch, Gerard Buabo and Callum Page, inside 4 minutes, on the Stow defence almost paid off, though Bradbrook managed to just clear ahead of the onrushing Buabo.

The Isthmian League North Division outfit though broke the deadlock on 16 minutes as new signing, and ex-Yeovil Town, Ed Upson's dangerous in-swinging left wing free-kick picked out Tom Bullard in acres of space at the far post - whose downward bullet header from an acute angle went in despite goalkeeper Ridd getting a hand to it. 

Ipswich on the other hand went close to drawing back on level terms just four minutes later, Callum Page exchanged a clever one-two, out on the left wing, with Ben Haddoch following a short corner, although the former's sumptuous first time cross was crucially headed behind the far post from inside the six yard by a Stow defender. 

The visitors really should've equalised in the 23rd minute, with what was a massive let off for the home side after an audacious Callum Page right wing free-kick, dangerously positioned just outside the box, was swung in away from goalkeeper James Bradbrook towards Gerard Buabo, who somehow couldn't provide the finishing touch to turn it home into a vacant net from point blank range. 

Ipswich would've been full value for a share of the spoils, with another chance for the young Blues passing them by in the 26th minute, the Trialist wearing number 11 was threaded through smartly down the right wing, where upon reaching the byline his clever cutback on a plate across the face of goal passed through with nobody there to provide the simple tap in it craved. 

The Blues' Trialist again caused the home defence a threat 9 minutes later, again latching onto a great through ball down the right wing onto the byline, only this time the winger squared the ball across the six yard box towards the arriving Buabo who was denied by some clever goalkeeping from Bradbrook, who advanced off his line well to gather. 

The away side continued to create chances, but once again just couldn't take advantage - firing a great strike just over the crossbar on 38 minutes. 

The young Tractor Boys again went close 3 minutes later, some great play saw Buabo threaded through brilliantly into acres of space down the right wing, the forward marauded well into space as he cut inside into the box before cutting the ball back to Ben Haddoch, who was denied as he began to shape to shoot by an excellently well timed tackle. 

In similar fashion to Bullard's goal, Stow nearly capitalised on another dangerous Ed Upson left wing free-kick shortly before the interval, this time floated in towards a Stow shirt in space from point blank range whose diving head went just over the crossbar on 43 minutes. 

Fantastic goalkeeping once again from James Bradbrook again denied Town the chance to draw back on level terms a minute into first half stoppage time, Callum Page looked to thread Max Hudson through past the defence, although Bradbrook was alert to it, timing his slide off his goal-line well to gather the ball. 

The last chance of the half also fell to the visitors, with Callum Page this time going for goal himself, the attacking midfielder exploited space well to weave through onto the left-hand edge of the box, only to fire his shot just the wrong side of the bottom far corner. 

As to be expected in pre-season, the interval saw a handful of changes for both teams, although the majority of the wholesale substitutions only began to occur just prior to the hour mark, which evidently halted the flow of the game somewhat. 

Eleven minutes after the restart though, Stow nearly doubled their lead, as a mistake from the Ipswich 'keeper almost proved costly, Stow substitute Evan Collard broke past the defence and into the box, down the left-hand side, only to see his low shot across goal well saved by the legs of the recovering goalkeeper. 

At the other end meanwhile, Bradbrook was forced into a fairly routine save just after the hour mark, with the goalkeeper reacting well to deny a fierce Ipswich strike from the left-hand edge of the box. 

Just a minute later, it was Stow's turn to go close again, albeit the dangerous long ball over the top, into the six yard box, just evaded substitute and trialist John Sands' stooping head at the near post.

The chances then began to flow in the five minutes that followed, with a great save from Bradbrook thwarting an Ipswich equaliser on 64 minutes, a clever left wing cross was met by Fin Barbrook in space at the back post, though his shot was well saved by the outstretched boot of diving goalkeeper at his near post, while Ipswich saw a fierce strike from just outside the box well denied two minutes later. 

The home side however were arguably unfortunate to not double their advantage after some neat link-up play in the 67th minute, following some clever passes between Tevan Allen and Tom Maycock which saw the latter threaded through into the box, before then teeing up the onrushing Evan Collard just outside the box, who could only blast his shot just literally over the crossbar. 

The latter was involved again 7 minutes later, as the midfielder's lofted cross into the danger area forced a Town defender to flick it behind the far post for a corner. 

After a few minutes of very little notable chances a few followed in quick succession, as eecent Stow signing Jacek Zielonka squared a great ball across to Tom Maycock whose shot went narrowly wide of the bottom near corner in the 81st minute. 

Good defending from Brooklyn Kabongolo denied forward John Sands the chance to double his side's lead three minutes later, the defender doing just enough to putt off the striker from latching onto a great through ball down the centre, to allow substitute goalkeeper Joe Rose to gather possession. 

A crucial goal-line clearance from a Stow defender with just three minutes left on the clock denied Ipswich what would've been a well deserved equaliser, having smartly broke through down the right-hand side, Edwin Agbaje's low shot had beaten the onrushing Stow substitute goalkeeper and was goalbound but for a timely clearance.

Agbaje was involved twice more as Town looked to rally a late equaliser, firstly heading a left wing cross just wide of the far post a minute into stoppage time, while the second saw the Ipswich number 17 flash a great strike agonisingly wide of the top far corner a minute later. 

That was ultimately that as Ipswich U23's second friendly in two days ended in defeat after Bullard's first half header. 

Stowmarket Town 1st half:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Ellis Girling, 3 Tommy Smith, 4 Jack Ainsley, 5 Josh Curry, 6 Tom Bullard (c), 7 Tevan Allen, 8 Ed Upson, 9 Craig Parker, 10 Shaun Bammant, 11 Reggie Lambe.

Stow 2nd half:- 1 James Bradbrook (72' GK13), 16 Chris Casement, 5 Josh Curry (60' Allen), 6 Tom Bullard (c) (60' Ainsley (77' Stow11), 3 Tommy Smith (77' Girling), 8 Ed Upson (68' 10 Joel Simmons), 12 Evan Collard, 17 Jacek Zielonka, 18 Tom Maycock, 14 Natty Stewart, 11 Reggie Lambe (60' 15 John Sands - Trialist).

Ipswich Town U23:- 1 Lewis Ridd, 2 Albie Armin, 3 Max Hudson, 4 Fraser Alexander, 5 Zak Bradshaw (c), 6 Cameron Stewart, 7 Tommy Taylor, 8 Ben Haddoch, 9 Gerard Buabo, 10 Callum Page (HT' 12 Zanda Siziba), 11 Trialist (HT' 17 Edwin Agbaje).

Ipswich Town U23:- 1 Lewis Ridd, 2 Albie Armin, 3 Max Hudson, 4 Fraser Alexander (c), 5 Zak Bradshaw, 6 Cameron Stewart, 7 Tommy Taylor, 8 Ben Haddoch, 9 Gerard Buabo, 10 Callum Page (HT' 12 Zanda Siziba), 11 Trialist (HT' 17 Edwin Agbaje).

Ipswich U23s XI as of 56 minutes:- 13 Joe Rose, 2 Albie Armin, 5 Zak Bradshaw, 6 Cameron Stewart (69' Trialist (11)), 12 Zanda Siziba, 14 Harry Barbrook, 15 Fin Barbrook, 16 Jesse Nwabueze, 17 Edwin Agbaje, 18 Brooklyn Kabongolo, 19 Ash Boatswain. 

Goal: Bullard (16'). Att 463.