TENNIAL KNOCKS IRONS OUT OF FA YOUTH CUP

Braintree Town U18 v Needham Market U18 | 01.10.2026 | Cressing Road Stadium | FA Youth Cup 2nd Qualifying Round |

Needham Market advanced to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup following a fine 2-1 away win at Braintree Town.

Despite traffic forcing Luke Betts to make two last second alterations to the starting eleven, the young Marketmen were in control of the first half, and were full value of their half-time lead courtesy of Kyle Roper (20').

A Braintree equaliser (55') sparked the visitors back into life, who struck the decisive blow through Josh Tennial in the 73rd minute.

Needham started well, and almost pounced on the Braintree keeper russhing out only to miss a long ball towards Henry Vieria (13'), but the defender beat the forward to the ball, to vitally prevent a shot at an open goal, though Needham deservedly broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.

After starting on the front foot, a great move saw captain Kyle Roper retain possession and drive forward and play a smart one-two with Henry Vieira before poking home past the onrushing keeper, 1-0 Needham!

More fantastic football (28') followed, Aden Chandler's right wing cross fell to Alex Breeden whose shot from outside the box stung the keeper's hands.

In a comfortable first half for the Reds (38') Aden Chandler weaved smartly into space on the right-hand edge of the box, albeit fired narrowly wide of the bottom near corner.

Braintree7 (39') meanwhile drove through onto the right-hand side but lashed wide of the near post, before Braintree9 (44') fired over after spotting Bloom slightly off his line.

A goal-line clearance (45') following a far post shot from a corner preserved Needham's lead at the break.  

Needham started the break superbly, maintaining their good performance, Riley Coote's (48') low shot at goal is crucially blocked, following a right wing free-kick.

Braintree on the other hand grew into the game and equalised with their first major chance of the night (55'). A long range free-kick was swung to the far post and fired home into the bottom left-hand corner.

Breeden (56') rasped a fierce strike from the right-hand edge of the area straight at the keeper at his near post. 

Jake Bloom (67') punched a dangerous long ball away, while Needham (70') went close to restoring their lead.

A clever cross-field left wing free-kick was swung to Riley Coote free at the back post, whose great ball back across goal was back heeled agonisingly straight to the keeper by Roper.

Excellent football on 73 minutes saw Josh Tennial regain Needham's advantage. Substitute Fin Brock was threaded driving onto the left wing, his great low delivery was controlled well by Henry Vieira to set up Tennial to first time sweep home into the bottom left-hand corner, 2-1 Needham!

Fin Brock continued to make an impact raced through (79') to slide Vieira free in the area whose effort was delected narrowly wide of the far post.

Chandler (81') then was found in space to neatly spin and turn effortlessly through two defenders but his low shot was held.

The Iron though missed a golden chance at close range in the 85th minute, meeting a right wing corner unmarked at the far post only to loop the header over onto the roof of the net.

Tennial (87') jinked expertly onto the edge of the box to fire low but straight at the keeper, as Riley Coote (88') met Dawson Coldwell's right wing corner at the back post but headed just wide.

A Braintree free-kick was crucially headed off the line twice (90'), as Needham held on for a fine away win on the road in the FA Youth Cup.

Match winner Josh Tennial said, "very delighted with the win thought the boys fought well in the game especially in the second half good to be going through the next round. Very proud of the lads tonight and i thought we done very well away from home especially dealing with the other team not delaying kick off for us meaning we had to switch some things up which we dealt with very well so very proud of the lads tonight."

On scoring, the attacking midfielder said, "felt unbelievable seeing the ball hit the back of net so far im 3 games and 2 goals in fa youth cup and want to keep the streak going so it felt amazing to score especially scoring when I know we deserved that win.

"First thing I thought when I scored was what celebration to do first 😂 but after the ball went in I was just genuinely happy to score and help Needham go through to the next round. 

"Tonight's win is very important as us winning tonight gets us 1 more game away from getting to first round proper and we’re hoping to go make history like the last year (team) did and be good to get further."

Asked if backing up Saturday's win for Reserves made tonight's win feel even sweeter, he said, "Yeah hundred percent the win on Saturday felt good as I think the boys deserved to get that win, after that win on Saturday all the focus was bringing that winning mentality to the Thursday night game which I thought we done very well."

Previewing the Reserves game against Gorleston Reserves at Bloomfields on Saturday, "Yeah ecxited I think we will all be pumped up from tonight's game going into Saturday because that winning feeling feels incredible so I think the boys will definitely push for a win on Saturday and will be good to get 2 back to back wins in the league." 

Needham Market U18:- 1 Jake Bloom, 15 Kaio Brittain (54' Konik), 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Riley Coote, 6 Kyle Roper (C) (86' Fox) , 7 Aden Chandler, 8 Josh Tennial, 9 Henry Vieira, 10 Alex Breeden (69' Coldwell), 17 Alfie Mark (61' Brock). Subs: 14 Dan Thompson, 16 Charlie Fox, 18 Riley Parker, 19 Dawson Coldwell, GK Freddie Foreman, 2 Danylo Konik, 11 Fin Brock.

Booked: B9 (42'), B16 (68').

Goals: Kyle Roper (20'), Josh Tennial (73'); B9 (55').

Needham MOTM: 8 Josh Tennial. 

MILES FIRES HOME FIRST HALF HAT-TRICK IN COMFORTABLE WIN

Needham Market v Stamford AFC | 29.09.2026 | Bloomfields | The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division |

MOTM Ryan Miles reflects on his hat-trick, with Manager Tom Rothery speaking on Tuesday's win.

Needham Market thumped pointless Stamford 4-0 at Bloomfields in a comfortable home win, in their first League fixture in 17 days.

Ryan Miles' excellent first half hat-trick made it 3-0 by the 24th minute, before Tevan Allen in first half stoppage time rounded off a solid victory, with a quiet second half seeing out the clean sheet and three points, lifting the Reds up to eighth, two points outside the final play-off place (7th).

Luke Ingram (on the bench) and Ben Hunter (suspended) dropped out, with Jake Dye and Ryan Miles starting, from Saturday's team that knocked Canvey Island out of the FA Trophy.

Ryan Miles (4') broke the deadlock with a stunning strike, the winger exploited space on the left-hand edge of the box to curl a stunning strike into the top far corner.

Ollie Saunders (7') continued Needham's blistering start, finding space in the area to fire low at goal, only to be denied agonisingly by the inside base of the near, right-hand, post.

Stamford (10') headed a right wing corner over, though Needham worked new signing James Goff in the Stamford goal (18') as Marcel
Lewis' shot was tipped just wide of his far left-hand post by the keeper.

From the resulting corner, Miles doubled his and Needham's tally (19').

A far post header was headed off the line which Miles converts the rebound spectacularly, with a bicycle kick into the right-hand corner!!

Ollie Saunders (24') dragged a good low shot just wide of the bottom right-hand corner from outside the area,

Miles then added his fourth in two games, completing a brilliant first half hat-trick for Needham's third (24'). Tevan Allen latched onto a cross-field pass to feed Marcel Lewis, who released Miles through on goal to slide home underneath the keeper!

Allen (26') raced through onto the left-hand byline, beating the onrushing keeper but for his sshot to be cleared off the line, before Kyle Hammond went close (35').

The midfielder was fed in space from distance to hammer low at goal but his effort was deflected just wide for a corner.

Liam Pearce (40') went close to adding the hosts' fourth, after being threaded into the area the forward jinked passed his man but wrapped just wide of the bottom far corner.

Pearce (44'), in acres of space on the right-hand edge of the box, curls an exquisite strike agonisingly just over the top far corner


Tevan Allen (45'+1') netted a clinical fourth goal, after Pearce was picked out in the area, the midfielder finished smartly, low into the net for a comprehensive interval lead for the Marketmen.

A triple switch on the hour mark saw Harlyn Palmer, Luke Ingram and Kell Fiddy introduced for hat-trick hero Ryan Miles, Liam Pearce and captain Keiran Morphew, as Marcel Lewis (61') saw a low driven volley blocked, prior to Needham going close moments later.

The home side went close (64'), substitute Luke Ingram droves down the right wing to cross low for Lewis free at close range whose first time strike went just over.

Josh Curry and James Coton (69') replaced Dan Morphew and Tommy Smith, prior to a 74th minute right wing cross into a dangerous area being turned goal-wards by a defender but comfortably into Goff's gloves.

Needham travel to Rushall Olympic on Saturday (3pm).

Needham Market:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Jake Dye, 3 Tommy Smith (69' Coton), 4 Kyle Hammond, 5 Keiran Morphew (C) (60' Fiddy), 6 Dan Morphew (69' Curry), 8 Ollie Saunders, 10 Ryan Miles (59' Palmer), 11 Tevan Allen, 12 Liam Pearce (59' Ingram), 16 Marcel Lewis. Subs: 7 Luke Ingram, 14 Josh Curry, 15 James Coton, 18 Harlyn Palmer, 19 Kellen Fiddy.

Stamford AFC:- 1 James Goff, 2 Ellis Perry-Burdett (54' Walker), 3 Ryan Thomas, 5 Kobe Sinclair-Lintom, 8 Sam Bayly (C), 10 Mark Jones, 11 Luca Alonzi, 16 Jon Challinor (83' Fisken), 17 Aaron Cashmore, 18 Dan Lawlor, 20 Tyler Young (HT' Steiner). Subs: 7 Maks Jarzabek, 14 Alfie Fisken, 15 Ronnie Wallie, 19 Cameron Steiner.

Booked: Ronnie Walker (77').

Goals: Ryan Miles (4', 19', 24'), Tevan Allen (45'+1').

MOTM Sponsored by Richard Bugg: 10 Ryan Miles. 

RESERVES WIN AT WHITTLESEY

Whittlesey Athletic v Needham Market Reserves | 26.09.2026 | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties First Division North |

Henry Vieira and an spectacular own goal guided the Reserves to a fantastic 2-1 win on the road, which pleased Aden Chandler. 

"I thought the boys put up a good fight again today getting a well deserved win, it feels good to get the 3 points to your name. We played to your strengths and made chances from it.

"As I knew I was coming of from the bench, I wanted to make an impact to improve our teams performance. In the first half I thought we played good football at times but not enough to score goals, but in the second half we improved and spoke on what to do in the second half and went out and improved and is shown by the score. I thought overall the team worked very hard against a physical team holding the ball up and calm under pressure, later on in the game the defence was on point as the back line were aggressive and organised not letting them have a chance. It’s been a frustrating start so far as we have been getting results that doesn’t reflect our performance and have been unlucky and fell short, but after the win today I hope it motivates us to get the results we need."

Previewing the Under-18's trip to Braintree Town in the FA Youth Cup on Thursday night, Chandler added, "All the lads are up for the game on Thursday and know we are close to qualifying. We don’t know what to expect from Braintree but we know not to underestimate them and go into the game with the correct approach." 

HAMMOND STUNNER HELPS MARKETMEN PROGRESS IN TROPHY

Canvey Island v Needham Market | 26.09.2026 | The Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round |


Interviews:-

 

Needham Market progressed to the First Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy with a 3-0 comfortable win away at step 4 Canvey Island.

Tom Rothery made one change to the team that faced Braintree Town on Tuesday, as Luke Ingram replaced Jake Dye.

Kyle Hammond's exquisite dipping strike gave Needham a fifth minute lead, prior to Jack Cawley receiving his marching orders midway through the first half.

While Needham remained the better side, excellent goalkeeping from Hughes forced the Marketmen to be patient, finally getting their deserved second goal in the 75th minute through Marcel Lewis.

Ryan Miles, in stoppage time, capped off a great win on the Essex coast as the Reds progressed to Monday's draw.

Needham started on the front foot, forcing a good save from goalkeeper Hughes early on (3'), Pearce drove freely onto the left-hand side but his close range strike was smothered by Hughes, though Pearce looked to beat the keeper to the rebound going down, but the ref deems the keeper just got a touch on the ball beforehand as the midfielder went down.

Kyle Hammond (5') meanwhile gave Needham an early breakthrough, the defender was fed into space on the left-hand edge of the box to curl a stunning strike into the top far corner, making it 1-0 to the Suffolk side.

Ben Hunter (7') was picked out, in space outside the area on the right, but volleyed straight at Hughes, the hosts (10') right wing cross was headed at goal from the far post, but Bradbrook comfortably held at close range.

The Marketmen, firmly on the front foot were denied by the crossbar (12'). Excellent football from the Marketmen led to Luke Ingram being released through on the right wing to square dangerously across goal for Pearce whose close range strike went agonisingly over off the top off the bar.

Pearce (13') then drifted inside his man to shoot, from the right-hand edge of the box, but the keeper again held at his far post.

Needham (20') remained dominant and forced another stop from Hughes. Liam Pearce again latched onto onto a great long ball down the left to beat his man smartly on his way into the area to cutback for Ingram, whose low 10-yard shot across goal was held by Hughes.

The Reds continued to play great passing football, Ollie Saunders (23') is slipped through onto the left byline after neat passing between Lewis and Smith, but the former's excellent ball across goal was crucially turned just wide of the near post by a defender

Pearce headed straight at the onrushing keeper (25'), while Canvey were reduced to ten men (26') after Jack Cawley was sent off for a last man challenge on Pearce just outside the box.

Tevan Allen (27') curled over from the free-kick, though James Bradbrook (31') was off his line sharply to thwart Evans Kouassi close to goal as he twisted close to goal down the right-hand side.

Needham went close again on 38 minutes, a surging run from Ingram saw the winger break onto the right-hand byline to cutback dangerously, which saw Marcel Lewis' shot cleared out to Ben Hunter whose ferocious strike was excellently palmed away by Hughes, high to his right.

Kyle Hammond (41') lashed a great strike, after a neat one-two into sspace just outside the area, just wide of the bottom right-hand corner, prior to adamant handball penalty appeals from Needham being waved away (42'), as Hughes (43') intercepted a great ball through to Saunders.

Hammond (44') was blatantly shoved down in the area from behind, but nothing was given.

Dan Morphew (45'+2') shot over from a bicycle kick, as Needham led at the break.

Kyle Hammond (48') drove freely onto the left only for his low strike to be held by Hughes at the near post.

Bradbrook (51') swatted away a left wing free-kick, swung at goal, with the Needham defence blocking the following shot from inside the area.

Ollie Saunders (56') made way for Ryan Miles, as Canvey (59') headed a golden chance at point blank range straight at Bradbrook, after meeting a left wing cross unmarked.

Hughes (60') beat away a dangerous Needham 60th minute left wing free-kick, after McDaid was cautioned for fouling Ingram, who was replaced by Harlyn Palmer (65').

Needham went close (70'), Allen wrapped a great right wing cross into the towering Dan Morphew who headed narrowly wide of the far post.

Canvey shot narrowly wide (71'), as Needham remained on the front foot, in control of possession.

Dan Morphew (73') threaded Marcel Lewis baring down clear on goal, but the winger shot just wide of the bottom right-hand corner, while Needham (75') deservedly doubled their lead on 75 minutes.

Marcel Lewis raced through on goal, after Palmer's defence splitting pass to bundle home past the keeper!

James Coton replaced Pearce (78'), ahead of the woodwork denying Needham a third (81').

Ben Hunter's excellent run saw the midfielder cleverly play a good one-two with Lewis only to rattle the face off the crossbar with Miles' half-volley blazed narrowly over.

Kell Fiddy and Josh Curry (81') meanwhile replaced Kyle Hammond and Dan Morphew in Needham's final two changes.

Harlyn Palmer (83') then delivered a great right wing cross for Ryan Miles but the forward shot just wide of the bottom far corner.

Miles (85') shot low but straight at Hughes, who was then fed free close to goal (88') only to shoot agonisingly just wide of the bottom right-hand corner.

Lewis (91') fired straight at the keeper from the rebound after Coton's low cross was partially cleared.

Miles (92') deservedly netted a third goal for the Reds, the substitute was slipped through one-on-one down the left-hand side, by Lewis, the forward cleverly chipped the keeper into the far corner!

Needham return to Southern Central Premier Division action, after a 17 day break from league duties on Tuesday at home to Stamford AFC (7:45pm).

Canvey Island:- 1 David Hughes, 2 Rowan McDaid, 3 Dom Bobrovskij, 4 Charlie Panton, 5 Elliott Ronto (C), 6 Jack Cawley, 7 Ernest Okoh, 8 Conor Hubble, 9 Ross Wall, 10 Mitchell May, 11 Evans Kouassi (73' Akouty). Subs: 12 Jack Walker, 14 Ziggy Akouty, 15 Michael Finneran, 16 Philip Boyland, 20 Kasey Clarke. 

Needham Market:- 1 James Bradbrook, 4 Kyle Hammond (81' Fiddy), 3 Tommy Smith, 5 Keiran Morphew (C), 6 Dan Morphew (81' Curry), 7 Luke Ingram (65' Palmer), 8 Ollie Saunders (56' Miles), 11 Tevan Allen, 12 Liam Pearce (78' Coton), 16 Marcel Lewis, 17 Ben Hunter. Subs: 10 Ryan Miles, 14 Josh Curry, 15 James Coton, 18 Harlyn Palmer, 19 Kellen Fiddy.

Booked: Charlie Panton (18'), Conor Hubble (45'+1'), Rowan McDaid (60'), Ernest Okoh (64'), Tommy Smith (64').

Sent Off: Jack Cawley (26').

Goals: Kyle Hammond (5'), Marcel Lewis (75'), Ryan Miles (92').

MOTM: 4 Kyle Hammond. 

MARKETMEN EXIT FA CUP

Braintree Town v Needham Market | 22.09.2026 | Cressing Road Stadium | Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay |

Reaction from Tom Rothery




Three second half goals knocked Needham Market out of the Emirates FA Cup, as Anisius Lewis' brace guided Braintree Town to a 3-0 victory.

Tom Rothery named an unchanged team from Saturday's 3-3 draw, with the Marketmen ultimately ruing big chances not falling their way with the home side taking full advantage at the other end.

Needham had a third minute long ball held by Barrett, while good run from Marcel Lewis (8') onto the left wing, deep in the Braintree half, saw the winger's dangerous cross low across the area cleared.

Needham went close in the 16th minute, Marcel Lewis broke smartly onto the left-hand byline whose excellent squared ball across the face of goal was turned just wide by Pearce, sliding in at the near post.

At the other end, Braintree (19') forced a good stop from James Bradbrook. Fletcher Hubbard drove onto a through-ball onto the right-hand side, though his near post strike was tipped over by the alert Bradbrook.

Braintree (20') had an effort from the corner deflected just wide of the bottom right-hand corner for another corner, before Kyle
Hammond's (31') left wing free-kick was creeping under the crossbar, albeit George Barrett claimed at his far post.

While Braintree had slightly more possession, Needham had the better chances.

George Evans (34') looked to latch onto a long ball close to goal, but the ball ran too close to Bradbrook to gather.

After a foul by Ben Hunter around 30-yards from his own goal, which prompted a caution, Afi Adebayo (36') fires the free-kick straight into Bradbrook's chest.

The Marketmen went agonisingly close again, Liam Pearce's (41') wrapped strike from the right-hand edge of the box wemt just wide of the bottom far corner.

The best chance at either end in the first half fell to Needham (43'),
Kyle Hammond's exquisite left wing cross was met by the towering Tevan Allen whose excellent header towards the top near corner was swatted away brilliantly by Ipswich Town loanee George Barrett.

After the restart, Marcel Lewis (47') weaved freely onto the left-hand edge of the box but shoots low and straight at Barrett.

Alex Bolovan (50') saw a dangerous free-kick blocked by the wall, while Liam Pearce (51') went agonisingly close.

Pearce was threaded clear on goal, in acres of space but shot AGONISINGLY just wide of the bottom right-hand corner.

The home side broke the deadlock (53'), harsh on the Marketmen who recieved a sucker punch having just gone close themselves, after cutback to Bolovan on the edge of the box wass wrapped home first time into the bottom far corner.

Braintree went close on 55 minutes Anisius Lewis (55') raced through but fired just wide of the bottom far corner.

Luke Ingram (56') replaced Marcel Lewis, moment before Liam Pearce again drove into the area but saw his shot blocked behind. Hammond's effort goes wide.

Needham created another good chance (60'), Keiran Morphew drifted onto the left-hand byline but his excellent cutback to Hammond was cleared.

The game was end to end until the Iron doubled their lead (63'). Anisius Lewis picked up a misplaced pass to spin through on goal and cooly finish low past Bradbrook in clinical fashion.

Ryan Miles (65') replaced Ollie Saunders, prior to Bradbrook producing a big save at full stretch across waist high to his right on 67 minutes.

Bradbrook (68') then denied a close range header from a clipped cross, a minute before Lewis netted his second goal of the night.

Anisius Lewis (69') hared down the right-hand side to fire home low into the net to pick up a quickfire brace.

Needham withdrew Dan Morphew and Pearce for Josh Curry anf James Coton (71'), ahead of Ben Hunter receiving his marching orders (73') for a second yellow card.

Bradbrook however held the resulting free-kick at his near post.

Louie Johnson (77') was fed free close to Bradbrook's right-hand post, only for the keeper to comfortably save.

Alfie Matthews (78') meanwhile latched onto the ball unmarked in the area with a golden chance to score, but his lobbed effort was weak as Bradbrook claimed.

Kell Fiddy (79') replaced Hammond, while Bradbrook dived expertly low to his right (87') to palm a shot behind, a feat he replicated mere moments later.

Needham (90') had a low shot held by the keeper, though ten man Needham exited the FA Cup following a 3-0 defeat at National League South opponents Braintree Town, but switch focus to Saturday's FA Trophy trip to Canvey Island.

Braintree Town:- 1 George Barrett, 2 Idreess Namisi, 6 Jet Dyer, 7 Courtney Senior, 8 Louie Johnson, 9 Anisius Lewis (C), 11 Fletcher Hubbard (84' Goredema), 15 Alex Bolovan (80' Okunowo), 16 Alfie Lewis (75' Swann), 20 George Evans (57' Matthews), 21 Afi Adebayo (80' Brown). Subs: 4 Reuben Swann, 10 Alfie Matthews, 12 Jacob Goredema, 18 Luis Brown, 22 Emmanuel Okunowo.

Needham Market:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Jake Dye, 3 Tommy Smith, 4 Kyle Hammond (79' Fiddy), 5 Keiran Morphew (C), 6 Dan Morphew (71' Curry), 8 Ollie Saunders (65' Miles), 11 Tevan Allen, 12 Liam Pearce (71' Coton), 16 Marcel Lewis (56' Ingram), 17 Ben Hunter. Subs: 7 Luke Ingram, 10 Ryan Miles, 14 Josh Curry, 15 James Coton, 18 Harlyn Palmer, 19 Kellen Fiddy, 13 Charlie Skinner (GK).

Booked: Ben Hunter (35', 73'), Courtney Senior (74'), Alfie Matthews (89'),

Sent Off: Ben Hunter (73').

Goals: Alex Bolovan (53'), Anisius Lewis (63', 69').