Manchester United v Ipswich Town | 26.02.2025 | Premier League | Old Trafford |

An action packed five goal thriller at Old Trafford went the way of ten man Manchester United against a good battling performance from Ipswich Town. 

The Reds, who are having by far their worst ever Premier League season, did not start well with the Suffolk side showing a lot of fight and resilience throughout the evening. 

Jaden Philogene gave Town an early lead, while a Sam Morsy own goal and a second United goal for Matthijs De Ligt quickly turned United in front inside 26 minutes. 

Patrick Dorgu was then dismissed after a VAR review for a high challenge on Omari Hutchinson, with Philogene netting a second for Town just before the break. 

Harry Maguire then headed home the winner two minutes after the restart as the ten men held firm to record an important victory. 

Ex-United coach Kieran McKenna's side had a good opportunity after 35 seconds, with Town quickly on the attack and threading Liam Delap through on the left hand side of the box only to drag a shot through the legs of a defender and wide of the bottom far corner. 

The Blues however arguably deserved to break the deadlock inside four minutes when captain Sam Morsy's long ball over the top forced a breakdown in communication that saw Patrick Dorgu, who otherwise impressed for the Red Devils, not spot his goalkeeper charging out towards him as his pass beat the Cameroonian to present Philogene with a gift to sprint onto free in the box with an open net to slot home, low, into. 

At the other end, while Town would've been arguably deserving of a point, United looked dangerous in attack, finding deadline day signing Alex Palmer tough to beat in the Tractor Boys' goal. The impressive Bruno Fernandes, who was key for United, providing 2 of their 3 goals, whipped in a left wing corner to Harry Maguire free at the far post whose powerful header towards the top right-hand corner was excellently beaten away by the flying Alex Palmer on 9 minutes. Diogo Dalot met the rebound but fired over from a tight angle. 

United though deservedly drew level in the 22nd minute, a sumptuous Bruno Fernandes free-kick forced Sam Morsy, under pressure from Rasmus Hojlund to head home into his own near corner. 

In quickfire fashion, Ruben Amorim's side turned the game on it's head four minutes later. Again from a Fernandes set-piece, this time a left wing corner, which was met by a brilliant far post header back across goal from Harry Maguire, which Palmer excellently saved low to his right-hand side, who quickly got up to equally as cleverly deny Dalot's 10-yard strike on the follow up down to the same side, but couldn't stop Matthijs De Ligt from meeting the loose ball from 8-yards out on the left-hand side to thump home into the top near corner. 

Morsy was first to be cautioned for dragging back Joshua Zirkzee on 35 minutes, before the latter broke onto the loose ball down the left-hand side only to see his low driven 10-yard strike palmed away well by Town MOTM Alex Palmer, diving down smartly at his near post. 

Another twist followed on 44 minutes, as Patrick Dorgu was given his marching orders after a VAR review prompted Darren England to go to the pitch side monitor, after high dangerous challenge on Omari Hutchinson. 

Amorim switched Garnacho for Mazraoui immediately after, with Ipswich grabbing an equaliser two minutes into a fairly lengthy stoppage time, initially indicated to be four minuutes. 

Axel Tuanzebe fed goalscorer Philogene on the right wing edge of the box who found a pocket of space to drive a low cross looking for Liam Delap at the far post that evaded him and wrapped round the diving Andre Onana into the bottom left-hand corner. 

On balance, a draw potentially seemed fair, albeit United will feel they could have been further ahead had it into been for Palmer. 

Both Hojlund and Dara O'Shea were cautioned, before the visitors curled a low shot wide from 25-yards out. 

United started the second half in the perfect fashion, Bruno Fernandes' 47th minute right wing corner found Harry Maguire free at the far post to bullet head home into the bottom left hand corner. 

Town however battled until the end, but didn't really make their chances count, neither did they really test Onana, although it was argued that they would've still been worthy of a point. 

Delap found space to shoot on the edge of the box, but saw his low shot deflected for a corner on 50 minutes. 

Jens Cajuste drove into space well in midfield but equally saw his fierce shot well blocked 8 minutes later. 

United meanwhile went close on the hour mark, a clever left wing turn from Leny Yoro saw the defender breakthrough onto the left wing byline before seeing Hojlund dummy his low cross for it to bounce just wide of Noussair Mazraoui arriving at the back post. 

Zirkzee was next in the referee's notebook for kicking the ball away, before McKenna opted for a double change - withdrawing Hutchinson for Nathan Broadhead and Morsy for Jack Taylor. 

Casemiro replaced Hojlund for the hosts, while a quick Ipswich corner almost caught United napping once more. The short corner cut short Onana's drink as he quickly got back into position as substitute Taylor was teed up to shoot from 25-yards, only for his low ferocious shot to go narrowly wide on 73 minutes. 

Fernandes on the other hand latched onto a great ball to drive through the away side's half down the left wing before seeing an exquisite outside of the foot low cross just evade a Red shirt sliding in at point blank range five minutes later. 

Town introduced Ben Johnson in place of ex-United defender Axel Tuanzebe, and George Hirst for Leif Davis before a spree of corners saw a low set-piece find Broadhead free at the near post albeit his low flicked effort was deflected wide on 83 minutes. 

Mazraoui and Delap were next to be booked, with the resulting Bruno Fernandes free-kick from distance seeing Maguire's far post goal-wards header hacked over for a corner, which was cooly claimed by Palmer from Fernandes' delivery on 85 minutes. 

A important good save from Andre Onana preserved United's lead on 87 minutes, Philogene found space on the right-hand edge of the box to fire a low shot towards the bottom near corner in search of a hat-trick, though the stopper read it well to hold onto the ball. 

Yoro became the latest name to be noted by referee Darren England as four additional minutes were signalled for delaying a quick throw, while Sam Szmodics replaced Cajuste for Town. 

Zirkzee made way for Eriksen, while Lindelof replaced Yoro in an uneventful stoppage time which ended with Ben Johnson also being booked. 

A night of ifs, buts and maybes door McKenna's Blues, while Amorim's side will feel it was an improved performance but a morale boosting three points. 

Manchester United:- 24 Andre Onana, 4 Matthijs de Ligt, 5 Harry Maguire, 15 Leny Yoro (90'+3' Lindelof), 20 Diogo Dalot, 25 Manuel Ugarte, 8 Bruno Fernandes (C), 13 Patrick Dorgu, 11 Joshua Zirkzee (90'+3' Eriksen), 17 Alejandro Garnacho (45' Mazraoui), 9 Rasmus Hojlund. Subs: 48 Hubert Graczyk, 50 Elyh Harrison, 2 Victor Lindelof, 3 Noussair Mazraoui, 14 Christian Eriksen, 18 Casemiro, 26 Ayden Heaven, 56 Chido Bi-Martin. Manager Ruben Amorim. 

Ipswich Town:- 31 Alex Palmer, 40 Axel Tuanzebe (80' Johnson), 26 Dara O'Shea, 24 Jacob Greaves, 29 Jaden Philogene, 5 Sam Morsy (c) (66' Taylor), 12 Jens Cajuste (90'+1' Szmodics), 3 Leif Davis (80' Hirst), 20 Omari Hutchinson (66' Broadhead), 47 Jack Clarke, 19 Liam Delap. Subs: 1 Aro Muric, 6 Luke Woolfenden, 14 Jack Taylor, 18 Ben Johnson, 22 Conor Townsend, 23 Sam Szmodics, 25 Massimo Luongo, 27 George Hirst, 33 Nathan Broadhead. 

Referee: Darren England. 

Booked: Morsy (35'), Hojlund (45'+4'), O'Shea (45'+4'), Zirkzee (61'), Mazouri (85'), Delap (85') +, Yoro (90'), Johnson (90'+7').

Sent Off: Dorgu (44'). 

Goals: Sam Morsy OG (22'), De Ligt (26'), Maguire (47'),

Philogene (4', 45'+2').

Att: 73,827.

Stevenage v Burton Albion | 18.02.2025 | Lamex Stadium | Sky Bet EFL League One |

Stevenage v Burton Albion | 18.02.2025 | Lamex Stadium | Sky Bet EFL League One 

Relegation battling Burton Albion fought hard to earn a vital 1-0 win at 13th place Stevenage. 

The result sees Gary Bowyer's side rise two places to 21st, just two points behind Peterborough United in 20th - who sit on the opposite side of the dreaded dotted line. 

The hosts, who now sit 12 points ahead of the Brewers, had the more of the possession (67.3% to 32.7%), despite Burton starting the opening 10 minutes of both halves brighter, and had double the shots (16).

However, the statistic that rather sums up the frustrations of the 2,684 home supporters is that Burton tested goalkeeper Murphy Cooper than the Boro tested Max Crocombe with 3 shots on target to 2. 

Alex Revell's side fell behind, rather deserving after a lack of a cutting edge, on the stroke of half time when Charlie Webster had time and space to lash home into the bottom far corner. 

Two key moments went the way of The Boro within the space of two minutes, but Jamie Reid fired over from the penalty spot, before a red card for Burton's Terence Vancooten couldn't be punished by the home side.  

Stevenage did have the first notable opportunity in the sixth minute, Kane Smith threaded a clever through ball towards Danny Phillips close to goal, one on one with Crocombe, though the ball just beat Phillips, running through to the 'keeper. 

In truth, Burton put in the perfect away performance, with a clinical finish when required to take the lead and doggedly defending throughout in order to preserve their important advantage and morale boosting clean sheet. 

While Stevenage went into the clash of the back of a 1-1 home draw with Peterborough United, ending a run of 3 consecutive defeats (and 2 victories prior to those), Burton have now registered just one defeat from their last 7 outings, in Saturday's 3-1 away defeat to Bristol Rovers - succeeding a draw and 3 straight victories. 

Udoka Godwin-Malife, one of many Burton players who impressed, arrived onto the right-hand edge of the box from Owen Dodgson's free-kick, only to fire wide of the near post on 7 minutes. 

The visitors meanwhile had the first major chance, rattling the crossbar twice in the 13th minute. Charlie Webster providing the cross for both McKiernan, whose effort cannoned back in off the underside of the crossbar, and Jon Bodvarsson.  

Burton remained more likely to open the scoring on 16 minutes when Webster's right wing cross saw captain Ryan Sweeney's close range goal bound header blocked by Kane Smith. 

Revell's side responded by going close three times in the space of as many minutes, first an effort on the right-hand side was deflected just over for a corner, while the second saw captain Carl Piergianni's far post close range header deflected crucially over by Charlie Webster. 

The third successive set-piece saw goalkeeper Max Crocombe forced into action on 24 minutes, after Hanlan's far post free header across the face of goal found Jordan Roberts, only for his header to be tipped over off the top of the crossbar. 

Stevenage 'keeper Murphy Cooper meanwhile was alert to intercept a through-ball towards Charlie Webster, who'd broken the offside trap on 29 minutes. 

After McKiernan latched onto Godwin-Malife's smart pass, albeit firing his shot from the right hand side wide into the side-netting on 34 minutes, Stevenage's Lewis Freestone exploited space smartly down the left wing although nobody was around to capitalise on his dangerous low ball flashed across goal four minutes later. 

At the other end, Godwin-Malife's low ball across the face of goal just evaded Jon Bodvarsson on 40 minutes, before the Brewers took the lead right on the stroke of the interval.  

McKiernan started the move, cleverly feeding Romarn Burrell, who has 8 goal involvements in his last 10 matches - 6 of which are goals, into space down the left wing to slot Charlie Webster inside the box to weave into space to fire a great low strike into the bottom far, right-hand, corner. 

Like the first half, Burton started the second half the brighter, once again McKiernan and McKiernan were Godwin-Malife involved in another good chance two minutes after the restart. The former threaded the number 2 free onto the right-hand side of the box whose near post shot was superbly smothered behind by the onrushing Cooper. 

Cooper was again in the right place at the right time from the resulting corner for the Boro, after captain Ryan Sweeney found Burrell, the latter's shot on the turn was comfortably held by the shot-stopper. 

Stevenage though had a great chance to equalise from the spot in the 55th minute, after Jamie Reid was fouled on the right-hand side. Reid however couldn't keep his effort down, thundering his spot-kick just over the top right-hand corner a minute later - proving a decisive miss. 

The visitors were then reduced to ten men on 57 minutes after Reid raced onto a through-ball past the defence before being fouled by Terence Vancooten as the last defender. 

Eli King took the responsibility from the free-kick, but saw his 61st minute effort blocked by the wall. 

Louis Thompson fired a low shot narrowly wide on 65 minutes, as Stevenage continued to search for an equaliser to no avail, before the hosts went clsoe once again 11 minutes later. 

Substitute Nick Freeman's half-volleyed shot was blocked as far as Dan Kemp, whose left wing exquisite ball into the six yard box was headed agonisingly wide of the near post by Dan Phillips. 

While Burton looked to tick down the clock, a match-winning save from Crocombe thwarted Freeman in the 81st minute. A right wing corner fell to the forward on the edge of the box to drive a low shot across goal, which was matched by a brilliant digging save from the stopper.  

Revell's side proactively used all of their available substitutions in order to salvage a point, with Kyle Edwards' ferocious strike curling just wide of the top left-hand corner a minute later. 

The hosts' late surge continued, but still without majorly threatening Crocombe's goal, with a fierce low shot being blocked on 86 minutes and Kemp's shot being deflected wide three minutes later the closest the hosts got. 

Six additional minutes quickly passed as the Brewers returned home worthy winners. 

Stevenage:- 13 Murphy Cooper, 14 Kane Smith (75' Edwards), 5 Piergianni (c), 15 Charlie Goode, 16 Lewis Freestone, 22 Dan Phillips (62' Thompson), 26 Eli King (62' List), 11 Jordan Roberts (69' Freeman), 10 Dan Kemp, 19 Jamie Reid (75' Young), 27 Brandon Hanlan. Subs: 1 Taye Ashby-Hammond, 6 Dan Sweeney, 7 Nick Freeman, 17 Elliott List, 23 Louis Thompson, 29 Kyle Edwards, 30 Jake Young. 

Burton Albion:- 1 Max Crocombe, 15 Terence Vancooten, 6 Ryan Sweeney (c), 17 Jack Armer, 2 Udoka Godwin-Malife, 8 Charlie Webster, 36 Kyran Lofthouse, 24 JJ McKiernan, 3 Owen Dodgson, 10 Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (83' Bennett), 18 Rumarn Burrell (64' Kalinauskas). Subs: 13 Harry Isted, 7 Tomas Kalinauskas, 19 Dylan Williams, 22 Julian Larsson, 26 Finn Delap, 32 Mason Bennett.  

Booked: Owen Dodgson (79'), Max Crocombe (90'), Udoka Godwin-Malife (90'+2').

Goal: Charlie Webster (45').

Sent Off: Terence Vancooten (57'),

Assist: Romarn Burrell (45'). 

Att: 2,801 (117 Burton). 

My MOTM: OVERALL: Burton 8 Charlie Webster/24 JJ McKiernan. 

My Stevenage MOTM: 5 Carl Piergianni (captain). 

Ipswich Town Women v Exeter City Women | Sun 16.02.2025 | The FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division | The Martello Ground Dellwood Avenue Felixstowe |

RUTHERFORD LATE SCREAMER SENDING TRACTOR GIRLS TOP

Ipswich Town Women returned to the top of the FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division with a dramatic but deserved 2-1 home win over Exeter City.

The Grecians remain the only team to score twice against Town in the league and one of a few to pick up a point against Joe Sheehan's side, in what was a game of very few chances.

Exeter only had a handful of shots, but the statistic that mattered was that they broke the deadlock in the twelfth minute with their first attack of real note courtesy of Sophie Gillies' thunderous strike.

Town however enjoyed a lot of the ball thereafter, creating all of the chances, forcing an equaliser through Sophie Peskett on the half-hour mark.

Exeter elected to try and frustrate Town and tick down the clock, a tactic that worked until substitute Ella Rutherford secured all three points for the Tractor Girls with another brilliant strike, in front of a bumper 939 crowd. 

Just two minutes had been played when Natasha Thomas was alert to head the ball back across the box from the left-hand byline, where Chelsea loanee Lucy Watson's shot on the turn was parried away well by goalkeeper Abbi Bond, guarding her top near, left-hand, corner well.

Town then shot just wide of bottom left-hand corner a minute later, while Sophie Peskett was found in space on the left-hand side, 30-yards from goal, only for her tame shot to be comfortably gathered by Bond inside 5 minutes.

Peskett tested Bond again in the 6th minute, driving through onto the left-hand side of the box only for her low shot to be denied smartly by Bond, narrowing the angle down well at her near post to kick the close range shot away.

The visitors, who sit fourth in the table, broke the deadlock on 12 minutes as Sophie Gillies drove into space onto the right-hand side of the box before smashing a ferociously well hit strike in off the underside of the crossbar into the top near corner.

Town responded well, Peskett threaded Lucy Watson through one on one with Bond, with an intelligent defence splitting pass, only to shoot narrowly over.

Jess Sandland's left wing free-kick, following a foul by Leah Mitchell, looked to be nestling into the bottom near corner until defender Megan Wearing got across to turn it behind crucially for a corner on 25 minutes. 

Wearing's interception proved important, as Town equalised five minutes later. Kyra Robertson started the move, smartly turning inside her own half before picking out Maisy Barker in space down the left wing, whose low cross into Natasha Thomas in the centre saw the forward hold up possession with her back to goal to tee up Sophie Peskett in space outside the box, who lashed home first time into the bottom left-hand corner.

Thomas meanwhile picked up the loose ball before driving into space towards goal, but dragged her shot wide of the bottom far corner on 33 minutes.

Peskett drew another good save from Bond seven minutes later, Thomas again laid the ball off to the goalscorer outside the box, whose rifled low shot was straight at the shot-stopper. 

Town went close to a second with the last touch of the first half, two minutes into stoppage time, when Thomas headed a corner just over the top far corner.

Town arguably dominated the second half, although credit to Exeter's resilience and persistence which saw the scoreline remain level until the final few minutes.

Thomas had an early chance on 47 minutes, but sliced her volley wide, before Lucy O'Brien drove into space before firing her shot over on 68 minutes.

Captain Maria Boswell then saw a 35-yard free-kick creep towards the top far corner although Bond got across to take the catch on 77 minutes.

Exeter meanwhile shot straight into Natalia Negri's chest a minute later.

The away side went close to retaking the lead on 85 minutes, a low left wing dangerous cross flashed across the face of goal, just evading Sarah Stacey at the far post.

Town however grabbed all three points a minute later through a sensational strike from Ella Rutherford. A neat passing move, following Leah Mitchell's throw-in, saw Rutherford chest the ball down well before driving towards goal, holding off the challenge of a midfielder and feeding Sophie Peskett. The fellow goalscorer turned smartly before feeding substitute Angela Addison whose first time lay off set up Rutherford to first time, left-footed thunder home into the bottom left-hand corner.

Town, who still have two games in hand on second placed Hashtag United - boasting a 20 goal difference, host Gwalia United at the Martello Ground next Sunday (2pm).

Ipswich Town:- 1 Natalia Negri, 6 Leah Mitchell, 2 Maria Boswell (c), 20 Megan Waring, 21 Maisy Barker (60' Hughes), 8 Kyra Robertson, 18 Ruby Doe (81' Addison), 14 Lucy Watson (60' Rutherford), 11 Lucy O'Brien, 17 Sophie Peskett (88' Peskett), 7 Natasha Thomas (81' Guyatt). Subs: 31 Laura Hartley, 5 Grace Garrad, 3 Summer Hughes, 24 Angela Addison, 23 Shauna Guyatt, 19 Ella Rutherford, 9 Isabella Fisher.

Exeter City:- 1 Abbie Bond, 2 Bow Jackson (c), 4 Jaydee Seaman, 5 Slocombe, 6 Jess Sandland, 7 Phoebe Barker, 8 Beth Ireland, 10 Sarah Stacey, 15 Ishbel Zuurmond, 21 Sophie Gillies, 23 Amber Pollock. Subs: 22 Olivia Giles (GK, unused), 3 Emily Toogood, 13 Maya Kendell, 16 Zoe Watkins, 18 Beth Everson, 19 Mollie Taylor.

Booked Leah Mitchell (25'), Ruby Doe (55'), E5 (95').

Goals: Sophie Peskett (30'), Ella Rutherford (86'); Sophie Gillies (12').

Att: 939.

Peterborough United v Cheltenham Town | 05.02.2025 | EFL Vertu Trophy QF | Weston Homes London Road Stadium |

HOLDERS PROGRESS TO SEMI-FINALS AFTER ENTERTAINING COMEBACK WIN

Darren Ferguson's Peterborough United find themselves 90 minutes from a return to the iconic Wembley Stadium, where they will be aiming to retain the EFL Vertu Trophy after a 3-2 entertaining home win over Cheltenham Town. 

In truth, both teams started brightly, with Posh arguably breaking the deadlock against the run of play through MOTM Hector Kyprianou midway through the first half, before well taken goals from Jordan Thomas (34') and George Miller (45'+3') gave the visitors a deserved lead at the break. 

Ferguson's side though turned the game on its head once more after introducing Ricky-Jade Jones, James Dornelly, Harley Mills and Malik Mothersille all at the break, with key players Abraham Odoh (52') and Ricky-Jade Jones (69') - netting his 15th goal of the season, ultimately booking a spot in the semi-finals, where they will face either Birmingham City, Bradford City or Wrexham AFC/Bolton Wanderers. 

Quick play saw Jed Steer claim an early cross well at his far post and distribute a clever throw to Cian Hayes to drive onto as he broke down the left wing, all the way down the pitch, before seeing his danger us low cross just cleared in the second minute. 

The visitors, who had started brighter - while both teams looked lively in possession, diverted a left wing cross over the crossbar with a free header from 12-yards out inside 9 minutes. 

The Robins then had three more good efforts at goal, with Jordan Thomas going close with the first. After exploiting acres of space on the right-hand edge of the box the winger wrapped a sumptuous finessed shot towards go all that cannoned back into play off the top of the crossbar on 13 minutes. 

Albeit offside, the visitors then shot just wide of the bottom right-hand corner, following a low ball on a plate a minute later, before Arkell Jude-Boyd was fed into acres of space - 30-yards from goal on the right-hand side - only to thunder a well hit swerving 'knuckle ball' strike narrowly over. 

Posh hit back, drawing an important double save out of Joe Day in the 23rd minute, Gustav Lindgren was released one-on-one with the 'keeper onto the right-hand side of the box only to see two low shots at goal well saved by the onrushing stopper, the latter of which at the expense of a corner. 

The resulting set-piece, a minute later, saw Posh break the deadlock - after Emmanuel Fernandez's far post header was denied by Day, diving low to his left-hand side- captain Hector Kyprianou turned the rebound home at point blank range into the top near, right-hand corner. 

Despite the fact the goal was arguably against the run of play, Posh had settled into the game more in the preceeding five minutes, and did create another good chance just ahead of the half-hour mark. Chris Conn-Clarke drove into acres of space onto the left-hand edge of the box but saw, his shot towards the far post comfortably collected by Day. 

Cheltenham meanwhile capitalised on a good spell of possession themselves, after Jed Steer watched a shot from outside his box curl narrowly wide of his right-hand post on 33 minutes, the visitors equalised a minute later. Valintino Adedokun threaded Jordan Thomas into plenty of space down the right wing as he cut inside onto the edge of the box to curl a sumptuous time into the top far corner. 

While Cheltenham deserved their equaliser, Posh went close to retaking the lead in the 37th minute, the League One side broke down the right wing before cutting inside to find the angle to shoot but for a vital near post header from a defender to turn it behind for a corner. 

The resulting right wing corner was met by a free header at close range, only for the far post effort to go just wide of the left-hand post. 

Michael Flynn's side however saw a 44th minute right wing corner cleared off the line by Gustav Lindgren at the near post, before Posh went close again themselves a minute later. 

Conn-Clarke released Abraham Odoh into space on the right-hand side of the penalty area, only for his intelligent dink towards goal to be denied by the outside of the near post, falling into Day's grateful gloves. 

The Robins, who sit twelfth in League Two, took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Goalscorer Jordan Thomas turned provider as he fed George Miller into space, on the right-hand side of the Posh penalty area, to delicately panenka the ball past Steer into the bottom far corner. 

Posh responded, making four changes at the break, sparking a superb comeback from the side currently 19th in League One - making the most of their cup run this season - drawing another big save from Day in the 50th minute. Odoh expertly weaved into a shooting position on the right-hand side, instead unselfishly teeing up Archie Collins on the edge of the box whose shot was palmed away well by Day, diving low to his left-hand side. 

Two minutes later, the hosts restored parity with a superb counter attack. Substitute Malik Mothersille drove through down the left wing before seeing his low shot denied by Day, only as far as Abraham Odoh, arriving at the far post who did incredibly well to stretch and squeeze the ball into the bottom left-hand corner at the cutest of angle. 

Posh then had all but one of the remaining notable chances and were again thwarted by a massive save from Joe Day in the 58th minute. Lindgren was fed with his back to goal on the edge of the box, whose neat turn and shoot was matched by an instinctive save from the stopper - diving low to his left-hand side - to get across and help it behind for a corner. 

While the corner, swung into a dangerous area very close to goal, was ultimately headed just over for another corner, Day denied another a close range shot from the latest set-piece. Posh recycled possession well, finding Archie Collins, whose driven low first time shot was blocked. 

The game continued to be end to end, even with United creating the better chances, with Jed Steer having little of note to do until the 84th minute. 

Prior to that though, home captain Kyprianou cleverly brought possession forward before threading an exquisite pinpoint cross-field pass out wide to Mothersille on the left wing, enabling the winger to accelerate forward and into the box, beating two defenders in the process only to see his shot blocked on 62 minutes. 

Adedokun, in the view of the home support, looked to have halted Odoh's surging run - having beaten the offside trap - as the last man, to which referee Scott Oldham disagreed, viewing the foul as a yellow card offence. 

That incident would be soon forgotten as Posh scored the winner in the 69th minute, Gustav Lindgren played Ricky-Jade Jones through past the defence with an excellent defence splitting pass down the right wing, the substitute expertly drove into the box with home fans fearing the chance had gone but to slot a great finish into the slightest gap to find the bottom far corner. 

The hosts thought they'd sealed their last four spot in the 80th minute, but for an offside flag denying Jones a brace after latching onto fellow goalscorer Odoh's low right wing ball round the defence to cooly wrap the ball into the bottom near corner. 

Jed Steer was then forced into a match-winning save four minutes later, diving across his six yard box - low to his right-hand side - to gather a dangerous ball squared across goal. 

Five minutes of added time passed by as Ferguson's side continue their quest for a third EFL Trophy success. 

Peterborough United:- 31 Jed Steer, 5 Oscar Wallin, 37 Emmanuel Fernandez, 15 George Nevett (HT' Dornelly), 22 Hector Kyprianou (c), 4 Archie Collins, 35 Donay O'Brien-Brady (HT' Jones), 18 Cian Hayes (HT' Mills), 10 Abraham Odoh (89' Ihionvien), 19 Gustav Lindgren, 9 Chris Conn-Clarke (HT' Mothersille). Subs: 1 Nicholas Bilokapic, 7Malik Mothersille, 8 Ryan De Havilland, 34 Harley Mills, 33 James Dornelly, 17 Ricky-Jade Jones, 48 Bradley Ihionvien. 

Cheltenham Town:- 21 Joe Day, 2 Arkell Jude-Boyd, 25 Sam Stubbs, (74' Bakare), 6 Tom Bradbury, 23 Valintino Adedokun (69' Power), 8 Luke Young (c), 4 Liam Kinsella (73' Dieng), 15 Jordan Thomas, 26 Tommy Backwell (54' Taylor), 22 Ethan Archer, 10 George Miller (54' Hay). Subs: 41 Mamadou Diallo, 18 Ibrahim Bakare, 24 Darragh Power, 14 Liam Doulson, 9 Matt Taylor, 11 Ashley Jay, 5 Timothee Dieng. Booked: Tom Bradbury (48'), Valintino Adedokun (66'), Sam Stubbs (71'), Arkell Jude-Boyd (73').  

Referee: Scott Oldham. 

Goals: Hector Kyprianou (24'), Abraham Odoh (52'), Ricky-Jade Jones (69'); Jordan Thomas (34'), George Miller (45'+3').

My MOTM: Peterborough United: 22 Hector Kyprianou.

Att: 2,587 (111 CT). 

MY JANUARY 2025 ADVENTURES

The new year has brought quite a contrast in differing footballing experiences, ranging from a Premier League team, a League One team, National League North, Isthmian League North, Thurlow Nunn (Eastern Counties First Division North) to a Bury Sunday cup match. 

Thirteen matches at various grounds has seen 2025 rather slowly spark into life. 

A lot of these games, you'll be able to read the full reports elsewhere on my blog - with all Needham First and Reserve team reports accessible on the club website - alongside interviews. 

Starting on New Year's Day, 2025 began with Vanarama National League North action between Needham Market and Peterborough Sports at the Ecologic Stadium Bloomfields. Rain slightly hampered the day, in which arguably a draw would've been fair. 

First half goals from Max Booth (6') and Michael Gyasi (24') gave Ex-Professional goalkeeper Luke Steele and Michael Gash's Sports a 2-0 lead at the break before Adam Mills' (67') exquisite lobbed effort from distance halved the deficit, though the Marketmen couldn't find what would've been a deserved equaliser. 

Next, I watched my cousin's game, which ended in a 5-2 victory, before covering Needham Market Women's home clash with Haringey Borough on the Sunday, in which goals from Shawna Harvey, Ronnell Humes, Kaya Bamber and Caitlen Star saw the visitors emerge victorious. 

Tuesday then saw the first of two trips to Ram Meadow for the top of the Isthmian North Division table all-Suffolk clash between Bury Town and Felixstowe and Walton United. A dominant, comfortable performance from the hosts contained the Seasiders with MOTM Ryan Jolland (8') and Cemal Ramadan (53') sending ex-Ipswich Town legend Cole Skuse's Blues top. 

Saturday 11th again saw the weather create carnage, as rain and then fog made visibility limited as Needham Market Reserves hosted Harwich and Parkeston. The young Marketmen were arguably unfortunate to go 2-0 down after a brace from Luke Spurling, though an incredible late comeback from Evan Gledhill (88') and Seth Chambers (90'+1') secured an important point for James Mant's side. 

The next day then brought a return to Portman Road as Premier League Ipswich Town hosted League One side Bristol Rovers. Kieran McKenna's side put in a professional performance as first half strikes from Kalvin Phillips (18'), Jack Clarke (24') and Jack Taylor (37') - the first two scoring their first Town goals - secured a safe passage through to the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup. 

A birthday trip to Peterborough followed on Tuesday, fruiting six goals in a rather entertaining Vertu EFL Trophy Last 16 tie between holders Peterborough United and League Two high-flyers Walsall. Darren Ferguson's side, struggling in League One, wasted little time in breaking the deadlock as debutant Gustav Lindgren, and Malik Mothersille linked up superbly to put Posh into an early 2-0 lead. Danny Johnson though halved the deficit for the visitors, before Lindgren added his second soon after to regain Posh's two goal advantage. Mothersille ultimately secured his side's route into the Quarter-Finals towards the end, while Josh Gordon netted a last minute second goal. A very good performance from Posh, but the second Walsall goal did show signs of why they're not having the best of seasons - however a very welcoming club and fanbase that I look forward to seeing again next week in the next round of the competition. 

Returning back to Needham on Thursday 16th, the club's Under-18's began 2025 with a scintillating 8-0 win over Framlingham Town with Evan Gledhill (21', 89'), James Coton (33', 45'), Harlyn Palmer (52'), Oscar Wakeling (73'), Charlie Wood (75') and Olly Bowman (85') all on the scoresheet in a superb win for Mant's side. 

Back to the Vanarama National League North, ex-Ipswich Town and Manchester City legend Kevin Horlock's Marketmen registered their first point since the turn of the year - which could be argued could've been all 3, but nonetheless an important point. Luke Ingram's early second half goal put the hosts in front, before Walker's equaliser arguably against the run of play earned the away side a point. 

Next up, I watched my first Premier Logos Bury Sunday League match of 2025, as Division One side Bury Town Bisons hosted Division Two outfit Hardwick in the Quarter-Finals of the Open Cup. Jordi Asker's first half goal put the higher league Blues ahead, while a dominant second half from the away side turned the game on it's head as the visitors ran out 3-1 deserved winners. 

Another return to the Ram followed on Tuesday 21st, as Bury looked to halt a two game winless run and get back on track in a re-arranged Isthmian North clash with Maldon and Tiptree. Home debutant, on loan from Ipswich Town, Jamie Mague marked his birthday with a well taken goal to open the deadlock, before the Jammers were the better side in the second half - earning a point after Kai Redgrave, formerly of Colchester United, struck. Maldon arguably could've then secured all 3 points, but Bury escaped with a point. 

A first coach trip with Needham for the new year saw a return to Alfreton, after the Trophy game a couple of months previous, with the visiting Suffolk side securing a deserved, huge, three points in incredible fashion. Lewis Salmon, scoring twice in 7 second half minutes, put the hosts into a rather harsh 2-0 lead from close range, before ex-Ipswich Town Tommy Smith and ex-Northampton Town Liam Cross - both scoring their first goals for the club - equalised, with Bermuda international (also ex-Ipswich) Reggie Lambe scoring a stunning long range lob to round of an excellent 12 minute turnaround. 

In terms of watching games, my January ended with a once of a lifetime trip to former football league side Scunthorpe United for a league clash with Needham. A night to remember, taking in a game at a ground that hosted many a EFL game - having only recently dropped out of the top 4 tiers in the last few years - in which Needham put in a fantastic performance and were arguably unfortunate to lose 2-0 after a red card, having created the better chances and enjoyed a lot of possession away to second in the league. 

Overall, a good month of football, showcasing the different aspects of the game - with Peterborough impressively showcasing a real community feel, between both players and fans, something that the professional game lacks these days. A not bad month to start the year, but plenty of games planned in a busy February. 

2025 GAMES FROM JAN TO END FEB 2025

Wednesday 1st January 2025, Ecologic Stadium Bloomfields, National League North, Needham Market 1-2 Peterborough Sports:

Goals: Adam Mills (67'); Max Booth (6'), Michael Gyasi (24'). 

Sat 3rd Needham Market 2-5 FC Evolution

Sun 4th January 2025, Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena, Eastern Regions Women's Premier Division, Needham Market Women 0-9 Haringey Borough: Goals: Shawna Harvey (4', 40', 69'), (36', 47', 85'), Ronnell Humes (hat-trick - 63'), Kaya Bamber (brace - 68'), Caitlen Star (x1) 

Tue 7 January 2025, Getaway Cars Ram Meadow Stadium, Pitching In Isthmian North Division, Bury Town 2-0 Felixstowe & Walton United: Goals Ryan Jolland (8'), Cemal Ramadan (53'). 

Sat 11 January 2025, Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena, Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties First Division North, Needham Market Reserves 2-2 Harwich & Parkeston: Goals: Evan Gledhill (88'), Seth Chambers (90'+1'); Luke Spurling (35', 53'). 

Sun 12 January 2025, Portman Road, Emirates FA Cup R3, Ipswich Town 3-0 Bristol Rovers: Goals: Kalvin Phillips (18'), Jack Clarke (24'), Jack Taylor (37'). 

Tue 14 January 2025, Weston Homes Stadium, London Road | Vertu EFL Trophy Last 16 | Peterborough United 4-2 Walsall

Goals: Gustav Lindgren (7', 31'), Malik Mothersille (15'pen, 74'); Danny Johnson (29'), Josh Gordon (90'+5').

Thu 16 January 2025 | Ecologic Stadium Bloomfields | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Youth League Central Division | Needham Market U18 8-0 Framlingham Town U18 | Goals: Evan Gledhill (21', 89'), James Coton (33', 45'), Harlyn Palmer (52'), Oscar Wakeling (73'), Charlie Wood (75'), Olly Bowman (85'). 

Sat 18 January 2025 | Ecologic Stadium Bloomfields | Vanarama National League North | Needham Market 1-1 Radcliffe | Goals: Luke Ingram (49'); Tom Walker (57'). 

Sun 19 January 2025 | Hardwick Heath Pitch 3 | Bury Sunday Premier Logos Open Cup QF | Bury Town Bisons 1-3 Hardwick | Goals: Jordi Asker (28'); Kaine Fryer (48', 69'), Gheorghe Vacarciuc (66'). 

Tue 21 January 2025 | Getaway Cars Ram Meadow Stadium | Pitching In Isthmian North Division | Bury Town 1-1 Maldon + Tiptree | Goals: Jamie Mague (31'); Kai Redgrave (48'). 

Sat 25 January 2025 | The IMPACT Arena | Vanarama National League North | Alfreton Town 2-3 Needham Market | Goals: Lewis Salmon (59',66'); Tommy Smith (78'), Liam Cross (90'), Reggie Lambe (90'+2'). 

Tue 28 January 2025 | The Attis Arena, Glandisford Park | Vanarama National League North | Scunthorpe United 2-0 Needham Market | Goals: Kian Scales (4'). Callum Roberts (82').