NEEDHAM MARKET F.C. INTERVIEWS
Interviews and End Of Season Q&As with Needham Market F.C. players and coaching staff.
Thursday, 21 August 2025
REPORT | Needham Market U18 v AFC Sudbury | 21.08.2025 |
Monday, 11 August 2025
REACTION | Olly Reynolds, Ryan Pitt, James Mant | Needham Market Reserves v Dussindale | 10.08.2025 |
Sunday, 3 August 2025
REACTION| Evan Gledhill Post Match Interview | Needham Market Reserves v FC Peterborough | 02.08.2025
Goalscorer Evan Gledhill reflects on the Reserves' 2-2 draw at home to FC Peterborough.
DK: A big point on the board for you today, you must be pleased?
EG: Yeah, massive point today, feel like we deserved it today the lads defended very well from the point of the first half to the point of conceding the first.
DK: Having come close to picking up points in your previous two games, it must be good to have got A result today?
EG: Yeah in the first 2 games I definitely felt that we should’ve got more from them game but we have been working hard on things that have cost us recent points and I feel that today was a show of our hard work.
DK: How would you sum up the performance as a team today?
EG: I feel like our performance today overall was very good defence performance as we spent a lot of the time without the ball and with the limited chances we had I feel like we was clinical.
DK: A great free-kick from you got the scoring underway, which must make it even better?
EG: Yeah it was a very weird situation as never had an in direct free kick in a game that I have played in and was good to score it and get my first of the season.
DK: Can you talk us through what was going through your mind as you took the free-kick?
EG: When we was setting up to take it all that was in my mind was hit it hard and get it on target as I don’t think there is a much other things that you can do and thankfully it paid of.
DK: A third straight home game up next on Saturday, with another tough match against Dussindale, what's your thoughts going into that and what type of game are you expecting?
EG: Yeah, Dussindale at home next week I feel like will be another tough test for us the same as every game in this League but I feel like we can definitely get something from this game as that’s what we think going into every game.
Saturday, 2 August 2025
REPORT & REACTION | Lowestoft Town v Needham Market | 02.08.2025 |
Needham Market's pre-season campaign concluded with a 1-0 win at Isthmian North Division side Lowestoft Town.
A stunning second half strike from Luke Ingram enough to seal a good win on the road for the Marketmen.
Lowestoft had the first chance in the 3rd minute, directing a free header from a free-kick swung to the far post over the top right-hand corner at close range.
Four minutes later, a low shot from inside the box was crucially blocked away by the diving James Bradbrook while the rebound shot was sliced wide of the top corner.
At the other end, Tommy Smith's left wing cross was deflected as Reggie Lambe picked out Luke Ingram on the right wing whose dangerous 12th minute cross was held by the keeper.
Luke Ingram fired a 17th shot just wide from distance, as Needham grew into the game well.
Two minutes later, Tommy Smith released Ryan Miles through down the left with a great ball over the top who teed up Ingram on the edge of the box whose shot was tipped over.
The Marketmen created a great chance on 23 minutes, great link up play between Miles and Ollie Saunders saw Myles Cowling threaded through onto the left-hand side but shot just passed the top far corner.
Ingram then met a low right wing corner at the near post shortly after, but his shot at a tight angle went wide.
Smith then found Saunders on the half-hour mark, who in turn found Ryan Miles on the left wing who fed Smith through on the left-hand side although his low dangerous cross was deflected as the keeper gathered ahead of a Red shirt.
Needham went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock on 34 minutes, Ryan Miles slipped Reggie Lambe through down the right-hand side but with the keeper advancing fired his shot over from close range.
Needham then a 39th minute shot from the right well held, while Ollie Saunders fired over from distance a minute later.
Myles Cowling meanwhile fired a shot over on 42 minutes, as both sides went into the break level.
Needham started the restart on the front foot, Matty Tricker retained possession high in the hosts' half on 38 minutes, before Ingram wrapped a low shot smartly into the bottom corner only for the whistle to go for a Needham free-kick - which Lambe wrapped wide.
Olly Reynolds then headed a Lambe 50th minute left wing corner narrowly wide of the far post, while Needham went close nine minutes later.
Ryan Miles latched onto possession down the right wing before Ollie Saunders slipped Myles Cowling through down the left-hand side who teed up Joe Neal only to see his shot blocked, before Reggie Lambe wrapped the rebound just wide of the top far corner.
Myles Cowling however fired over on 62 minutes, after being teed up by Joe Neal.
Reggie Lambe's 64th minute free-kick fell to Ollie Saunders free on the edge of the box, whose smart control and low volley went just wide of the bottom right-hand corner.
Needham though broke the deadlock on 68 minutes, Tommy Smith fed Luke Ingram in acres of space from around the halfway line before spotting the keeper off his line and exquisitely lobbing him.
Seth Chambers raced through down the right wing smartly on 72 minutes, sliding a great dangerous squared ball across to Ryan Miles who shot straight at the keeper at point blank range.
Ryan Miles broke onto the left wing byline on 74 minutes, though his dangerous cross was well caught by the keeper, before Lowestoft saw a dangerous free-kick well blocked by the way on 85 minutes.
Ingram broke into space three minutes later but saw his ferocious strike cannon back in off the top of the crossbar, with Chambers on the follow up seeing a close range effort held.
Seth Chambers saw a 92nd close range shot goal-bound crucially blocked as Needham wrapped up pre-season with a 1-0 victory.
Needham begin their league campaign away at Harborough Town next Saturday (3pm).
Needham:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Jake Dye (68' Hammond), 6 Dan Morphew (C) (HT' Reynolds), 16 Matty Tricker, 3 Tommy Smith, 19 Reggie Lambe (80' Savill), 8 Ollie Saunders, 15 Myles Cowling (68' Barker), 7 Luke Ingram, 11 Ryan Miles (80' Coton), 10 Joe Neal (68' Chambers). SUBS: 14 Eddie Barker, 9 Seth Chambers, 4 Kyle Hammond, 5 Olly Reynolds, 17 James Coton, 12 Luca Savill.
Goal: Luke Ingram (68')
REACTION | Nathan Munson Post Match Interview | Lowestoft Town v Needham Market | 02.08.2025 |
Nathan Munson reflects on our final friendly at Lowestoft.
DK: A nice 1-0 win to finish pre-season, you must be pleased?
NM: Yeah, pleased with the clean sheet especially, we haven't had a whole load of those in the course of pre-season so far. So that was nice and I think after Tuesday it was important just to get back and do the basics well. And I think during the course of the match we actually did that.
DK: Lukey's goal was quite spectacular.
NM: Yeah, I mean it's nice to have a player of Luke's calibre back in the building. He actually got back from holiday on Tuesday and then came straight out and played. So he got the minutes in then, but then I think you saw today it was a little bit fresher. It was a threatening, he hit the crossbar and nearly had another one, and the goal was absolutely sublime. He was able to spot the keeper off his line and he's hit it really well.
DK: Would you agree it was also an all round pleasing performance?
NM: Yeah, I think so. It's always nice to get through the games without any knocks because I think every game we've had so far, we've had someone come out with another injury and Tuesday night the pitch was quite different to what it was today in terms of injuries and who we might have available. So it was nice to get the squad out there to play the minutes that they did today without picking up any knocks. So that's a real positive as we move through and finish the friendlies and we've got the last couple of pre-season sessions before Harborough away next week.
DK: Other than the result Tuesday overall, it's been a good pre-season for us?
NM: Yeah, I think so. It was nice to have the opportunity for the players to gel with the Brighton trip, that was good. The performances have been competitive. Pre-season is pre-season. Players want to get out of it what they need really. I don't necessarily mean that it's a good pre-season or a bad pre-season, depending just on the result next Saturday because then you follow up with a Tuesday game and then the game's come thick and fast. So it's difficult. If we were to lose Saturday but then win the next five, is that a better pre-season than winning next week and then losing? It's not all about games or so much on the first game. It's about the first portion of the game. I think we've done all right, we've got minutes. Obviously Keiran's missing today, so he should be OK by next Saturday. So we're looking much stronger injury-wise than we did Tuesday and last week.
DK: Speaking of next Saturday, we're up against one of the sides that's tipped to be up there?
NM: Yes, certainly are. If you look at the odds, they're very hot favourites. So I think they've put a fair bit of investment into it. Obviously keen to go through the leagues. They'll be a really difficult game, but we're all right. We've had a good experience last year at step 2. We got into the requirements of that level, so we're used to playing good quality sides. I think we've added to the group during the course of the summer, so we'll go there and we'll be competitive, but I think Harborough are favourites for the title. They'll probably badge themselves favourites for Saturday.
I think the important thing is that we play to our levels. If we play how we know we can and our players perform to the level we know we can, we'll get a really good result there. We know that, so I think that's the important thing really. It's worrying about what we do, how we perform, how fit are we, and are we doing the important aspects of the game and working hard, attacking and in defensive areas. If we do that, we'll be absolutely fine.
REACTION | Luke Ingram Post Match Interview | Lowestoft Town v Needham Market | 02.08.2025 |
Goalscorer Luke Ingram reacts to our friendly at Lowestoft.
DK: A good end to pre-season?
LI: Yeah, always good to end with a win. (There's) Definitely stuff we could do better, but that's that done. I hate pre-season, so glad it's over.
DK: A brilliant goal to wrap it up?
LI: Yeah, I mean, saw him off his line and had a go. Nine times out of ten it don't come off, but the one that does, it's always handy to get that goal. If the keeper gives you ten yards then you've got to try and take it, but like I say, everyone forgets it if it doesn't go in, so just happy it went in.
DK: Are you feeling ready for the league season?
LI: Yeah, ready to go, mate. I'm probably the person who hates pre-season the most, so I'm glad to get that done and then the real stuff starts. Yeah, excited. We've got a tough start, so hopefully get some points and see how it goes.
DK: A few new teams to familiarise ourselves with as well?
LI: Yeah, it'll be nice to go to some new places, go back to a few dumps that we've been to before. We'll just enjoy it, mate. It's always better if you're winning games, so hopefully we win some games.
Friday, 1 August 2025
Matty Tricker | New Signing Interview | 31.07.2025
New signing Matty Tricker talks about his career so far and joining the Marketmen.
DK: First of all welcome to the club, first of all could you talk us through your career so far (teams played for, and notable team/personal accolades)?
MT: Thank you I’m very happy to be here. I grew up playing locally in Ipswich before signing for Colchester United at 13, played there until I was 19 and proceeded to go out to America on a football scholarship at Coker University. Also played USL 2 summer leagues at South Carolina United & Salem City whilst I was out there. This past year I was named Defensive player of the year & Scholar Athlete of the year for my conference, along with an All American recognition and named Male Athlete of the year at Coker.
DK: What would you say are the top 3 highlights of your career so far and why?
MT: This past year I was very proud of the team at Coker for reaching the last 16 nationally. It was the furthest in the programs history and that’s what I’d set to do when arriving there, making history. A personal highlight would be scoring the winning penalty for Salem City to reach the round of 16 in USL 2 nationals. It was a very special moment that will stay with me for a long time.
DK: Having been on Trial with us previously while living abroad, you must be delighted to have now signed for us?
MT: Yes I was lucky to be able to train with the club a couple of times when I was back from the states. I know the club from being around the area, having a few friends that played here, I know it’s a very good set up and an ambitious club.
DK: Having Trialled previously, has that helped you get to know the club and most importantly the rest of the squad?
MT: Yeah I know a most of the boys from training here last time and I’ve been able to get to know a few of the new boys, hoping to add to what is already a top group.
DK: What can our fans expect from you, and how would you describe yourself as a player?
MT: Firstly as a player you should be able to hear me as I never shut up. I would describe myself as an aggressive defender as well as someone who can progress the play forwards.
DK: Targets with the club/as a team and personally?
MT: As a team the goal is obviously to get promoted again. Personally, would be to help the team with keeping clean sheets - that’s my job, and chip in with a few goals here and there.
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
REACTION | Tom Rothery Post Match Interview| Felixstowe + Walton United V Needham Market| 29.07.2025
Saturday, 26 July 2025
REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market V Aveley | 26.07.2025 |
Needham's pre-season campaign continued with a hard fought 2-2 draw with Isthmian Premier Division side Aveley.
Two equalisers from the Marketmen through Seth Chambers and substitute Luca Savill cancelled out a goal in each half for the visitors in a tight fought pre-season friendly.
Aveley saw a third minute low shot well saved by James Bradbrook diving low to his left-hand side, while Seth Chambers broke through clear on goal four minutes later, rounding the keeper only to see his low shot well blocked by a recovering defender.
Chambers then won a penalty on 11 minutes, but saw his low spot-kick saved, while Aveley broke up the other end and saw Elliott Sartorius' shot deflected in a minute later.
Kyle Hammond then saw a 14th minute effort deflected behind for a corner, who picked out Jamie McGrath free at the far post with the resulting pinpoint set-piece but the latter headed narrowly wide.
The Marketmen remained on top, despite being a goal behind, as Kyle Hammond's brilliant left wing cross was met by Jamie McGrath at the far post whose effort was saved by the keeper on 20 minutes.
Kyle Hammond meanwhile looked to thread Eddie Barker clear on goal on 24 minutes but the latter couldn't quite latch onto the ball.
Ryan Miles then won a penalty moments later, which Chambers took and ruthlessly smashed home down the middle.
Needham continued to be on top, as Ryan Miles was fed smartly by Ollie Saunders down the right wing after being found by Hammond on 35 minutes, but his shot-cross was well held by North.
Reggie Lambe meanwhile set Jamie McGrath through into the box a minute later who saw his shot held, while Ryan Miles saw an effort go wide on 40 minutes.
Despite that the Marketmen started the second half strongly, controlling a lot of the possession, Aveley retook the lead on 56 minutes as a left wing cross was fired into the bottom near corner by Rowan Libaud at close range.
Keiran Morphew meanwhile intercepted a dangerous Aveley attack down the right-hand side with a brilliant tackle on 68 minutes, before Eddie Barker was slotted through down the right wing smartly after great play from Tommy Smith a minute later only to see his dangerous low cross cleared.
Eddie Barker was threaded through down the left wing well on 70 minutes, finding Chambers who teed up Ryan Miles whose low shot was blocked.
Keiran Morphew saw a good strike following a corner deflected over in the 71st minute as Needham hinted a second equaliser.
Needham went close with a clever free-kick on 80 minutes after a foul on Luca Savill. Reggie Lambe took it quickly, feeding Tommy Smith in space on the left wing whose low cross into the danger area adjudged to have been shot wide of a goal-kick.
Luca Savill then headed a cross narrowly wide at close range on 85 minutes, while James Bradbrook was on hand two minutes later to fly up to his right-hand side and scoop the ball over.
Needham deservedly equalised on 89 minutes as Academy players Brad Smith and Luca Savill combined, the former whipping an exquisite left wing cross to the latter to head home into the top near corner at close range.
Needham travel to Isthmian North side Felixstowe and Walton United on Tuesday (7:45pm).
Needham:- 1 James Bradbrook, 4 Kyle Hammond, 6 Dan Morphew (c, 59' 5 Keiran Morphew), 15 Trialist, 19 Reggie Lambe, 8 Ollie Saunders, 14 Jamie McGrath (78' 10 Luca Savill), 18 Eddie Barker (84' 2 Brad Smith), 11 Ryan Miles (73' 7 James Coton), 9 Seth Chambers.
Goals: Seth Chambers (26'pen), Luca Savill (89'); Elliott Sartorius (12'), Rowan Libaud (56').
REACTION | Tom Rothery Post Match Interview| Needham Market V Aveley | 26.07.2025 |
Manager Tom Rothery reflects on the draw with Aveley.
DK: Another good friendly done?
TR: Yeah, I've just said to the lads, I thought there's a lot of positives again. You can always pick holes in the goals that you concede, but I thought there's a lot of positives. We created a number of chances, which on another day you might take a couple and they're not a bad side. I thought it was a good workout as well. No knocks that I'm aware of, so that's positive as well, and bearing in mind we had no Joe Neal, no Myles, obviously Hunts with his ankle, he's out at the moment, which isn't a bad one. Ingers and Jake, so that's five quite important players. So to produce that performance with those five not here, I think is a real positive. I think so (had the more of the possession), but I thought they'd moved the ball quite well at times. So yeah, I thought first half we should have been ahead, rather than obviously it was 1-1. Thought we should have been ahead at half time, that's what I said to the lads. Second half, I thought we had more chances first half, so we should have definitely come ahead, come in at half time ahead. Whereas second half, Bradders has made one really good save at the end. They had a free header, I remember, and obviously they've scored a goal and I don't think we created as much. We still had a couple of bits, didn't we? Obviously the goal we scored, Luca went close with another chance, trying to think of another one. We put a few dangerous balls in the box, but yeah, I thought second half, probably on chances created, they probably edged it slightly maybe. We probably had a bit more possession second half and first half was probably a bit more possession-wise, but yeah, like I said, I think we created enough chances to win the game. So that's positive, especially when you consider who wasn't here.
DK: Yeah, the most pleasing points are obviously, like I said, no-one, as we know of, has got knocks and showed a lot of resilience to come from behind.
TR: Yeah, I've said that in the changing room. That's what I'm really pleased about. Whilst it's not important, the result is still important because even though I'm contradicting myself, you don't want to lose games. You don't want to get into a habit of losing games. So whilst it's not the be-all and end-all, it's actually really pleasing that we haven't lost, one, because I didn't think we deserved to and two, it just shows that there is character in the team. And you could tell in that last 20, 30 minutes, we were really pushing to get at least an equaliser and maybe at times left ourselves a little bit open because of that. So that is pleasing and it's also obviously really, really pleasing that Reggie's done really well in the build-up to win the ball and then pass it and then obviously Brad's put a nice cross in and Luca is there at the end of it. So that's obviously hugely pleasing and along with James and along with all the reserves that have stepped in this season at pre-season, like I said, one, they'll get opportunities and two, I think they've all shown that they've got ability and now it's just about them coming into the squad at the right time because you don't want to push them in there when they're not ready, but they've all got qualities and now it's just about managing their expectation and them understanding when they need to come in and when they're ready to come in. But there will definitely be opportunities for them like there has been so far in pre-season. So one, that's good for me as a manager and two, that's great credit to our academy and James Manty and Grogs and people like that.
DK: Yeah and it's quite fitting to be talking about the academy given that both goals came from current and former graduates.
TR: Yeah look, since I've been here, I've been in a really privileged position whatever position I've held in the fact that the players that we've got have come through the academy, you know, you're locked to Kieran Morphew, Jake Dye and the younger ones that are coming through.
We've had so many good players come through that academy, Callum Page, Taylor Clark, you know what I mean, Charlie Warren, it's ridiculous really the amount of players that have come through that academy and gone on to better things. So, you know, I'm very privileged as a first team manager and we're very lucky as a club I think.
DK: Moving on to Tuesday, a familiar test in Felixstowe.
TR: Obviously, we know them having knocked us out on penalties, we know that anyway. It's going to be a tough game, we know that. I think obviously they've lost Charlie who I've just mentioned but they've made some really good signings, Jacob Lay for one as an example. So, I think on paper they look stronger than they were last season. So, you know, we know it's going to be a tough game away from home.
It's never easy to go to Felixstowe anyway. So, look, it'll be another really good test for us. We've got a few back, so Joe, Mylo and Luke are back.
Jake's still away and Dan's banned because of last Tuesday. So, Jake and Dan won't be available and Hunts still won't be ready with his ankle but we've got three back so we'll be a bit stronger than we were today. But it'll be another good test and that's the pleasing thing really. Out of the games, I think we've got something out of all the games and I think generally it's been positives, but, you know, there's always a few things that you need to work on whether you want to call them negatives or not, it's up to you. But there's always things that you need to work on. I think by and large the games that we've had have been good. They've tested us and they've allowed us to really sort of implement some of the things that we're trying to work on in training, like shape, phases of play and also out of possession as well, how we press and when we don't press. And I think the lads have really brought into it and I think they've shown real promising signs in the games.
DK: How would you summarise pre-season so far?
TR: I just said to the lads, I think it's been good. I think the buy-in's been brilliant. Obviously, getting Darren in has been a real huge plus. I know it does sound like some people will underplay that, but getting a kit man in has been a huge plus because it allows the coaching staff and myself to concentrate on the jobs that we're here to do. Patch is brilliant. Obviously, I've got a really good assistant in Muller and I think Ben Mendrys has been a huge addition for us on the strength and conditioning. The lads have really brought into what he's trying to do. I've really enjoyed what he's doing and I think it has really helped us as well and I think it's been a really good addition. So, yeah, I'm really pleased with that, and obviously, James, the physio, he feels more settled now and you can tell that he's sort of getting a real grip of what he's trying to do. So, yeah, as a management, I think we're in a good position. I think it's been a really positive pre-season, but I've just said, bizarrely enough, I've just said that exactly to the lads down there, but it's important now. We've got two weeks of pre-season left. It's important we finish it in the right manner and make sure that it's a full and complete pre-season because that doesn't mean you're then going to get results, but it puts you in a good position because the league season is nine months long and a good pre-season gives you a good foundation to hopefully go on and do well during that season, which obviously is what we're trying to
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Needham Market U18 v Debenham LC U23s | 23.07.2025 | PSF
REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market v Ipswich Town U21 | 22.07.2025 |
Needham Market's third friendly ended in defeat to a good Ipswich Town U21s side on Tuesday night.
Joe Neal's fifth goal in three matches gave the Reds a half-time lead, with the lead standing until two late quickfire goals from the young Blues turned the game on it's head against ten men.
Leon Elliott saw a second minute left wing cross well held by James Bradbrook at his near post, while Town fired a shot over soon after.
At the other end, Tommy Smith picked out Joe Neal with a great left wing cross to the far post although the forward's header went just over on 6 minutes.
Ashton Boswell meanwhile drove into space but fired his low shot wide of the bottom right-hand corner eleven minutes later as Town enjoyed more of the early possession though both teams looked bright going forward.
Ash Boatswain then saw a 21st minute low shot from the left-hand edge of the box well held by Bradbrook, while Needham released Joe Neal through inside the box who held up possession well to find Myles Cowling whose shot was blocked.
Ollie Saunders meanwhile clipped a great ball across the face of goal that was headed behind for a corner just ahead of Ryan Miles on 23 minutes, which saw the latter wrap a low shot narrowly wide.
Josh Pitts however curled a dangerous free-kick narrowly wide of the top near, left-hand, corner on the half-hour mark, before Needham broke the deadlock a minute later.
Joe Neal added his fifth goal in three games as Henry Gray gave possession straight to him on the penalty spot to open space to net into an empty net.
Boswell's left wing 37th minute corner found Walker Shabazz-Edwards at the far post but his dangerous headed was blocked behind by Jake Dye.
Town however fired a 30-yard free-kick over at the end of the first half as Needham led at the break.
Great link up play and one two between Joe Neal and Myles Cowling almost released the latter through on goal but was intercepted before he could drive towards goal on 49 minutes.
Needham however started the second half the brighter, Kyle Hammond though struck a 30-yard free-kick over the crossbar in the 56th minute, while James Bradbrook narrowed the angle brilliantly to deny Town at point blank range on 62 minutes with Tommy Taylor's lay off seeing Boatswain denied at close range.
Dan Morphew was soon a second yellow card soon after, while Josh Pitts was fed through inside the box but saw his low fierce shot well held by Bradbrook on 70 minutes.
Town enjoyed more of the possession as the half progressed, though the game remained fast paced and an entertaining contest, even with both sides having made a bunch of substitutions.
Tommy Taylor however equalised on 83 minutes, the attacking midfielder received possession in space to fire in off the inside of the bottom right-hand post.
Two minutes later, Jamie Mauge then met a left wing cross to head home into the far post at close range.
Pitts then weaved into space but saw a low shot comfortably held by Bradbrook on 87 minutes, while Town saw a rasping 90th minute strike well held by Bradbrook at head height.
Needham host Aveley on Saturday (3pm).
Needham:- 1 Bradders, 4 Hammond, 2 Dye (HT' 5 Trialist MT), 6 Dan (c), 3 Tommy, 12 Hunter (60' 18 Eddie Barker), 8 Saunders (82' 19 Brad Smith), 15 Cowling (60' 17 James Coton), 11 Miles (60' 14 Jamie McGrath), 10 Neal (60' 9 Seth Chambers), 7 Lambe (73' 18 Olly Reynolds).
Town:- 31 Henry Gray (HT' 1 Woody Williamson), 2 Dan Babb, 3 Leon Elliott (66' 19 Josh Lewis), 4 Trialist A (66' 14 Fraser Heard), 5 Shabazz Walker-Edwards (66' 12 Corbin Mthunzi), 6 Steven Turner, 7 Ashton Boswell (66' 17 Nico Valentine), 8 Trialist B (66' 15 Abs Onuchukwu), 9 Ash Boatswain (66' 16 Jamie Mauge), 10 Tommy Taylor (c), 11 Josh Pitts.
Goals: Joe Neal (31'); Tommy Taylor (83'), Jamie Mauge (85').
REACTION | Tom Rothery | Needham Market v Ipswich Town U21 | Post Match Interview | 22.07.2025 |
DK: Despite the result, another good pre-season friendly in the bag?
TR: Yeah, I thought it was a really good workout. Lots of positives up until whenever the red card was the 60-65, not sure when that was. 62, yeah, so up until that point really positive. I thought after that there were still positives, as in how we tried to contain, but as a spectacle from our perspective, we didn't get much out of it then other than trying to contain, obviously. So, yeah, there is frustration, but the first 62 minutes especially and the game in general still has proved to be a good exercise for us from the point of view of they were good, they moved the ball really well, they made it difficult for us and I thought, like I said, for the first hour we were good and we managed that really well and then obviously when we go down to ten it makes it very difficult and you then kind of, it's very difficult then to build anything and try and build anything, so that then kind of ruins that side of it for us. So, yeah, frustrating really from that perspective, but overall a good workout.
DK: Yeah, it was a very fast-paced game and it was quite open in terms of possession, but it was kind of tight in terms of chances created?
TR: Yeah, there weren't many until the red card, I can't think of a chance they had to be honest, but yeah, I thought they were good, they moved the ball really well, they were energetic and off the back of that we then had to make decisions around when to press, when not to press and obviously how we then moved the ball as well and when to play forward, etc, etc. So, like I said, it was a really good workout and yeah, really, there are positives, quite a few positives, but you kind of come out of it with a bit of a negative feeling, like I said, just because of the red card and the implications that could then have onto the start of the season and also, like I said, you end up spending the last half hour just obviously trying to defend against the 11 men.
DK: Yeah, it was fine margins even with the red card, but I think you could probably say a draw would have been fair?
TR: Yeah, I thought it's very difficult, isn't it, in pre-season, that's why, look, it's good to get results, it's good to build momentum, but the reality is the results aren't the be-all and end-all and I think in general, up until, I don't know when they scored the first goal, around the 80th minute, was it? Yeah, so look, once you start making, you're making seven changes, you wouldn't do that in a league game and then it becomes a little bit false and like I said, when you're down to 10 men as well, so look, that's kind of then rising to that result, isn't it? They get their tails up after the first goal and then score a second goal very quickly after, so that's fair play to them. Like I said, I thought they were good, probably pleased with what they got out of it and like I said, I'm pleased with what we got out of it up until the red card. I just think the red card's unnecessary and I just think it's a little bit, I just think it's over-fussy really, if I'm honest, but that was kind of the story of the night.
DK: But even with the changes, other than the two goals, do you think we still defended okay?
TR: Yeah, I thought we did. By and large, I thought Hammo and Tommy were good throughout. Obviously, it's difficult for the trialist and Oli then coming on as well, so look, like I said, it just makes it difficult, doesn't it? Because you're defending against 11 men for the trialist and Oli, they're defending against good players with players they don't necessarily know that well. They don't know their games that well and then you're bringing on Brad and James from the reserves into it as well and that just makes it very tough for them, doesn't it, when they're playing against 11 men. So that's the frustration really. I intentionally made the changes late tonight because we've got a few away Saturday, so I know people are going to have to do more minutes on Saturday. So I've tried to get the lads that aren't here Saturday to get more minutes tonight and then the lads that are here Saturday get less minutes tonight and what they've ended up doing is coming on late in the game and defending against 10 men and the reserves have come on when we've got 10 men and it just makes it very difficult for them players that are coming on. The seven subs that are coming on are coming on trying to fight fires rather than actually trying to impress really, so I feel sympathy for them really, if I'm honest.
DK: It was Ryan's debut in red, he put on a good performance?
TR: Yeah, like I said, look, so Ryan was subbed when he just scored the first goal along with I made four changes, didn't I? Was that just before the red card, the four changes? I think it was, wasn't it? I can't remember now. So he was one of the four changes that I made and I think that happened before the red card, didn't it, if I remember right? I think I did it on 60 and then like you said the red card was shortly after. So yeah, like I said, there was lots of positives. I thought Ryan was positive. I thought Ollie Saunders had a really good game in the centre of the pitch. I thought Hammo was outstanding at full-back. Tommy was solid as usual. Joe Neal was excellent again. Mylo was excellent. So there were lots of positives but like I said, you come away with a little bit of negative feel because of the last half an hour and like I said, it's also frustrating because players who want to then come on and impress haven't really had that opportunity to do because of the circumstances.
DK: Yeah, and speaking of Joe, five goals in three games, even if it's pre-season, that's still good.
TR: Yeah, it's brilliant. It's good for him, it's good for the team and like I said the other night, he's just a good player. So we're not surprised at what he's doing but I think what he's also doing is, you can see from his work ethic, he's superb. He's closing people down, he's hunting and we're defending from the front and that's obviously hugely important if we want to be successful and it's also important that when we then do get the ball forward that one, he can look after it and two, he knows where the back of the net is, where the old onion bag is and he definitely knows that side. Yeah, it's been a really positive start for him.
DK: Next up is Averley on Saturday, and I know you said we've got a few players missing but that should still be a very good test.
TR: It'll definitely be a test. They're the same as us, they've come down from step two obviously. New manager and obviously they've rebuilt. They look strong on paper from what I've seen of who, well I know who they've signed so they look very strong and yeah, it'll be another good test, but like I said, pre-season's about trying to build momentum and get results but that isn't the be all and end all. Obviously I always want to win games and I always want to build momentum but it's also important that you understand there are going to be players away. You're going to get decisions like we did tonight, that may happen in the season as well, and you have to deal with all those ups and downs. Like I said, Saturday we've got four away so obviously we are going to be lighter than we would want to be. That might be five away as well so that takes us down to a little bit shorter but we'll call up the reserves and we'll go as strong as we can and try and get another good workout out of it and I'm sure we will.
Saturday, 19 July 2025
Olly Reynolds | Henley V Needham Market Reserves Post Match Interview | 19.07.2025 |
Wednesday, 16 July 2025
REPORT & REACTION | Ipswich Wanderers V Needham Market | 15.07.2025 |
Saturday, 12 July 2025
REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market Reserves v Coplestonians | 12.07.2025 |
REPORT & REACTION | Needham v Brantham Athletic | 12.07.2025 |
Needham Market kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over step 4 Brantham Athletic at Bloomfields, courtesy of two well taken first half goals from Joe Neal.
An inviting second minute right wing cross just evaded Harlyn Palmer at point blank range.
Needham had a great chance two minutes later as Ollie Saunders broke onto the left-hand byline before clipping a great cross to the far post which Tom Dickens met but could only head straight at the keeper at his bottom left-hand corner. Joe Neal then saw a shot blocked as Needham started on the front foot.
Needham went agonisingly close on 18m minutes, an exquisite cross-field ball released Joe Neal racing through one-on-one but shot agonisingly wide of the bottom far corner with the keeper beaten off his line.
Needham though broke the deadlock on 35 minutes as the impressive Joe Neal, making his unofficial second debut for the club, latched onto a brilliant defence splitting pass from Brad Smith on the right-hand side before expertly finding the top near corner.
Three minutes later, Jake Dye threaded through Joe Neal through expertly clear on goal down the right-hand side to round the keeper and find the bottom far corner with ease.
James Coton was fed into space in distance but fired over on 45 minutes in a good first half display from the Marketmen.
Needham went close two minutes into first half stoppage time, an exquisite low pass from Jamie McGrath released Tommy Smith through down the left wing whose clever wrapped cross flashed across the face of goal with nobody in Red in the area.
Ten minutes after the restart, Brantham halved the deficit, driving through the right-hand side to find the bottom far corner.
Reggie Lambe meanwhile saw a low shot from outside the box well held by the keeper on 56 minutes, while the referee awarded Brantham a penalty on 58 minutes.
Skinner however guessed correctly, low to his right-hand side to brilliantly beat the spot-kick away.
A great run and quick linkup play between Brad Smith and Flynn Bobby see the former break through onto the left-hand side of the box, picking out Lambe on the byline who earned Needham a corner on 66 minutes.
Brad Smith's 76th minute throw in saw Dan Morphew whip a brilliant left wing quick cross into Kyle Hammond free at the far post but the ball just evaded the latter at close range.
Two minutes later, Reggie Lambe was fed in space outside the box before turning expertly into space but fired his shot over.
Seconds into stoppage time, Lambe picked up in possession only to see his shot blocked while a deflection saw the ball find Myles Cowling whose close range shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.
Needham then rifled a shot over in the 92nd minute, prior to Kyle Hammond wrapping a 94th minute venomous shot over the bar
Needham travel to step 5 Ipswich Wanderers on Tuesday (15th, 7:45pm).
NM 1st Half:- 1 James Bradbrook, Brad Smith, Tommy Smith, Ollie Saunders, Jake Dye, Tom Dickens, Luke Ingram (c), Jamie McGrath, 9 Joe Neal, James Coton, Harlyn Palmer.
2nd Half:- 1 Charlie Skinner, Kyle Hammond, Ollie Saunders (62' B.Smith), Charlie Smy, Olly Reynolds, Dan Morphew (c), Reggie Lambe, Ed Barker, Seth Chambers, Myles Cowling, Flynn Bobby.
Goals: Joe Neal (35', 38')
REACTION | Joe Neal | Needham Market v Brantham Athletic | 12.07.2025
Double goalscorer Joe Neal reflects on today's friendly.
DK: Good first half back in red.
JN: Yeah, no, it was a good run out. Tough conditions, but good to get the cobwebs out of the legs and get playing with some of the new lads. Obviously the team was mixed, a few youngsters, a few of us boys, so yeah, it was a good run out. I should have maybe had one more before my first one, but two decent finishes, hopefully. Start as a means to go on.
The academy lads have been great. Obviously they've been training with us and their standards are very high, so they're just up with us and it's like you saw out there, a few of them, very good. Very good balls through, just helping us out.
DK: How good is it to be back in a red shirt?
JN: Yeah, very good. Great club, great facilities. Obviously it helps knowing a few of the lads from last time and a few of the boys coming over from Sudbury, but no, it's great. Obviously the lads are great and the staff are great, so hopefully we have a good season to kick on from today.
DK: Are you feeling fresh after that 45?
JN: Yeah, tired. I mean, that was a hot one. Very, very hot one. Just get inside and hydrate and get ready for Tuesday night.
DK: A lot of running as well in the heat.
JN: Yeah, but that's what I'm good at. I think that's what I can do to help the team running behind us.
Where my second goal come from, run that channels and hopefully I do that all season long and get a few more goals that way. Definitely competition from places. That's another thing. I'll keep my own standards high and keep my place in the team. Just keep doing what I can do.
REACTION | Tom Rothery | Needham v Brantham | 12.07.2025 |
Manager Tom Rothery reflects on our first friendly.
DK: Good start to pre-season, you must be pleased?
TR: I thought it was okay, yeah. I don't know about pleased, but it's okay. It's a start, yeah. Definitely things to work on. That's obvious, like I've just said to the lads. There were some good elements, some okay elements and some elements that need to be improved. Minutes-wise, pleased. No knocks, that's really pleasing. Everyone obviously got 45, Ollie Saunders got 60, that's really positive.
DK: Is it right to say the first half was a bit more expansive than the second?
TR: Yeah, I'm more pleased with the first half. The first half, generally speaking, we moved the ball better. We looked like we had more structure, whereas the second half definitely looked more ragged, didn't have the same kind of structure. I just think we didn't move the ball as well either. Like I said, that's things to work on and that's the falseness of pre-season as well. You don't change your whole team at half-time, do you, in a normal situation? So, yeah, it is what it is. Overall, to easily analyse it, the first half was pretty good. The second half, pretty average, I guess.
DK: Joe Neal getting his second spell underway with a couple of good goals?
TR: Yeah, yeah, really. It's always nice, I think, for a striker to get off the mark as quick as they can, pre-season or not. I thought he showed some really bright bits, not just the goals, his movement, his hold-up play. So, yeah, a really, really nice start for him, definitely.
DK: The Academy lads, all but Olly didn't have any real experience in the first team and they didn't look out of place and played well?
TR: No, it's brilliant for them. Like I've said, they'll definitely be involved in these first two games and at times during the season, if they're good enough, they've got opportunities. So, that's down to them. That's not really just me. Obviously, they've got to impress for the reserves, they've got to do well, they've got to show a good attitude. So, most of them have trained now with us and then played today. So, yeah, they've done well. They did really well at training. Some good parts about today for them and probably some difficult parts, but it's all good experience for them.
DK: Brad got an assist and Charlie saved a penalty. So, that will stick in the mind?
TR: Yeah, definitely. Like I said, it's all good experience for them, even when it's things that have gone wrong or not gone how they wanted it to. It's all a learning part and part of their development. So, yeah, it's nice for Charlie to get that penalty save. Obviously, Brad had a nice assist as well. So, yeah, that's good.
DK: We've got most of our squad available but obviously we've got Keiran injured and a couple unavailable. Is it the same squad for Tuesday?
TR: So, Huntz and Ryan weren't available today. Huntz is back for Tuesday. Ryan's still away and Keiran, we've had a scan now. It's nothing major. He'll be a couple of weeks. So, he can still do straight line running. So, we'll play that by ear. But yeah, he's had good news with a scan. So, that's pleasing as well, so, Keiran hopefully in and around Aveley. Maybe Felixstowe, he should be okay to get some minutes.
DK: And next up, another familiar test in Wanderers?
TR: Yeah. Obviously, Patch is Bruvs brother. He's been in the Needham changing room. So, yeah, he's a good lad and I hope he has a great season. But yeah, it'll be nice to go there and see him again. It'll be another good test for us. So, another step. Yeah, we've got seven games, haven't we? So, that's first game chucked off, second game. I'm not a big fan of pre-season. It's just the process. It's what you have to do, and obviously, the games, you just have to tick them off. And like I said today, we've come out of it with no injuries. And hopefully, that'll be the same Tuesday. Keep trying to build momentum ready for August 9th, the start of the season.
Thursday, 10 July 2025
Tommy Smith | End Of Season Q&A | 12.06.2025 |
Defender Tommy Smith discusses last season and previews the upcoming campaign.
REPORT | Needham Market U18 v AFC Sudbury | 21.08.2025 |
Needham Market Under-18's kicked off the new Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Youth League Central Division season with a 4-1 win over AFC ...
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Needham Market kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over step 4 Brantham Athletic at Bloomfields, courtesy of two well taken ...
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Needham Market's third friendly ended in defeat to a good Ipswich Town U21s side on Tuesday night. Joe Neal's fifth goal in three...
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Needham started well in a closely fought encounter, but did have the lion share of the early possession as Evan Gledhill's left wing c...