Needham Market found more pain on the road as they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Dunstable in Bedfordshire.
The home side blitzed into a three goal lead thanks to goals from Gemma Whitchurch, Zara McKenzie and Amy Leach with Millie Bloom pulling one back for the visitors.
Needham missed a late penalty before the break and that would be crucial as they couldn’t force their way back into the game and saw their chances killed off by a late Monet-Grace Willie sucker punch.
The start of the game couldn’t have been much worse as first Whitchurch scored a deflected second minute opener and the there was little time to catch breathe when Mckenzie only minutes later went through one on one to make it two.
Needham did have five minutes of chaos free football but found themselves breached again by a long-range strike from Leach.
The clock had not even ticked beyond 15 minutes; it was already a mountain to climb for the visitors to get something from the game.
But to the teams credit they did eventually settle and got back into the proceedings with Bloom scoring from close range after an Ella Edwards corner.
They had a brilliant chance to bring themselves right back into it when a late first half penalty was given for Handball, but Keira Topple saw her spot kick saved.
Needham had more of the possession in the second half but failed to create too many clear chances to get back into although returning Charlotte McGrath saw a drive saved late on.
And just to rub salt into the wounds the home side rounded off the scoring deep into stoppage time the ball was played over the top to Willie, who ran through and completed a miserable day on the road.
It was double trouble for Needham Sunday as the development team suffered their first league defeat of the season with a 3-1 home defeat to Woodbridge.
Eve Boggis scored the only goal of the game from a home persuasion but in positive news both Ciera Flatt and Megan McCrae-Robinson came on to start their journeys back to the first team picture after length injury layoffs.
The Club have decided to accelerate progression of a number of young, talented players in our Academy and to that end have decided to release Josh Curry to whom we extend our grateful thanks for his services, and Myles Cowling who is emigrating later in the year to Australia. Myles has contributed greatly to the Club and was last seasons “Supporters player of the Year “ and “Players player of the Year.”
We can only wish both players all the very best in the future and record our gratitude for their contributions.
Rushall Olympic inflicted a first league defeat in five matches on Needham Market, in a 5-3 defeat for the Marketmen, after the Pics had lost 3 of their last 4 games and last match prior to the clash at Dales Lane.
Tom Rothery made two changes to Tuesday's 4-0 home win over Stamford, Jake Dye (ankle) and Marcel Lewis (on the bench) made way for Luke Ingram and Ben Hunter.
Luke Yates (6'), Lewis Corbett (24') and Osaze Okuonghae (41') gave the Pics a 3-0 lead, albeit Luke Ingram from the penalty spot (44') reduced the deficit at the break.
Yates on the other hand restored Rushall's three goal advantage, which Liam Pearce (53') cancelled out with a poachers finish for 4-2.
Dan Morphew (83') was sent off to compound more disappointment on the Marketmen with home captain Liam McAlinden (84') hitting a fifth goal from the spot. Needham MOTM Liam Pearce (91') continued his red hot scoring run by netting his eighth Needham goal to round off proceedings with a 5-3 defeat for the Suffolk side.
James Bradbrook (30 seconds) held a low shot at his near left-hand post, ahead of claiming a right wing cross on his line in the fifth minute. Rushall though (6') broke the deadlock as Luke Yates finished low at close range. Rushall (9') forced a good stop from Bradbrook. Alcock drove onto the right forcing the Needham keeper to block the shot well at his near left-hand post, as the rebound was headed at goal only for Dan Morphew to head off the line. The linesman's flag went up on the follow up as Bradbrook made another sharp save at his near post.
Bradbrook meanwhile (13') picked out Ryan Miles with a great long ball to flick Kyle Hammond through but his effort goes over.
Hammond (16') nearly latched onto a great defence splitting pass but for keeper Taylor to just get there first to clear.
Needham began to find their rhythm (20'), patient build-up play saw Tevan Allen found on the right-hand edge of the area only to fire over.
More neat passing from the Suffolk side (22') saw Hammond look to set Pearce through into the area but a touch off a defender meant the ball fell to Ollie Saunders - from 20-yards out - whose low shot at the bottom right corner was held by the home goalkeeper.
The Pics (24') doubled their lead though as Lewis Corbett headed home a cross at close range.
The hosts (28') were denied again by Bradbrook, a right wing cross (28') found Liam McAlinden in the area whose low header across goal was held smartly by Bradbrook.
Carter Lycett was fed in space on the left-hand edge of the box (31'), but curled over the top far corner.
Tommy Smith (34') was cautioned, as Pearce and Ingram (38') linked up only for the latter to fire high and over from just outside the area.
The Pics made it 3-0 on 41 minutes,after a left wing free-kick was headed back across goal and headed home by Okuonghae.
Needham (44') reduced the deficit back to 2 goals after a handball.
Luke Ingram cooly fired into the right-hand corner from the spot!
Rushall (50') restored their 3 goal advantage, a right wing corner was met by Luke Yates to head home his second goal of the afternoon at the far post.
The Marketmen responded almost instantly (53'), Ben Hunter raced into the area whose deflected effort fell to Liam Pearce lurking to stab home at point blank range!
Rushall (57') glanced a left wing cross just wide of the near post, who fed a man free (62') on the left-hand side only to curl narrowly over the bar.
Needham then made a double change (64') Miles and Saunders were withdrawn for Marcel Lewis and Kell Fiddy.
Tommy Smith (72') worked space to shoot in space on the left-hand edge of the box but fired straight at Taylor, as Lewis lashed narrowly wide moments later.
McAlinden (79') crossed straight at Bradbrook, prior to Needham introducing Harlyn Palmer and James Coton (82') for Ben Hunter and Luke Ingram.
Allen and Alex Moore (81') were both booked, while the Suffolk side (83') were reduced to ten men after Dan Morphew (83') was sent off for a foul in his own area, which McAlinden (84') converted into the bottom left-hand corner - despite Bradbrook getting to the ball, restoring the hosts' 3 goal lead for 5-2.
Bradbrook (87') denied the hosts at point blank range following a low left wing cross, although Needham refused to give in and grabbed a third goal, albeit another consolation.
MOTM Pearce (91') picked up another brace - making it eight goals in eight games in all competitions and a third league goal in two games, latching onto a poor defensive pass to break through onto the right-hand side and cleverly find the top near corner, reducing the deficit to 5-3.
Needham return to Bloomfields on Saturday (3pm) at home to Anstey Nomads in the League.
Rushall Olympic:- 1 Ollie Taylor, 2 Todd Alcock, 3 Carter Lycett, 4 Aurio Teixeira (88' Concannon), 5 Jordaan Brown, 6 Osaze Okuonghae (90'+4' Oliver), 7 Lewis Corbett (90'+2' Burton), 8 Alex Moore, 9 Kaiman Anderson, 10 Luke Yates (90' Benbow), 11 Liam McAlinden. Subs: 12 Brad Burton, 14 Sam Oliver, 15 Jack Concannon, 16 Tyler Roberts, 19 Luke Benbow.
Needham Market:- 1 James Bradbrook, 3 Tommy Smith, 4 Kyle Hammond, 5 Keiran Morphew (C), 6 Dan Morphew, 7 Luke Ingram (82' Coton), 8 Ollie Saunders (64' Fiddy), 10 Ryan Miles (64' Lewis), 11 Tevan Allen, 12 Liam Pearce, 17 Ben Hunter (82' Palmer). Subs: 15 James Coton, 16 Marcel Lewis, 18 Harlyn Palmer, 19 Kellen Fiddy.
Booked: Tommy Smith (34'), Tevan Allen (81'), Alex Moore (81'), Marcel Lewis (87'). Sent Off: Dan Morphew (83'). Goals: Luke Yates (6', 50'), Lewis Corbett (24'), Osaze Okuonghae (41'), Liam McAlinded (84'pen); Luke Ingram (44'pen), Liam Pearce (53', 90'+1')
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 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').
