Welcome to my Football Groundhopping blog, detailing all of my football adventures from the 2018/19 season to present. (2024/25) These games will include: Non-League, Sunday League Football, Non-League Youth (U18) Football, and maybe a few Professional Football matches. All opinions are my own, even reports I have written for Needham. All reports, photos, videos + Tweets (c) Drew Kendall, 2018-2025
Needham Market Under-23s pick up a deserved first point of the season, following a 1-1 draw with Diss Town on the Bloomfields 3G Pitch.
The young Marketmen handed a handful of debuts to 16-year olds, who had their first taste of senior football - one of those was Conner Lane, who was Man Of The Match alongside goalscorer Archie Exworth, with some regulars rested for Wednesday night's FA Youth Cup tie at Kings Lynn Town.
Despite that, the young Reds were on top in the first half, while the second half was a tight affair, with the home side battling hard to earn a share of the spoils.
The first opportunity of the night fell to Needham after just 2 minutes, Jayden Hanna's 30-yard free-kick was swung in towards Hugh Cullum, free at the back post, whose header from a tight angle was well held by goalkeeper William Sarchet.
Three minutes later, Needham forward Luca Braddon almost captialised on captain Kehan Whitby's short back header, but Sarchet was quick enough to just gather.
Needham again looked to advance through on goal after 9 minutes, but the great low ball round the defence towards Alex Oakley was gathered well by the onrushing Sarchet.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Diss broke the deadlock a minute later, after Tom Baird's strike was brilliantly blocked by captain Shane Wardley, a right wing cross found Kyle Baker, who nodded home into the far corner from close range, 0-1.
The visitors then had a decent chance on 13 minutes, a free-kick lofted into the box found Jordan Attree from close range, but the forward glanced his header over the near post.
Two minutes later, there was a good chance at both ends of the pitch, first Baird's shot from inside the box was blocked well by Mo Igwebuike, while Needham broke on the counter but just couldn't hit the target.
Diss in the other hand drew a comfortable giving save from Fin Shorten, diving low to his right to hold onto a 20-yard free-kick on 18 minutes.
A terrific save from Sarchet though denied Needham what would've been an incredible equaliser on 27 minutes, an audacious strike on the left-hand edge of the box was curling and dipping towards the top far corner, forcing the goalkeeper to tip the ball over well.
Archie Exworth however almost beat Sarchet directly from a low corner, a minute later, although the latter reacted well to just hold onto the ball, while Diss quickly broke forward but fired wide of the target.
The hosts though were soon awarded a penalty after Archie Exworth was taken down in the penalty area. Up-stepped the midfielder, who cooly sent Sarchet the wrong way to dispatch the spot-kick into the bottom right hand corner, and deservedly draw his side level on the half-hour mark.
Three minutes later though, Diss went close to regaining the lead, a great right wing cross picked on it Sillet free from point blank range, but the latter was just unable to connect to the ball, whilst Baird's well taken volley was well blocked by Conner Lane.
Keeley on the other hand drew a comfortable low save from Fin Shorten on 42 minutes, while Conner Lane's long range effort was also comfortably gathered by Sarchet.
But a minute before the break, Diss arguably should have at least hit the target, after Wardley gave the ball away to Jordan Attree, who drove through towards goal, the forward blazed his shot well wide of the near post.
In a tight and even second half, chances were mostly at a premium, with the visitors having the first chance since the restart. A right wing corner found a Diss man free from close range, whose header was headed over well by the well placed Luca Braddon.
A terrific save from Fin Shorten after 54 minutes, denied Diss from going back in front, Keeley's shot from the left-hand edge of the box forced Shorten to fly up to his near post and palm it away. The rebound however was just kept in by Ben Jones whose hook goalwards just missed the target.
While Keeley blazed over after 65 minutes, Needham had a great chance a minute later, Exworth again drove through into the box, although his low shot was well held by Sarchet down at his near, right-hand, post.
Straight after, another good defensive block denied Diss once more, this time it was Travis Buxton who put his body on the line to deflect the shot behind.
A world class save from Shorten then denied Whitby in style after 70 minutes, the Diss captain met a great right wing corner from close range, though Shorten was alert to quickly dive down to his far post and just hold onto the ball.
Substitute Aaron Attree then Saw his shot deflected well by Cullum, leaving an easy diving gather for Shorten on 82 minutes, whilst Mo Igwebuike just failed to connect with a great cross from point blank range.
The crossbar meanwhile thwarted Diss from taking all three points a minute into stoppage time as Baird's left wing free-kick curled over via the top of the crossbar at the far post.
That proved to be the final chance of note, as the two sides shared the spoils.
Hitchin: 1 Charlie Horlock (C), 2 Kye Tearle (64' Ackom), 3 Malaki Black, 4 Toby Syme, 5 Stan Georgiou, 6 Jack Morrell, 7 Lewis Barker, 8 Steve Gleeson, 9 Rio DaSilva (87' Allotey), 10 Steve Cawley (83' Meakes), 11 Finley Wilkinson. Subs: 12 Jonny Allotey, 13 Tiernan Parker, 14 Sam Meakes, 15 Delsin Ackom, 16 Bradley Bell.
Saturday 20 August 2022
Hitchin Town 0-0 Basford United
Hitchin: 1 Charlie Horlock (C), 2 Jack Green, 3 Malaki Black, 4 Toby Syme, 5 Stan Georgiou, 6 Jack Morrell (77' Warman), 7 Josh Coldicott-Stevens (61' Tearle), 8 Steve Gleeson, 9 Rio DaSilva (Allotey), 10 Steve Cawley, 11 Finley Wilkinson. Subs: 12 Kye Tearle, 14 Johnny Allotey, 15 Sam Meakes, 16 Bradley Bell, 17 Alfie Warman.
Saturday 27 August 2022
Bromsgrove Sporting 2-1 Hitchin Town
Goals: Sweeney (47'), Taylor (68'); Wilkinson (28').
Hitchin: 1 Charlie Horlock (C), 2 Jack Green (83' Allotey), 3 Malaki Black, 4 Toby Syme, 5 Stan Georgiou, 6 Josh Coldicott-Stevens (65' Tearle), 7 Lewis Barker, 8 Steve Gleeson, 9 Rio DaSilva (58' Ackom), 10 Steve Cawley, 11 Finley Wilkinson. Subs: 12 Kye Tearle, 14 Johnny Allotey, 15 Delsin Ackom, 16 Bradley Bell, 17 Alfie Warman. Sent Off: Barker (12').
Last season: Hitchin after five games 4 defeats, 1 draw. Needham after five games 3 defeats, 2 draws. This season both on 8 points after 5 games, just goal difference separates the two in 8th (Hitchin) and 9th (NMFC) going into it.
Early Goal Inflicts Undeserved Defeat On Marketmen
A rare, early, mistake from Needham goalkeeper Marcus Garnham fruits Hitchin all three points against the run of play at Top Field.
Manager Kevin Horlock made 2 changes to Saturday's defeat at home to Rushall Olympic, Christian Frimpong and Jamie McGrath returned to the starting lineup with Evan Collard and Seth Chambers dropping to the bench.
Needham were the better team throughout, with the visiting Marketmen unable to make it count in front of goal, with any shots well blocked or saved by goalkeeper Horlock.
Just 40 seconds were on the clock when Needham went close to an early breakthrough, Jacob Lay drove through quickly down the wing, forcing Georgiou to hack the ball just past the near post for a corner. Jamie McGrath met the resulting corner, but could only glance his header narrowly wide of the top far corner.
At the other end though, after Kane cut inside onto the left-hand edge of the box and blazed his shot over, the Canaries broke the deadlock after 8 minutes.
Garnham's clearance off his line rebounded, fortunately from a Hitchin perspective, to Finley Wilkinson to slot home into the vacant bottom far, right-hand corner, 1-0.
Needham Man Of The Match Ross Crane however almost created a quick equaliser for Needham two minutes later, but the winger's sumputous left wing free-kick in towards Ryan Viggars, in the six yard box, was well punched away by goalkeeper Charlie Horlock.
While the opposition's match sponsor gave their Man of The Match to Toby Syme, it was Charlie Horlock that was really their standout player - with the goalkeeper's stops ultimately making the difference for Hitchin, denying Crane in the 26th minute.
The winger latched onto a great down the right wing smartly before weaving through into the box, although his low shot was comfortably held by Horlock at his near post.
The Marketmen kept the pressure on their hosts, despite being unable to find the goal they craved, with Ross Crane involved in virtually all of Needham's promising play. The latter's right wing corner fell to Ryan Viggar, whose close range shot was blocked as far as Crane - although his sumputously dipping shot, from the edge of the box, was parried away by Horlock at his far right-hand post on 32 minutes.
Ryan Viggars then unselfishly teed up Patrick Brothers right minutes later, but the onrushing midfielder could only blast his shot off target from outside the box.
The home side though were fortunate to survive a fantastic opportunity for Needham on 42 minutes, Crane's right wing ball in was headed across goal well by the towering Keiran Morphew, finding Viggars, who on hand picked Brothers just outside the box. While the midfielder's shot was well blocked, the ball fell back to Charlton Athletic loanee Viggars, who kept the ball well but saw his low shot well blocked.
With literally the final chance of the first half, Dan Morphew went close to drawing Needham level in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, but the defender could only fire just wide of the top right-hand corner.
The second half was a similar story, Needham controlled the game, but weren't able to find the breakthrough.
A great Needham through-ball threaded Viggars through inside the box, however Horlock hared off his line to smother and hold his shot.
Captain Keiran Morphew was next to go close for the Marketmen on the hour mark, a long ball was lofted cleverly to the defender at the back post only for the latter to direct his bullet header wide of the top right-hand corner.
Great play from Crane, to brilliantly keep possession and cross into the box nearly brought the visitors the goal they deserved two minutes later. His delivery found Jake Dye, whose shot was deflected just wide of the far post for a corner.
A great save from Horlock thwarted Kyle Hammond from drawing Needham back onto level terms a minute later, a short corner picked out the full-back on the edge of the box, whose rasping drive, towards the bottom left hand corner, was well held onto by the shot-stopper.
Patrick Brothers' header meanwhile was cruically cleared away from goal on 66 minutes, adding further to the travelling Marketmen's disappointment.
Needham did though draw two decent stops from Horlock in the final eight minutes, Crane again beat his defender well out on the right wing, only to see his low shot from inside the box kicked away by Horlock at his near post.
Ryan Viggars was next to test Horlock on 89 minutes, albeit the striker's low first time shot was routine for Horlock to hold onto.
Two minutes later, Keiran Morphew's late header ultimately summed up Needham's day, with it just not going in for them. Crane's pinpoint right wing cross picked out the captain free at the back post, whose header went a centimetre agonisingly wide of the far post.
A harsh defeat for Needham, who now switch focus to an all Suffolk and step 3 Derby in the Emirates FA Cup at home to Leiston on Saturday (3pm).
Two goals in as many second half minutes condemns Needham Market to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Rushall Olympic at Bloomfields, ending a run of four home games with 2 wins and 2 defeats.
Manager Kevin Horlock made two changes to last Saturday's home over Stourbridge with recent Charlton Athletic loanee Ryan Viggars and Evan Collard starting in place of Taylor Clark and Christian Frimpong (the latter who was away on holiday, though Horlock confirmed that both he and Jamie McGrath will be back for Monday's trip to Hitchin Town), and were also boosted by the return of Noah Collard, from injury, on the substitutes bench.
Needham, who arguably shaded the first half, went close as early as the third minute, Ross Crane chipped a clever ball over the defence to thread Seth Chambers through one-on-one with goalkeeper Weaver, but could only shoot agonisingly just wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner.
Crane, who was match sponsor Keith Nunn's Man Of The Match, went close himself to an early breakthrough in the ninth minute. The winger latched onto a great ball, in acres of space just outside the box, albeit his low shot went narrowly wide of the bottom far corner.
Two minutes later, Crane continued to create chances for the home side, this time Crane smartly drove through down the right wing, before cutting into the box, although his low ball across the face of goal was beaten away well by goalkeeper Weaver.
After some great passing play, the former looked to test Weaver once more, straight away. After being teed up by Jacob Lay, the forward's first time dipping shot was however straight forward for the goalkeeper to hold onto.
Crane was by far the standout player on the pitch for Needham, particularly in the first half, with the forward again posing a threat in the 19th minute. The forward cleverly cutting inside, past his defender, into the box, before firing low and wide into the near side-netting.
Rushall meanwhile had a great chance on 23 minutes, Keith Lowe picked up possession from 18-yards out, only to watch his curling strike go just wide of the top far, left-hand, corner.
It was Needham who ended the first half the stronger, with Crane once more involved in the 26th minute. The winger threaded debutant Ryan Viggars through with an audacious defence splitting pass, although the latter's strike was smothered behind by the onrushing Weaver for a corner, out on the byline.
Just after the half-hour mark, Kyle Hammond tried his luck at goal, albeit the midfielder's low 35-yard fierce strike was deflected behind for a corner, with the resulting Crane set-piece tipped away well by Weaver.
The majority of the chances during the game did fall to the Marketmen, who just couldn't make them count. That was very much the case in the 32nd minute as Crane was threaded through by Jacob Lay, albeit the former was offside when his low first time shot was well saved by Weaver.
At the other end, Rushall had a great chance of their own, five minutes later, a right wing cross picked out Richard Batchelor, free at the back post, but the captain's close range header went narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner.
The final two noteable chances of the first half, however, both fell to the Reds, after neat passing play saw Seth Chambers fed with his back to goal, the forward quickly teed up the arriving Kyle Hammond, whose shot was fired wide of the top left hand corner on 41 minutes.
On the stroke of half-time, Viggars went close to a debut goal, the striker broke through onto the edge of the box, but was unfortunate to fire his shot narrowly wide of the bottom right hand corner.
The second half was much more of a cagey affair, with clear cut chances very much at a premium, with Viggars close to bundling home soon after the restart.
A left wing cross into the six yard box was smashed in towards the forward, with the goalkeeper's punch rebounding off the forward, though he was deemed to be in an offside position as a defender hacked it away just ahead of the goal-line on 48 minutes.
The Pics though hit their hosts with a sucker-punch goal on the break, as Samuel Mantom drove through onto the right-hand side of the box, before firing home via the inside of the far post from a tight angle, 0-1 Rushall.
Just two minutes later, it was 0-2 to the away side, Andre Carvalho-Landell was fed into space on the right-hand edge of the box before finishing confidently into the bottom far corner.
Needham looked to respond on the hour mark, but Jacob Lay's shot on the turn, from outside the box, went over the crossbar.
Viggars meanwhile tried his luck at goal ten minutes later, although his low shot, having taken a deflection, forced a routine save from the goalkeeper.
Again, Crane showed why we was named Man Of The Match with a surging run downfield on 77 minutes, the forward exploited space well to drive through the Pics' half, only for his low shot to be comfortably held by Weaver down at his near, right-hand, post.
Seconds later, Crane's great low ball across picked out Viggars in space, inside the box, the latter smartly got a got a shot off towards goal, forcing Tyler Lyttle to divert it just past his near post for a corner.
Arguably, on another day a point apiece would've been a fair reflection, with Needham just unable to make their chances count. Viggars latched onto a great right wing free-kick, in the 81st minute, but saw his shot on the turn blocked well by the chest of Kristian Green. The rebound then fell kindly for Keiran Morphew, the Needham captain on the edge of the box, whose stunning curling strike needed a flying stop from Weaver to preserve his clean sheet, as he tipped the ball over the crossbar.
It turned out to be a frustrating afternoon for the Marketmen, with Weaver again thwarting the hosts from getting on the scoresheet after 82 minutes, Viggars again latched onto a great long ball on the spin, but again his low shot was palmed behind well by Weaver down at his left-hand post.
Needham will look for a quick response, as they travel to Hitchin Town on Monday, who will also be going into the game on the back of a defeat; finishing with ten men in a 2-1 defeat away to Bromsgrove Sporting, while Rushall pick up back to back wins.
Needham Market:-
1 Marcus Garnham
2 Kyle Hammond
3 Jake Dye
14 Evan Collard (70' Clark)
5 Keiran Morphew (c)
6 Daniel Morphew
7 Jacob Lay
8 Patrick Brothers
9 Seth Chambers (68' N.Collard)
10 Ryan Viggars
11 Ross Crane
Subs:
12 Noah Collard
15 Hugh Cullum
16 Taylor Clark
17 Archie Exworth
Rushall Olympic:-
1 Jacob Weaver
2 Kristian Green
3 Reece Mitchell
4 Thomas Thorley
5 Keith Lowe
6 Sam Whittall
12 Tyler Lyttle (85' Parry)
8 Samuel Mantom
9 Andre Carvalho-Landell (87' Atherton)
10 Alexander Fletcher
11 Richard Batchelor (c) (76' Masidi)
Subs:
7 John Atherton
14 Owen Parry
15 Jordaan Brown
16 Jourdain Masidi
17 Jayden Campbell
Booked: N.Collard (86'), Hammond (90'+2').
Goals: Mantom (51'), Carvalho-Landell (53').
Two quickfire second half goals earn Rushall a second straight win at Bloomfields.
In truth, the home side edged an even first half, with Crane cleverly threading Chambers through early on, but the forward shot agonisingly just wide.
Crane then went for goal himself, only to fire narrowly wide. The Needham Star Man soon saw his clever low ball across goal beaten away by Weaver, while Crane fired wide into the side-netting after 19 minutes.
At the other end, Lowe curled just wide for the Pics, before Viggars fired just wide for Needham just before the break.
Soon after the restart, Rushall broke the deadlock after Sam Mantom exploited space to fire an angled shot in off the far post. Within two minutes, it was quickly 0-2, after Carvalho-Landell was fed into space outside the box the forward confidently finishes into the bottom corner.
Needham though battled on, despite Keiran Morphew's sumputous effort being heroically tipped over by Weaver.
A slightly belated match report, ahead of Needham Market's U23's home league clash with Diss Town at the end of August (Tuesday 30th), what better time than to relive the two sides'entertaining 2-2 feisty pre-season friendly at Bloomfields earlier this month (Tuesday 2nd).
The friendly was the young Marketmen's final one of their summer schedule, before their league campaign got underway, in which they have currently played a few of their consecutive away league games, with the league meeting with Diss being their first home competitive game of the new 2022-23 campaign.
A draw was arguably a fair result, with Diss having both of the early chances.
First, George Erith found space on the right-hand edge of the box, albeit the centre-back's low strike went just wide of Shorten's bottom left hand corner in the third minute, while Aaron Attree weaved into space comfortably four minutes later, but his shot, from the edge of the box, drew a simple low save from goalkeeper Finlay Shorten.
Up the other end, with their first real attack, Needham broke the deadlock with a fantastic well worked, clinical, goal in the fifteenth minute. Adam Edser fed Flynn Crosthwaite, who in turn played the full-back through brilliantly into space down the right wing, the former then beat his defender for pace before whipping a peace of a cross into Lucas Vance, free from 8-yards out, whose bullet header crashed into the roof of the net, via the underside of the crossbar, 1-0.
Diss looked to hit back two minutes later, forcing Fin Shorten, at his near post, to punch over a right wing corner. The following corner meanwhile was swung in just over the head of a Diss man at point blank range, at the back post.
A great stop from the Needham goalkeeper denied Diss once more after 20 minutes, this time Aaron Attree drove through on goal, with just Shorten to beat, although the onrushing 'keeper reacted smartly to dive towards his top near corner and brilliantly palm the shot away.
The away side however drew a routine save from the stopper a minute later, this time a left wing free-kick was headed back across the face of goal, finding James Sillett whose header towards the top far corner was well held by Shorten.
Diss though drew back level in the 23rd minute with an outrageous finish, Aaron Attree let fly from 40-yards out on the right-hand side, with striker firing fiercely into the top near corner, 1-1.
A good stop from Diss goalkeeper Alex Curl, on the other hand, denied Needham from retaking the lead ten minutes later, Dimitri Gayle drove into space on the central edge of the box, although his good strike towards the bottom right hand corner was easy for Curl.
But it was the visitors who went into the break in front, a great ball threaded Lee Sim through one-on-one with Shorten, who raced through to finish well into the top right-hand corner, 1-2.
Into the second half, an early save from Shorten thwarted Diss from extending their lead, Joe Keeley drove through into space down the left-hand side of the box, whose close range low shot was smothered behind by Shorten, down well at his near post.
While Diss directed a free header just wide of the left-hand post from a free-kick after 56 minutes, the crossbar at the other end denied Needham from getting back onto level terms a minute later.
Lucas Vance drove into space onto the edge of the box before dipping a brilliant strike towards goal, which agonisingly rebounded back into play off the front face of the bar, falling kindly for Eddie Barker, albeit the latter's close range header looped just over the top left hand corner.
As the game exploded into life, Shorten again was on hand to smother a great low Diss strike behind for a corner, at his right-hand post on 58 minutes, before Dimitri Gayle was just unable to latch onto a great cross from point blank range.
Gayle soon turned provider, as his left wing free-kick cleverly picked out Mo Igwebuike from close range, the midfielder leapt like a salmon but could only watch his header loop over the crossbar after 62 minutes.
The entertaining encounter continued to flow, with Brad Potter's low shot from just outside the box going just wide of the bottom right hand corner, nine minutes later.
Arguably a draw was a fair result, with Needham being full value for their equaliser in the 73rd minute, a fantastic left wing cross in found Ben Smith running in from close range to finish well into the top right-hand corner, 2-2.
Goalscorer Smith's peach of a cross almost brought Needham a third goal five minutes later, after being threaded through by a great ball from Aiden Jolley, the defender sumputously put the ball on a plate for Barker running in from close range, but the ball just evades the forward, as it went just wide of the far post.
Despite that, the final two chances of note both went the way of the visitors in the final seven minutes, the first saw great tracking back from Mileeq Banya block a Diss ball across the box behind for a corner, with the second seeing substitute goalkeeper Lawrence Robinson pull off a terrific double save to keep the scores level.
A right wing corner forced Robinson to fly off his line to tip it away from goal, but only as far as a Diss man just inside the box, whose great strike towards the top left-hand corner require Robinson, who was still off his line, to react heroically and tip the ball over his crossbar, bringing to an end an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Needham Market:-
1 Finlay Shorten (69' Robinson)
2 Adam Edser (69' Banya)
3 Brandon Greenleaf
4 Mo Igwebuike (69' Buxton)
5 Ben Smith
6 Sam Leslie (c)
7 Clayton Osborn
8 Flynn Crosthwaite (69' Jolley)
9 Dimitri Gayle (69' Collins)
10 James Letts (HT' Barker)
11 Lucas Vance (69' Fraser)
Subs:
14 Ollie Fraser
15 Joe Collins
16 Travis Buxton
17 Aiden Jolley
20 Eddie Barker
8 Mileeq Banya
1 Lawrence Robinson
Diss Town:-
1 Alex Curl
2 Charlie Aulert
3 Kieran Brown
4 Kehan Whitby (c)
5 James Sillett
6 George Erith
7 Jack Simpson
8 Ben Jones
9 Kyle Baker (HT' J.Attree)
10 Aaron Attree (39' Potter)
11 Joe Keeley
Subs:
12 Lee Sim
14 Jordan Attree
15 Harry Atkins
16 Rupert Graver
17 Daniel Appleton
12 Brad Potter
Booked: Simpson (26').
Goals: Vance (15'), Smith (73'); A.Attree (23'), Potter (41').
AFC Sudbury advance to the 1st Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, following an Extra Time replay victory over Suffolk rivals, and fellow Isthmian League North Division side Stowmarket Town at Greens Meadow.
Hosts Stow made two changes from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Sudbury, Tommy Smith and Craig Parker starting in place of Josh Curry and Jack Ainsley - while Sudbury made 3 alterations. Josh Pollard, Marley Andrews and George Cocklin replacing Jamie Shaw, Reece Harris and Ben Hunter.
Early on, however, it was Stow who started the brighter, with the Old Gold & Blacks winning a corner after just 23 seconds, a quick break from kick off saw the home side look to thread Natty Stewart through inside the box, forcing the defender to poke it behind for a corner.
Albeit Joe Jefford could only head the resulting set-piece over from 12-yards out, inside 50 seconds.
Jefford did have the ball in the net in the fifth minute, only to be ruled out for a foul, a left wing corner found the centre-back, whose first shot was well saved by the diving onrushing Alfie Stronge, although the whistle had already gone as the former volleyed the rebound into the top right hand corner.
Stow though did take the lead three minutes later, after Shaun Bammant was pushed from behind, from 30-yards out, Ed UPSON stepped up to whip an effortlessly audacious free-kick that curled into the top left-hand corner - arguably one of the best free-kicks I've seen in person, as he placed it perfectly into the corner, to make it 1-0 Stow.
Upson then turned provider in the twelfth minute, but Tom Bullard, leaping highest, could only head over from the goalscorer's cross.
Upson again looked to provide a second goal for his side in the 25th minute, this time with a deep right wing free-kick, which forced Stronge to come off his line and dive down to beat it away.
At the other end, Sudbury then began to get a foothold in the game just after the half-hour mark, as Josh Stokes drove forward onto the edge of the box, though the Stow defence slammed the door shut, comfortably blocking the low shot.
And it wasn't long until Sudbury restored parity with their only major chance of note at the time, on 34 minutes, the visitors kept possession well before picking out Nwachuku down the left-hand side of the box, whose powerful angled shot nestled into the bottom far corner, 1-1.
The momentum from that point was then with Sudbury, who quickly looked to turn the game on it's head, with Josh Mayhew heading home from close range at the back post, following a right wing cross - after 40 minutes.
Josh Stokes meanwhile then put the ball wide from close range two minutes later, while Jake Turner forced a good save from goalkeeper James Bradbrook straight after.
The winger cut inside smartly onto the left-hand edge of the box, although his fierce low strike was well held by the diving 'keeper, at his near post.
Nwachuku then went close to doubling his own and Sudbury's tally for the night a minute before stoppage time, but couldn't keep his shot down, firing the ball just over the crossbar.
Stow in the other hand went equally as close, two minutes into added time, a long throw was headed back into the box, finding captain Tom Bullard, whose close range volley went just over the crossbar.
Sudbury though had the final chance of the first half, a minute later. Josh Stokes exploited space on the left-hand edge of the box, before trying his luck at goal, with his shot deflected just wide of the bottom far corner by a defender, leaving the encounter perfectly poised at half time.
Although Sudbury had the more of the possession, and created better chances, overall clear cut chances, in the second half and certainly Extra Time, were few and far between, with the game becoming a tight affair the more time ticked on.
Again though, it was Stow who had the first two shots on goal after the restart, first Reggie Lambe's great strike, on the edge of the box, forced an outstretched save from Stronge, across low to his left hand post to hold onto a well taken shot after 49 minutes.
And it was Lambe who looked to test the Sudbury 'keeper again three minutes later, this time spotting the keeper off his line, but his decent effort was well held by Stronge.
At the other end, a good save from Bradbrook kept the scores level, briefly so it turned out, at 1-1, getting down smartly to his near, right-hand, post to palm an audaciously curled strike behind for a corner.
And it was from the resulting corner that Sudbury took the lead after 66 minutes, the set-piece found Joe Grimwood at the back post, who guided a bullet header into the roof of the net from close range, 1-2 Sudbury.
As if like buses, Stow instantly struck back two minutes later, as Reggie Lambe curled a sumputous low 25-yard shot into the bottom right hand corner, 2-2.
From that point on, both teams became tense and nervy, with Extra Time becoming more and more likely as time passed. As a result, there were mostly just a few half chances of note, starting, after 71 minutes, with Ed Upson's 25-yard free-kick. The midfielder curled the set-piece smartly over the wall, but straight at Stronge, who comfortably palmed the ball down before gathering the rebound.
Stow meanwhile broke forward on the break and had another half chance on 75 minutes, substitute Jack Ainsley was threaded through inside the box, although his low shot was deflected by Grimwood for Stronge to comfortably claim at his near post.
Valiant defending from Joe Jefford ensured that there wouldn't be late heartbreak for Stow in normal time, cleverly using his back to block Hunter's shot over for a corner, in the third minute of added time.
As a result Stow looked to hit Sudbury on the counter, Natty Stewart was released through down the right wing whose great ball across the six yard box forced goalscorer and captain Grimwood to slice the ball over his own bar for a corner.
That was that for normal time, with nothing of note occuring in the first fifteen minutes of Extra Time - with the game a tight and cagey affair, but again with Sudbury having more of the ball.
Sure enough, the first shot of Extra Time brought the winning goal in the 107th minute, early in the second half, and it was the away side who struck the crucial blow. Caley-Brown met a well taken left wing set-piece to powerfully crash a close range header home off the underside of the crossbar, 2-3.
Sure enough, the goal forced Stow to search for a late equaliser, though Sudbury saw out the final minutes well, with the away defence on hand to smack Hipkin's cross behind for a corner after 116 minutes, and block Kane Munday's shot soon after.
In almost a very costly, and bizarre moment for Stow, Sudbury arguably should have added a fourth goal in the 118th minute, Stow 'keeper James Bradbrook randomly strayed forward in open play, with Harrison Chatting driving forward towards the vacant Stow goal, the midfielder unselfishly fed a teammate closer to goal who couldn't quite find the open goal.
Sudbury also had the final chance of the night on the stroke of stoppage time, although Ainsworth's low strike was well held by Bradbrook down well at his bottom near corner, which was shortly followed by the final whistle, with Sudbury advancing to play Bury Town - away at the Atalian Servest Ram Meadow Stadium - in another Suffolk derby on Saturday 3rd September.
Needham: 1 Marcus Garnham, 2 Kyle Hammond, 3 Jake Dye, 14 Christian Frimpong, 5 Keiran Morphew (c), 6 Daniel Morphew, 7 Jacob Lay, 8 Patrick Brothers, 9 Seth Chambers (74' Collard), 10 Jamie McGrath, 11 Ross Crane. Subs: 12 Evan Collard, 15 Taylor Clark, 16 Archie Exworth, 17 Hugh Cullum.
SFC (19th):
Saturday 6 August 2022
Alvechurch 3-0 Stourbridge
Goals: Abbey (57'), Waldron (67'), Edge (76')
Saturday 13 August 2022
Stourbridge 1-1 Tamworth
Goals: Jason Cowley (5'); Creaney (51').
Tuesday 16 August 2022
Hednesford Town 0-0 Stourbridge
Stourbridge: 1 Charlie Price, 2 Lee Vaughan (c), 3 Jack Wilson, 4 Callum Gittings, 5 Joel Kettle, 6 Joe Hull, 7 Reece King, 8 Alex Moore, 9 Jason Cowley, 10 Darryl Knights, 11 Rackeem Reid. Subs: 19 Reece Styche, 14 Alex Worley, 15 Ethan Moran, 16 Moussa Koita, 18 Chris Knight.
Chambers brace motors Needham to a second consecutive home win.
A second half brace from Match Sponsors Needham Gym and Rock Estates Man Of The Match Seth Chambers fired Needham Market to a second in the space of five days, as Stourbridge's search for a first win of the new season continues.
Needham manager Kevin Horlock made 1 change for his side's third of four consecutive home matches, with Taylor Clark replacing Jamie McGrath - who was away on holiday, while Under-23s goalkeeper Finlay Shorten was named among the substitutes.
Stourbridge, who still have only picked up 2 points so far this season (having lost 3-0 at Alvechurch, before draws at home to Tamworth (1-1) and away to Hednesford (0-0), had the first shot on goal of the afternoon. Cowley picked up possession down the left-hand side of the box, only to see his low shot across goal beaten away well by Needham goalkeeper Marcus Garnham, after 17 minutes.
The first half lacked many real clear cut chances, with Stourbridge starting the brighter, while most of the better chances arrived at the other end - as the Marketmen grew into the game well, before dominating the second half.
In response to that Garnham save, however, Needham went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock just a minute later, Jacob Lay squared a great ball across the six yard box, on a plate, for the onrushing Seth Chambers - who just couldn't make contact.
At the other end, Stourbridge did have a decent chance on 26 minutes, albeit the glancing header from a right wing corner went wide of the far post.
Needham, on the other hand, nearly took full advantage, Jacob Lay latches onto a great long ball down the right hand side, the winger cut back possession cleverly to Taylor Clark, arriving, but the latter could only shoot agonisingly just wide of the bottom far corner after 29 minutes.
Some great play from Needham essentially set up the first goal of the game, after the ball fell kindly for striker Seth Chambers, free inside the box, the striker saw two shots well blocked, with the second blocked behind for a corner in the 33rd minute.
And it was from that corner that Needham broke the deadlock, Ross Crane's sumputous right wing corner picked out Daniel Morphew, who cooly volleyed home, from 10-yards out, into the bottom far corner - making it 1-0 Needham in the process.
The goal galvanised the home side, with Jacob Lay immediately having a low shot, just outside the box, well blocked by Joel Kettle, while Patrick Brothers, buoyed by his stunning brace in Tuesday's 4-2 home win over St Ives, curled a decent 30-yard strike wide of the top left corner in the 37th minute.
Six minutes later, it was almost 2-0 to Needham, as Ross Crane was centimeters away from adding to his goal and two assists within a week, the forward drove through smartly down the the right-hand side, before chipping the committed, onrushing, goalkeeper Charlie Price, although his shot went just past the bottom right hand post.
And with the second nine minutes old, a golden opportunity went begging for the home side - Crane again exploited space, driving through down the right-hand side, the winger feed up Jacob Lay, from point blank range, but his fellow winger couldn't quite provide the touch it needed.
That was quickly forgotten though, as Needham doubled their lead a minute later courtesy of an excellent goal. Seth Chambers - after being fed through by Taylor Clark - drilled an audacious strike through the goalkeeper's legs, and into the bottom right hand, near, corner, 2-0 Needham.
Needham were not finished yet though, as the Marketmen almost notched a third goal straight after, Patrick Brothers set double goalscorer Chambers free in acres of space, the latter then squared the ball across to Lay, although Price was quickly off his line to poke the ball away.
Stourbridge then went down the other end, and quickly reduced the deficit back to a single goal, Reece Styche stepped up to take a dangerous free-kick on the right-hand edge of the box, with the striker cleverly curling it home into the bottom far corner, 2-1.
The chances meanwhile continued to flow for Needham, who arguably should have restored their two goal advantage on 62 minutes, Ross Crane's fantastic left wing free-kick picked out Christian Frimpong, free from point blank range at the near post, albeit the latter could only head it just wide of the near post.
Visiting goalscorer Styche almost took advantage of that miss, but could only loop his header from a left wing cross, back across goal, and onto the roof of the net on 67 minutes.
Seven minutes later, Crane again looked to test the visiting keeper, this time the winger cut in smartly down the right-hand side of the box, although his shot went straight to the keeper.
Then came the latest twist of the afternoon, as away side were then reduced to ten men, just seconds later, after goalscorer Reece Styche elbowed Daniel Morphew.
Needham took full advantage, of the man advantage, restoring their two goal lead in the 87th minute, with star man Seth Chambers wrapping up a brilliant performance from him in particular. After Ross Crane was threaded through down the right wing, the winger squared the ball off to Chambers, who first time cooly smashed home into the bottom near corner, 3-1 Needham. The goal was fittingly his final action of the afternoon, as he was then replaced by Archie Exworth.
There was still time for Needham to have one more chance to extend their lead, which arrived in the fourth, of five, minute of added time.
After Crane's first shot was blocked, the winger quickly got a shot off from the rebound, forcing Price - reacting well off his line - to parry it away, only as far as Lay on the left-hand side, whose low shot at the near post was beaten behind smartly by the 'keeper.
Needham now sit seventh, while Stourbridge remain 21st, with Needham turning the attention to Monday's FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round draw (1pm) and Saturday's home meeting with Rushall Olympic (14th, who beat Bromsgrove Sporting 3-1 at home).
Sweeney's late penalty snatches Bromsgrove all three points against the run of play.
The Marketmen though had the better chances, with Ross Crane's low shot forcing the keeper to save expertly midway through the half, who then thwarted McGrath shortly after.
Kyle Hammond meanwhile latched onto a great Brothers cross soon after, but couldn't direct it on target.
With their first of two efforts all afternoon, the home side had a good chance on 39 minutes, Edwards' strike took a deflection off Keiran Morphew before going out for a corner off the crossbar.
Needham controlled most of the possession but couldn't capitalise, with McGrath having another shot denied by Taylor, while Evan Collard agonisingly sidefooted over from Brothers' cross.
The sucker punch though fell to Sporting deep into stoppage time, Sweeney, who won the penalty, ultimately stepped up and buried it.
Post Match Interview with goalscorer Jamie McGrath!
Previous Meetings:-
2007/08:-
FA Vase Fifth Round
Sat 9th February 2008
St Ives Town 3-3 Needham Market, Goals: Graeme Thackray (6'), Dan Moyes (87'), Barry Albone (104'); Jay Dennis (8'), Ben Wake (90'(+?)), Nathan Szyszlyk (110'), (Mark Bailey MOTM).
FA Vase Fifth Round Replay
Needham Market 4-0 St Ives Town
Goals: Nathan Szyszlyk (25'sec (1'min)), MOTM Tommy Smith x2 (40', 62'), Rhys Barber (29').
2018/19:-
Saturday 25 August 2018
St Ives Town 1-1 Needham Market
Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Central Division, Att 346. Goals: Robbie Parker (88’pen); Jeremiah Kamanzi (48’). Sent Off: Ollie Snaith (26'). MOTM: Dan Morphew.
Predicted & Last XI: 1 Marcus Garnham, 2 Kyle Hammond, 3 Jake Dye, 14 Christian Frimpong, 5 Keiran Morphew (c), 6 Daniel Morphew, 7 Jacob Lay, 8 Evan Collard, 9 Jamie McGrath, 10 Patrick Brothers, 11 Ross Crane.
Marketmen kickstart their season with a deserved win at third attempt
A clinical performance from Needham Market picks up the Marketmen's first win of the season in a 4-2 win over St Ives Town at Bloomfields, pushing the Marketmen up to ninth into the table after 3 games played.
Ahead of the 6th Needham win in eleven meetings with the Ives, which saw Man Of The Match, chosen by match sponsors Ipswich Grab Hire, Patrick Brothers score a audacious brace - including a goal of the season contender, manager Kevin Horlock made one change to Saturday's team that lost to Bromsgrove at Bloomfields, as Seth Chambers started in place of Evan Collard.
And the evening got off to the perfect start for the Marketmen, as summer signing Jamie McGrath, who scored 54 goals for SIL Senior Division side East Bergholt United last season, opened his, and Needham's for the new season, account at step 3 with a stunning goal on the turn, in just the sixth minute.
McGrath smartly chested down a great long ball from Ross Crane, from 18-yards out, before unleashing a brilliant low strike in off the inside of the inside of the left-hand post, 1-0 Needham!
However, down the other end, the visitors, who had won their previous two games so far this season (2-1 over Bromsgrove Sporting and 5-0 over Stratford Town on Saturday), instantly drew back onto level terms. Nabil Shariff drove forward before finding the back of the net, 1-1.
McGrath then almost had a second goal in the space of 7 minutes, a great through-ball looked to pick out the forward sliding in, but the ball was gathered well by the onrushing goalkeeper.
It was Needham who had more of the possession, and the better chances throughout, with the latest opportunity arriving in the 21st minute. Ross Crane's dangerous free-kick, on the right-hand edge of the box, was whipped in cleverly towards Seth Chambers, at the back post from close range, forcing an Ives defender to leap highest and flick it behind for a corner.
Up the other end meanwhile, the away side had a half chance on the hour mark, goalscorer Shariff met a right wing cross, at the back post, only to see his header towards the bottom left hand corner poked away by Keiran Morphew's outstretched boot.
Needham then struck for the second time of the evening just four minutes later with another brilliantly taken goal, with Patrick Brothers backing up his two goals during pre-season by smashing a fantastic strike, after being found by Seth Chambers, from outside the box, into the bottom left-hand corner, 2-1 Needham.
It was almost 3-1 though in the 39th minute, albeit this time the woodwork denied Jamie McGrath from what would've been a world class second goal. The forward showed great skill to beat his defender down the right-hand side of the box, only for his fierce strike, towards the top corner, to clatter back into play off the outside of the near post.
Fellow summer signing Jacob Lay wasn't far off either from opening his Needham account, the winger ran into space, on the right-hand edge of the box before unleashing a fierce strike agonisingly just wide of the top far corner on 42 minutes.
That proved to be the final noteable chance of the opening half, with the Marketmen worthy of their half-time lead.
The second half saw the Reds continue with the same intensity, which almost fruited a third goal just four minutes after the restart, Seth Chambers was teed up on the edge of the box, albeit the striker's shot rifled just a centimetre wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner.
A minute later, the striker almost increased Needham's tally to three, again going close, only this time around the striker picked up possession down the left-hand side of the box, although his low shot was fired similarly just wide of the bottom near corner.
But the Marketmen did add a deserved third goal in the 52nd minute, courtesy of a goal of the season contender from Patrick Brothers, for his second goal of the night - and third for Needham, since joining in the second half of last season. The midfielder exploited space in style on the edge of the box to curl a sumptuous strike into the top left hand corner, or as commonly referred to these days as top bins, to make it 3-1 Needham!
Seven minutes later though, St Ives reduced the hosts' lead back to just a single goal, Callum Milne found space to fire home into the top corner, 3-2.
The visitors' hopes of potentially getting anything from the game however were virtually extinguished in the 63rd minute, through a hammered strike from summer signing Ross Crane - which also proved to be the final goal of the six goal-fest. The ex-Ipswich Town player was fed down the right wing by Christian Frimpong, the former then cut inside well onto the central part of the box, where the forward then duly blasted home his maiden Needham goal into the bottom right hand corner, 4-2 Needham!
A smart stop from goalkeeper James Goff, albeit somewhat routine, though denied Needham a fifth goal after 69 minutes. Kyle Hammond's long range free-kick fell kindly for goalscorer Crane, whose first shot was blocked, while his second was well held by the diving goalkeeper, down low to his left hand side.
Needham at this point were very much on top, albeit clear cut chances then became few and far between, as Jacob Lay fired wide of the target in the 74th minute, prior to McGrath seeing a low shot at goal, from inside the box, cleared away by the foot of Julien Saka, just two minutes later.
The final chance of the night meanwhile, fell to the Ives, three minutes before stoppage time, a right wing cross was dangerously headed back across the face of goal, from close range, by an Ives player, although his teammate could only head it wide of the top corner.
A much needed three points for Needham, who pick up a well deserved win earlier than the same stage (3 games played) last season, with four times the points tally, thanks to some well worked goals.
Needham Market manager manager feels his team got "what they deserved," following their first Southern League Central Premier Division win of the new season, at the third time of asking, over St Ives Town at Bloomfields.
The Marketmen, who now sit ninth in the league table after their sixth win in eleven meetings with the Ives (having drawn the other 5), had played two home games within quick succession, with Saturday's game against Bromsgrove Sporting ending in a late 0-1 loss, with Horlock feeling that "we should be sat here with nine points."
"For whatever reason we haven't (got 9 points)," Horlock continued, "we obviously haven't scored goals, taken chances, not had the rub of the green. But tonight, I thought we were excellent. We come into the game wanting to be on the front foot, and it's got to be said against a very good side in St Ives. It was a great game, I imagine, if any neutrals were here, some real good football played and loads of good goals, so we're made up."
The ex-Northern Ireland internation then praised his side for their positive reaction to Saturday's defeat, "we asked the lads to be on the front foot, and it's difficult at times when you don't get what you deserve from previous games. You start doubting yourself, but the lads were frightening tonight."
Summer signing Jamie McGrath opened Needham's account for the new season after just six minutes with a well taken finish, which impressed Horlock, "I'm really chuffed for Jamie to get his first goal at this level, it was a difficult one, with a take on the chest. He swiveled and hit it, so that will be good for him. But they're all (four Needham goals) great goals."
While St Ives equalised virtually straight after, through Nabil Shariff, Needham took the lead 11 minutes before the break through Man Of The Match Patrick Brothers' low driven strike. Brother's quickly notched himself a brace early into the second half, curling a stunning strike into the top corner, with Horlock commending his midfielder, "he scored two worldies, which he's done for a number of years now. He's been brilliant for us since he's come in. He's got that experience, I asked him to play a bit of a different role, a little bit deeper, but he ended up getting two goals, which tells me how well we broke up play, that tells me how much good possession we've had, because one of my deeper midfielders ends up scoring two goals.
"It's a pleasing night for us, obviously we're always going to look at the goals we conceded, which weren't great, one was a minute after we'd gone in front, and the second was from a long throw, but overall I can't ask more, the lads worked their socks off tonight. We looked really dangerous going forward, we looked really solid and we dealt with their threat quite well, so it was overall a really good performance."
"I know it's early on in the season, but to get that first win, and after the disappointment of not getting the win in the previous two games was so vital. It was nice to score early, because if it's not happening you start doubting yourself, and you might stop making runs into areas where you can score.
Summer signing Ross Crane, who was released from Ipswich Town in the summer, rounded off the scoring by hammering home a fantastic strike just after the hour mark, with Horlock hoping the win will be 'catalyst to kickstart our season now,' we've obviously got another home game coming up, so we want to back it up and get another win, and see where it can take us, because winning is a habit. When you're on a roll, playing well and winning games, it becomes a little bit easier."
When asked about the importance of getting the first win of the league season within the first three games, Horlock added, "it's massive, I was disappointed not to win at Rushden, we deserved more, and Bromsgrove was a real kick in the teeth, we deserved all three points. We didn't take our chances, but then to conceded with a 97th minute penalty was a sucker blow."
Horlock will still be without injured players Noah Collard, Tom Fitzgerald, Harry Knights, Luke Ingram (knee, who is expected back next month) and Byron Lawrence) for of Saturday's home game against Stourbridge (3pm), who are second from bottom in the league table.
