Needham Market U18 v Haverhill Rovers U18 | 26.07.2023 | PSF 2023-24 GAME 11 | RUBY HOMES BLOOMFIELDS 3G ARENA |

An entertaining nine goal thriller between Needham Market Under-18s and Haverhill Rovers U18s ended in a 5-4 victory for the visiting Rovers, in a dramatic encounter. 

The young Marketmen though quickly raced onto a 3-0 lead, before making it 4-2 around the midway point of a goal fest first half, with the home side leading 4-3 at the break. 

A clinical start saw Needham race into a 2-0 lead after seven minutes, with Sam Gibbons breaking the deadlock after 42 seconds. The midfielder curled a sumptous free-kick, from the left-hand edge of the box, into the top left-hand corner, 1-0 Needham. 

At the other end, Lawrence Robinson was on hand to parry away a cross into his six yard box in the 4th minute, while a Rovers shot from the edge of the box was well blocked by Keaton Huffey two minutes later. 

Needham then doubled their lead in the 7th minute with a well worked goal, Talan Fullilove threaded a great ball round the defence to release Luca Braddon through, one on one with the 'keeper, the forward then broke onto the right-hand side of the box who then fired a great strike into the bottom near corner to make it 2-0 Needham.

A good save from Lawrence Robinson meanwhile maintained Needham's advantage in the tenth minute, the away side broke through one on one with the 'keeper, close to goal on the right-hand side, whose shot was saved well by Robinson narrowing the angle well to hold onto the shot from 6-yards out.

Three minutes later, great defending from the young Marketmen saw the visitors have a shot smothered well by Robinson from close range, the rebound then fell to a visiting player whose shot at an open goal is denied a certain goal by a fantastic sliding block from Keaton Huffey. The follow up shot, which looked destined to find the empty bottom left-hand corner, was brilliantly smothered away by the retreating Robinson, diving across to divert it away with his knees.

While Haverhill saw a shot from the right-hand edge of the box deflected just wide of the top far corner, for a corner after 17 minutes, the home side extended their lead a minute later. Great play from Luca Braddon saw the winger pick up possession, following a great tackle by the home side, to break through - weaving past defenders - and race onto the right-hand side of the box before smashing home a tight angled clever finish in off the inside of the bottom far post, 3-0 Needham.

The visitors meanwhile reduced the deficit to 3-2 with two goals in the space of 60 seconds. The first saw a great low ball across the face of goal find number 7 in acres of space at the left-hand, far, post to tap into the top near corner, despite Robinson diving across getting a touch to it, 3-1.

A minute later, it was then 3-2 as a shot inside the box nestled into the bottom left-hand corner, despite an interruption seemingly distracting Robinson mid-dive.

The home side however restored their two goal lead on 25 minutes, Alex Oakley was found on the left-hand side, 18-yards from goal, where the winger curled a audacious low strike into the bottom far corner, 4-2 Needham.

At the other end, Robinson was on hand to catch a good 30-yard strike hit straight at him on 27 minutes, while a cutback saw a Rovers' shot, from inside the box towards the bottom right-hand corner, well blocked by the well placed Stanley Fovargue on the half-hour mark.

Haverhill on the other hand reduced the deficit to 4-3 on 45 minutes, a long shot was parried by Robinson as far as a forward running in to tap home into the net from 7-yards out. 

It was very much a game of two halves, albeit the second half saw clear cut chances at a premium, though Rovers drew level shortly after the hour mark as the number 11 lasered a shot from inside the box home into the bottom right-hand corner, 4-4.

Rovers then saw a ferocious shot, from in space on the edge of the box, well held by the diving Robinson across to his bottom right-hand corner on 72 minutes, before Rovers' close range shot in space over the top right-hand corner three minutes later. 

Robinson meanwhile dived down well to beat away a dangerous low cross into his six yard box on 84 minutes, although Rovers edfged the nine goal encounter with an 86th minute winner. The number 11 drove through one on one down the right-hand side of the box before cooly slotting into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 5-4 to the away side.

More minutes in the tank for the young Marketmen, who take on Bury Town in their third of four pre-season friendlies on Wednesday 2nd August (7:45pm).

NEEDHAM MARKET U18:- 1 Lawrence Robinson, 12 Lenny Bagley, 5 Stanley Fovargue (c), 6 Romano Capasso, 14 Keaton Huffey, 4 Sam Gibbons, 8 Isaac Ventura, 9 Luca Braddon, 11 Alex Oakley, 16 Nathan Stephens, 15 Talan Fullilove. Subs: 16 Charlie Smy, 4 Tom Simmons, 3 Reggie Vinyard, 2 Bradley Smith, 18 Jack Sutton.

Goals: Sam Gibbons (1'), Luca Braddon (7', 18'), Alex Oakley (25'); H7 (20'), (21'), (45'), H11 (61', 86').

NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN V NORWICH CITY WOMEN | 16.07.2023 | PSF | GAME 6 | 2023-24 | RUBY HOMES BLOOMFIELDS 3G ARENA, NEEDHAM MARKET F.C. |

Needham Market Women record a desrerved 2-2 following an entertaining, closely fought, friendly with higher league Norwich City Women at Bloomfields.

The visiting Canaries had an early chance after 3 minutes, Snelling found space to shoot on the right-hand edge of the box but fired her shot over the bar. Needham on the other hand had a good chance 5 minutes later, Paige Wakefield drove into space from 30-yards out before firing a good low shot narrowly wide of the bottom left-hand corner, whose first time low shot towards thre bottom near corner was tipped narrowly wide by the diving 'keeper. 

More good play from the Reds saw Lois Balfour fed in space inside the box, the forward then teed up Lina Nagib arriving unmarked on the left-hand side of the box, whose low shot at the bottom near corner was turned behind well by the diving keeper on 13 minutes.

Amber Cantwell then drove into space onto the edge of the box, but fired her shot just over the crossbar after 16 minutes.

Norwich meanwhile saw a fierce shot on the edge of the box bravely charged down by Cooper four minutes later, while Parker picked up possession from 35-yards out, on the left-hand side, whose great dipping shot was smothered well by the Trialist 'keeper on 26 minutes. 

Six minutes later, a good save from the 'keeper denied Lina Nagib from breaking the deadlock, the winger beat the full-back well down the left wing before cutting onto the left-hand edge of the box, but for her stunning curling strike to be tipped agonisingly back into play off the angle of post and bar, of the top far corner.

Needham continued to have the better of the chances in the first half, with good goalkeeping denying the home side on 34 minutes, Paige Wakefield threaded a great defence splitting pass through to Ellie Rossiter, who just couldn't latch onto the ball, with the onrushing goalkeeper out smartly to hold onto the ball well. 

The Reds then took an arguably deserved lead on 41 minutes, after Leliah Gooding won the ball smartly in midfield, the midfielder smartly kept possession well with a neat drag-back nutmeg, before looking to feed Lois Balfour through on goal, with a defender clearing it behind for a corner. 

The resulting set-piece saw Paige Wakefield pick up possession on the left-hand side of the box to smash and curl an audacious strike, with unerring accuracy, into the top right-hand corner, 1-0 Needham.

Norwich however levelled proceedings two minutes later, as the numberr 27 was fed onto the edge of the box with her back to goal, before firing a powerful shot into the roof of the net, on the turn, 1-1.

Needham on the other hand ensured that they would go into the break in front, courtesy of a another good strike, this time from Lina Nagib. The home side's instant reply saw the winger turn neatly on the left-hand side of the box before smashing home into the top near corner, 2-1 Needham.

Norwich though had the final chance of the first half in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, but curled a dangerous free-kick from the edge of the box wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner.

45+2' CLOSE. NOR FK edge box curled narrowly wide btm far left with Paige diving to make sure. 

The second half though saw less clear cut opportunities, with the game continuing to be a good battle between the two teams. The higher league visitors had the first chance of the half on 55 minutes, but after cutting in onto the left-hand side of the box the low shot was well held by the Trialist goalkeeper at the bottom near corner.

As expected in pre-season, both teams made plenty of changes, with a Norwich shot, from in space on the left-hand side of the box, strongly beaten away by substitute Needham goalkeeper Evie McKane at her top near corner, on 64 minutes. 

Lindsey Cooper then exploited space to drive through, clear through on goal, though the defender's strike from the left-hand edge of the box was well hedl by the goalkeeper on 72 minutes.

Norwich though drew back on level terms two minutes later, Millie Daviss was fed through one on one onto the left-hand side of the boc before firing home into the bottom near corner, despite a hand from the onrushing McKane, 2-2. 

A terrific save from McKane then twarted Norwich from taking the lead for the first time in the 80th minute, the visitors were fed into space onto the left-hand side of the box, but the tight angled shot was tipped away well by the 'keeper, flying across low to her left-hand side, with Ele Catchpole well placed on the line as the Norwich shot on the rebound from close range cannoning away off the outside of the right-hand post. 

Warren Lewis-Claxton's side continue their pre-season schedule at Bloomfields on Sunday 23rd July, when higher league Northampton Town travel to Suffolk.

Needham Market Women:- 1 Trialist Yasmin? (63' McKane), 9 Lois Balfour (c) (HT' Hall), 23 Niamh Thomas (56' Sharp), 12 Leliah Gooding (63' Brawn), 2 Nicole Pannifer (70' Thomas), 14 Lina Nagib (63' 8), 7 Ellie Rossiter (56' Sayer), 21 Amber Cantwell (81' Balfour), 20 Paige Wakefield (HT' Trialist4), 6 Ele Catchpole, 16 Lindsey Cooper (77' Wakefield). Subs: 18 Molly Hall, 4 Trialist Jen, 10 Charlotte Sayer, 17 Jodie Sharp, 1 Evie McKane, 11 Jo Brawn.

Norwich City Women:- GK, 24 (c) 4 Alice Parker, 15 Naomi Cooper, 12, 10 Natasha Snelling, 16 Katie Knights, 19, 27 Lauren, 28 Eloise Morran, 26, 21 Holly Williams, 7 Megan Todd, 8 Millie Daviss, GK, 18 Freya Symonds, 6 Anna Larkins, 14 Kathryn Stanley.

Booked: Natasha Snelling (36').

Goals: Paige Wakefield (41'), Lina Nagib (44'); N27 Lauren (43'), Millie Daviss (74').

NEEDHAM MARKET V FELIXSTOWE + WALTON UNITED | 15.07.2023 | PSF | GAME 5 | 2023-24 | BLOOMFIELDS, NEEDHAM MARKET |

 NEEDHAM MARKET V FELIXSTOWE + WALTON UNITED | 15.07.2023 | PSF | GAME 5 | 2023-24 | BLOOMFIELDS, NEEDHAM MARKET |

JAMES LETTS' MAIDEN FIRST TEAM GOAL MAKES IT THREE WINS FROM THREE GAMES FOR THE MARKETMEN

Needham Market continue their pre-season campaign with their third win in as many games with a 1-0 win at home to Isthmian North side Felixstowe & Walton United at Bloomfields.

With Tevan Allen, Jake Dye, Luke Ingram, Kyle Hammond all unavailable and Taylor Clark and Reece Harris rested, Kevin Horlock's side opened their home pre-season campaign in somewhat windy conditions.

In a game that saw two good footballing teams pass the ball around well, clear cut chances were arguably at a premium in a competitive encounter, with the Marketmen handing a maiden First Team debut from the start for Academy defender Clayton Osborn, who started at right-back, with centre-back/right-back Ben Smith also earning his first senior team appearance as a half-time substitute. Summer signings Tommy Smith and Jamie Smith also made their home debuts.

A well worked, early second half, goal following great link-up play between Academy midfielders Flynn Crosthwaite and James Letts was ultimately the difference between two good sides.

Felixstowe had the first half chance of the afternoon after 48 seconds, the visitors' number 7 having a shot blocked from the edge of the box.

Despite both teams missing a few players, there was plenty of good football played, with Felixstowe's Jack Ainsley finding space to shoot, on the left-hand side of the box, but his fierce shot was well caught by Marcus Garnham, positioned well at his top near corner, after 3 minutes.

A minute later, Ford was fed through one on one with Garnham, following a defence splitting pass, but the Needham stopper advanced off his line well to catch.

Needham on the other hand went close in the sixth minute, good play saw Jacob Lay feed Callum Page whose spin saw the latter thread a great low through-ball to the right wing, releasing debutant Clayton Osborn who found space to drive a great low ball across the face of goal, albeit nobody was around as the ball flashed a centimetre wide of the bottom far corner. 

A good save from Garnham again thwarted Felixstowe from taking an early lead after 9 minutes, Ford was released through one on one past the home defence, but again Garnham rushed off his line well to dive and smother the shot expertly.

Josh Hitter then drove into space onto the right-hand edge of the box, two minutes later, but his fierce 30-yard strike was hit low and comfortably held by Garnham.

With the game remaining an even encounter throughout, Jamie Smith held up possession well, in the 21st minute, prior to feeding Callum Page, the forward then weaved into space from 25-yards out but fired his shot over Robinson's crossbar.

Two minutes later, Jacob Lay drove through smartly down the right wing, where his byline cross in across the face of goal hung dangerously, requiring Robinson to claim the ball well on his line. 

At the other end, Garnham was again called into action on 24 minutes, this time catching a low shot across goal from the left-hand edge of the box, diving across well to his left-hand side.

A good tackle from Dan Morphew then saw Ford fire a 20-yard half-volley, on the rebound, over the crossbar on 27 minutes, while great link-up play between Clayton Osborn and Jacob Lay almost created a good opportunity for the Marketmen six minutes later. A peach of a ball further down the right wing fed Jacob Lay through into space, the latter held the ball up well before finding Osborn, who was just joining the attack, the young defender then looked to thread in a teammate in midfield but the low pass was cut out. 

The Marketmen then went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock on 35 minutes, after a brilliantly timed tackle from Ollie Fraser - midway through the Seasider's half - saw the winger break through with 2 defenders and the keeper to beat, the recent England Schoolboys U18's international, and Needham Academy winger, then drove through into space to shoot whose low 18-yard strike just passed the bottom right-hand corner. 

Callum Harrison meanwhile drove into space, three minutes later, but the attacking midfielder's shot, which sneaked ferociously towards goal from 35-yards out, dipped just over the top far left-hand corner, before the away side were again fed into space - this time from 25-yards out on 39 minutes - but the 25-yard shot went narrowly over the crossbar. 

While Ford broke onto the edge of the box, only to fire over the bar on 41 minutes, the home side saw Callum Page's fierce shot from outside the box deflected wide for a corner after good link-up play a minute later. 

More good play from the Marketmen saw the Southern League Central Premier Division side have a good chance on 43 minutes, Dylan Williams weaved into the centre, following the aforementioned corner, before setting Ollie Fraser through inside the box whose low shot was blocked by a combination of two Felixstowe defenders before they cleared their lines. 

A minute later, Fraser was then fed through well out on the left wing, whose audacious hanging byline cross, again across the face of goal, flashed by with nobody around to take advantage.

Felixstowe meanwhile had the final action of the first half, as Howell's free-kick from the right0hand edge of the box curled sumptuously just wide of the top near corner as both teams went into the interval deadlocked at 0-0.

As always in pre-season, both teams made changes, with Ben Smith introduced for his Firat Team debut, while Flynn Crosthwaite, Seth Cahmbers and Jamie McGrath (who returned from an injury that saw him miss the final 2 months of last season on Tuesday) also came on.

Just seven minutes after the interval, a great piece of play saw Needham break the deadlock with what proved to be the match-winner with two Academy midfielders involved, Flynn Crosthwaite was found in his right-back position before driving through down the centre before slotting James Letts into space just ahead of the Seasider's defence, the latter then exploited space to drive through and onto the left-hand side of the box prior to calmly finishing past Robinson into the bottom left-hand corner, for his maiden First Team goal in his third appearance, 1-0 Needham.

The home side then went close again on 58 minutes, Callum Page threaded Jacob Lay into space on the left wing whose ferocious ball forced a Felixstowe defender to put it not too far wide of his own near post for a corner, while Seth Chambers stung the hands of Felicstowe 'keeper Robinson 3 minutes later. The striker found space on the right-hand side, from roughly 30-yards out, before unleashing a ferocious shot towards the top far corner, which Robinson was on hand to beat away. 

Felixstowe then broke up the other end seconds later as Garnham again smothered a shot well at his right-hand post. 

Callum Page meanwhile won back possesion brilliantly just in Felixstowe's half, on 62 minutes, before threading Seth Chambers into space well onto the right-hand of the box, where the striker's low ball squared across the six yard box needed the Felixstowe number 12 to put it behind for a corner with Jamie McGrath around hunting a tap in. 

Harrison on the other hand was teed up on the edge of the box but fired his shot over the bar after 63 minutes, who then again fired over the top right-hand corner from 30-yards out three minutes later.

Despite Needham arguably taking the best chance of the afternoon in clinical fashion, both teams continued to look a threat, with Joe Whight seeing a powerful shot from the right-hand side bounce out off the underside of the crossbar, while Flynn Crosthwaite did well to hold off Charlie Warren down the left-hand corridor of the penalty area, whose eventual low ball across the area was pounced on by the diving Garnham. on 78 minutes.

The away side then rifled a fierce shot from the right-hand side of the box just over the top near corner two minutes later, before goalscorer Letts - who notably scored in the U18s' Suffolk Midweek Cup Final at Colchester United in May - drove into space from 30-yards out before seeing a low fierce strike towards the bottom far corner well held by the diving Robinson on 81 minutes.

Felixstowe though went close to grabbing a draw on 83 minutes, first a low fiercely driven Charlie Warren shot on the edge of the box crashed back in off the front base of the left-hand post, while the rebound shot on the left-hand side of the box flashed just wide, after a good near post save from Garnham, of the bottom far corner moments later. 

Dan Morphew then blocked a shot well from the left-hand side on 90 minutes, prior to Ford drawing a good catch from Garnham with the last action of the game a minute later. The forward's free-kick from the edge of the box finding Garnham well placed at his top left-hand corner to comfortably hold onto the ball.

The Marketmen host Thurlow Nunn First Division North side, and Suffolk Senior Cup winners, Framlingham Town (7:30pm) on Tuesday in the Suffolk Champions Charity Cup Final, ahead of higher league Braintree Town travelling to Bloomfields on Saturday (2pm).

Needham Market:- 1 Marcus Garnham, 2 Clayton Osborn (HT' Ben Smith), 3 Tommy Smith, 14 Dylan Williams (74' Osborn) 5 Keiran Morphew (c) (HT' Crosthwaite), 6 Daniel Morphew, 8 James Letts, 11 Ollie Fraser (HT' McGrath), 7 Callum Page, 10 Jacob Lay, 9 Jamie Smith (HT' Seth Chambers). Subs: 16 Flynn Crosthwaite, 17 Seth Chambers, 18 Ben Smith, 12 Jamie McGrath, Reece Harris, 15 Osborn, Taylor Clark.

Felixstowe:- 1 Callum Robinson, 2 Harry Blackburn, 3 Charlie Warren, 4 Noel Aitkens, 5 Jack Ainsley, 6 Joe Whight (c), 7, 10 Callum Harrison?, 9 Sam Ford, 7 Josh Hitter, 4 Aitkens, 10 Callum Harrison, 8 Ace Howell, 11 Zak Brown. Subs: Barley.

Subs: Josh Mayhew.

Goal: James Letts (52').

League fixtures press announcement 14.07.2023 |

MARKETMEN TO START SEASON AWAY TO STRATFORD TOWN

The 2023/24 Southern League Central Premier Division fixtures have been announced, with the Marketmen set to open their competitive fixtures with a trip to Stratford Town on Saturday 5th August (3pm).

Kevin Horlock's side will then open their home league campaign against Halesowen Town on Saturday 12th August (3pm), followed by the first midweek game on Tuesday 15th (7:45pm) at Bloomfields against Hitchin Town. The Reds will then travel to Coalville Town on Saturday 19th (3pm), before finishing the opening month of the season with Alvechurch at home on Saturday 26th (3pm), ahead of the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round (opponent TBD) on Saturday 2nd September, with the Reds set to enter the Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round on Saturday 7th October.

This season will also see Needham take on fellow Suffolk side AFC Sudbury home and away, following their promotion last season, with the clash at Bloomfields taking place on Monday 1st April (kick off TBC) and the reverse fixture on New Years Day, with the away fixture with Leiston taking place on Monday 28th August (KO TBC) ahead of the home fixture set to be played on Boxing Day.

Moving onto the festive season, Horlock's side will face Alvechurch away on Saturday 23rd December, prior to the aforementioned home clash with Suffolk rivals Leiston on Boxing Day (kick off TBC). The Marketmen will then kick off 2024, again as mentioned above away to AFC Sudbury on New Years Day.

The Reds final six fixtures will see them conclude their league campaign with a trip to Hitchin Town on Saturday 30th March, prior to the visit of Sudbury on the Monday, followed by Royston at home on Saturday 6th April. Horlock's side will then travel to Nuneaton Borough on Saturday 13th April, before wrapping up their home campaign against Mickleover the following Saturday, ahead of a final day trip to Redditch United on Saturday 27th April.

The full fixture list can be found below (including possible cup dates), please note fixtures are subject to change depending on cup progress. 

SAT 5TH AUG (A) Stratford Town

SAT 12TH AUG (H) Halesowen Town

TUE 15th AUG (H) Hitchin Town

Sat 19th Aug (A) Coalville Town

Sat 26th Aug (H) Alvechurch

Mon 28 Aug (A) Leiston

Sat 2nd Sep (?) Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

Wed 6 Sep (?) League Cup Preliminary Round

Sat 9 Sep (H) Stourbridge

Tue 12 Sep (A) Kettering

Sat 16 Sep (?) Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Sat 23rd Sep (A) AFC Telford United

Tue 26 Sep (H) St Ives Town

Sat 30 Sep (H) Berkhamsted (FAC 3QR)

Wed 4 Oct (?) League Cup R1

Sat 7 Oct (?) Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

Sat 14 Oct (A) Long Eaton United (FAC 4QR)

Sat 21 Oct (H) Leamington

Tue 24 Oct (A) Stamford

Sat 28 Oct (A) Royston Town (FAT R1)

Wed 1 Nov (?) League Cup R2

Sat 4 Nov (H) Nuneaton Borough (FAC 1RP)

Sat 11 Nov (A) Mickleover

Sat 18 Nov (H) Redditch United (FAT R2)

Sat 25 Nov (H) Bromsgrove Sporting

Wed 29 Nov (?) League Cup R3

Sat 2 Dec (A) Barwell (FAC 2RP)

Sat 9 Dec (A) Stourbridge (FAT R3)

Sat 16 Dec (H) Coalville Town

Sat 23 Dec (A) Alvechurch

Tue 26 Dec (H) Leiston

Mon 1 Jan (A) AFC Sudbury

Sat 6 Jan (H) Kettering Town (FAC 3RP)

Sat 13 Jan (A) Halesowen Town (FAT R4)

Wed 17 Jan (?) League Cup R4

Sat 20 Jan (H) Stratford Town

Sat 27 Jan (A) St Ives Town

Sat 3 Feb (H) AFC Telford United

Sat 10 Feb (A) Berkhamsted (FAT R5)

Wed 14 Feb (?) League Cup SF

Sat 17 Feb (H) Long Eaton United

Sat 24 Feb (A) Leamington

Sat 2 Mar (H) Stamford

Sat 9 Mar (A) FAT 6

Sat 16 Mar (H) Barwell

Wed 20 March League Cup F (1)

Sat 23 Mar (A) Bromsgrove Sporting

Wed 27 March League Cup F (2)

Sat 30 Mar (A) Hitchin Town

Mon 1 Apr (H) AFC Sudbury

Sat 6 Apr (H) Royston Town

Sat 13 Apr (A) Nuneaton Borough

Sat 20 Apr (H) Mickleover

Sat 27 Apr (A) Redditch United

Ipswich Town v Maidenhead United | 07.07.2023 | 2023-24 | GAME 1 | PSF | Bloomfields, Needham Market

Before I go into the report, I want to mention how incredible an occasion it was to see Bloomfields packed all around, with the kitchen hatch busy all night and Town players engaging with fans for high fives, signatures (which if you saw my tweet I was lucky to get a good amount myself) and photos. Nights like that mean a lot to non-league clubs like Needham with all the club's volunteers there that night more than making the night the success it was. Without adding anymore on with the first report of 2023-24!

In a game of not many clear cut chances, Ipswich Town picked up their second straight win of pre-season with a 2-1 win over National League side Maidenhead United at Needham Market's Bloomfields.

Town, who fielded 2 different teams (both listed below), one each half, looked brighter in the first half, while Maidenhead at times looked slightly more likely to score in the second - though it was the Championship side whose higher league status got them the win.

Despite all goals coming in the second half, Town started the opening half brightly as Kayden Jackson was slotted through one on one with the 'keeper onto the left-hand side of the box, but the goalkeeper rushing off his line was able to react well to palm away the low deft, powerless, shot towards his bottom left-hand corner, while a defender smacked the rebound away from the arriving Wes Burns at point blank range after 4 minutes.

Two minutes later, Nathan Broadhead was released into space on the left, the impressive winger then found Kayden Jackson free in acres of space, but the striker couldn't provide the finish it craved from close range.

Conor Chaplin then picked up possession on the right-hand side, of the box in the 10th minute, whose curled shot was deflected over the top right-hand corner well for a Town corner, while a Town shot from distance a minute later went just over the crossbar.

Chaplin, who along with Broadhead impressed for the Blues in the opening 45 minutes, then spotted the Maidenhead goalkeeper off his line, after receiving possession on the half-way line, and lofted an exquisite chipped shot over the goalkeeper, who could only watch as the ball rebounded down off the crossbar and back into play, in the 12th minute. 

Chaplin then weaved into space on the right-hand edge of the box before seeing a fierce shot deflected vitally just wide of the top far corner by De Harvilland, before Wes Burns glanced the resulting corner a centimeter wide of the bottom far corner on 22 minutes.
Five minutes later, Town had another great chance to break the deadlock, Lee Evans' left wing audacious corner found Cameron Burgess free from close range whose awkward header was glanced over.

Although Town looked to be growing into the half as time passed, it was the visitors who had the last chance of the first half, the forward was found in space on the right-hand side of the box, but his low shot towards the bottom near corner was well held by Vaclav Hladky.

As mentioned, Town fielded a different eleven in the second half, with Kieran McKenna's side almost breaking the deadlock early after the restart as Luke Woolfenden headed a far post over the top near left-hand corner from close range.

Town though did break the deadlock in the 55th minute, Town standout Marcus Harness broke through one on one with the keeper, onto the right-hand hand side of the box, before effortlessly smashing home well into the bottom far corner.

Back hit Maidenhead two minutes later, however, as McCoulsky intercepted possession to drive through on goal, with just Walton to beat, and expertly chip the onrushing Town number 1 into the bottom left-hand corner.

Walton meanwhile thwarted Maidenhead with a stunning save a few minutes later, the left winger broke through onto the left-hand side of the box before seeing his powerful shot from close range tipped just over terrifically by the advancing, diving Walton.

Leif Davis then weaved through into the box from the left wing but his low shot was well held by the keeper.

With the last major action of the night, Town struck the winning goal on 75 minutes. Janoi Donacien fired a low fierce right wing ball into the six yard box, finding Freddie Ladapo free in acres of space to tap into the gaping net.

Town 1st Half:- 31 Vaclav Hladky, 34 Harry Clarke, 12 Dominic Ball, 15 Cameron Burgess, 21 Greg Leigh, 30 Cameron Humphreys, 7 Wes Burns, 8 Lee Evans (c), 10 Conor Chaplin, 33 Nathan Broadhead, 19 Kayden Jackson.

2nd Half:- 1 Christian Walton, 44 Janoi Donacien, 6 Luke Woolfenden, 4 George Edmundson, 3 Leif Davis, 25 Ma Luongo, 14 Jack Taylor, 29 Kyle Edwards, 23 Sone Aluko, 11 Marcus Harness, 9 Freddie Ladapo.

Goals: Marcus Harness (55'), Freddie Ladapo (75'); McCoulsky (57').

INTERVIEW | KRIS ROSE | IPSWICH WANDERERS | 19.06.2023

Ipswich Wanderers player Kris Rose talks about his career so far and making club history with Wanderers after promotion from Non-League step 5 to step 4.

📸  credit: @pitchside_bp on Twitter/Instagram

1. First of all can you give us an insight on your career so far? (Clubs played for, trophies won etc)

Started at the age of 17 and played for Hadleigh United for 10 years and we won the Thurlow Nunn Prem in 13/14 season.

I then signed for Ipswich Wanderers and was there for a year and half. The Ipswich Wanderers manager then got the Hadleigh job so I signed back for Hadleigh. Had another 4 years there and then signed for Wanderers again.

We done the double in my first year winning the Thurlow Nunn division 1 south and the Suffolk senior cup. Second season back (last year) we won the Thurlow Nunn Prem

2. Of your career so far, what would you say are your top 2 standout achievements?

For me winning the league last year and making it back to back championships is the biggest achievement in my career without doubt. 

Secondly I would saying doing the double with Wanderers the season before. As a group we had so much pressure on us to succeed and win the league and senior cup due to the squad we had and the players Wanderers signed. Luckily we done it 

3. Do any games you've played in stand to mind, if so why?

Yea 2 games in particular!

Wanderers away at Buckhurst Hill when we won division 1! 

1000 people watching and whoever won we’re pretty much guaranteed to win the league with only one 2 games remaining. We came through and won 2-0.

2nd game would be when we won the league with Hadleigh. Had to win the last game of the season and won 2-1 at home against Mildenhall with us scoring a late winner. 

4. You recently won promotion with Ipswich Wanderers to step 4, how much did that mean to you personally and the team to have made club history?

Yes meant a lot especially after the start we had. Think we were second bottom after 7-8 games. However, the group stuck together and we made a couple of signings and we went on a winning run of Approx 20-25 games which shot us up the table. Beating title rivals Thetford along the way after being 2-0 down at half time.

For me personally means a lot as I had the chance to play step 4, 4-5 years ago but decided against it as I had just had my 3rd child and couldn’t commit to that level so to get the chance now is great.

5. You've recently committed to stay with Wanderers, you must be delighted to be staying with the club ahead of a big season?

Yea I am! It’s a great club with great people throughout the club. I’ve got a lot of good mates who play for the club and i’m also good mates with the two managers who I have played alongside previously. Dare say if they weren’t in charge I probably would have stopped playing by now.

6. Who's the best player you've played with and why?

Shane Wardley 100%. 

So comfortable on the ball and no one ever got passed him. He was unbeatable in a one to one situation.

7. What aims do you have for next season?

As a club I think realistically survival but I genuinely think we can achieve a mid to top half finish.

Personally play as many games as possible as it could be my last!