Stowmarket Town v Needham Market | 28.04.2023 | Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Final | Atalian Servest Ram Meadow Stadium, Bury Town FC |

 

 Reaction from Marcus Garnham

SETH CHAMBERS ICE COLD PENALTY RETAINS A THIRD SUCCESSIVE SUFFOLK PREMIER CUP TRIUMPH

Needham Market retain the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup for the third straight season, making it a fifth triumph in their history, following an entertaining, open, 3-3 draw with Isthmian League North Division side, and local neighbours, Stowmarket Town.

Both sides overcame fellow league opposition to book their place in the final, with Needham overcoming Leiston 1-0 at Stowmarket courtesy of a 70th minute Luke Ingram penalty, while Jack Ainsley was on target as Stow beat Bury Town 3-0 at Needham. 

The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division side started brightly and had the better of the early chances, great passing play saw Fitzgerald thread Dye through down the left wing, and just into the box, whose audacious cross is headed just wide of the top right-hand corner by Ingram at the far post after 3 minutes.

Kevin Horlock's side then took a deserved lead two minutes later, Taylor Clark found space to whip a brilliant right wing cross into Callum Page, who leapt like a salmon from 6-yards out, despite having two defenders around him, to bullet head home into the bottom far, right-hand, corner, 1-0 Needham.

Just sixty seconds later, Needham went close to adding a quickfire second goal, Jake Dye found Luke Ingram in space on the left-hand side of the box whose great strike curled narrowly wide of the top far corner. 

The Marketmen created another good chance in the 8th minute, Ingram worked space on the right-hand edge of the box although his sumptuous low ball across the face of goal flashes wide with nobody in Needham red around to provide the finishing touch. 

Five minutes later, Needham Man Of The Match Dylan Williams drove into space well, weaving between the Stow midfield to break onto the edge of the box, but only to smash his shot narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner. 

Jacob Lay then won possession well before driving through Stow's half, the winger weaved smartly into space as he broke onto the edge of the box, albeit he skewed his shot narrowly wide of the bottom left-hand corner on 16 minutes. 

Up the other end however, Stow equalised with the first shot and chance of note of the night a minute later, Ed Upson's left wing corner picked out Joe Jefford who headed home powerfully from close range, 1-1. 

Needham though looked to hit back on 20 minutes, as Jake Dye found Callum Page with a left wing throw, the former, after receiving back possession, then looked to slot Jacob Lay into space down the left-hand side of the box but the winger just couldn't latch onto it as Bradbrook gathered the ball on his line.

Three minutes later, Stow again struck from a set-piece with their 2nd goal from 2 real shots. Upson's free-kick on the left-hand side of the box was deflected, off the wall, back into play via the front face of the near post while Jack Ainsley was first to the rebound to cooly finish into the top right-hand corner, 2-1 Stow. 

Needham remained unfazed, as the game continued to be a thoroughly entertaining, open content, with Jake Dye's audacious left wing cross headed away only as far as Luke Ingram in space inside the box, whose first time seemingly goalbound volley was deflected just wide of the top near corner for a Needham corner on 25 minutes.

At the other end, a terrific save from Marcus Garnham thwarted Ainsley from picking up his second goal of the night on the half-hour mark, the Stow forward was threaded through into space, by a smart cutting low ball across, on the left-hand side of the box whose shot was smothered brilliantly by the onrushing Garnham. 

Dylan Williams meanwhile found space to shoot on the right-hand edge of the box after 37 minutes, but his fierce shot was blocked, while Kyle Hammond - who had found space from 35-yards out on the left-hand side - saw his low shot also blocked two minutes later. Ingram then saw a low shot deflected just wide of the left-hand near corner moments later.

The Marketmen though got back on level terms from the resulting left wing set-piece. Dylan Williams' audacious corner found Dan Morphew who ghosted in to power home a bullet header into the top near corner from point blank range, 2-2 after 40 minutes.

Williams though drew a smart save out of Stow goalkeeper James Bradbrook five minutes later, the midfielder sneaked a sumptuous 35-yard shot towards goal, which lifted over the defence before dipping towards the bottom right-hand corner, but for Bradbrook to hold onto the shot well. 

The Marketmen also had the last chance of the first half in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Jacob Lay threaded goalscorer Callum Page through on the left wing overlap whose driving run into the box saw the forward's brilliant ball squared across the box towards Ingram cleared away by a defenderm

The higher league Reds started the second half like the first, scoring quickly after the restart. This time round though just 42 seconds had been played when Horlock's side broke forward quickly with Kyle Hammond finding space out on the right wing to square a brilliant right wing low cross on a plate for Dylan Williams, who had found space from 10-yards out to smartly fire home into the bottom left-hand corner, 3-2 Needham.

Back came Stow though, as Casement's side found space to shoot on the right-hand edge of the box, which went just wide of the bottom far corner on 51 minutes. 

Two minutes later, Needham midfielder Taylor Clark broke similarly broke into space on the right-hand edge of the box, but the midfielder's low goalbound shot towards the bottom far corner was well blocked by a Stow defender.

Callum Page then exploited space on the left-hand edge of the box, but his low fierce strike was well held by Bradbrook guarding his near post, keeping the score at 3-2 to Needham on 56 minutes. 

Stow meanwhile equalised on 61 minutes, Casement's low right wing dangerous cross picked out Ainsley unmarked at the far post who controlled the ball before slotting home into the gaping bottom left-hand corner from point blank range, 3-3. 

Goalscorer Page then picked out Kyle Hammond with a great left wing cross, the defender then dangerously headed the ball back across the box towards Jacob Lay whose glanced header towards the top left-hand corner was gathered by Bradbrook on 69 minutes. 

Taylor Clark then saw a 12-yard shot blocked a minute later, while Dylan Williams' right wing corner was looped just over the top far corner onto the roof of the net by fellow goalscorer Dan Morphew from close range on 76 minutes.

Four minutes later, Needham captain Keiran Morphew shot just wide of the bottom near corner from a low right wing corner from 10 yards out, while Williams' fierce shot on the left-hand hand edge of the box was well caught by Bradbrook on 82 minutes. 

Lay meanwhile saw his shot on the left-hand side of the box blocked by Casement two minutes later, while substitute Luke Brown found space to shoot on the left-hand edge of the box but his shot - which looked to have taken a deflection off a defender - went just wide of the bottom near corner for a goal-kick just moments later. 

The ex-Stow forward then fired a half-volley over the bar from 30-yards out on 88 minutes, while Taylor Clark was fed into space just outside the box only to fire his shot agonisingly just over the crossbar two minutes later. 

Around five minutes or so of stoppage time then passed before referee Bradley Mingay drew to a close a pulsating 90 minutes, meaning that the final would be decided by the lottery of penalties. 

Stow took first, in front of the (car park) end the majority of their supporters were stood behind during the second half, with Jack Ainsley stepping up first to kick off a just as dramatic and entertaining penalty shootout. The double goalscorer cooly sent Garnham the wrong way to slot home into the bottom left-hand corner to make it 1-0. 

Regular Needham penalty taker, and the club's all time appearance maker, Luke Ingram stepped up first for Needham and levelled the shootout, dispatching into the top left-hand corner, despite a reaching hand from Bradbrook, who guessed correctly, 1-1. 

Ed Upson then sent Garnham the wrong way to make it 2-1 to Stow, firing home smartly into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Taylor Clark, who helped the club's Under-18s reach their own County Cup Final - which will be played at Colchester United (17th May, 7:30pm), oozed confidence as he smashed home ferociously, low, right down the middle of the net as Bradbrook dived to his left hand side, 2-2.

Jack Wilkinson then just beat Garnham, who guessed correctly, to make it 3-2 to Stow, by finding the bottom left-hand corner, while former regular Needham penalty taker Dan Morphew took no prisoners as he smashed home past Bradbrook into the top left-hand corner to keep it level at 3-3.

Player-manager Chris Casement then stepped up for Stow's fourth spot-kick, with the defender smartly sending Garnham the wrong way as he slotted home into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Goalscorer Dylan Williams ensured it would remain level after 4 penalties each, with ice in his veins the midfielder sent Bradbrook the wrong way as he smashed home into the top right-hand corner. 

Having won the competition with Needham last season, in a 5-4 shootout victory over Leiston, Harvey Sayer stepped up against his former side and confidently sent Garnham the wrong way, powerfully finding the bottom right-hand corner. 

Luke Brown though ensured the shootout would continue into sudden death, getting just enough power to slide his spot-kick underneath Bradbrook, who'd dived just to his left, 5-5. 

The Stow goalkeeper then took next for Stow, but couldn't beat Garnham, who guessed right, as the former lifted his effort over the bar.

That meant that another member of Needham's Under-18s had the responsibility of taking the match-winning penalty. Seth Chambers though showed no sign of any nerves, brilliantly beating Bradbrook for power, leathering home into the top left-hand corner to make it a hat-trick of Suffolk Premier Cup triumphs for Kevin Horlock's side. 

The victory likely sets up a Suffolk Champions Charity Cup clash - a competition Needham have won both times since it's inception - between either Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division North sides Framlingham Town or AFC Sudbury Reserves, who meet in the Suffolk Senior Cup Final (12th May), in pre-season.

Stowmarket Town:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Chris Casement, 3 Tommy Smith, 4 Jack Wilkinson, 5 Joe Jefford, 21 Tom Bullard (c), 7 Harvey Sayer, 8 Josh Curry, 9 Jack Ainsley, 10 Ed Upson, 11 Kane Munday. Subs: 12 Kieran Morley, 14 Scott Sloots, 15 Luke Hipkin, 16 Zack Gayfer, 17 Ellis Girling.

Needham Market FC:- 1 Marcus Garnham, 2 Kyle Hammond, 3 Jake Dye, 14 Taylor Clark, 5 Keiran Morphew (c), 6 Daniel Morphew, 7 Luke Ingram, 8 Dylan Williams, 9 Callum Page (79' Chambers), 11 Jacob Lay, 15 Tom Fitzgerald (74' Brown). Subs: 12 Hugh Cullum, 16 Luke Brown, 17 Seth Chambers, 18 Christian Frimpong, 19 Finn Shorten (GK).

Booked: Williams (43'), Ainsley (45'+3').

Goals: Jefford (17'), Ainsley (23', 61'); Page (5'), D.Morphew (40'), Williams (46').

PENS:

Stow (✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️❌, 5):- Ainsley ✔️, Upson ✔️, Wilkinson ✔️, Casement ✔️, Sayer, ✔️, Bradbrook ❌.

Needham (✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️, 6): Ingram ✔️, Clark ✔️, D.Morphew ✔️, Williams ✔️, Brown ✔️, Chambers ✔️.

Att: 977

Moreton Hall Ferals v Mellis | 23.04.2023 | Best Badges Suffolk Cup Final | Bloomfields, Needham Market FC

DONGRAY BULLET HEADER SEPARATES SUFFOLK SUNDAY CUP FINAL

Moreton Hall Ferals edge a Best Badges Suffolk Sunday Cup Final of very few clear cut chances 1-0 over fellow Bury + District Sunday Football League Division One side Mellis at Needham Market's Bloomfields grass pitch.

Ferals though had a chance in the fourth minute, Callum Dongray whipped a smart crossfield free-kick, just inside Mellis' half on the left-hand side, through to Jake Peasgood in acres of space just inside the box who controlled the ball nicely only for a defender to track back well and put the ball behind for a corner. 

Peasgood meanwhile saw his 35-yard free-kick sail over the bar in the tenth minute, before a Mellis free-kick from the right wing edge of the box was glanced out for a throw in by Head, who couldn't quite turn it goalwards at the far post, two minutes later. 

Callum Dove then fed Jake Peasgood in space from 18-yards out whose shot was tame and comfortably held by goalkeeper Barry Lynn at his bottom near left-hand corner on 25 minutes. 

Charlie Glover then forced a good save from Lynn at his near post a minute later, Scott McGavin fed the winger into space on the left-hand edge of the box whose powerful strike was well held by the 'keeper at head height. 

Ferals arguably edged a fairly even encounter, with the blues creating the better chances. Harry Whiting-Noakes released Glover past the defence into acres of space down the right-hand side, the winger then drove into the box only for his shot to be deflected wide for a corner after 29 minutes. 

At the other end, a smart save from Aston Fallows denied Head from breaking the deadlock on 42 minutes, the forward broke through onto the left-hand side of the box whose 10-yard low shot from a tight angle was well held by Fallows down at his near post. 

Two minutes later, Glover spun cleverly into space on the left-hand edge of the box but for his ferocious strike to be tipped just over the top far corner by Lynn. 

Crowe's resulting right wing corner however found Dongray free at the far post who nodded just wide on the stroke of first half stoppage time.

Another terrific save from Lynn denied Glover the opening goal of the game in the second minute of first half stoppage time, the winger again worked space to shoot on the left-hand side of the box whose powerful tight angled strike was beaten away by Lynn, diving down low to his left hand side at his near post. 

Again, the Ferals had the better chances after the restart, with Jake Peasgood threaded through dangerously down the right wing on 56 minutes, although his low inviting ball squared across the box was smacked behind for a corner. 

Mellis broke up the other end a minute later though, as Head broke into acres of space down the right-hand side in the box whose shot was vitally deflected just wide of the bottom near corner for a Mellis corner.

Mellis then saw a mishit low shot comfortably gathered by Fallows on the hour mark, while Mellis shot way over the crossbar a minute later. 

Dongray then saw a ferocious 30-yard driven free-kick blocked by the wall on 65 minutes, before Glover drove smartly into space onto the left-hand side of the box only to fire agonisingly just wide, from a tight angle, into the bottom near side-netting on 78 minutes. 

The woodwork then denied Glover what would've been an incredible finish two minutes later, the forward exploited space to rasp a powerful 30-yard strike towards goal, which somehow clattered back into play off the inside of the right-hand post. 

Ferals' pressure paid off however, as James Buckmaster's left wing corner was bullet headed home from point blank range by Callum Dongray into the top far corner to give his side a 1-0 lead with 9 minutes left on the clock. 

Ferals though were reduced to ten men during the goal celebrations as Sam Waterson was sent off, albeit Ferals saw out the remaining minutes to record their first Suffolk Sunday Cup triumph, having been runners up in their only other final appearance last season.

Ferals return to Bury Sunday Division One action away to Elmswell Athletic on Thursday (27th April, 6:45pm kick off).

Moreton Hall Ferals:- 1 Aston Fallows, 4 Taylor Waterson (59' Newdick), 10 Sam Waterson (c), 20 Callum Dongray, 88 George Crowe, 17 Scott McGavin (60' Larter), 2 Lewis Kemp (76' Buckmaster), 15 Charlie Glover, 9 Jake Peasgood (66' Stewart-Hogg), 11 Callum Dove, 33 Harry Whiting-Noakes. Subs: 7 Fred Stewart-Hogg, 8 Charlie Larter, 19 Jack Whiting-Noakes, 14 James Buckmaster, 28 Ben Newdick. 

Mellis:- 1 Barry Lynn, 3 Matthew Anderson (HT' Lanchester), 5 Matt Allin, 6 Tom Davey, 10 Brendan Head, 15 Callum Nash, 9 Ben Norton-Hugman (c), 2 Jack Payne, 14 Kieran Manning (8' Goulding), 16 Harry Rolingson, 11 Lawrence Brown. Subs: 17 Brad Hunt, 7 Hayden Wilby, 12 Joe Pierce, 8 Reece Lanchester, 4 Will Goulding (70' Hunt).

Booked: Anderson (15'), T.Waterson (22'), M (84')

Sent Off: S.Waterson (82').

Goal: Dongray (81').

Needham Market v Leiston | 18.04.2023 | Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Semi Final | Greens Meadow, Stowmarket Town FC |

INGRAM FIRES NEEDHAM TO THIRD STRAIGHT COUNTY CUP FINAL 

Needham Market edged an, all Southern League Central Premier Division, Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Semi-Final tie 1-0 courtesy of a second half Luke Ingram penalty to progress to a third consecutive final.

The Marketmen made one change from Saturday's 3-2 home league win over Basford United with Hugh Cullum starting on the bench and Tom Fitzgerald taking his place in the starting eleven. 

In truth, it was the Marketmen who had the better chances, though clear cut chances were at a premium throughout the nervy contest. 

In the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, which have seen Needham come out on top in an Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie in September and Leiston edge both league encounters with goals in stoppage time, the Marketmen looked the more lively.

Sure enough, the first opportunity of note fell to the Reds in the 12th minute. Callum Page drove through onto the left-hand edge of the box whose unselfish attempted through-ball towards Lay rebounded off the pitch and wide for a goalkick, while Dylan Williams' fierce low 35-yard free-kick wax blocked 7 minutes later. 

Jake Dye meanwhile fed Ingram into space on the left-hand edge of the box on 24 minutes, but the striker's low shot was well blocked. 

Tom Fitzgerald then tried his luck at goal for Needham on the half-hour mark, the midfielder was threaded through in space onto the left-hand edge of the box but his shot rebounded off the ground and narrowly wide of the bottom near corner.

Leiston were then forced into an early change after 39 minutes as Rossi Jarvis was withdrawn due to an injury with George Quantrell on in his place.

Taylor Clark was fed into space down the right-hand side into the box, eight minutes later, where the midfielder's low shot was gathered by Donkin at his near post.

Despite clear cut chances being at a premium, the Marketmen had the better chances. Callum Page, the former Needham Academy graduate on loan from Ipswich Town, was fed into space on the left-hand side whose shot from just outside the box was deflected just wide of the near post for a corner in the first of four minutes in first half stoppage time. 

Seconds after the restart, Leiston forward Will Davies had a shot inside the box blocked, while a strike on the rebound was also blocked.

Needham arguably enjoyed more of the possession and had a great chance on 53 minutes, Dylan Williams' audacious right wing corner found Clark free at the far post who glanced his header, from 16-yards out, narrowly wide. 

While Leiston were forced into a second change on 63 minutes, which saw ex-Marketman Ben Fowkes replace the injured Will Davies, Needham were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute. Williams' right wing free-kick was swung in dangerously towards the near post, where Luke Ingram's header flicked across the six yard box was only partially cleared as far as Page whose ferocious shot was blocked by an arm.

As cool as you like, penalty specialist Ingram took the big moment in his stride, oozing confidence as the striker sent Donkin the wrong way to cooly place his spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner, 1-0 Needham after 71 minutes.

Ex-Marketman Joe Marsden was soon the first player to go into referee Paul Quick's notebook for a late foul in his own half after 75 minutes, before Needham made their first, and only, substitution of the night three minutes later with striker Luke Brown replacing midfielder Tom Fitzgerald.

The substitute was quickly involved in creating a great chance on 80 minutes, Brown threaded Jacob Lay through into space on the left-hand edge of the box whose shot was smashed just wide of the bottom near corner. 

Meanwhile, at the other end 6 minutes later, Joe Marsden's free-kick on the edge of the box was blocked well by the wall before a shot on the rebound was also blocked, while Callum Page blazed a shot over from 10-yards out on 89 minutes.

Just before 5, nervy, added minutes were announced, Leiston replaced Ryan Jarvis with Zach Dronfield, while Williams was cautioned for Needham as Horlock's side held onto book a third straight Suffolk Premier Cup Final spot, aiming go make it a hat-trick of wins on the spin, and what would be a fifth overall triumph in the competition. 

Needham switch focus to two final league trips in the space of two days, starting with Hednesford Town on Thursday (7:45pm).

Needham Market:- 1 Marcus Garnham, 2 Kyle Hammond, 3 Jake Dye, 5 Keiran Morphew (c), 6 Daniel Morphew, 7 Jacob Lay, 8 Dylan Williams, 9 Luke Ingram, 11 Callum Page, 12 Tom Fitzgerald (78' Brown), 14 Taylor Clark. Subs: 15 Hugh Cullum, 16 Seth Chambers, 17 Luke Brown, 18 Finn Shorten (GK), 19 Ollie Fraser.

Leiston:- 1 Sam Donkin, 8 Joe Marsden, 6 Jake Hutchings, 3 Seb Dunbar (c), 19 Rossi Jarvis (39' Quantrell), 4 Ollie Saunders, 5 Adam Bailey-Dennis, 7 Fin Barnes, 9 Will Davies (63' Fowkes), 14 Adam Mills, 18 Ryan Jarvis (90' Dronfield). Subs: 10 George Quantrell, 11 Ben Fowkes, 12 Zach Dronfield, 20 Iuri Fernandes, GK Billy Johnson.

Booked: Marsden (75'), Williams (90'+4').

Goals: Ingram (71'pen).

 

Stowmarket Town U18 v Needham Market U18 | 06.04.2023 | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Youth League Central Division | Greens Meadow, Stowmarket Town |

Needham Market Under-18s picked up a deserved draw away to their Stowmarket Town counterparts after a second half stunning free-kick from Ollie Fraser. 

The young Marketmen broke through straight away down the right wing but the away side's dangerous cross in just evaded a Red shirt lurking at the far post from a yard out in the first minute. 

At the other end, Taylor's left wing free-kick, from 35-yards out was dipped straight into Lawrence's chest on the third minute. 

An excellent save from Needham goalkeeper Lawrence Robinson denied Stow from breaking the deadlock in the eleventh minute, Simmons was fed into space onto the edge of the box whose curling strike was freezing into the top right-hand corner until Robinson reacted quickly to dive up and beat the shot behind for a corner, which saw the header creeping into the net heading off the line. 

At the other end, Ollie Fraser cut inside smartly onto the edge of the box only to see his low shot hit straight at the keeper to hold well diving down slightly to his right-hand side on 14 minutes. 

Stow however opened the scoring as a save from Robinson fell kindly to Davies to slot home into the bottom right-hand corner, while Ollie Fraser's dangerous low cross, across the face of goal from the left wing byline, was deflected crucially just wide into the bottom near side-netting for a corner. 

Stow then saw a shot from the left-hand side beaten away well by Robinson at his near post on 24 minutes, before Fraser drove down 75% of the Stowmarket pitch down the left wing only to see his brilliant fiercely hit low ball across the box flash away from goal with nobody in Needham Red around to capitalize two minutes later. 

Aiden Jolly then hit an 8-yard volley narrowly over the bar, from in space down the left-hand side on 31 minutes, before Fraser exploited space well to weave through down the left-hand side only to see his low smashed ball across the face towards Ed Barker seemingly smothered well by the goalkeeper with a goalkick given four minutes later. 

Another outrageous save from Lawrence Robinson on 39 minutes denied Stow from doubling their lead. After a Stow low strike from the right-hand edge of the box was blocked, the Needham shot-stopper reacted brilliantly to leap up superbly to swat a great curling strike from outside the box behind for a corner at his top right-hand corner.

The resulting corner a minute later saw a free leaping header go just over the bar, while Cook's curling shot from in space on the right-hand edge of the box was palmed away then pounced on well by Robinson down at his bottom near corner, before captain Flynn Crosthwaite fired a shot comfortably wide of the bottom left-hand corner in the third minute of first half stoppage time.

While Josh Smith dragged a shot from the edge of the box wide of the bottom corner on 56 minutes, Needham levelled proceedings following a great free-kick from Ollie Fraser six minutes later, the winger's sensational left wing free-kick ferociously beat everybody in the box as it dipped into the bottom far corner, 1-1.

Fraser then delivered a great left wing cross into Luca Braddon at the far post, who couldn't quite connect with the ball from point blank range on 63 minutes. 

Two minutes later, Mileeq Banya and Braddon linked up well down the right wing only for the former's ball smashed dangerously across the box saw Aiden Jolly's overhead kicked shot go off target as the home defence cleared.

Fraser meanwhile then drove past a few Stow defenders onto the edge of the box on 67 minutes, but shot narrowly wide of the bottom near left-hand corner, while Needham went close again a minute later. A great ball in from Braddon, who showed brilliant skill to beat his man before threading Ollie Fraser through with a great crossfield pass on the left wing, who also showed great skill to beat his man onto the byline only for his cross-shot to evade everyone and go off target. 

Stow then curled a shot comfortably into Robinson's chest in the 70th minute, while Needham broke quickly down the other end with more great skill from Braddon seeing the winger break through close to goal whose low shot from point blank range was well smothered away by the goalkeeper. 

Fraser meanwhile saw a shot from the edge of the box tipped over well by the keeper for a corner a minute later while the winger then saw a great left wing corner parried away well by the keeper off his line, as far as Crosthwaite who beat his man before seeing his shot blocked on 72 minutes. 

Great play again from Needham saw Braddon again feed Fraser, the latter then smartly spun well on the edge of the box before threading Buxton one on one brilliantly down the right-hand side of the box whose low shot was well smothered by the onrushing goalkeeper. 

Fraser then saw a low shot from the left-hand edge of the box go wide, hitting the back stanchion on 77 minutes, while Stow shot straight at Robinson, from the right-hand edge of the box, for a comfortable catch two minutes later. 

Crosthwaite on the other hand did well to just beat the defender to the ball and release Luca Braddon racing through down the right wing whose ball smashed into the box just evaded the head of substitute Victor Zalewski in the centre in the 81st minute.

Crosthwaite then beat his man well to drive through to try his luck at goal from 30-yards out, a minute later, but his low strike was well blocked. 

Stow meanwhile saw Alfie Nunn's low shot hit straight at Robinson, who smothered the effort well after 86 minutes, while a free header from a left wing cross was looped over onto the roof of Robinson's net four minutes later.

Taylor meanwhile snuck a shot in at goal, from the left-hand edge of the box three minutes later, but hit it straight at Robinson for a routine catch, while Travis Buxton broke through onto the left-hand edge of the box up the other end only to shoot just wide of the bottom left-hand corner in the last chance in the fifth added minute. 

The young Marketmen host Hadleigh United at Bloomfields on Wednesday. 

Stowmarket Town:- 1 Isaac Read, 22 Alfie Cook, 3 Harvey Talbot (c), 6 Charlie Bushell, 3 Igor Grabowski, 4 Logan Bond, 11 Santiago Davies, 10 Joel Simmons, 7 Cameron Taylor, 9 Zach Gayfer, 8 Alfie Nunn. Subs: 14 Ashton Ramsey, 15 Zach Pedro, 16 Harvey Lummis, 17 Mallaki Goddard, 18 Ryan Sturgeon.

Needham Market:- 1 Lawrence Robinson, 2 Mileeq Banya, 3 Brandon Greenleaf (55' Collins), 4 Flynn Crosthwaite (c), 5 Ben Smith, 6 Josh Smith, 7 Luca Braddon, 8 Travis Buxton, 9 Ed Barker (66' Zalewski), 10 Aiden Jolly (73' Sumner), 11 Ollie Fraser. Subs: 12 Callum Sumner, 14 Joe Collins, 15 Victor Zalewski.

Booked: Bushell (90'+4').

Goals: Davies (15'); Fraser (62').

 

Baltic United v Moreton Hall Ferals | 02.04.2023 | Premier Logos Bury Sunday League Knights Lowe Division One Knock Out Cup Final | Atalian Servest Ram Meadow Stadium |

Moreton Hall Ferals retain the Premier Logos Bury + District Sunday Football League Knights Lowe Division One Knock Out Cup on penalties after a 5-3 shootout victory over Baltic United, following a 1-1 draw.

Ferals, who won the League treble (Open Cup, Division One KO Cup and Division One league title), last season started brightly. Callum Dove raced through one on one down the left-hand side of the box, but to see his 7-yard shot well smothered by the onrushing goalkeeper on 3 minutes. 

A good defensive block denied Dove from breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute, the forward was threaded into space inside the box before seeing his low shot towards the bottom left-hand corner blocked away by Kukuris. 

At the other end, Stunza found space to shoot from 40-yards out, but his strike lacked power and went off target of Aston Fallows' bottom left-hand corner who gathered the loose ball on 8 minutes. 

Five minutes later, Dove again saw his shot saved by the 'keeper - this time the forward found space to shoot on the left-hand edge of the box whose low strike went straight to the keeper at his near post. 

More good play from Ferals saw the Blues have a great chance on 16 minutes, after being found by Callum Dove, Charlie Glover showed great skill to cut inside onto the edge of the box with a neat turn, although his low fierce shot was blocked by Kukuris. 

Stunza meanwhile broke onto a loose ball down the right-hand side of Ferals' box three minutes later, but the forward's low strike on the byline went straight to Fallows at his near post. 

Ferals though went agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 26th minute, Jake Peasgood was threaded through by a great defence splitting pass down the right-hand side of the box, the winger held the ball up well before squaring a low driven ball across the six yard box which just evaded Dove in the centre and went just wide of the far post.

Baltic however became to grow into the contest, albeit Ferals continued to have the better chances. Baltic though broke the deadlock, capitalising on a quick break as Goliakevicius drove through into space down the left-hand side before slotting Stunza through on goal inside the box to finish cooly into the bottom left-hand corner, 1-0 Baltic United on 31 minutes. 

Eleven minutes later, Ferals had a great chance, Glover drove down the left wing before swinging a great ball into the far post, finding Jake Peasgood who just couldn't quite get hold of his strike as the winger's close range tight angled effort went wide of the right-hand corner. 

Good linkup and hold up play between Charlie Glover and Taylor Waterson saw the former receive the ball back 25-yards out from goal, though his shot went wide of the target. 

Just 45 seconds after the restart, George Crowe created a great chance for Ferals. The left-back was fed through down the left wing whose low driven ball across the face of goal was well held by the goalkeeper down well at his near post. 

Ferals continued their search for an equaliser goal, as they went close again on 48 minutes. James Buckmaster sent a great ball over the top to find Callum Dove unmarked inside the box whose glancing header went just wide of the bottom left-hand corner, while, a minute later, Glover found space to shoot down the left-hand side of the box, only to see his low fierce shot well held by the goalkeeper at his near post. 

A terrific save from Aston Fallows down the other end meanwhile thwarted Baltic from doubling their lead on 53 minutes, Constantin Candu's fierce 40-yard ferocious strike from the left-hand side forced a brilliant quick reaction save out of Fallows at his near post. 

Ten minutes later, George Crowe latches onto a great through-ball down the left wing before seeing his sumptuous curling cross rebound back into play off the far side face of the crossbar, while Lewis Kemp's audacious left wing free-kick - following a second yellow card for Mihail Propustins in the 65th minute - found Callum Dongray unmarked at the far post whose great header went just over via the top of the crossbar. 

Callum Dove then saw two shots blocked in quick succession on 69 minutes, before Ferals recycled possession and found a well deserved equaliser just seconds later. A left wing corner was flicked on by Sam Waterson, finding Dove unmarked from a yard out at the far post to head home into a gaping net, 1-1. 

Five minutes later, an offside flag denied Ferals a second goal. After Crowe was threaded through down the left wing, the full-back squared a brilliant low ball across the face of goal towards Dove, who was adjudged to have been in an offside position, as he tapped home from point blank range into the top left-hand corner. 

Ferals went close to taking the lead on 77 minutes, Glover was threaded through smartly down the left wing before delivering an audacious cross into six yard box, albeit Dove - in the centre - couldn't quite turn it goalwards. 

Four minutes later, the woodwork denied Ferals from scoring a second goal, Callum Dongray stepped up to take a 30-yard free-kick, only for his fierce set-piece to agonisingly crash back into play off the inside base of the left-hand post, where the ball then took a touch off the goalkeeper's back as it trickled away from goal. 

Seconds later, Glover found Dongray in space on the left-hand edge of the box whose low fierce shot at the bottom far corner was well held by the goalkeeper. 

Ferals however were forced into a substitution in the 86th minute as Aston Fallows picked up an injury and was replaced by Jack Brame, with Charlie Larter donning the gloves after a lengthy stoppage. 

The upright denied Ferals again two minutes later, Glover jinked inside cleverly into the box, down the left-hand side, before toepoking a good powerful strike towards goal whose strike crashed back into play off the inside base of the far post. Ferals then saw a shot moments later deflected behind for a corner, with appeals for a handball in the deflection waved away. 

Ferals continued to dominate proceedings during the fifteen minutes of added time - due to the roll on roll off substitutions, injuries and over goings on, with Jack Brame seeing a 35-yard free-kick, from the left-hand side, take a deflection off the wall and straight into the 'keeper's chest in the fourth minute of stoppage time. 

A minute later, Baltic almost capitalised with a quick free-kick, which released a Baltic forward through on goal down the right-hand side of the box, though his tight angled low shot was well saved by Larter, positioned well at his near post. 

Glover meanwhile weaved through smartly past 3 defenders inside the box, down the left-hand side, but to see his low shot well blocked in the 9th minute. 

Dove almost won it late on for Ferals, three minutes later, the forward picked up possession after referee Kevin Harrington played advantage for a foul on Jack Brame inside the box, though the goalscorer's ferocious strike was well held by the goalkeeper guarding his top near, left-hand, corner. 

However with the last chance of normal time, a crucial game saving goal line clearance from Harry Whiting-Noakes thwarted Baltic in the fourteenth added minute, after Larter did well to palm away a long ball into the box, the Whiting-Noakes was on hand to turn a shot at the vacant net over for a corner, ensuring the cup final went to a penalty shootout.

Ferals took first, with the club's regular penalty taker Jake Peasgood stepping up to smash home into the top left-hand corner, as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0 to the defending champions. 

Alekasandre Gucalo took first for Baltic, but skies his spot-kick over the crossbar. 

Callum Dove then stepped up to double Ferals' advantage in the shootout, slotting home in empathic fashion into the bottom left-hand corner, 2-0 Ferals. 

Constantin Candu reduced the deficit for Baltic though, blasting a great penalty into the top right-hand corner, despite Larter getting a hand to it, 2-1 Ferals. 

Lewis Kemp regained Ferals' two goal advantage in the shootout though, as he sent the wrong way in a carbon copy of Peasgood's penalty, 3-1 Ferals.

Arnas Pupelis on the other hand beat Larter for power, smashing home low down the middle from the spot, 3-2 Ferals. 

James Buckmaster then put Ferals one spot-kick away from retaining the Division One Knock Out Cup trophy, smashing home confidently into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Tomas Kukuris have Baltic a glimmer of hope, slotting home his spot-kick into the bottom left-hand corner, with experienced Bury Sunday winner Jack Brame stepping up to take the decisive penalty.

Fittingly, Brame won it for Ferals, slotting home cooly into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Baltic United:- 1 Tomas Gaidamavicius, 19 Dorian Bahvalov, 4 Mantas Zaliauskas (c), 5 Tomas Kukuris, 3 Teodor Candu, 8 Constantin Candu, 9 Arnas Pupelis, 23 Mihail Propustins, 11 Kipras Goliakevicius, 7 Ghorge Vacarciuc, 10 Vitalik Stunza. Subs: 6 Alekasandre Gucalo, 17 Dalilis Vieraitis (unused), 20 Andrius Saulys, 2 Giedrius Kirvaitis, 15 Mindaugas Vasiliauskas (unused)

Moreton Hall Ferals:- 1 Aston Fallows (87' Brame), 14 James Buckmaster (76' Larter), 4 Taylor Waterson (90'+12'), 20 Callum Dongray, 88 George Crowe, 10 Sam Waterson (c), 16 Jack Whiting-Noakes (58' Kemp), 33 Harry Whiting-Noakes, 9 Jake Peasgood (69' Newdick), 11 Callum Dove, 15 Charlie Glover. Subs: 8/1 Charlie Larter, 12 Dan Allen, 2 Lewis Kemp, 27 Jack Brame, 28 Ben Newdick.

Booked: T.Candu (47'), B23 Mihail Propustins (50', 67'), B5 Kukuris (64'), S.Waterson (90'+13').

Sin binned: Dongray (90'+9').

Sent Off: B23 Mihail Propustins (67' - 2yc).

Goals: Stunza (31'); Dove (69').

PENS: Ferals ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ Baltic United ❌✔️✔️✔️

1-0 PEASGOOD SMASHES INTO THE TOP LEFT

NUMBER 6 Alekasandre Gucalo SKIES IT OVER

2-0 DOVE SLOTS HOME INTO BOTTOM LEFT.

2-1 Number 8 Constantin Candu blasts into top right despite hand from Larter

3-1 KEMP SMASHES INTO TOP LEFT.

3-2 Number 9 Arnas Pupelis smashes it home down the middle past Larter.

4-2 BUCKMASTER SMASHES INTO BOTTOM LEFT.

4-3 Number 5 Tomas Kukuris slots into bottom left.

5-3 BRAME WINS IT, COOLY SLOTTING INTO BOTTOM RIGHT!