Welcome to my Football Groundhopping blog, detailing all of my football adventures from the 2018/19 season to present. (2024/25) These games will include: Non-League, Sunday League Football, Non-League Youth (U18) Football, and maybe a few Professional Football matches. All opinions are my own, even reports I have written for Needham. All reports, photos, videos + Tweets (c) Drew Kendall, 2018-2025
Thursday, 27 August 2026
Needham Market v Alvechurch | 26.08.2023 | The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division | Bloomfields
A goal in each half ensured Kevin Horlock's side moved into 5th place after their third consecutive victory from their first five league matches.
The Marketmen named an unchanged side once again following Saturday's 6-1 win at Coalville Town, with Luke Ingram returning to the bench.
The opening stages of the game, in which the home side were arguably the better side throughout the first half, saw the Marketmen start brightly, Tevan Allen tried his luck at goal from 35-yards out but his strike was blocked after 4 minutes. Needham then created a great chance a minute later, Reece Harris' right wing corner was headed back into the danger area by Callum Page, at the far post, finding Dan Morphew whose close range volley was deflected crucially just over for a corner.
At the other end, Alvechurch broke forward after some neat link-up play which saw Jaanai Gordon fed through onto the right-hand side of the box whose tight angled low volley was beaten behind well by a smart near post save from Marcus Garnham on 14 minutes.
Just prior to the downpour of torrential rain, Needham broke the deadlock five minutes later. Jake Dye exploited space out on the right wing to whip a good cross into the box which took a deflection before flying into the top far corner, 1-0 Needham.
The Church meanwhile saw a good crossfield ball out to the left-hand side of the box headed into the six yard box by Yaw Namtwi-Ofosu well read by Garnham, to claim possession on 25 minutes.
Jack Hallahan then shot narrowly wide of the bottom right-hand corner on 35 minutes, while Needham saw Kyle Hammond thread Tev Allen through onto the right-hand side of the box, the midfielder's blocked shot however fell to the latter who in turn teed up Jacob Lay, but his shot was off target on 41 minutes.
As the torrential rain briefly stopped, Jacob Lay's ferocious strike forced a good save out of the visiting goalkeeper a minute later, as the first half drew to a close following 3 added minutes.
The second half saw both teams start well, as good play from Jamie McGrath saw the Needham striker hold up possession well before winning a corner five minutes after the restart.
Alvechurch meanwhile broke up the other end on 53 minutes, but the shot in space on the left-hand edge of the box was curled over the top far corner.
Reece Harris then arrived to latch onto the loose ball, following a good break from the home side on 61 minutes, but the midfielder's 30-yard strike curled narrowly wide of the bottom left-hand corner.
Chong meanwhile shot wide for the visitors two minutes later, while a superb instinctive reaction save from Marcus Garnham swatted over Kai George's close range strike after Kobe Chong's headed flick on from a left wing cross on 78 minutes.
Jack Concannon then found space inside the box from the resulting corner, a minute later, whose low shot went narrowly wide of the bottom near corner.
Needham substitute Seth Chambers meanwhile broke into space well down the right wing, but the forward's low ball squared across the face of goal, on a plate for fellow substitute Ollie Fraser was crucislly deflected behind for a corner, denying an almost certain goal on 87 minutes.
The Marketmen though wrapped up all three points in the fourth minute of seven added minutes, Ollie Fraser surged through down the left wing before breaking past the defender onto the left-hand byline to square a brilliant ball on a plate into the six yard box for Tev Allen to slide in and tap home his maiden Needham goal, 2-0 Needham.
Allen nearly made it 3-0 two minutes later, the midfielder looked to curl a good strike from inside the box into the roof of the net, but his shot was beaten over by the keeper.
Needham travel to fellow Suffolk side Leiston on Monday (28th August, 3pm).
Goals: Dye (19') Allen (90+4'). Att: 242. Entertainment: 3.5. Star Man Jake Dye (NMFC)
A goal in each half sees Needham move into the playoff places following a 2-0 win over Alvechurch.
Needham were the better side first half and had the first chance of the afternoon as Dan Morphew forced an early save out of the keeper to tip it over for a corner.
Alvechurch, meanwhile broke forward as Jaanai Gordon was denied by a good near post save from Marcus Garnham.
Needham then broke the deadlock on 19 minutes, as Jake Dye's cross dipped into the top far corner.
The away side then saw a dangerous header across the six yard box held well by Garnham, while Hallahan shot just wide after 35 minutes.
Jacob Lay almost doubled his side's lead shortly before the interval, as his ferocious strike was well saved by the keeper.
The second half saw both sides start well as a Church strike was curled narrowly over, while Reece Harris shot just wide for Needham.
An instinctive save from Marcus Garnham denied the visitors from close range, while Tevan Allen wrapped up all three points in stoppage time, tapping home Ollie Fraser's ball on a plate following a surging run.
Moreton Men v Bury Wanderers | 23.08.2026 | Pre-season Friendly | British Sugar |
Moreton Men concluded their 2026/27 pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Bury Wanderers, courtesy of Dexter Lee's late first half clever finish.
The result also marked the team's first ever clean sheet, as they look ahead to their second ever season in the Premier Logos Bury + District Sunday League Division Four.
In truth the first half was an even end-to-end affair, with Moreton Men goalkeeper Alfie Hardiman (8') on hand to comfortably hold onto the only shot on goal until the 36th minute.
At the other end, Dexter Lee headed just agonisingly over from Dylan Jessett's right wing cross in the 28th minute, which the latter then had the host's first effort on goal eight minutes later.
The winger was set through on goal by a great defence splitting pass by Jack Hardiman only to see his shot smothered by the onrushing keeper at close range. Striker Jacob Malpass was first to the loose ball, but shot just wide on the rebound.
With the final notable chance of the first half, Lee put the Yellows in front, ultimately proving to be the decisive goal. Man Of The Match Alfie Hardiman's excellent drop kick over the top threaded Lee through on goal to race towards goal and cleverly wrap his strike round the goalkeeper and into the bottom left-hand corner.
After the break, the hosts enjoyed a lot more of the possession and until the final stages looked the likelier team to score the next goal.
Malpass was nicely picked out by a good long ball to take aim at goal from 20-yards out (54'), but his well hit strike was straight at the substitute keeper's chest.
At the end though, crucial defending from the Yellows preserved their clean sheet and victory, as Alfie Hardiman was drawn into a comfortable catch to keep out an 85th minute strike.
Wanderers went mightily close in the 89th minute to snatching an equaliser as a right wing cross into a dangerous area was met by a diving header that went just over via the top of the crossbar.
A big, important, reaction save from Alfie Hardiman in the first minute of stoppage time secured the Yellow's victory. A goal-bound strike at close range was hit towards the stopper's bottom right-hand corner, forcing a sharp diving save with his outstretched right-boot by Hardiman to turn it vitally behind.
Moreton Men saw out the final few moments, defending doggedly for a solid win, ahead of their league opener on Sunday 30th August away to Bury Bears (10:30am).
Moreton Men:- 1 Alfie Hardiman, 18 Louis Legois, 3 Callum Ranson, 20 Lewis Shepherd (c), 6 Matt King, 8 Dean Nelson, 12 Kian Neary, 14 Jack Hardiman, 7 Dexter Lee, 9 Jacob Malpass, 23 Dylan Jessett. Subs: 16 Kienan Wade, 21 Craig McLaren, 30 Cameron Regan, 11 Will, 2 Kieron Turner, 10 Mikey Bird.
Cambridge United v Millwall | 25.08.2026 | The Cledara Abbey Stadium | Carabao Cup Second Round, Sky Bet EFL Championship v Sky Bet EFL League One.
Jake Cooper's early strike was the difference as Championship side Millwall advanced to their Third Round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, despite a good performance from League One side Cambridge United.
Millwall looked to put their lower league hosts under early pressure, with Kell Watts smartly mopping up a through ball and Zak Bradshaw (4') expertly out-muscling Jordi Osei-Tutu off the ball to superbly retain possession and win a throw.
Gassan Ahadme (6') then drew a foul from Batth, while Lovelace moments later was penalised for halting Watts illegally down the left wing.
Mpanzu's excellent 7th minute set-piece was headed away as far as McConnell whose ferocious strike was blocked from just outside the box with appeals for a penalty dismissed.
Millwall though (8') forced Eastwood into a sharp reflex stop waist high to his left hand side to double handed beat a shot away.
The stopper was alert again (9'), repeating the feat, with Kell Watts and Liam Bennett both vitally in the way to deny close range shots.
The latter deflected a goal bound shot over from a corner, which skipper Jake Cooper (9') fired Millwall in front from.
Cooper's initial effort thundered out off the underside of the crossbar with the defender on hand to lash home into the bottom right-hand corner on the rebound.
An explosive start continued as Isaac Heath wriggled into space on the right wing to swing a good cross in, but goalkeeper Max Crocombe was able to claim well on his line.
Baggott (16') meanwhile glanced Osei-Tutu's long range right free-kick across goal, but was watched narrowly wide for a goal kick, as Ra'ees Bangura-Williams (19') drove between two midfielders to exploit space to fire low at goal, though Eastwood was equal to it, across to his left hand side to take a good catch.
The U's gradually looked to find their feet back in possession, after Millwall had looked eager to add to their lead quickly, but the newly promoted League One side seemed to lack a cutting edge in the opening 23 minutes, which Millwall would've hoped their opening goal would take some of the sting out off their hosts, with frustration beginning to creep in within the U's fan base - though it could be argued a fair amount of that was aimed at referee Paul Howard.
Elkan Baggott (25') then left Heath in a heap out on the right wing, giving the U's a free kick from distance out on the left, which Zak Bradshaw fed onto Mpanzu to drive unopposed down the left wing towards the area and rasp a strike towards the top near corner that initially stung the hands of Crocombe, gathering at the second attempt.
In a physical, rather feisty encounter, in which both sides looked to play football, Kell Watts (27') was well placed to intercept a good through-ball towards Dykes in the area out for a throw, in what was an entertaining first half.
Neil Harris' - notably a Millwall legend from his previous spells as their manager - side continued to defend valiantly, Lovelace attempted to glide through down the right wing (31'), which Glenn McConnell had other ideas, reading play well to put a strong foot in and win possession.
Alex Neil's Lions were then prevented down the right wing at the expense of a throw by Zak Bradshaw (33'), with arguably one of the highlights of the opening half being Harris yelling "f@&# off" in the 33rd minute.
Bennett's clever right wing (34') cross was headed away in a dangerous area, as Zak Bradshaw blocked Osei-Tutu's 36th minute right wing cross to swivel and clear, picking out Ahadme on the touchline.
Ball then sped past both Osei-Tutu and Bangura-Williams (37'), prompting the former to foul him in a good position down the left wing, which Mpanzu's low cross fell to Watts whose great driven cross from the left hand side was cleared out to McConnell, who flicked the ball smartly in space to shoot but the Championship side were able to clear.
The U's were firmly still in the contest, battling hard, though the visitors will feel they should have taken their chances better earlier in the half to put the game beyond doubt. However, take nothing away from how well the hosts had defended, with Eastwood also looking in good form in the home goal.
Batth (41') brought down Ahadme who'd controlled a Cambridge clearance well, before attempting to rile up the home striker, moving into his personal space before Bangura-Williams (42') fouled Kaikai.
It was clear Millwall had travelled the hour or so distance with the intent of trying to frighten the U's with their aggressive nature, but it appeared to not faze the hosts, though given Harris would know more than most the Millwall style of play it shouldn't really be much of a surprise.
The home side went close in the only additional minute at the end of the first half, Sullay Kaikai's silky footwork got the winger through onto the left hand byline to clip an excellent cross to Bennett at the far post, who met the pinpoint delivery at close range but could only head just agonisingly wide of the bottom left hand corner, as Millwall went into the break with a slender lead.
The U's started the restart brightly, after withdrawing Ahadme for Louis Appere at the interval, captain Dom Ball (47') won back possession before expertly feeding Heath to hold off his marker and see his 20 yard low strike deflected wide off Baggott for a corner.
Heath (50') weaved into space to unleash a ferocious 20-yard strike at goal, only to fire over, as Bauer was cautioned for a foul at the other end.
The U's went close, again through great trickery from Heath in the 52nd minute. The winger darted freely down the right-hand side to cut back to McConnell inside the six yard box whose poked effort was too close to Crocombe who was able to hold, inexplicably catching the ball.
Calum Perry was introduced for Bauer in Harris' second change, though Baggott smartly intercepted a long ball forward (58') to drive forward and slide Dan Kelly free down the left wing whose cross was cheated calmly and cut out well by Bradshaw.
A flurry of substitutions each saw, Sykes, Metcalfe and Neghli on for Millwall and Herd and Shayne Lavery introduced for Ball and Kaikai for the home side (64'), as the U's shot narrowly wide two minutes later.
McConnell was threaded clear through on goal (67'), albeit skewed his low shot through a defenders legs and wide of the bottom far, left hand, corner in a big chance for Harris' men.
Crocombe's goal-kick though ended up comfortably into Eastwood's gloves, as Sturge entered the frey for Millwall.
Lavery (74') forced a corner, which Heath's excellent delivery towards Perry stealing in free at the back post with an almost certain tap in at close range, though substitute Sturge got in first to crucially poke behind.
Perry's (75') right wing inviting delivery into the six yard box was just headed clear with the U's on the front foot, smelling an equaliser, firmly looking the likelier if any team to score.
Bradshaw (80') was first onto Watts' partial headed clearance to deal with the loose ball, as Millwall looked keen to just hold out their one goal advantage.
Bennett's low flashed right wing cross (83') was well controlled by Lavery who spun smartly and fired a dangerous ball into thd corridor of uncertainty at close range but the hosts were unable to latch onto it.
McConnell (87') was booked for a trip on Massey, as McDougald replaced the dangerous Heath soon after.
Six minute of additional time was met with a roar from the home support, willing their team on, as McConnell looked to set McDougald through on the left hand side but for a big defensive interception to cut it out for a throw (92').
A foul from Dykes from a good position moments after, which Calum Perry whipped round the wall, up off the turf but gleefully into Crocombe's gloves (93').
Perry (94') advanced onto the left hand byline but for the Lions to clear, as McDougald was brought down from behind on the right hand edge of the box, raising the volume in the stadium once more.
Perry's 95th minute low clever set piece looked destined to find the target but was turned just wide for a corner, which Perry (96') launched it excellently into the six yard box in search of Eastwood lunging towards it but for the visitors to just clear.
The late flurry of Cambridge pressure continued, one way traffic, saw Perry's long great ball headed on by McDougald but headed clear.
Millwall crept over the line, and go into the hat for the third round.
Cambridge return to home league action on Saturday, looking to follow up their 3-2 home win over Wigan Athletic and 1-1 draw at Bromley last Saturday against Huddersfield Town, as fifth entertains 2nd (with matching records).
Millwall, who have beaten Norwich and Bristol City (3-0 home, 2-0 away), travel to Southampton as 24th plays first (Won 1 lost one plays won 2 with 5-0 go difference).
Cambridge United:- 1 Jake Eastwood, 2 Liam Bennett, 4 Dom Ball (c) (64' Herd), 5 Patrick Bauer (55' Perry), 6 Kell Watts, 7 Isaac Heath (89' McDougald), 11 Sullay Kaikai (64' Lavery), 14 Gassan Ahadme (HT' Appere), 17 Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, 22 Zak Bradshaw, 27 Glenn McConnell. Subs:25 Ben Hughes, 31 JJ Briggs, 3 Cal Perry, 9 Louis Appere, 19 Shayne Lavery, 23 Mo Jobe, 30 McDougald, 33 Herd.
U's XI by Position: 1,2,5,6,22,4,27,17,7,11,24
Millwall:- 15 Max Crocombe, 2 Jordi Osei-Tutu (63' Sykes), 5 Jake Cooper (c), 12 Elkan Baggott, 13 Lyndon Dykes, 16 Dan Kelly (63' Metcalfe), 23 Danny Batth (70' Sturge), 25 Luke Cundle, 29 Zak Lovelace (63' Lovelace), 31 Ra'ees Bangura-Williams (78' Matthews), 44 Alfie Massey. Subs: 43 Joel Coleman (GK), 3 Zak Sturge, 10 Camiel Neghli, 14 Jenson Metcalfe, Mark Sykes, 28 Ajay Matthews, 48 Archie Kirby, 51 Sacha Tsugita Vieira, 44 Tristan Parkes.
Booked: Patrick Bauer (50'), Glenn McConnell (87').
Goal: Jake Cooper (9').
Att: 5,363.
My Cambridge United MOTM: 6 Kell Watts/7 Isaac Heath.
Moreton Men ran out 14-4 winners in a great day to raise crucial funds for the organisation in aid of Men's Mental Health against Sellebrity Soccer at Mildenhall Town.
The Bury St Edmunds side, featuring players from Moreton Men's Sunday League eleven a side team, their 4 Leisure League Sixes (six a side) teams, ex-Ipswich Town Legends and an Soccer AM icon/local Non-League legend, faced ateam packed with celebrities from Soap Stars to a Boxer, a Tattoo artist and social media influencers among overs.
Straight from kickoff, Wiggins shot just wide just 3 seconds in, while the Yellows set Harry Romp free onto the left, whose low shot was saved (3').
Alfie Hardiman then shot agonisingly just wide of the bottom far corner (3'), who drove into space down the left onto to fire a good low shot narrowly wide of the bottom far corner.
The home side started superbly, ex-Town legend Cole Skuse mopped up smartly to play a long ball to Andrew Wiggins (9') who rattled the top of the crossbar with a thunderous shot from range, the striker followed it up by hammering an excellent strike into the bottom left-hand corner (10') to give Moreton Men the lead in style.
Harry Romp (13') weaved into space down the right wing after a great ball from Ed Upson but fired over, as the hosts slipped Alfie Hardiman through onto the left-hand byline, to find Dean Nelson - the forward help up play well to tee up Matt King whose low curled shot was held.
Nik Gordejevs (14') dived expertly across to his right to deny Bailey's right-hand smart low strike, prior to James Norwood (17') showing why he's still a profession, wrapping home Moreton Men's second goal effortlessly into the bottom right corner.
Tyler Lombardo went close to a third, beating the keeper the skipper looked to poke home into an empty net but for Springett to hack clear crucially on the line.
A smart turn by Greg (G & T Plumbing, an excellent business who have recently relocated to Suffolk and are highly recommended) swiftly looked to turn defence into attack, shortly after which Moreton Men were awarded a penalty after good work from Nelson (22').
Ben Mayhew, who had just brought himself on (to the disgust of Cole Skuse) duly slotted home cooly into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0, before seeing yellow for taking his shirt off.
Just prior to him coming on I asked Mayhew score two, and he did just that on 26 minutes, adding the Bury based side's 4th goal from the corner, heading home unmarked free at the far post.
Nelson (28') drew a smart catch from the keeper, as Dexter Lee 29' was beaten to the ball by the keeper.
Moreton Men remained on the front foot, defending resolutely, and forced another sharp diving catch from the shot-stopper low to his right, as Dean Nelson (30') made it 5, breaking through one on one to delicately lob the onrushing keeper from range.
Craig McLaren (32') wrapped a brilliant 25-yard strike narrowly over the top far corner, ahead of Nydam reading play brilliantly to mop up the danger, as well as blocking a great strike in the 35th minute.
The hosts extended their lead to 6-0 a minute later after a perfect run from James Norwood saw the forward ghost into space down the left wing to cross towards goal where a defender was unfortunate to slice his clearance into his own net.
The Celebrities however were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute, which Bailey cleverly found the right-hand corner to reduce the deficit to 6-1, in a game played in very good spirits with hardly any fouls all game.
Nelson (38') saw a clever low right wing cross smothered away by the keeper after a great through-ball by McLaren, though the away side made it 6-2 in the 41st minute.
The number 12 (41') made it 6-2 sharply turning to make an angle to shoot, after a sharp save off his line by Nik Gordejevs, finding the left-hand corner nicely.
Norwood netted his second to restore the 5 goal advantage (44'), calmly heading home from close range following a pinpoint left wing corner for 7-2.
Ethan Stevenson (45') read play well to deflect Berthonneau's shot behind for a corner, which Stevenson scored (45'+1') a cracking effort - only to be denied by an offside flag, as the Celeb's 2nd goalsccorer skewed a shot wide (45'+2').
After a nine goal feast first half (7-2), there were nine more to follow in the second half.
The Celebs thumped a shot just wide (47'), as Jack Hardiman (49') floated a great 20-yard effort just over.
Kienan Wade (52') blocked JP's long range effort, moments after which the celebs hit the top off the crossbar.
Lee was fouled by the keeper (53') for a penalty, Aidan Stibbs took it and sent the keeper the wrong way to nonchalantly fire into the bottom right corner (55'), making it 8-2.
The celebs had a shot deflected just wide on (56'), while offside (61') ruled out a clever move by the home side. A long ball threaded Nydam free, surging down the right wing, to square the ball on a plate for Ed Upson to delicately chip the onrushing keeper into the net.
Wade saw a handful of shots saved, as Ed Upson effortlessly scored the 9th and 13th at close range, finishing off two incredibly worked moves out to the left and crossed invitingly across the six yard box with Aidan Stibbs netting the 10th in similar fashion.
Alex Spall's quickfire outstanding brace for the 11th and 12th goals kept the goalfest going, both within a minute - each time baring down on goal to fire home, firstly expertly into the bottom far corner, then the second curling a stunning strike into the top far corner.
Stibbs added his second to make it 14-2, with another clever finish, as the Celebs scored two late on while Joe Poole and Kendall forced some saves from the keeper late on. A great ball from Norwood released Kendall through down the centre whose wrapped shot was saved.
That completed an entertaining encounter in front of a great crowd at Mildenhall Town, hosted excellently by the club, Moreton Men and Sellebrity Soccer.
Moreton Men:- 1 Nik Gordejevs, 2 Joe Poole (C), 4 Lewis Shepherd, 6 Cole Skuse, 8 Alfie Hardiman, 9 Dean Nelson, 10 Tyler Lombardo cpt, 12 Harry Romp, 13 Ed Upson, 25 Andrew Wiggins, 31 James Norwood, 5 Ben Mayhew 30 Tristan Nydam, 11 Craig McLaren, 27 Ethan Stevenson, 19 Jacob Malpass, 14 Callum Ronson, 27 Alex Chapman, 20 Greg, 16 Dylan Jessett, 24 Kian Neary, 18 Jack Hardiman, 6 Aidan Stibbs, 2 Scott Miller, 21 Kienan Wade, 23 Nick Lowe, 7 me, 34 Alex Spall, 22 Cameron Regan, 28 Tommy, 17 Liam Marriott, 28 Harry Lally, 15 Dexter Lee,
Sellebrity:- 3 MacDevitt 4 Springett, 5 Berthonneau, 6 jp, 8, 9 bailey, 10 Nightingale, 11 Call the Dragon, 14 Stevi Levy, 15 Kelly, 16 Cooper, 17 Phillips, 18, 20, (Not got a full squad list, some didn't have numbers on)
Booked: Ben Mayhew (23').
Goals: Andrew Wiggins (10'), James Norwood (17', 44'), Ben Mayhew (23'pen, 26'), Dean Nelson (30'), og (37'), Aidan Stibbs (55'pen, 73', 77'), Ed Upson (72', 76'), Alex Spall (73',75'); Bailey (38'pen), 12 (41'), (85'), (87').
PLAYER REACTION:-
REACTION | James Norwood Post Match Interview | Moreton Men v Sellebrity FC |16.08.2026 | Mildenhall Town FC |
Largely experienced EFL striker James Norwood discusses Sunday's game for Moreton Men.
DK: Very good afternoon out, scored a couple of goals. How did you find the experience?
JN: Yeah, I really enjoyed it. It was obviously for a great cause. Came down from Manchester a couple of days ago, so I got to see Ipswich again. It was nice to be back, and a great set of lads, really enjoyed the day. And, you know, it was worth the five-hour trip.
DK: You must be really delighted with those goals.
JN: Yeah, it's always nice to hit the back of the net, regardless of what sort of game it is. You know, I tried my best to get a few of the lads to get some goals. And, you know, I got a couple myself. So it was always enjoyable.
DK: Did you enjoy it more than you expected to?
JN: A hundred percent, yeah. I think it's always nice to play football and then you come into games like this and you know what it's really for, it's for mental health and everything like that. So it's really, really fun to play with lads, you know, who on our team have obviously gone through struggles and you can just see how happy they are when they play football.
DK: What was the driving force behind you being part of this today?
JN: I just think it's a great cause. You know, I think in football, especially, mental health is a massive thing. You've got so much time to yourself and sometimes you're not in the squad and you've got to deal with these things. And, you know, it's really brave of people to come out and speak on mental health and things like that. So, you know, the cause is the main driving factor. It's good to support. You know, you see the smiles on the faces of lads playing with ex-pros and pros and it just makes everything worthwhile.
DK: How does today rank with your football experiences so far?
JN: I've really, really enjoyed today. You know, as I said, if you've got another one, let me know. So I really enjoyed today. It was a lot of fun.
DK: Are you free to play for us next Sunday?
JN: It's a bit far for me at the minute, but if I move back down, you never know.
DK: You're not retired yet, are you?
JN: No, I've still got a little bit of the legs I hope. So hopefully keep going.
DK: You said it was nice to be back down here. Did it bring back those memories?
JN: Yeah, I mean, I was staying in the city centre about two minutes away from the stadium. So I had a little walk past that for a bit of nostalgia. You know, I really enjoyed my time down here and playing in front of great fans in a big stadium. And it was really nice to look back at you know, I don't think you appreciate it as much when you're here. You appreciate it a lot when you've left a big club. It's really nice to come back.
DK: It must make you proud even more so of your career to be playing alongside people like us who are massive Ipswich fans?
JN: Yeah, you know, I don't want it to sound the wrong way, but as the other lad said, that's part of the reason why these lads are enjoying it so much. You know, playing with Trystan, Ed, Skusey, it must be really nice to play with lads that you've watched, and hopefully they're not as rude or a thing as you think they are. And we give ourselves a good review.
DK: What are your highlights from when you were at town?
JN: I just think scoring goals. You know, I really enjoyed everything to do with it. You know, scoring in front of 30,000 people was a special feeling and I loved the support as much as I had of it, but the whole experience of, you know, being a really good professional club and playing in front of great fans.
REACTION | Lewis Shepherd Post Match Interview | Moreton Men v Sellebrity FC |16.08.2026 | Mildenhall Town FC |
Moreton Men Sunday League team captain Lewis Shepherd reflects on the game and how much the organisation means to him.
DK: Very good day for Moreton men and great result.
LS: Yep, yep, we've had a great turnout. We're all happy with how it went, aren't we?!
DK: I know you weren't captain today, but being captain in the XI's (Bury District Sunday League 11 a side team), it must make you even more proud.
LS: Oh yeah, yeah, we've come a really long way in a short time and for me to captain the team for the XI, I really enjoy that. But I had no problem handing on to Tyler today, being a day one player here right from the jump. And yeah, couldn't be more happy for him and Adam and everybody to be fair.
DK: It's a day that Moreton Men really deserve.
LS: Yeah, yeah, they do. A great bunch of people for a great kind of, for a great cause, and everybody here, I think, playing every game this year and getting beat in every game and kind of being down and about. We've had the payoff today, haven't we? All that hard work, all that disappointment time to time, we've really had our payoff today.
DK: How did it feel playing with and against ex-pros and celebs?
LS: Oh, I loved it, mate. I knew all of them from being a child, watching the Town and all that, and then getting to play next to them and kind of chat to them, get to know them, learn a bit from them. Oh, brilliant. I'll remember that for a long time.
DK: Did you expect the scoreline to be like it was?
LS: I don't think anyone did. What did we have? What did it end up? God, yeah, I can't believe that. I mean, well, they were good, but clearly we were a lot better.
DK: As it was said afterwards, we barely scored six goals all season, so...
LS: Yeah, I think we got more in one game than we have in about 20.
DK: And with the season starting back up, it gives us confidence to go and give a good count of ourselves in the league.
LS: Oh, yeah, I mean, we've really shown what we're capable of today, and I wouldn't put that down to who we played with or who we played against. I'd put that down to the fact that we finally found the ability to play like a team, work together, and yeah, we really showed what we're capable of. We were all out there being really confident, doing our thing, not worried about anything, making a mistake or losing the ball. We just went out there and played our game. And might I add, you looked very sharp up top.
DK: Yeah, you've thrown me off there! You've been here for a long time, so it's one of those days that you'll remember forever.
LS: Oh, yeah, I've been here getting on toward about a year now. I think I would have joined about maybe... When did I join? August last year, right before the first game, and yeah, I've been here a year now and I hope to be here for many more.
DK: So especially for you personally, it means even more having a day like this.
LS: Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, Moreton Men, they embody everything that I... They embody something I'm very passionate about in mental health. And yeah, it means more to me that we've managed to raise a little bit of money, put it toward something that really comes close to my heart. And yeah, we will use that to help a lot of great people.
REACTION | Cal The Dragon Post Match Interview | Moreton Men v Sellebrity FC |16.08.2026 | Mildenhall Town FC |
Famous Social Media content creator, largely from TikTok, gives the Sellebrity FC view on the game and why he enjoys playing in Charity Matches.
DK: A nice day out, what did you make of it?
CTD: A great game, it wasn't the best in terms of the wind, but it probably could have done a bit more, but a great game nonetheless.
DK: You've played in many charity games, where does this rank?
CTD: It's definitely up there, the crowd was unbelievable, obviously the scoreline is different to that, but it's not about the scoreline, it's about taking part, raising money for charity and making people's day, and that's the biggest thing, and to play at an incredible club like Mildenhall, it's incredible honestly, I'm so grateful for getting these opportunities.
DK: Like you say, the result didn't go your way today, but it was a good performance from both sides.
CTD: Yes, I just think at times, I think it's slightly sloped when the way it looks on the pitch, but we've got no excuses, we have to be better defensively, and I think we have to finish our chances in that, but it's about charity, that's what it's about, it's nothing about individual things, it's about raising money for charity, making people's day, and just being a part of it.
DK: What's the driving force behind you playing in these games?
CTD: My main attraction is obviously TikTok, with 1.9 million followers as of now, but that's where it mostly came from, I started gaining from there, and it just got bigger and bigger, and I got invited to play my first charity match in 2021, and I've been doing them ever since then, and I'm grateful to be playing in these games, and always will be, until the day I retire from playing.
DK: You've played at places like Wembley, haven't you?
CTD: I've played at Charlton Athletic, Emirates, West Ham, I've played at some of these big grounds, there's nothing compared to that, but in terms of facilities for a club like this, it's incredible, and I'll give hands up to them.
DK: Does it feel any different to those experiences?
CTD: Obviously it's a smaller ground, so it can be a bit more menacing than a bigger stadium, because you've got crowds closer to you, and you get the atmosphere better, unlike the West Ham where the pitch is really far from the stands, and I think I tend to see these grounds sell out a lot more with these charity games, and the Sidemen game showed up quite a lot when I played in it, and it still does today. It's an incredible day, and I'm so grateful for it.
DK: When's your next one?
CTD: I don't think it's until after my birthday, which is a week on Monday, as of today, so the next time I play a charity match will be when I turn 26.
Transcribed by TurboScribe. Go Unlimited to remove this message.
