Nuneaton Borough v Needham Market | 25.10.2022 | The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division Game 11 |

Knights' Late Header Earns Needham A Deserved Point

An even encounter at Nuneaton Borough's Liberty Way ends in a share of the spoils as Needham Market respond from Saturday's defeat at Stratford Town with a good all round team performance on Tuesday night. 

Manager Kevin Horlock reverted back to the team that beat Maidstone United to set up an Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper trip to League One strugglers Burton Albion, as Hugh Cullum and Jacob Lay started in place of Harry Knights and Colchester loanee Kaan Bennett. 

In truth clear cut chances were few and far between, though it was the home side who forced an early good save from Needham goalkeeper Marcus Garnham in the 4th minute. A right wing corner found Charlie Dowd in space on the left-hand edge of the box, though the midfielder's low volley driven towards Garnham's bottom right hand corner was matched by a strong save from the shot-stopper, to beat it behind for a corner. 

The first half was an even affair in terms of chances, with Needham looking to hit Nuneaton on the break. This time it was the Marketmen who were denied the opening goal on 15 minutes, great passing play from the Suffolk side, wearing their yellow away kit, saw Kyle Hammond, Luke Ingram and Noah Collard work the ball around nicely. Ross Crane the. Latched onto a great through-ball down the right-hand side before cleverly beating his defender to drive into the box, although his low fierce shot at the near post was beaten behind by the diving Breeden at his near post. 

While Nuneaton saw a close range shot denied three minutes later, Kane Richards drove onto the left-hand edge of the box, only to fire a rasping drive narrowly wide of Garnham's top far corner on 26 minutes. 

At the other end, the visitors went close three minutes later, Jacob Lay drove through dangerously onto the left-hand byline, though his cutback towards Luke Ingram was cleared away by a home defender. 

Charlie Dowd meanwhile had two chances for Nuneaton in the space of 3 minutes, the first of which saw possession fall to the midfielder in space on the left-hand edge of the box, although his volley went just wide of the bottom near corner after 33 minutes, whilst his second attempt saw a first time shot in space on the right-hand edge of the area comfortably held by Garnham at his bottom near corner. 

Great play from the away side though was unfortunate not to result in the first goal of the game on 38 minutes, Jacob Lay threaded Luke Ingram down the left-hand side of the box, but the forward's shot while weaving towards goal went just wide of the bottom far corner. 

The last chance of the half then fell to the visitors on 44 minutes, Kyle Hammond's sumputous left wing corner was creeping underneath goalkeeper Breeden's crossbar, forcing the 'keeper to tip it over for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, the ball fell to midfielder Christian Frimpong, but the latter's effort from the edge of the box was parried away by Breeden at his right hand post.

This game followed a similar script to the previous meeting at Liberty Way between the two sides in last November - which saw Nuneaton strike first in the second half before Needham came from behind courtesy of goals from Harvey Sayer and Luke Ingram to win 2-1 - only this time the Marketmen came away with a deserved point, which could have been all three had play went on for a few minutes more.

After the home side took the lead, this time on 50 minutes - Prince Mancinelli was fed through down the right wing by Charlie Dowd, who in turn delivered a good ball into the midfielder to glance a header home into the bottom far corner - Needham dominated possession and the majority of the major chances. 

In response, a 40-yard Needham free-kick was looped over by the head of captain Daniel Morphew after 56 minutes, while a Kyle Hammond cross which hung dangerous underneath Breeden's crossbar was held well by the stopper two minutes later.

On the hour mark, Ross Crane then flashed a good 30-yard strike narrowly wide of Breeden's bottom far right-hand corner, while the home side forced a good save out of Marcus Garnham a minute later. A dangerous cutback saw Kane Richards' close range shot towards the roof of the net instinctively parried away by Marcus Garnham, albeit Dowd was offside as he blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

At the other end on 77 minutes, Hugh Cullum - who at this stage was playing right wing-back - drove into acres of space down the right wing before fizzing a good ball across the face of goal, although Breeden dived down well to hold onto it.

Four minutes later, the Marketmen got their deserved equaliser, Man Of The Match Kyle Hammond's left wing corner picked out substitute defender Harry Knights free at the back post to direct a close range bullet header into the near post which Breeden could only slap into his own net, 1-1. 

While Ross Crane saw a cross into the box lunches away by Breeden, a crucial save from Marcus Garnham denied Nuneaton from snatching all 3 points on 89 minutes. Substitute Ryan Beswick floated in a dangerous ball on the right-hand byline, helped on by a header across goal towards Kane Richards, whose low shot from close range was smothered and well held by the quick reactions of Marcus Garnham, down to his right hand side. 

A good response from Horlock's side, following last weekend's defeat at Stratford, who will be looking to back that point up when they host Bedford Town at Bloomfields on Saturday (3pm).

Nuneaton Borough:-

13 Tony Breeden

2 Christopher Cox

3 Kane Richards

15 Aaron Forde (78' Beswick)

20 Isaiah Osbourne 

6 Scott McManus (c) (73' Magunda)

18 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner

8 Charlie Dowd

9 Matthew Stenson (87' James)

10 Cain Noble

11 Prince Mancinelli

Subs:

4 Ryan Beswick

1 Liam Castle (GK)

5 Joseph Magunda

7 Luke Benbow

14 Revarnelle James

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Jake Dye

14 Christian Frimpong

5 Hugh Cullum

6 Daniel Morphew (c)

7 Jacob Lay

8 Noah Collard (65' Bennett)

9 Luke Ingram (78' McGrath)

10 Tom Fitzgerald (72' Knights)

11 Ross Crane

Subs:

12 Jamie McGrath

15 Harry Knights

16 Taylor Clark

17 Taykaan (Kaan) Bennett

4 Seth Chambers

Booked: Fitzgerald (19'), Rowe-Turner (24'), Dowd (37'), Stenson (87'), Crane (88').

Needham assist: Hammond (81').

Goals: Dowd (50'); Knights (81').

Needham Market v Maidstone United | 15.10.2022 | Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round |

Ingram volleys Marketmen to FA Cup History

Needham Market advance to the Emirates FA Cup 1st Round Proper for the first time in the club's history, following a well deserved victory over Vanarama National League side Maidstone United.

Manager Kevin Horlock made 2 changes to last weekend's disappointing FA Trophy defeat to Stourbridge, as captain Keiran Morphew and midfielder Patrick Brothers missed out through injury, with Hugh Cullum and Tom Fitzgerald starting in their place. 

Fittingly, Luke Ingram was at the club when Needham last made the Fourth Qualifying Round of the famous English club cup competition, in a 1-0 home defeat to then Conference (now National League) side Cambridge United, though Keiran Morphew also missed out that day through injury as well. Who better than Ingram himself to score the goal to make club history?!

The Southern League Central Premier Division side started the game brightly, looking to emulate their FA Trophy exploits of last season, which saw the Marketmen overcome National League side Wealdstone and Yeovil Town (on penalties) and then National League North promotion hunters Dartford. That they did deservedly, in professional fashion, with all in Needham Red worthy of being named Man Of The Match - that honour however went to Kyle Hammond, as selected by Match Sponsors George Barker (Europe).

The Reds had the first chance in the third minute, a clever corner fell to Hugh Cullum whose effort from point blank range was well held by diving goalkeeper Yusup Mersin.

Six minutes later, the crucial breakthrough arrived for the home side following a cleverly worked goal. Jake Dye's sumputous left wing cross over to the far post found Luke Ingram, the club's all time appearance maker was alert to sneak in ahead of the defender to head the ball down before beating his defender to the loose ball and half volley the ball past the onrushing Mersin and into the bottom far corner from point blank range, 1-0 Needham.

The home defence, who have now kept 6 clean sheets in their last 8 games - conceding just 2 goals - were resolute throughout, with Marcus Garnham mainly having to smartly collect or tip away dangerous set pieces into his six yard box. 

It was almost 2-0 to Needham after 18 minutes, winger Jacob Lay threaded Noah Collard through one on one, with goalkeeper Yusup Mersin, where the midfielder finished cooly into the bottom right hand corner - only to be chalked off by the assistant referee's offside flag. 

At the other end, arguably Maidstone's best chance of the afternoon arrived in the 27th minute as Regan Booty's dangerously curling free-kick, towards Garnham's near post, on the left hand edge of the box crashed back into play off the face of the crossbar, while Ellul's effort in the follow up was crucially deflected behind for a corner. 

Just after the half-hour mark, Maidstone looked to threaten again, though Ryan Galvin - who had been threaded through dangerously down the left hand side - saw his dangerous low ball across the face of goal smothered behind well by the diving Garnham at his near post. 

While real clear cut chances were ultimately at a premium, the Marketmen were full value for their victory, and they almost doubled their lead on 43 minutes. Ross Crane first showed good control to cushion down a great ball over the top well with his head before beating the defender for pace to then spin round and weave inside onto the edge of the box, only for his curled strike across goal to crash back into play agonisingly off the face of the crossbar.

The second half saw the Marketmen continue in the same manner, with Luke Ingram denied by a good stop from goalkeeper Mersin after 59 minutes. The goalscorer, who moved a goal away from a century of Needham goals with his winning goal, who is also the club's all time record appearance maker, surged through onto a great through-ball down the left wing, the striker then drove inside well onto the edge of the box where his low shot smashed across goal was palmed away by the diving Mersin. 

Two minutes later, the visiting 'keeper was then drawn into a decent stop to deny Noah Collard. The Needham midfielder picked up possession well down the left hand side of the box before working space to shoot, while his first effort was well blocked his follow up effort down towards the bottom near corner was well held by Mersin. 

At the other end, Needham 'keeper Marcus Garnham was on hand to tip away a dangerous Maidstone corner after 65 minutes, setting up Ross Crane to break on the counter - though the winger's shot, after twisting and turning in the penalty area, was deflected behind for a Needham corner.

Garnham meanwhile was alert to smother a dangerous ball into his six yard box 3 minutes later, while Jacob Lay was denied by some strong defending on 74 minutes. 

With what proved to be the final piece of noteable action of the Marketmen's historic win, Lay latched onto a great long ball ahead of the charging Mersin, albeit his low shot was crucially blocked by a recovering defender, protecting an otherwise empty net. 

The home side battled well to see out the remaining 14 minutes and 5 minutes of stoppage time to book their spot into Monday (17th October)'s televised Emirates FA Cup 1st Round Proper draw for the first time in their history, live on BBC2 - which comes on air at 7pm. The Marketmen, after 3 weeks of Cup action, return to league action on Saturday (22nd October) at Stratford Town in just the Marketmen's 4th away game of the season and 15th (10th in the league) of the season so far in all competitions.

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Jake Dye

14 Christian Frimpong

5 Hugh Cullum

6 Daniel Morphew (c)

7 Jacob Lay (79' Bennett)

8 Noah Collard (88' Knights)

9 Luke Ingram (72' McGrath)

10 Tom Fitzgerald

11 Ross Crane

Subs:

12 Jamie McGrath

15 Harry Knights

16 Taylor Clark 

17 Kaan Bennett

18 Seth Chambers

GK Finlay Shorten

Maidstone United:-

30 Yusup Mersin (GK)

2 Gavin Hoyte (c)

3 Ryan Galvin

4 Joe Ellul 

8 San Corne   

10 Jack Barham 

12 Jacob Mensah 

15 Regan Booty    

17 Christie Pattisson (58' Fawole)

20 Roarie Deacon

22 Dylan Barkers (HT' Alabi)

Subs:

7 James Alabi 

14 Dominic Odusanya

16 Josh Fawole

27 Perri Iandolo 

28 Harley Earle (GK)

29 Bivesh Gurung

34 Jack Cawley

Booked: Hammond (26'), Corne (40'), Alabi (80').

Needham Assist: Dye (9').

Goal: Ingram (9').

Great Yarmouth Town v Needham Market U23 | 05.10.2022 | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Challenge Cup 2nd Round |

Needham Market Under-23s record their first ever victory over Great Yarmouth Town following a deserved 2-0 victory at The Wellesley to progress to the Third Round of the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup.

The encounter, which was goalless at the break with the Marketmen arguably having the better chances in an entertaining and fairly tight first half, was the second between the sides in under two months after Yarmouth won the first meeting in the First Division North, ahead of the reverse fixture on October 22nd.

This time around it was the young Marketmen who took their chances after the break, despite the Reds having some good chances also in the first half. The away side had the first chance after 5 minutes, looping a header just over the bar from a right wing corner. 

At the other end though, Yarmouth's best chance of the first half followed just two minutes later, after a left wing free-kick found a Yarmouth man free from close range whose header went just over the crossbar. 

Thirteen minutes in, the visitors had another great chance to break the deadlock, a great left wing cross picked out Tom Fitzgerald free on the edge of the box, though the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the bottom near corner. 

A smart save however from goalkeeper Reuben Lane denied the young Reds after 21 minutes, Taylor Clark was threaded through past the defence by a great through-ball, although Lane narrowed down the angle well, advancing, to smother the shot. 

Great passing play meanwhile from the away side almost provided a breakthrough two minutes later, Harry Knights picked out Fitzgerald, who in turn fed Sam Leslie, the centre-back in turn fed Ben Smith down the right wing, the defender then cleverly threaded the ball onto Seth Chambers - in space on the edge of the box - who couldn't quite control the ball as it ran through to goalkeeper Lane, while the Needham captain then saw a low shot deflected behind the far right hand post a minute later. 

The young Marketmen started the second half on the front foot and we're quickly awarded a penalty, two minutes after the restart as Lane rushed off his line and fouled the Needham man running through on goal. Up stepped Archie Exworth, who cooly sent Lane the wrong way, to dispatch his fifth goal of the season for the Under-23s into the bottom right hand corner, 1-0 Needham.

Taylor Clark then curled a 20-yard shot narrowly over the top right hand corner on 52 minutes, before the visitors saw a fierce strike towards the bottom right hand corner well held by Lane six minutes later. 

And with 15 minutes left on the clock, captain Seth Chambers thumped home a great finish to double his side's advantage, the striker exploited space well on the edge of the box before drilling home past Lane into the bottom right hand corner, 2-0 Needham.

After that however, Yarmouth sprung into life, forcing two good stops from Needham goalkeeper Fin Shorten, who was searching for his third straight clean sheet - having kept two consecutive clean sheets in the first team before going away on holiday - and fourth of the season.

In truth, it was a great all round performance from the Marketmen, although Shorten was alert after 81 minutes to advance off his line and smother a Yarmouth shot.

The home side then found a man in space inside the box, following a clever quick corner, but his low shot went comfortably wide of the bottom near corner on 84 minutes. 

A minute later, the hosts headed a good right wing ball into the box wide of the near post, before George Cousins raced through onto the right-hand side of the box, only to fire his shot wide of the top far corner on 90 minutes.

Yarmouth though were thwarted by a great save from Shorten a minute later, a great ball over the top released the hosts free from close range, whose shot at the bottom left hand corner was well saved by the diving legs of Fin Shorten. 

That proved to be the final noteable action of the night, as the young Reds advance to the next round and look forward to the Third Round draw on Friday (7th October), with the next round set to be played on the 8th or 9th of November. The Reds are back in home action, for just the third time this season, on Saturday (8th October) as they welcome SIL Senior Division side Bildeston Rangers to Bloomfields (1pm) in the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup First Round in the first of a double header of cup action, ahead of the First Team's Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round home tie against league opponents Stourbridge (3pm).

Great Yarmouth Town:-

1 Reuben Lane

2 Adam Willets (70' Perry)

3 Gerson Soares (82' Melo)

4 George Barnden

5 Brady Philpott 

6 Tyler Halliday

7 Brad McQueen (70' Fenn)

8 Harlen Roberts (55' Duffield)

9 George Cousins

10 Jordan Cantwell (c)

11 Ryan Jacobs

Subs:

12 Regan Perry

14 Jesse Fenn

15 Tyrese Melo

16 Louis Duffield

17 Naigen Gomes Lopes

Needham Market U23:-

1 Finlay Shorten

2 Ben Smith 

3 Brandon Greenleaf

4 Tom Fitzgerald

5 Sam Leslie

6 Harry Knights (82' Igwebuike)

7 Ollie Fraser (HT' Vance)

8 Archie Exworth

9 Seth Chambers (c)

10 Taylor Clark

11 Dimitri Gayle

Subs:

14 Lucas Vance

15 Mahmoud (Mo) Igwebuike

16 Travis Buxton 

Booked: Grogan (36'), Willets (43'), Roberts (50').

Sin Binned: Exworth (35'), Philpott (90'+2').

Goals: Exworth (48'pen), Chambers (75').

Needham Market U23 v AFC Sudbury Reserves | 27.09.2022 | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division North |

Needham Market Under-23s pick up their first win of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League First Division North season after coming back from 2 early goals down to beat AFC Sudbury Reserves 3-2 at Bloomfields.

The victory also sees the Reds move off the bottom of the table in what was the team's second home competitive match of the campaign - having drawn 1-1 with Diss Town in their only over home match so far. 

But it was the visitors who raced into a 2-0 lead after nine minutes, following two goals in as many minutes. After Billy Walsh's dangerous right hand squared ball across the six yard box was pushed away by the diving Lawrence, the rebound fell to Vorobei who finished cooly, first time, just out of reach of the goalkeeper and into the left-hand corner from close range.

Soom after, it was 0-2 as Fernandez's left wing free-kick found Carroll leap highest from point blank range to direct a bullet header into the net. 

The latter meanwhile then forced a great save from Lawrence three minutes later, a right wing cross again picked out the goalscorer from close range, although his header was well saved by the outstretched arm of the Needham goalkeeper, with Hugh Cullum quickest to the rebound to smack the ball behind.

The Marketmen then quickly grew into the game and quickly found their rhythm, first Archie Exworth's close range shot towards the bottom right hand corner was well beaten away by Wicks after 13 minutes, while the midfielder exploited space before firing a dipping strike just over the top right-hand corner from 30-yards out, four minutes later. 

Soon after, a great team counter attack almost brought a goal back for the hosts, a great slide tackle from Hugh Cullum found Flynn Crosthwaite who threaded a brilliant through-ball to Lucas Vance, who drove through down the left wing, the winger then weaved inside onto the left-hand edge of the box to get a shoot off, though his low strike was comfortable for Wicks. 

The hosts then waited little time before halving the deficit on 19 minutes, Lucas Vance again raced through down the left wing to deliver a brilliant low ball on a plate for captain Luke Ingram to tap home from point blank range at the near post, 1-2. 

Six minutes later, the home side went close again, Taylor Clark's dangerous free-kick on the right-hand edge of the box was swung into a Needham player free from point blank range, but his far post header looped just over the crossbar. 

Just after the half-hour mark, Luke Ingram then stung Wicks' hands with a fierce shot on the right-hand edge of the box, while at the over end a sensational save from Lawrence Robinson thwarted a third Sudbury goal four minutes later. 

Robinson was again called into a superb diving stop on 36 minutes, this time diving down well to his right-hand side to parry away a fierce 30-yard strike.

While Luke Ingram fired a shot straight from the restart straight into the 'keeper's chest, Liam Pearce at the other end fired wide on the spin from distance four minutes later. 

Needham though started the half brightly and went close to an equaliser on 54 minutes, Ollie Fraser drove through down the right-hand side of the box only to see his great ball smashed across the six yard box gathered by Wicks. 

After Vorobei's tap in was denied by an offside flag just before the hour mark, the Marketmen deservedly levelled proceedings after 63 minutes, Taylor Clark chipped a great ball over the top, finding Archie Exworth in space, whose powerful downward header was spilt by Wicks and into the top near corner, 2-2. 

Exworth though couldn't match that feat 11 minutes later, as his header from Lucas Vance's right wing cross went off target, whilst Sudbury curled a dangerous free-kick just over the top left hand corner three minutes later.

Needham however turned the game on it's head on 81 minutes, Ollie Fraser raced through down the right wing before squaring the ball to Exworth, the midfielder's close range first time strike however was well smothered by the diving Wicks, only as far as the onrushing Dimtri Gayle, who cooly swept home the rebound into the bottom right hand corner, 3-2 Needham. 

Three minutes later, Lucas Vance meanwhile was denied from making it 4-2 to the hosts after a great save from Wicks. The winger drove through on goal, only to see his low shot towards the bottom left hand corner well saved by a strong foot of the diving keeper.

A much needed victory for the Under-23s, who travel to Great Yarmouth Town on Wednesday night (5th October) in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Challenge Cup 2nd Round (7:45pm).

Needham Market U23:-

1 Lawrence Robinson

2 Ben Smith

3 Ivan Sanchez (76' Greenleaf)

4 Flynn Crosthwaite

5 Harry Knights (64' Letts)

6 Hugh Cullum

7 Ollie Fraser

8 Taylor Clark

9 Luke Ingram (c) (63' Gayle)

10 Archie Exworth

11 Lucas Vance

Subs:

12 Travis Buxton

14 James Letts

15 Mahmoud (Mo) Igwebuike

16 Brandon Greenleaf

17 Dimitri Gayle

AFC Sudbury Reserves:-

47 Lloyd Wicks

63 James Eveleigh 

28 Brad Byrne (c)

18 Joe Carroll

7 Brae Smith (68' Soode)

71 Billy Walsh

75 Liam Pearce

11 Reuben Swann

21 Dylan Kirk

97 Yehor Vorobei (66' Zelewski)

48 Brodie Fernandez

(71' Bennett)

Subs:

73 Alex Zelewski

51 Jensen Soode 

49 Cody Bennett

Booked: Carroll (53'), Byrne (85').

Goals: Ingram (19'), Exworth (63'), Gayle (81'); Vorobei (7'), Carroll (9').

Sporting 87 v Benhall St. Mary | 01.10.2022 | Macron Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division |

Sporting 87 record an important first home league win since their promotion into the Macron Suffolk & Ipswich League Senior Division with a deserved 4-1 win over Benhall St Mary.

Jon Warnock's side had conceded two late equalisers in recent weeks, but had no such issues this week against a good side in Benhall St Mary, with all the goals arriving in the second half. 

The home side started brightly, James Smith broke through quickly down the right wing in the fourth minute, but for his dangerous strike to flash just past the bottom far corner. 

While the home side soon fired over from inside the box a minute later, the blues went close to an opening goal after 11 minutes. Adrian Moyles' brilliant right wing corner found Kerrin Lawrence rise highest in the six yard box, but the latter's header went just over at the far post. 

A combination of a good save from a goalkeeper and a goal-line clearance denied the home side three minutes later, James Smith again broke through down the right wing, this time squaring a great ball across the six yard box to Jack Edwards, the midfielder spun well but only saw his low shot instinctively saved by the diving Harvey Garnham, with the defender on hand to hack it away to safety. 

At the other end, Benhall had their first chance of the afternoon on 24 minutes, as a left wing cross turned shot across goal went just wide of the bottom far corner. 

Back down the other end, the woodwork thwarted Sporting from breaking the deadlock a minute later, Jack Edwards hooked a great ball over the top to Sam Fenning, the striker then rounded the goalkeeper only to see his low shot crash behind off the outside base of the near left-hand post from a tight angle. 

My Man Of The Match, Sporting left-back Adrian Moyles again created a great chance for the hosts on 28 minutes. His brilliant left wing cross again found Sam Fenning free at the back post, whose header from point blank range was deflected over the bar by a defender. 

A minute later, Sporting again were denied by the woodwork as Moyles' great ball in from the right wing was diverted agonisingly onto the face of the near upright. 

Sporting continued to play good football, though Benhall proved hard to break down, with home captain Elliott Chaplin being teed up cleverly by Luca Taylor-Footer, although the former's strike from just outside the box was fired just wide of the bottom left hand corner on 40 minutes. 

Sam Fenning then whipped in a great right wing hanging cross into the danger area, finding Jack Edwards, whose point blank range header at the far post somehow didn't quite end up in the back of the net. 

At the break, Jon Warnock made two changes to his side - utilising the rolling substitutes rule, and it paid dividends with Jarrod Lebbon and Will Firrell helping to provide that extra bit they needed, with the latter in particular breaking the deadlock himself. 

Before that though, Firrell saw his dangerous low ball across goal cleared off the line at the far bottom left hand corner, four minutes after the restart, while Firrell teed up Lebbon on the edge of the box, whose shot towards the bottom left hand far corner was well held onto by Garnham. 

Sporting on the other hand did break the deadlock after 52 minutes, before quickly doubling their advantage two minutes later. First, after Will Firrell latched onto a great through-ball down the right-hand side, the forward finished cooly past the onrushing Garnham into the bottom far corner. 

And like buses, it was 2-0 to the home side, Jack Edwards exploited space from 30-yards out on the left-hand side to fire a sumputous rocket of a strike, which dipped into the top far corner. 

A good save from the outstretched arm of Harvey Garnham meanwhile denied Sporting from a third goal ten minutes later. Great team play saw substitute Tom Wright fed by Kerrin Lawrence down the right wing, who drove through smartly before chipping a great ball over the top, finding Edwards, the goalscorer in turn flicked it onto fellow scorer Firrell whose header was tipped away well by the onrushing Garnham. 

But with 24 minutes left on the clock, Sporting raced into a 3-0 lead after another great ball into the far post from Moyles, on the right wing, found Kerrin Lawrence leaping highest from close range, whose bullet header nestled into the far corner.

Benhall however provided a quick response to potentially turn the game on it's head in the 71st minute. A ball into the box wasn't cleared as captain Tom Winter was first to the loose ball on the left-hand edge of the six yard box to smartly thump home into the gaping bottom far corner, 3-1. 

But it was the home side that had the remaining better chances for the remainder of the afternoon. Substitute Harry Bennett's great cross in was cleared only as far as Jarrod Lebbon whose volley towards the bottom right hand corner went just wide of the post on 83 minutes. 

Firrell meanwhile drew a great save from Garnham four minutes later, the forward was threaded through cleverly one on one with the stopper, who had rushed off his line to smother the shot well. 

Luca Taylor-Footer on the other hand rounded off the scoring with a superb finish, that was ultimately the final action of the encounter, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, curling and dipping an outrageous left wing free-kick into the top far corner, to wrap up his side's second win in the Senior Division, with the Blues now sat in seventh ahead of the club's first ever Suffolk Senior Cup tie next Saturday at home to fellow league opponents Trimley Red Devils. 

Sporting 87:-

1 Kurt Wakefield

2 Luke Taylor (63' Wright)

3 Adrian Moyles (84' Sheeham)

4 Elliott Chaplin (c)

5 Dan Steed (HT' Ferriel)

6 Kerrin Lawrence

7 Luca Taylor-Footer

8 James Smith (HT' Lebbon)

9 Sam Fenning (67' Bennett)

10 Sam Marsden

11 Jack Edwards

Subs:

12 Harry Bennett

14 Tom Wright

15 Will Firrell

16 Jarrod Lebbon

17 Matt Sheeham

Benhall St Mary:-

1 Harvey Garnham

2 Josh Lazarus (57' Whiting)

3 Tyler Scammell

4 Ross Pemberton

5 Taylor Gissing

6 Sam Calver

7 Nathan Baker

8 Ryan Eagle

9 Witness Mhango

10 Tom Winter (c)

11 Jamie Whiting (32' Crane) (86' Edmunds)

Subs:

12 Kiren Gilmore

14 Andrew Crane

15 Aaron Edmunds

Booked: Calver (18'), Whiting (51').

Goals: Firrell (52'), Edwards (54'), Lawrence (66'), Taylor-Footer (90'+4'); Winter (71').

Kings Langley v Needham Market | 26.09.2022 | The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division, Game 9 |

Two wins in as many days extends Needham Market's winning run to five successive wins in all competitions following a second half Ryan Viggars brace at Kings Langley's Orbital Fasteners Stadium.

Manager Kevin Horlock made one change to Saturday's team that beat Mickleover at home by the same scoreline, with Seth Chambers returning to the squad, in place of Taylor Clark, and starting ahead of Ryan Viggars. 

The result also makes it four clean sheets in a row in all competitions (five in total), three of which have came in the league, coupled with the fact that it's the Marketmen's first away win at the third attempt this campaign and their second clean sheet on their travels. 

The Marketmen were arguably full value for their victory, as the visitors started brightly and had an early good chance after just two minutes, Ross Crane drove through well down the right wing, but after cutting inside onto the edge of the box his low shot was deflected behind for a corner. 

Seth Chambers meanwhile had the first shot on target five minutes later, although the forward's powerful shot from the left wing edge of the box was well held by the goalkeeper. 

A quick clever corner from Needham after 10 minutes saw Kyle Hammond's ferocious strike from Crane's low corner smack into the backside of a defender from the edge of the box. 

Soon after, good pressure from the Marketmen almost provided the first goal of the night, Chambers closed down the goalkeeper well, forcing the stopper to clear the ball away as far as Patrick Brothers, whose awkward first time 35-yard shot went wide of the target and straight to the relieved goalkeeper Hafed Al-Droubi.

Danger man Jacob Lay was then threaded through well inside the box, the winger cleverly teed the ball up for the arriving Crane, though the latter's shot was well blocked after 16 minutes. 

Just five minutes later, Patrick Brothers was denied by a smart reflex save from Hafed Al-Droubi, the midfielder exploited space well to advance onto the left-hand edge of the box, only for his low fierce strike to be beaten away well by the diving goalkeeper at his near post. 

After great team passing play, Needham broke through once again, moments later. Jake Dye was threaded through down the left-hand side, though his dangerous low ball across the six yard box was cleared behind for a corner. 

Two minutes later, a brilliant long ball from Kyle Hammond released Jacob Lay through inside the box, albeit the winger couldn't quite control the ball as well as he would've liked. 

Once again, more great pressure from Seth Chambers forced a brief scary moment for the home goalkeeper on the half-hour mark. The striker hared down the left wing in search of a great long ball, resulting in the goalkeeper rushing out off his box to clear the ball away, only for his clearance to cannon back off the leaping striker's back and just wide into the near side-netting of the Langley goal. 

The chances continued to fall for the Marketmen on 41 minutes, Ross Crane hared through down the right wing before seeing his low driven ball across the face of goal well held by the 'keeper. 

At the other end however, Kings Langley had their first real chance of the night a minute later, a cutback from the left-hand side picked out Jellis in space, but the latter's first time shot went just wide of Shorten's bottom right-hand corner.

In response, the Marketmen, sporting their yellow away kit, tested Al-Droubi once more just before the interval, this time Kyle Hammond was fed into space on the right-hand edge of the box before unleashing a ferocious low shot at goal, which was well saved by the goalkeeper down at his near post. 

Kings Langley however started the second half the brighter, but found the visiting defence tough to break down, Adebiyi meanwhile latched onto a great ball across the face of goal at the far left hand post, but his angled shot went wide into the side-netting after 52 minutes. 

A superb block ahead of the goal-line however denied the hosts' shot following a corner, while Fin Shorten was on hand to beat away Jellis' long range fierce strike down at his near left-hand post. 

After that though the Marketmen, reinvigorated by substitute Ryan Viggars, broke the deadlock on the hour mark. The Charlton Athletic loanee, who had only been on the pitch five minutes, picked up his maiden Needham goal on what could potentially be his final appearance of his loan spell, after smashing home the loose ball into the middle of the net from close range, 1-0 Needham.

Although Kings Langley saw a left wing free-kick shot just wide at the far post five minutes later, the Marketmen went straight up the other end and doubled their lead in clinical fashion. 

Like buses, Viggars quickly notched his second Needham goal in just six minutes, benefiting from a sumputous defence splitting pass from Jacob Lay, to break through down the left-hand side of the box with just Al-Droubi to beat, which he duly did as the striker confidently fired home into the bottom near corner from close range, 2-0 Needham.

Noah Collard on the other hand fired over the crossbar from outside the box seconds later, while an offside flag denied the midfielder what would've been his first goal of the season. After Crane threaded the former through smartly on the left-hand overlap, Collard's strike from a tight angle was deflected into the roof of the net.

The home side though forced a fine save out of Fin Shorten four minutes into stoppage time. With the last noteable action of the game, the hosts threaded a man through down the left-hand side whose low shot across goal was well held by Shorten. 

Needham's attention now switches to Saturday's Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round home clash with Isthmian Premier Division side Brightlingsea Regent on Friday 30th September (8pm). 

Kings Langley:-

1 Hafed Al-Droubi

2 Ryan Case

3 Alexander Lafleur

4 Jorell Johnson

5 Aryantaj Tajbakhsh

6 Jaden Ogwuazor (15' Parkes)

7 James Mulley

8 Emmanuel Adebiyi (67' Tajbakhsh)

9 Kennedy Feyi (HT' Keller)

10 Harrison Crawford (c)

11 Jamie Jellis

Subs:

12 Cain Keller

14 Noyan Tajbakhsh

15 Wilson De Carvalho

16 Deago Dunbar-Bonnie

17 Jordan Parkes

Needham Market:-

1 Finlay Shorten

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Jake Dye

14 Christian Frimpong

5 Keiran Morphew (c)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Jacob Lay

8 Noah Collard (80' Fitzgerald)

9 Seth Chambers (55' Viggars)

10 Patrick Brothers (89' McGrath)

11 Ross Crane

Subs:

12 Tom Fitzgerald

15 Ryan Viggars

16 Jamie McGrath

17 Evan Collard

18 Hugh Cullum 

Booked: Viggars (58'), N.Tajbakhsh (90'+1').

Needham Assist: Lay (66').

Goals: Viggars (60', 66').

Needham Market v Mickleover | 24.09.2022 | The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division, Game 8 |

LAY AT THE DOUBLE AS NEEDHAM PICK UP THREE WINS IN ALL COMPETITIONS

A goal in each half from Jacob Lay moves Needham up to fifth, into the playoff places, following a 2-0 home win over Mickleover at Bloomfields.

Manager Kevin Horlock made three changes for his side's return to Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division action, after the 2-0 Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round win over lower league side Sheringham, former Academy Graduate and goalkeeper Finlay Shorten made his second first team debut, following his summer return, in place of the injured Marcus Garnham, with Jake Dye in for Hugh Cullum and Charlton Athletic loanee Ryan Viggars leading the line instead of Jamie McGrath.

The Marketmen dominated proceedings for large periods of the encounter, which saw both sides reduced to ten men before the interval, rounded off by a brace by the in-form Jacob Lay, who is now the team's top scorer with five goals in his last four appearances. 

In truth, shots on target were ultimately at a premium for either side, as the home side defended resolutely to keep their third consecutive clean sheet. 

The Marketmen had an early chance after 3 minutes, Ross Crane's corner found Christian Frimpong in space at the near post, but the midfielder's flick went wide of the near post.

At the other end, good defending from first Kyle Hammond and returning goalkeeper Finlay Shorten denied Watt twice in quick succession two minutes later. After Watt was threaded through onto the left-hand side of the box, the latter fired a good low shot towards the near post, although Hammond was well placed sliding down to divert it behind the near post for a corner. 

From the resulting set-piece, Watt was found free at the far post but his heavy touch was well held by goalkeeper Finlay Shorten. 

The Marketmen meanwhile went close again themselves on 8 minutes, a great ball over the top from Patrick Brothers released Jacob Lay through inside the box, the winger then smashed a great ball across goal towards Ross Crane but was hacked behind by Dolan.

Davidson-Miller meanwhile unleashed a 30-yard fierce snapshot wide of Shorten's bottom right-hand corner on 11 minutes, while the striker's strike from inside the box, a minute later, was well held by Shorten at his bottom near right-hand corner. 

Patrick Brothers then fired a fierce 30-yard shot over the bar on 13 minutes, while the Marketmen broke the deadlock after 21 minutes. Ross Crane's right wing corner was flicked on well by the towering Dan Morphew, the ball then fell to Jacob Lay from 3-yards out who cooly poked home his fourth Needham goal through the 'keeper's legs and into the middle of the net, 1-0 Needham.

The goal galvanised the Marketmen, who quickly went close again after 27 minutes, Lay threaded Jake Dye through on the overlap, down the left-hand side of the box, the full-back's shot though, following his dangerous jinking run towards goal, was headed just past his own near post by Butler, who recovered well to hack it away and prevent a corner. 

Six minutes later, after Kyle Hammond became the first player to be cautioned for a foul out on Mickleover's left wing, the visitors were denied by the woodwork, as a header across goal crashed back into play off the face of the left-hand upright.

Hammond though was soon shown a second yellow card a minute later, reducing the Marketmen to 10 men after 34 minutes, although Mickleover were also reduced to ten men just 7 minutes later, after Joseph Bateman was shown a straight red card for a bad tackle on Noah Collard on the halfway line. 

Mickleover though had the final chance of the opening half as Dale's long range strike crashes back into play off the face of the top right-hand post, as far as the lurking Bennett whose close range shot went straight into Fin Shorten's chest. 

The Marketmen started the second half brightly, almost doubling their advantage on 48 minutes, after Ryan Viggars was ruled offside as the striker's shot was smothered behind by the onrushing goalkeeper Jonathan Headge, some great play from the Marketmen was desperately close to a second Needham goal. Noah Collard started the move by feeding Ryan Viggars, who in turn teed up Patrick Brothers, the latter whom exploited space well to drive onto the left-hand edge of the box, but for his low shot to go agonisingly a centimetre wide of the bottom far corner. 

Ten minutes later, Viggars was so close to latching onto an inviting ball across the six yard box, at the near post, while Jake Dye's dangerous low ball across the face of goal was also just too quick for the striker to get on the end of on the hour mark. 

With the Marketmen very much on top at this stage, the woodwork denied what would've been a sensational goal from Patrick Brothers, the midfielder's audacious curling strike towards the top near left-hand corner just rebounded wide off the outside of the upright. 

However, with 14 minutes left on the clock the Marketmen were rewarded with a deserved second goal. The in-form Jacob Lay benefited from a sumputous ball over the defence from Patrick Brothers, before taking a great touch inside the box to beat the defender and onrushing goalkeeper and then slotting home into the gaping bottom far right-hand corner, 2-0 Needham. 

At the other end, Davidson-Miller forced a decent save out of Finlay Shorten on 84 minutes. The stopper was equal to the striker's low shot across goal, from the edge of the box, parrying it away well down to his left hand side.

Mickleover meanwhile almost provided a late twist to the game, almost ruining Needham's run of clean sheets late on in the 2nd minute of stoppage time. The visitors threaded the forward through inside the box, although Jake Dye was alert to clear the shot off the line well to preserve his side's 4th shutout of the season.  

It's a quick turnaround for the Marketmen, who will look to continue their 4 match winning run when they travel to Kings Langley on Monday (26th September, 7:45pm), for just their 3rd away game (all 3 league fixtures) of the season.

Needham Market:-

1 Finlay Shorten

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Jake Dye

14 Christian Frimpong

5 Keiran Morphew (c)

6 Daniel Morphew

7 Jacob Lay

8 Noah Collard (87' Fitzgerald)

9 Ryan Viggars (78' McGrath)

10 Patrick Brothers

11 Ross Crane

Subs:

12 Jamie McGrath

15 Evan Collard

16 Taylor Clark

17 Thomas Fitzgerald

18 Hugh Cullum

Mickleover:-

1 Jonathan Hedge

2 Jake Bennett

3 Rhys Dolan

4 Joseph Bateman

5 James Butler

6 Philip Watt (c)

7 Ryan Wilson

8 Mason Warren (59' Milner)

9 Jahvan Davidson-Miller (86' Moore)

10 Stuart Beavon

11 Andrew Dales (82' Fankwe)

Subs:

12 George Milner

14 Elliott Walker

15 Kai Moore

16 Ethan Mann

17 William Mbakop Fankwe

Booked: Hammond (33', 34'), Beavon (40'), N.Collard (41'), Hedge (41'), K.Morphew (70'), Brothers (73').

Goals: Lay (21', 76').

Needham Assists: D.Morphew (21'), Brothers (76').

Sent Off: Hammond (34' - 2 yellows), Bateman (40').

Needham Market pick up a third win and clean sheet in a row following an entertaining 2-0 home win over Mickleover.

The home side dominated the game for the vast majority, with neither goalkeeper majorly troubled during the afternoon.

The away side meanwhile had the first shot on target after 12 minutes, Davidson-Miller's low shot however was well held by home league debutant Fin Shorten.

Nine minutes later though the Marketmen broke the deadlock, Crane's corner was flicked on by Dan Morphew onto Jacob Lay who duly poked home from point blank range. 

Soon after Jake Dye's dangerous shot-cross from close range was almost turned into his own net by Butler, while Kyle Hammond was shown two yellow cards within a minute after 34 minutes. 

Mickleover's man advantage however didn't last long as Bateman himself was shown a straight red for a crunching tackle on Noah Collard. 

Early after the restart, Patrick Brothers went close to doubling his side's lead, but fired just wide of the bottom far corner, before Ryan Viggars just couldn't latch onto Crane's inviting ball across the face of goal ten minutes later. 

Brothers then saw a stunning curling strike denied by the outside of the post, while Jacob Lay doubled Needham's lead on 76 minutes.

Brothers' audacious ball over the top threaded the Star Man one on one with the keeper before slotting home his fifth goal of the season to ultimately seal the points for the Marketmen. 

 

 

Needham Market v Sheringham | 17.09.2022 | Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round |

INTERVIEWS

Needham Market advance to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in five years following a 2-0 win over Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Premier Division side Sheringham at Bloomfields.

Manager Kevin Horlock made of me change to Tuesday 5-0 home Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division win over Royston Town, as captain Keiran Morphew returned to the team in place of the injured Jake Dye, with Seth Chambers and Taylor Clark returning to the bench.

Some superb goalkeeping from Sheringham goalkeeper Denham Oliver, coupled with the woodwork denying the higher league Marketmen on three occasions very much kept the score down, and to their credit kept the visitors in the game until late on.

The hosts started brightly, although Jacob Lay just couldn't latch onto a great chipped ball over the top from Noah Collard, in just the second minute. 

While Jacob Lay saw a clever left wing cutback cleared a minute later, Kyle Hammond picked up the loose ball before driving forward, but for his shot to be deflected behind for a corner.

Even though Needham restricted Sheringham to very few chances, Seamus Bobby meanwhile saw his shot from range well blocked by Noah Collard, which was closely followed by the first shot on target from the home side after 6 minutes. 

Patrick Brothers drove through down the left-hand side of the box, exploiting space well, before seeing his low shot well held by Oliver at his near post. 

Man Of The Match, chosen by match sponsors KBB, Ross Crane continued to impress since joining in the summer, the winger surged through down the right wing once more, before cutting inside well to slot Jacob Lay through inside the box, although the latter's low shot was well saved by Oliver down to his right hand side after 12 minutes.  

Jamie McGrath on the other hand then latched onto a great through-ball seconds later, albeit a good recovering tackle from a defender denied the striker a shot at goal. 

Dan Morphew on the other hand saw a good header from a long range cross deflected away from goal seven minutes later, while Patrick Brothers' great ball in was too close to the goalkeeper after 25 minutes. 

A minute later though, the crossbar denied the Marketmen what would've been a sensational opening goal, Ross Crane was found in space on the edge of the box, but for his shot to cannon just over via the top of the crossbar. 

A well deserved breakthrough for the Marketmen however arrived after 27 minutes, Crane again broke through down the right wing before squaring the ball across goal on a plate for Jacob Lay to tap into an empty net from point blank range, 1-0 Needham.

That goal is already Lay's third for the club, and second in both consecutive matches in all competitions (Tuesday's win over Royston) and FA Cup games (having scored in 3-1 win over Leiston), with both wingers already forming a deadly partnership.

Fellow summer recruit Jamie McGrath almost doubled the hosts' lead on 33 minutes, the striker drove through cleverly before threading Patrick Brothers through into space, just outside the box, albeit the midfielder's strike curled just wide of the top near corner. 

Three minutes later, some excellent team play from the home side almost brought the second goal, that they craved. A brilliant right wing crossfield pass from Crane picked out Lay in acres of space inside the box, the goalscorer then smartly laid the ball off to Daniel Morphew, whose audacious strike across goal went agonisingly just over off the top of the crossbar. 

Six minutes before the break, the Marketmen again tested the busy but in-form Oliver, after a great crossfield ball released Crane through down the right wing, the latter drove through, cutting inside before looking to sneak a low shot inside Oliver's near post, although the 'keeper was alert to get down well and gather the shot from point blank range. 

Meanwhile, at the other end, his opposite number Marcus Garnham was called into action two minutes later. The home shot-stopper was alert to tip over Seamus Bobby's long range right wing cross-shot at his near post. 

The Marketmen on the other hand, had the last chance of the half on the stroke of the interval, McGrath picked out Crane with a great through-ball, whose surging run was halted as far as Noah Collard, who in turn curled his shot over the bar. 

The second half by contrast certainly wasn't one for the purist, albeit the Marketmen were firmly on top the game fell flat for the majority of the second half. 

The higher league Reds though did go close to doubling their advantage on 47 minutes, after Lay's dangerous left wing cross just evaded the leaping McGrath, the latter was picked out by the resulting right wing cutback, only for his time time shot to go narrowly wide of the near post. 

Crane then saw a good low strike deflected behind well by Archie Galley two minutes later, while Kyle Hammond's ferocious strike, following a low Crane corner, was well held by Oliver at his top left hand corner, while Garnham was alert down the other end to hold onto a low shot across goal to his right-hand side on 57 minutes. 

Despite that the game petered out during the final 30 minutes, the Marketmen still created a handful of noteable chances, with the first seeing Kyle Hammond's great left wing corner pick out Christian Frimpong in acres of space from close range, albeit the latter headed over the crossbar. 

Five minutes later, a great through-ball from Dan Morphew released Ross Crane, who in turn threaded Seth Chambers on the overlap, although the substitute forward's shot was blocked. 

Crane meanwhile whipped in a great right wing cross into the six yard box, though Oliver was alert to claim ahead of the onrushing Jacob Lay after 67 minutes. 

While Garnham got down well to his right-hand side to comfortably hold onto a shot across goal, seven minutes later, the opposition number 1 made a great double stop moments after. 

Despite that Lay's great low ball into the box fell just behind Chambers, the ball fell kindly for Crane whose strike was well smothered by the goalkeeper, only as far as Chambers who himself saw a good strike at goal denied by a great reaction save by the keeper, to beat it away. 

Chambers again was denied in the 79th minute, just three minutes before the former released Crane one on one with Oliver, but again the keeper saved well at his left-hand post. 

The shot-stopper however was beaten for a second time in second half stoppage time, as Ross Crane cooly sent Oliver the wrong way, into the bottom left hand corner, from the spot after Christian Frimpong was brought down after a surging run.

Another good low stop from Oliver however thwarted a Needham third goal, palming another good strike away down well to his left hand side in the third minute of stoppage time. 

The woodwork though denied the Marketmen from rounding off their victory two minutes later, Crane threaded Chambers brilliantly past the defence, but for the latter's strike to rebound agonisingly off the inside base of the bottom far left-hand post.

Nonetheless, the Marketmen advance to the third qualifying round for the first time in five years, setting up another home tie against familiar Isthmian League Premier Division opposition Brightlingsea Regent, aiming to equal their club record run in the competition against the R's, who themselves will be looking to make club history should they come out on top.

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Kyle Hammond

3 Daniel Morphew

14 Christian Frimpong

5 Keiran Morphew (c)

6 Hugh Cullum (74' Clark)

7 Jacob Lay

8 Noah Collard (55' Fitzgerald)

9 Jamie McGrath (55' Chambers)

10 Patrick Brothers

11 Ross Crane

Subs:

12 Taylor Clark

15 Evan Collard

16 Seth Chambers

17 Thomas Fitzgerald

18 Jake Dye

Sheringham:-

1 Denham Oliver

2 Ryan Haylett

3 Alfie Mattocks (90'+2' Wenn)

4 Seamus Bobby

5 Shane Cox (c)

6 Archie Galley

7 Kieran Galley

8 Kieran Hagan (60' Abbott)

9 Jamie Nelson

10 Kieran Money (83' Kerry)

11 Tim Cary

Subs:

12 George Abbott

14 Elijah Lawrence-Gate'te

15 Billy Wenn

16 Riley Wilson-Towns

17 Connor Kerry

Booked: Money (22'), Crane (76').

Needham Assist: Crane (27').

Goals: Lay (27'), Crane (90'+1'pen).

Needham Market advance to the 3rd Qualifying Round with a 2-0 victory over lower league opponents Sheringham.

In truth, the home side dominated proceedings, despite the game going flat for large parts of the second half. 

But the two league difference showed throughout, with chance after chance falling to the home side, with Patrick Brothers' low shot well held by the goalkeeper after just six minutes. 

Star Man Ross Crane meanwhile drove through dangerously six minutes later, before teeing up Jacob Lay whose shot was again well saved by the impressive Oliver. 

Midway through the first half, the crossbar then denied Ross Crane from a deserved opening goal, while Jacob Lay did open the scoring after 27 minutes. 

Another great surging run from Crane saw the former put the ball across on a plate for Lay who tapped home at the far post. 

The home side though almost added a second on 33 minutes as Patrick Brothers' shot curled just wide, before Dan Morphew's effort went over the top of the crossbar. 

Just before the break meanwhile, Crane again was just denied by smart reactions from Oliver, whose opposite number Marcus Garnham was called into action two minutes later, to tip over Bobby's cross-come-shot. 

 

After McGrath's early second half effort went narrowly wide, Kyle Hammond saw his rasping drive well held by Oliver.  

Following that, the game fell flat, with just a double stop from Oliver to deny Crane then Chambers, who then denied the duo again on separate occasions one of a few noteable chances. 

Ross Crane though sealed Needham's passage through however, sending Oliver the wrong way from the spot in stoppage time, before Seth Chambers' effort was denied by the post. 

Entertainment: 2 stars. 

Star Man: Ross Crane (NMFC)

Needham Market v Royston Town | 13.09.2022 | The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division Game 7 | 2022-23 |

 

 

Rampant Marketmen Hit Royston For Five At Bloomfields 

A five star sintilating performance from Needham Market guides the Marketmen to a second consecutive win in all competitions.

Manager Kevin Horlock made one change to the 3-1 Emirates FA Cup win over Leiston, with Seth Chambers replaced by Jamie McGrath and Charlton Athletic loanee Ryan Viggars back on the bench. Chambers and Taylor Clark meanwhile were unavailable, due to the Under-18's FA Youth Cup tie at Newmarket Town the same night. 

Royston however had the first chance of the night after just 6 minutes, a left wing free-kick was swung in dangerously to the far post where a header dangerously flashes across the face of goal went just wide of the left-hand post. 

Up the other end two minutes later, Royston goalkeeper Dimitrios Kyriatzis, who was the busier of the two goalkeepers, needed to be alert to gather Noah Collard's clever right wing cutback, off his line well at waist height. 

It was a very good team performance from the Marketmen, with everyone in Needham Red putting in a good performance. 

But Royston did have a few good chances, although Tigwell's 10th minute low shot from 35-yards out was tame and easily gathered by Marcus Garnham at his far post. 

Both league meetings between the two sides last season ended in high scoring draws, 2-2 and 3-3, but it very much wasn't the case this time around with the Marketmen very much on top of the vast majority of the game.

After playing a neat one-two from a free-kick in the 11th minute, Ross Crane then cut inside well onto the right-hand edge of the box, but the winger blasted his side wide of the bottom far corner. 

Christian Frimpong meanwhile cleverly fed Jacob Lay, who in turn released Jamie McGrath through with a defence splitting back-heel, although the latter just couldn't quite beat the onrushing goalkeeper to it on 19 minutes.  

Four minutes later, Royston though had a decent chance of their own, a right wing cross was hung up to a man free at the back post, whose header from a tight angle went off target. 

Straight up the other end, Man Of The Match Kyle Hammond curled a well taken 30-yard free-kick just over the crossbar, while Jacob Lay drove through into the box only to see his shot blocked. 

Jamie McGrath then latched onto a great crossfield left wing ball at the far post after 26 minutes, but the striker could only head low into the near side-netting from a tight angle.

Two minutes later, a well taken free-kick from Ross Crane was swung into a dangerous area in the six yard box, but with Needham shirts arriving to take advantage the Royston 'keeper was first to it, claiming the ball well. 

The first real shot of note for the night though arrived on 31 minutes, Kyle Hammond's ferocious 35-yard drive towards the bottom near right-hand corner drew a good save from Kyriatzis to beat it away. 

The Marketmen then went agonisingly close a minute later, Jamie McGrath chopped a sumputous ball over the top to release Christian Frimpong past the defence, although the midfielder's first time poke towards goal just looped over the goalkeeper.

Ross Crane meanwhile saw his fierce low shot well held by Kyriatzis down well at his left-hand post in the 34th minute, before the 'keeper was alert to intercept Noah Collard's great through-ball towards Jacob Lay five minutes later.

Seconds later, great one touch play from the home side saw Crane cleverly fed Noah Collard into space from 25-yards out, whose first time shot went over the bar. 

The former's well taken right wing corner then picked out Frimpong free at the far post, but the midfielder's good header was deflected just over the crossbar on 42 minutes, but for the resulting short corner to be blasted wide by Kyle Hammond.

A stunning cross-turned-shot from Kyle Hammond then broke the deadlock in style on the stroke of half-time, the defender's audacious left wing edge of the box delivery evaded everyone's head in the box, including Dan Morphew and Noah Collard's before dipping into the bottom far corner. 

In response, Tshikuna forced a flying save from Marcus Garnham a minute later, the stopper reacting quickly to tip the shot over his crossbar, which Mensah headed over from the resulting corner, preserving Needham's deserved half-time advantage.

Some brilliant second half finishing from the rampant Marketmen ultimately put the Crows to the sword, although it was the away side who had a half chance just seconds after the restart, as Hugh Cullum cleared away a dangerous right wing cross at the far post. 

Up the other end, Needham carried on the second half how they ended the first, as great play saw McGrath tee up Noah Collard, whose shot blasted over the bar. 

Jake Dye then tried his luck at goal on 54 minutes, only to fire a great strike also over the crossbar. 

Five minutes later, great play from goalscorer Hammond almost provided a second Needham goal, the former's right wing cutback found Patrick Brothers whose low strike was crucially blocked. 

Hammond though doubled his side's advantage on 62 minutes, after Jacob Lay was fouled just outside the penalty area, for which Clark Mensah was cautioned, the full-back's powerful free-kick was deflected into the left-hand corner off the wall, despite a hand from Kyriatzis.

Lay on the other hand cut inside well onto the left-hand edge of the box only to curl his shot wide of the top far corner after 71 minutes.

A stunning double save from Marcus Garnham meanwhile then thwarted Royston in style a minute later, a right wing cross picked out Matthew Bateman free at the far post, whose angled header towards the bottom left hand corner was well plucked away by Garnham, while the former's rebound effort was again well poked away by the Needham number 1. 

As a result, Needham broke on the counter and deservedly added a third goal, a great long ball was flicked on by the head of substitute Ryan Viggars, releasing Ross Crane through with just Kyriatzis to beat, which he duly did. The forward drove smartly through down the left-hand side of the box to beat the committed goalkeeper before audaciously chipping the goalkeeper with the ball nestling into the bottom left-hand corner, 3-0 Needham after 73 minutes. 

The home side weren't done yet though, first Jake Dye's fierce shot was deflected just wide of the bottom near corner, while Frimpong's effort went just off target in the 76th minute. 

Dye again picked up possession on the left-hand edge of the box three minutes later, although this time the defender's low shot was well gathered by Kyriatzis at his near post. 

And with nine minutes left on the clock, Patrick Brothers added to Royston's misery, Jacob Lay's cutback found the midfielder arriving onto the edge of the box, who drove home into the bottom left hand corner, 4-0 Needham.

Lay then got in on the act himself four minutes later, great team play saw Ryan Viggars threaded Rods Crane through down the right-hand side, the latter then squared a great ball across the six yard box, drawing Kyriatzis off his line to dive across and tip it away. But only as far as Jacob Lay, lurking from close range, who tapped into the gaping bottom left hand corner, 5-0.

But just as the game entered the 90th minute, Marcus Garnham put the icing on the top of the Needham cake, after Royston were awarded a penalty for a handball, Matthew Bateman's penalty was beaten away well by the penalty saving specialist down to his bottom left hand corner. 

It nearly got even better for the Marketmen in the second minute of stoppage time, substitute Evan Collard threaded Jacob Lay through down the right-hand side of the box although the latter fired his shot off target. 

The former then tired his luck at goal a minute later, but shot straight at the goalkeeper. 

A fantastic performance from the Marketmen ends a run of two straight league defeats, moving Horlock's side up to 11th in the league ahead of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying home tie against lower league Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Sheringham (3pm)

Needham Market:-

1 Marcus Garnham

2 Kyle Hammond 

3 Jake Dye

14 Christian Frimpong 

5 Hugh Cullum

6 Daniel Morphew (C)

7 Jacob Lay

8 Noah Collard (80' Fitzgerald)

9 Jamie McGrath (69' Viggars)

10 Patrick Brothers (82' E.Collard)

11 Ross Crane

Subs: 

12 Ryan Viggars

15 Evan Collard 

16 Archie Exworth  

17 Tom Fitzgerald 

18 Finlay Shorten (GK)

Royston Town:-

13 Dimitrios Kyriatzis

2 Daniel Newton

3 Joel Nakatani-Brown (69' Williams)

4 Spyros Mentos

5 Adam Murray (C)

6 Ronnie Henry

7 Louie Tigwell (52' Bustamante Macaire)

8 Nathan Tshikuna  

9 Carl Mensah 

10 Jarid Robson (52' Harness)

11 Matthew Bateman

Subs 

12 Max Bustamante Macaire

14 Lewis Williams 

15 Kian Harness

16 Daniel Green 

17 Jay Rolfe

Booked: Mensah (60'), Crane (90').

Goals: Hammond (45', 62'), Crane (73'), Brothers (81'), Lay (85').

Needham Assists: Frimpong (45'), Viggars (73'), Lay (81').

MOTM: Hammond. 

Five star Needham Market performance sees the Marketmen record a confidence boosting 5-0 win over Royston Town at Bloomfields on Tuesday night.

Man Of The Match Kyle Hammond got the scoring underway with his first of his brace for the night, after his sumputous right wing cross dipped into the bottom far corner to give the Marketmen a half-time lead.

And with the second half just 17 minutes old, the midfielder's fierce free-kick from just outside the box was deflected home for his and Needham's second goal of the night. 

It was soon 3-0 however after 73 minutes, Ross Crane latched onto a great header from substitute Ryan Viggars before chipping the onrushing goalkeeper. 

None minutes from time, Patrick Brothers got in on the act, making it 4-0 in the process, smashing home after Jacob Lay's cutback.

Lay himself rounded off the scoring, making it 5-0, tapping home after Ross Crane's squared ball was partially tipped away by the goalkeeper. 

The ideal night for the Marketmen who host lower league Sheringham in the Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round on Saturday. 

Debenham LC v Needham Market U23 | 06.09.2022 | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Challenge Cup 1st Round | 2022-23 |

Clinical Finishing And Resolute Defending Sets Up A Second Trip To Yarmouth For Needham Under-23s

Needham Market Under-23s record their first win, and clean sheet, of the new season to progress into the second round of the Thurlow Nunn League Challenge Cup, following a deserved 3-0 win at fellow Division One North side Debenham LC.

Ultimately clinical finishing separated the two sides at Friends Meadow, with the young Marketmen arguably creating the better chances and had two decent chances early on.

First, Ollie Fraser threaded Archie Exworth through down the left wing on the overlap, but the latter's good cross in was held onto well by Fairweather on his goal-line after five minutes.

Two minutes later, the first shot on target of the night arrived, after Ollie Fraser exploited space well 20-yards from goal, the midfielder fired a good strike which Fairweather did well to just hold onto. 

Up the other end meanwhile soon after, the hosting Hornets had a great chance, albeit was offside regardless. Ben Golding's great low cross from the right wing was put on a plate for Elliot Ballard, who was free from point blank range at the far post, but for his shot to be hacked away by Sam Leslie just ahead of the goal-line.  

Arguably the best chance for Debenham then came and went in the tenth minute, Reece Golding was threaded through onto the left-hand byline inside the penalty area, only to flash his strike agonisingly just wide of the bottom far corner. 

Needham though took the lead two minutes later, after a well taken free-kick from Archie Exworth. The midfielder's fiercely driven 30-yard set-piece drew a good stop from Fairweather, down well at his near post, who could only palm it away as far as Lucas Vance on the near byline, who slotted home into the gaping net from close range, 0-1 Needham.

Debenham on the other hand looked to strike back after 21 minutes, albeit the dangerous left wing cross was delivered low across the far of goal forcing Ivan Sanchez to chest the ball just wide at the back post. 

An excellently timed tackle from Shane Wardley then denied an almost certain shot on goal from the home side after 26 minutes, sliding in perfectly to divert the ball back to his goalkeeper Finlay Shorten, who duly cleared the ball away. 

Back at the other end, the young Reds went close to doubling their lead with what would've been a well taken goal from Ollie Fraser two minutes later. Ivan Sanchez picked out the former, who then cut inside smartly onto the left-hand edge of the box, beating two defenders in the process, although his driven shot went just a centimetre wide of the bottom near corner. 

The young Marketmen continued to dominate proceedings, but to be denied a second goal by the woodwork on the half-hour mark, Travis Buxton was unfortunate to see his shot crash back off the crossbar, with the rebound falling for Lucas Vance, free from 18-yards out, although the forward's shot went just over the top right-hand corner. 

Shortly after, a good stop from Fairweather thwarted Needham from doubling the lead, Ollie Fraser again cut inside smartly from the left wing and onto the central edge of the box, only to see his low smashed shot, which was creeping into the bottom left-hand other, tipped behind by the goalkeeper. 

In a game that ultimately saw very little stoppages, it was unsurprising that there was just one booking between the two sides all night, with the only caution of the night going to Debenham's Charlie Canham for tugging down Lucas Vance, who had cleverly gone passed him down the right wing.

And soon after that set-piece, the visitors doubled their advantage courtesy of some great passing play. Shane Wardley received possession back on the overlap down the left wing, the centre-back then smashed a great low cutback across to Clayton Osborn, who had arrived in space from 16-yards out to sweep a great first time strike comfortably into the bottom left-hand corner, 0-2 Needham after 34 minutes.

A comfortable save from Fin Shorten meanwhile denied Debenham captain Danny Thrower from reducing the deficit 4 minutes later, the hosts' attacking midfielder's fierce strike though was parried down well by the visiting 'keeper, who then comfortably gathered the loose ball.

While Elliot Ballard fired low and wide from 25-yards out a minute later, the away side went close to adding a third goal on 41 minutes. A brilliant through-ball released Archie Exworth haring through down the right wing, where the midfielder then cut inside well onto the byline, his low cut-back found Lucas Vance from close range, but his looping shot somehow didn't end up in the gaping goal. 

A minute later, Needham were given the opportunity to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot, though Vance's spot-kick was well read by Fairweather, who got down well to his left hand side to hold onto the ball. 

Great defending by Mo Igwebuike at the other end prevented Debenham from testing Fin Shorten's goal a minute before the break, twice blocking shots from the right-hand edge of the box, with Sam Cole again seeing his low driven strike well blocked by Shane Wardley right at the end of the first half.

Debenham though did begin the second half brighter, despite still being unable to truly test goalkeeper Fin Shorten. Luke Dunn however weaved through dangerously onto the left-hand byline, only for his effort to be well blocked, virtually straight after the restart. 

Shorten meanwhile was drawn into a routine save after 49 minutes, comfortably scoop diving a low shot towards his bottom left hand corner. 

Two minutes later though, Needham continued to pose a threat, firing a great strike, from just outside the box, just over the crossbar.

Resolute defending from Sam Leslie on 56 minutes again protected Fin Shorten's goal well, deflecting Elliot Ballard's shot behind the right-hand far post well off his back. 

Overall, it was a good all round team performance from the away side, with Archie Exworth alert to dive down to his left hand post and head the ball away just shy off his goal-line. 

Danny Thrower on the other hand, arguably should've hit the target for Debenham a minute later, firing a powerful 20-yard strike wide of the bottom left hand corner. 

And just after the hour mark, the young Marketmen secured up their passage to the second round of the competition with an audacious finish from Ivan Sanchez. The full-back, who had recently returned following a month away, exploited space on the left wing edge of the box to perfectly fire home into the bottom far corner, 0-3 Needham. 

That goal ultimately killed the game off, with the final three opportunities of the encounter falling to the away side.

First, Travis Buxton won possession well as Lucas Vance drove through past the defence, although his low strike towards the bottom right hand corner was gathered by the diving Fairweather after 76 minutes, whilst the final two chances of the night both fell in the 89th minute.

After Archie Exworth's great strike, from the edge of the box, was deflected just wide of the bottom right hand corner, the latter went close again seconds later, this time curling a sumputous strike just wide of the top left-hand corner.

A much needed confidence boosting win for the young Reds, who will travel to Great Yarmouth Town in the second round (who defeated Leiston Reserves away 9-8 on penalties after a 3-3 draw) are in home action back in the First Division North on Saturday against Parson Drove (3pm), with the Under-18s in home action just before that on Thursday evening at Bloomfields against Whitton United (7:45pm).

Debenham LC:-

1 Bailey Fairweather

2 Lewis Kemp (73' Norman)

3 Will Aldis

4 Luke Dunn

5 Alfie Norman

6 Charlie Canham

7 Ben Golding (63' Mulvaney)

8 Sam Cole (78' Foreman)

9 Reece Golding

10 Danny Thrower

11 Elliot Ballard (78' Baldry)

Subs:

12 Harvey Norman

14 Jake Mulvaney

15 Harvey Foreman

16 Joe Baldry

17 Matt Aldis

Needham Market U23:-

1 Finlay Shorten

2 Clayton Osborn

3 Ivan Sanchez (66' Greenleaf)

4 Mahmoud Igwebuike

5 Sam Leslie

6 Shane Wardley (c) (73' Smith)

7 Travis Buxton

8 James Letts (61' Crosthwaite)

9 Lucas Vance

10 Archie Exworth

11 Ollie Fraser

Subs:

14 Eddie Barker

15 Brandon Greenleaf

16 Flynn Crosthwaite

17 Dimitri Gayle

20 Ben Smith

Booked: Canham (33').

Goals: Vance (12'), Osborn (34'), Sanchez (61').

Assist: Wardley (34').

Needham MOTM: Shane Wardley. 

Moreton Hall Ferals v Lark Rovers | 04.09.2022 | Premier Logos Bury Sunday League Division One | Game 1 | 2022-23 |

Two time reigning Premier Logos Bury Sunday League Division One Champions Moreton Hall Ferals come from behind late on to snatch all 3 points against newly promoted Lark Rovers. 

In truth the first half was a tight affair, with very few changes of note. Just a handful of opportunities of real note, beginning with Callum Dongray's first minute header, which was straight at the keeper for an easy catch. 

Four minutes later a good stop from Ferals keeper Aston Fallows denied the visitors, the number 14's low long range shot forcing Fallows to smother it behind his right-hand post. 

Fallows again denied Rovers a minute later, the number 17 latched onto a left wing corner, in space at the back post, whose fierce volley towards the top right-hand corner was palmed away well by Fallows. 

Up the other end, James Buckmaster tried his luck from long range in the 9th minute, but watched his 35-yard volley swerve wide of the top right-hand corner. 

Taylor Waterson meanwhile fired over from distance, while Rovers' number 18 poked a shot from point blank range into the bottom right hand side-netting. 

Despite having just 11 players available, Lark played well and drew a good save out of Aston Fallows on 52 minutes. 

After Kieran Waller raced through in space down the right-hand side of the box, the Ferals' stopper smartly advanced off his line to smother the shot behind his near post for a corner. 

Down the other end though, the woodwork denied Ferals from opening the scoring on 58 minutes, Harry Whiting-Noakes' great left wing delivery picked out Callum Dove, the forward unselfishly teed up Jake Peasgood, whose great first time strike cannoned back off the inside of the base of the near, right-hand, post before rebounding agonisingly across the goal-line and behind for a goal-kick. 

Lark also saw a good chance come and go just after the hour mark, the striker however was off balance when he fired his shot wide of the bottom right hand corner. 

The visitors though took the lead after 66 minutes, Waller drove through down the left-hand side of the box before poking home low past Fallows at his near post, 0-1. 

Ferals reacted quickly to the set back, forcing a save from the Lark keeper on 68 minutes, a left wing corner picked out Callum Dongray, who leapt highest from close range, only to see his header parried away by the shot-stopper. 

A good strike from Jack Whiting-Noakes tested the goalkeeper well 5 minutes later, the midfielder's low 30-yard fierce drive forced the 'keeper to dive down quickly to his right-hand side and shovel the ball away. 

Straight after, the Whiting-Noakes brothers combined well as Ferals just couldn't piece it together in the final third, Jack threaded Harry through one on one inside the box, but the latter fired his shot over the crossbar. 

With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Lark doubled their lead capitalising on a mistake from goalkeeper Aston Fallows. The Ferals' stopper rushed well out off his box to clear the ball away and keep it in play, but in doing so gave it straight to goalscorer Waller, who had space from 35-yards out on the right wing, to finish calmly into the empty bottom far corner, 0-2. 

As if like a click of a switch, an audacious peach of a cross quickly saw Ferals halve the deficit three minutes later. A great run from Harry Whiting-Noakes to keep the ball in play, out on the left wing, saw the midfielder pass the ball back to Dan Allen whose ball in was pinpoint to fellow substitute Lewis Kemp whose bullet header nestled into the middle far corner, 1-2. 

And it was from two fantastic corners within 30 seconds that Ferals almost equalised on 83 minutes, first a great left wing corner picked out Taylor Waterson, whose towering flick on found Fred Stewart-Hogg free from a yard out, whose back post header was tipped over well by the goalkeeper. Jack Whiting-Noakes' resulting corner found Callum Dongray, but his header looped wide of the top right-hand corner. 

Dongray though did head Ferals back on level terms a minute into stoppage time, Jack Whiting-Noakes' sumputous right wing corner found the towering defender from close range, who nodded home into the top left hand corner. 

And while Harry Whiting-Noakes was sin binned in the 3rd minute of added time, Ferals went onto net a dramatic winner in the following minute. Once more, a deadly Jack Whiting-Noakes right wing corner found George Crowe, this time towards the near post, whose close range header bounced down into the ground and into the bottom right hand corner, 3-2. 

In the end what would've been a great game for the neutral ended in a 3-2 win for Ferals, who host Mellis at Hardwick Heath again next Sunday morning. Lark, meanwhile visit Bedricks Worth. 

Moreton Hall Ferals:-

13 Aston Fallows

4 Taylor Waterson

20 Callum Dongray

10 Sam Waterson (HT' Kemp)

88 George Crowe

8 Harry Whiting-Noakes

14 Fred Stewart-Hogg

9 Callum Dove (75' Allen)

15 Ben Newdick (HT' Peasgood)

6 James Buckmaster (HT' J.Whiting-Noakes)

5 Charlie Larter (c)

Subs: 

19 Jack Whiting-Noakes

16 Dan Allen

7 Jake Peasgood

11 Lewis Kemp

50 Adrian Crowe

Booked: L7 Kieran Waller (36'), L9 Jordan Gooch (90'+6')

Goals: Kemp (78'), Dongray (90'+1'), Crowe (90'+4'); L7 Waller (66', 75').

Assist: Allen (78'), J.Whiting-Noakes (90'+1', 90'+4').

Sin binned: H.Whiting-Noakes (90'+3').