REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market U18 V Lowestoft Town U18 | 26.02.2026 | Suffolk U18 Midweek Cup QF | Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena |

Needham Market Under-18's advanced to a fourth Suffolk U18 Midweek Cup Semi Final in we many seasons, following a 3-0 victory over Lowestoft Town.

Needham (3') went close after some great play, Kellen Fiddy headed away a long ball forward to Evan Gledhill to expertly wrap a great ball round the corner to James Coton racing free down the right to pick out Flynn Bobby with an excellent cross whose far post close range header glanced just wide of the top far corner.

Flynn Bobby (11') broke the deadlock for the hosts, curling a cracking strike into the top right-hand far corner from 20-yards out.

The visiting keeper (13') was then on hand to deny a close range effort, while Needham went close again soon after (16').

Flynn Bobby was fed smartly by Charlie Smy onto the left-hand byline whose brilliant cutback just missed by James Coton lurking free at the back post.

Another dangerous Bobby low driven cutback on the left-hand side (19') caused havoc, this time falling to the onrushing Charlie Smy who blazed his shot over.

The young Marketmen (23') however hit the post, Kell Fiddy picked out James Coton with a brilliant left-footed diagonal cross-field ball out on the right wing, whose low inviting squared ball in the centre was poked onto the inside base of the left-hand post, cannoning into the grateful gloves of the keeper.

Gledhill (28') went close again, after holding the ball up well just outside the young Trawlerboys' box the striker fed Coton on the right wing whose clever cross was headed just wide of the top far corner by Gledhill.

Coton (33') was threaded through by Hopkins at close range, albeit his low shot was blocked away by the diving keeper, while Bobby's (34') low left wing cross was shot back across by Coton to be denied while a follow up fierce goal-bound volleyed strike from Hopkins was headed off the line.

Gledhill (41') did find the net, after a low ball released Coton down the right wing to wrap an excellent low cross into the striker to turn home into the bottom left-hand corner, only for the offside flag to be up against the number 19.

The striker (42') was then slipped free one on one,only for his low strike to be beaten away by the stopper, low to his left, as Coton's follow up strike was deflected over for a corner.

The set-piece on saw an overhead kick effort blocked, although Gledhill (45') did deservey double the hosts advantage.

Coton was once more threaded through down the right wing whose low fantastic ball across to Gledhill was fired home off the underside of the crossbar.

Bobby (45'+2') curled an excellent 25-yard strike just wide of the top near corner as the half-time whistle went to conclude a great first half from the home side.

Luke Betts' side added a quick third after the restart (48'), Bobby was expertly threaded through down the left wing to cross low for Gledhill to turn home into the bottom left-hand corner.

Gledhill (50') curled narrowly over from distance, before Lowestoft (51') fired over from long range.

Fiddy (56') then blocked Upton's fierce strike after a dangerous cutback, though the forward fired over from the rebound.

Coton meanwhile (57') weaved into space from the right wing into a central area outside the area, only to shoot low and tamely at the keeper.

Needham remained on the front foot, Coton's surging run down the right wing (61') found Vieira whose strike was blocked.

Luca Upton (62') volleyed a right wing corner over from the far post, prior to Gledhill (64') blocking a clearance narrowly wide of the right-hand post for a goal-kick.

Bowman (67') excellent blocked a left wing cross behind for a corner, as Oscar Wakeling (72') saw a close range far post strike smothered away well by the keeper after a great left wing low cross from Bobby having beaten the keeper to the ball.

Wakeling (75') then picked out Coton driving into the area, but the goalkeeper advanced smartly to intercept.

Gledhill (76') was fed on the left wing overlap whose tight angled shot was palmed away by the keeper as Wakeling's follow up shot was blocked.

Charlie Skinner (80') strongly beat away a right wing dangerous cross, ahead of Ashton Blogg (85') heading a right wing cross wide of the right-hand post.

Vieira (92') was offside after he turned home Gledhill's pass at close range, as Needham advanced to the semi-finals.

James Coton reflected on the Under-18's win over Lowestoft Town. 

DK: A good win in the cup, you must be pleased?

JC: Yeah, buzzing. I think all the boys worked really hard. I thought it was really good out there. We killed them off in the first half and got the job done. 

DK: A very professional performance from you and the lads tonight?

JC: Yeah, I thought, myself, I thought it was good. I delivered good balls, early balls into the box. That's what I've been working on. I thought it was a good performance from all the boys. We worked well together and, yeah, got the job done.

DK: A nice assist for you for the second goal as well? 

JC: Yeah, I mean, Kel found me well. We knew that that dag was on all the time. I had the space out there, and it was just a first-time ball into Ev, and I know he put some away. So, yeah, it's good. 

DK: Two wins now from retaining this cup, which must mean a lot to you.

JC: Yeah, I mean, it means a lot to all the boys. We want to go on and win it again. That's our cup, and I think a few of the lads reckon that's at Portman Road. So we want to get there, as most of the lads support town. So that would be buzzing. We'd be buzzing to get there. And, yeah, hopefully we retain it. 

DK: Having won it at Colchester last year, does it make it even more important to still be in it now? 

JC: Yeah, 100%.I mean, when you're the holders, you want to set, you know, over the last two years, we're probably, I mean, like all the boys, we're a really good group. And I think we deserve to go on and win it twice. And we want to make history for the club as well.

DK: Next up, the Reserves are at home to Diss on Saturday. Another tough game? 

JC: Yeah, a really tough game. A big, big game down the bottom. You know, we need the points. They need the points. We'll give everything to get the three points.

And, yeah, hopefully we'll win. 

Goals: Flynn Bobby (11'), Evan Gledhill (45', 48')

PREVIEW | Keiran Morphew Pre Match Interview | Needham Market V Kettering | 30.01.2026 |

Captain Keiran Morphew previews today's clash with Kettering Town.

DK: How do you think the season has gone so far? 

KM: The season has been ok so far, if we keep in and around play offs then that will be a good position for us.

DK: What's the mood been like in training going into the weekend?

KM: Yeah training has been good and everyone was having a good time as usual. Patch was back after being poorly so naturally he brings energy to the group. 

DK: How important is it that we continue our good home record on Saturday? 

KM: Extremely! We aim to win every game so hopefully this weather holds off enough to give us a chance.

DK: We've had some tough recent battles with Kettering - both sides winning 2 of the last 5 league meetings - do you relish those encounters more? 

KM: It’s just a tough game like all the others in the league.

DK: What type of game are you expecting?

KM: They’ve got some good players over there and were one of the favourites in the league so I’m sure it will be a tough game.

Needham Market U18 v Fakenham Town U18 | FA Youth Cup 2nd Qualifying Round | Bloomfields | 01.10.2025 |

Needham Market Under-18's progressed to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup with a strong all round performance in a 2-0 home win over Fakenham Town.

Luke Betts' side arguably had the better of the possession and chances in the first half, deservedly 2-0 ahead at the break through two well finished goals from Evan Gledhill in the space of as many minutes.

Fakenham however were the better side after the break, but found both Charlie Skinner and the woodwork tough to beat.

The young Reds started brightly as Evan Gledhill was released down the right-hand side, albeit offside in the second minute, as his ferocious low half-volley was beaten away by the keeper. 

Needham tested the keeper with some great play in the sixth minute, a brilliant long cross-field ball from the right wing picked out Flynn Bobby who beat his man to thread James Coton onto the left-hand side whose low shot across goal was well held by the diving keeper.

The young Marketmen created another good chance on 10 minutes, Evan Gledhill held the ball up expertly on the right-hand side, to tee up Harlyn Palmer whose ferocious strike went just over the top far corner.

Gledhill was slid through one on one in the 12th minute, albeit wrapped his shot went just wide of the bottom right-hand post, before the hosts added two quick fire goals in as many minutes.

Gledhill got them both, firstly tucking home into the bottom left-hand corner (14') after Kellen Fiddy's low ferocious strike from distance was blocked, with the second seeing the striker turn home a long throw deep on the right wing, at the far post. 

A great low left wing ball destined to find Gledhill was intercepted crucially shortly after, while Palmer struck low across goal and just wide from the right-hand side in the 20th minute. 

Brilliant passing play from Betts' side saw Palmer fed down the right wing, on 25 minutes, to drive through and thread Coton just outside the box who unselfishly fed Evan Gledhill in the area whose shot was blocked.

The young Marketmen saw a shot deflected behind a minute later, before Coton drove down the right-hand side, drawing the keeper out only to see his 28th minute chipped attempt caught by the stopper.

Kellen Fiddy then met a great Palmer right wing cross, after a surging run, on the half hour mark - though his far post effort was held by the goalkeeper.

Coton meanwhile saw a great strike across goal towards the top right-hand corner brilliantly beaten behind on 32 minutes, as Olly Reynolds stabbed the resulting corner towards goal at close range, but his back post attempt was straight at the keeper.

Coton met a low right wing 34th minute cross, only for his tame close range effort to be comfortably gathered by the stopper, prior to Gledhill turning well outside the box only to see his strike blocked two minutes later. 

Needham continued to search for a third goal, Coton saw a 37th minute shot from distance blocked, while Gledhill forced a brilliant save from the keeper a minute later.

The striker whipped an exquisite 30-yard free-kick towards the top right-hand corner, forcing the keeper to get across and tip it wide. 

The hosts went agonisingly close four minutes before the break, Coton pounced on a defensive mix up down the left-hand side whose sumptuous strike curled towards the far corner dipped just agonisingly wide of the vacant target. 

The visitors saw a 48th minute effort held comfortably by Skinner, with the Needham stopper across well to his left at his right-hand post to hold onto a low shot a minute later.

Fakenham started the second half brighter, seeing a 52nd minute low strike across goal flash just wide of the far post.

The visitors continued to enjoy more of the ball, as they weaved into a dangerous area on 57 minutes, though captain Olly Reynolds cleared the danger, while Skinner guarded his right-hand post to hold onto a 64th minute strike.

At the other end, Palmer was threaded down the right-hand side on 66 minutes whose neat chop into space saw his strike go over the crossbar, as Needham enjoyed a good spell of possession possession again.

Great linkup play between Tyler Wright and Flynn Bobby on 74 minutes saw the former's low ball after a clever one-two turned behind for a corner, while Gledhill turned Bobby's exquisite corner wide at the far post. 

The visitors however struck the woodwork on 77 minutes, curling a brilliant left wing free-kick against the outside of the near post, prior to Fakenham breaking down the right-hand side only to shoot straight at Skinner three minutes later.

Fakenham were then denied by the inside base of the right-hand post from inside the box on 83 minutes, before Reynolds shut the door intelligently on 85 minutes to halt a shot at goal.

Skinner brilliantly denied a low 94th minute shot at his near post, before Oscar Wakeling was threaded clear through a minute later who saw two low strikes smothered by the keeper, with the second turned wide for a corner.

Goalkeeper Skinner said, "really happy with the result. Great team performance, I think. Well, first half, first 30, we were pretty on it. "Scored 2 goals quite quickly. Bit disappointed in the second half, but I think the reason was I think they had to come out and they had to perform, but no, I'm really happy with the result. We were on the back foot for most of the second half. "It was just nice to keep the ball out of the net and keep that clean sheet, especially FA Youth Cup, it's a special Cup."

Skinner meanwhile expressed how important it was that the team remained focused, adding, "I don't think it's ever safe because I think when you come out for the second half and it's 2-0, if they get the goal, they're straight back into it. I definitely did not think we were safe throughout the whole game, I thought."

When asked about how he approached the second half, the 'keeper explained, "I was just sort of counting down the clock, really, because we were on the back foot so much. It was really tough, but the lads battled really hard. I was just thinking, I've got to keep the ball out of the net. If it goes 2-1, then it gets really, really close, but no, we've managed to tie the game out and eventually come out with a 2-0 win. Similarly Skinner expressed the importance of the team's performance, "I feel like, especially when you're on the back foot, I think vocally from the back Olly (Reynolds) helps the men in front of us to do their jobs, and I always think if you have a good leader or good talking from the back, you can win the game with a good leader." Ahaead of the Reserves' game on Saturday - at home to Holland - Skinner is relishing the challenge.

"A very tough game. Yeah, look, obviously Reserves is tough, but we showed in the last game against Gorleston (3-0 win) that we could perform against anyone in the men's game, but yeah, it's always nice to sort of come into the 18s games as well as playing Reserve. It's so nice to come into the 18s games because I feel like we're so strong now playing men's football. I feel like 18s is really where we're really good at." On the impact of having a break between matches he said, "I feel like it has (helped), yeah, massively. I'm always big on if you just have a little bit of a break, it refreshes the brains, refreshes the legs. And obviously as soon as the game kicks off, you're straight on it with really fresh legs."

The Reserves entertain Holland at Bloomfields on Saturday (3pm).

Needham:- 1 Charlie Skinner, 2 Brad Smith, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Olly Reynolds (c), 6 Charlie Smy, 7 Harlyn Palmer (81' Wakeling), 8 Kellen Fiddy (75' Hopkins), 19 Evan Gledhill, 10 James Coton (69' Vieira), 11 Flynn Bobby (90' Tamila). Subs: 9 Henry Vieira, GK Jake Bloom, 14 Oscar Wakeling, 15 Harry Hopkins, 16 Seth Garza, 18 Zak Tamila, 20 Jack Nunn.

Booked: F5 (90'+1')

Goals: Evan Gledhill (14', 16').

REACTION | Needham Market Reserves v Gorleston Res | Needham Market U23 v Long Melford U23s | 20.09.2025 |

Captain Olly Reynolds reflects on the Reserves 3-0 away win at Gorleston Reserves. 

DK: How would you describe today's performance?

OR: Todays performance all round was very good, we come out the blocks really fast scoring 3 in the first 25 minutes of the game looking really strong, we then kept the ball for the last 20 minutes of the half. The second half they came out fast and we defended everything they threw at us and from the 70th minute onwards we had full control, great performance and great game management from the boys.

 

DK: To get a brace and continue your fine goalscoring form must be the icing on the cake?

OR: Yeah it was all within 10 minutes, scoring a volley in the box to scoring a good header and having one cleared off the line for my Hatrick. I’m glad that we are a threat from corners and I hope to keep the goal scoring record up.

DK: After a big win on Thursday, how delighted are you that you're converting chances more as a team? 

OR: Thursday was an unreal win for the boys everyone involved played to their best ability putting in 110% and hoping to go far in that cup, and today i couldn’t say much different to be honest every single person involved in the game gave everything they had and it’s good to see the lads further forward finally getting the success that they all deserve.

DK: How much importance do you think the fact you've all been playing as a team for a fair while now, in terms of turning performances into results? 

OR: As a team I thought we got unlucky in the first part of this season, we played very well and maybe not getting the results we deserve, but after a couple good results we finally see as a team the damage we can cause to other teams and I’m sure if we all believe this season can be the best season we have had as a squad both u18 and Reserves.

DK: Another tough trip up next, what's the collective mindset going into the game?

OR: As I’m sure I’ve said before, if we all put in 110% and work until the final whistle and put into practice the stuff we learn in training we can get a result anywhere no matter what the league says and I truly believe the lads can do this day in day out.

DK: We spoke a month ago about how you demand the utmost as captain, is that something that you take pride in, given recent results?

OR: Obviously being the captain is a great feeling knowing that lads and the mangers trust me enough to have such an important role on and off the pitch, I can take a lot of pride knowing that the lads give their all during every single game and that’s the reason we as a team we are seeing better results are heart and belief is what get us through most games and I’m hoping for many more good results in the future.

Harlyn Palmer reflects on yesterday's win for the Reserves.

DK: A perfect few days for you, how delighted are you? 

HP: Yeah buzzing with both of the results this week obviously with the win in the youth cup on Wednesday got the boys right up for it today and the showed with a fast start. 

DK: Two very good performances, would you say momentum is beginning to build? 

HP: Yeah 100% I’d say every single game we are getting better, hopefully there is more good results to come and hopefully we can get far in the fa youth cup aswell but I’d say to confidence in the team right now is high. 

DK: What's the most pleasing part of the team's recent good form? 

HP: I think it’s just the fact we are scoring a lot of goals now because last season that was something that we struggled with in the reserves but with results like 3-0 today and the big win over Stanway is just really pleasing and like you said is building momentum.  

DK: How would you summarise the season overall so far? 

HP: I think the season so far has been a massive improvement on last year and I feel like we can push to get the highest points the reserves have ever got.

Oscar Wakeling reflects on the Under-23's win on Saturday. 

DK: How would you summarise your last week of football? 

OW: I think my last week of football has been a positive week , if not one of my strongest yet, I feel as if I am on great form at the moment, I started off pre season very strong scoring quite a few goals in a short space of time and i have managed to keep the goals coming as the season has started.

DK: You've been chipping in with a few goals of late, you must be proud? 

OW: I am really pleased with the goals I’m getting at the minute especially in some important games such as the FA Youth Cup I’ve managed to score in both games and now we are in the third round qualifier which is all credit to the team as well, competition in the squad is the toughest it’s ever been so when I come off the bench and get a goal it’s always a nice feeling. 

DK: What did you make of yesterday's win? 

OW: Yesterdays win for the under 23’s was a good win the cup to push us into the next round the lads all put in the work yesterday helping each other out battling all over the pitch and winning individual battles. The second half was where we really shone and nicked more goals to put us further in front, to grab a goal in that game was also a good feeling as it put us 2-1 up so it got us the lead.  

DK: What's your thoughts on your own, and the academy's, season so far? 

 

OW: I think the season so far has been a really strong start all over picking up good results, even in training everyone is giving 110% and it’s a great environment to be around with everyone demanding standards from one another.

DK: What's pleased you most about the last week?

OW: I think the last week what has pleased me most is coming off the bench in the FA Youth Cup and scoring a goal and having quite a good game and the team getting into the next round, hopefully we can remain in form and keep pushing for results 👍. 

Needham Market U18 v Woodbridge Town U18 | 11.09.2025 |

Needham Market Under-18s maintained their unbeaten start to the Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division season with a 1-1 draw against Woodbridge Town.

The young Marketmen made it 7 points from 3 league games, sitting top of the early season table.

Needham broke the deadlock inside 25 minutes, Jack Nunn exploited space from 35-yards to wrap home into the bottom right-hand corner.

Woodbridge then saw a close range shot deflected off the line for a corner in the 2nd minute, while Woodbridge saw a shot from the left-hand side deflected just over on 9 minutes.

Needham however cleared the resulting dangerous corner just ahead of the goal line over for another set piece, while Oscar Wakeling raced onto the right-hand byline on 18 minutes it's but saw his cutback cleared.

Zak Tamila shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box, before Henry Vieira was slotted through the defence onto the left-hand side whose clever low strike cannoned back into play agonisingly off the front base of the far post in the 19th minute. 

Needham were denied by the woodwork once more on 26 minutes, Fenton Grimmer latched onto the loose ball from 35-yards before smashing a great low strike at goal which rebounded out off the inside of the left-hand, far, post.

Wakeling meanwhile beat two defenders smartly as he drove down the right wing, albeit his 28th minute cross was straight at the keeper. 

Needham saw a 36th minute shot from close range on the right-hand side denied by the foot of the keeper at his near post, before Woodbridge saw a 44th minute cutback shot just wide of the bottom far corner. 

Needham shot straight from the restart, although the keeper comfortably held onto the ball, with the resulting corner headed wide at point blank range at the far post. 

Woodbridge on the other hand equalised on 53 minutes, after a 25-yard free-kick was deflected into the right-hand corner. 

Woodbridge headed a great long range free-kick straight at Bloom on 62 minutes, while Vieira saw a close range shot go just wide seconds later. 

Olly Bowman saw a close range header just go off target on 69 minutes, while Bloom watched a low shot down to his left-hand side to beat it away moments later. 

Harry Hopkins had a 78th minute right wing, on target, corner held by the keeper on his line, before Woodbridge shot a 90th minute dangerous left wing cross across goal wide at the far post. 

Wright though went close at the death, as the defender's header at point blank from the corner saved on 92 minutes, as both sides took a point.

Needham host Lowestoft Town in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday (7:45pm).

Needham:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Seth Garza, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Dan Thompson, 5 Fenton Grimmer, 6 Jack Nunn, 7 Oscar Wakeling, 8 Harry Hopkins (c), 9 Henry Vieira, 10 Josh Tennial, 14 Zak Tamila. Subs: 15 Danylo Konik, 16 Josh Guffey, 17 Miles Baldwin, 18 Oliver Harper, 19 Olly Bowman. 

Goal: Jack Nunn (1')

REACTION | James Coton, Kellen Fiddy | Needham Market Reserves v Stanway Pegasus | 06.09.2025 |

Double goalscorer James Coton reflects on a brilliant 5-2 win for the Reserves.

DK: Congratulations on the win, what did you make of it? 

JC: I thought that it was a good game and a really good team performance.We defended really well and caused them lots of problems going forward through fast attacks and good quality crosses into the box. 

DK: What's the overall emotion from you after today's win? 

JC: I am really happy with today’s win and two goals. 

DK: Can you talk us through your goals? 

JC: For the first goal I played the ball out to Alex he then beat his man and played it back to me just inside the box I finished it first time into the bottom right corner. For the second goal I was 1 on 1 with the defender I shifted and put the ball bottom right.  

DK: How important do you think today's win is? 

JC: I think today’s win is important for us as a team as it shows that we can beat anyone in this league. It also gives us confidence going into Tuesday night that we can go to Framingham and beat them. 

DK: Framlingham up next, what are you expecting in general?

JC: I am expecting a hard game away at Framingham but I back us to go there and get a result.

Goalscorer Kellen Fiddy reflects on yesterday's win. 

DK: Brilliant result today, how pleased are you? 

KF:Yes massive result today, I thought the lads showed a great representation of what we are striving towards each day in training and starting to get some reward for the work we’re putting in is a really nice feeling.

DK: How would you describe the performance? 

KF: Yeah the performance today was really positive we said in the changing rooms after the game, that the main struggle for us so far this season has been the consistency throughout the game we’ve had good spells of 45-60 minutes but today felt more of a complete performance that we can look back on and use as examples for future games. 

DK: You must be delighted to have recorded such a big result, in clinical fashion? 

KF: We knew coming into the game that it was always going to be a tough one as we were up against a good Stanway side who more than challenge in any game they play but at the same time we also know the quality we have, and with a bit more ruthlessness in front of goal we can put big results on the board like we have shown today.

DK: Talk us through your goal and how much does it mean? 

KF: Buzzing to get on the scoresheet again, we have been doing a lot of work on overlaps/underlaps in training recently so when i’ve seen Flynn on the ball take his touch inside more i knew the space would be on for the overlap and i know he’s good enough to pick me out and as he’s slid me inside the box i took a touch to compose myself and slotted it in the far corner to put us ahead for the first time in the game so yeah great feeling.

DK: As a group, what is the overall reflection to the result? 

KF: The lads realise it was a good performance today and know that we have to use results like this as momentum pushing forwards, take the individual positives as well as team positives and continue to work hard to strive towards our aims for the season.

DK: How would you summarise the season so far? 

KF: The season has been filled with ups and downs already which is expected and us boys know that there’s no easy games in this league and if we’re not 100% on it every week we will get punished for it but i definitely can feel us growing into the season and really starting to kick on. 

DK: A important trip to Framlingham on Tuesday, what are your thoughts going into that?

KF: Yeah Framlingham are one of the top teams in the league and is a tough team to come up against especially when they’re having a good run as they are at the moment, but we will leave everything out there to get a result and use todays game as a real statement to the other teams in the league and build confidence off of it, we showed today at our best we can compete with anyone.

Needham Market U18 v Stowmarket Town U18 | 28.08.2025 | Bloomfields | Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division |

Needham Market Under-18's recorded another fine 4-1 victory over Stowmarket Town to make it two wins from two wins to start the new season.

Zak Tamila and Evan Gledhill gave the young Marketmen a 2-0 half-time lead, while Oscar Wakeling struck at both ends of the half, either side of a Stow consolation 

Needham started brightly, a great long ball saw two shots blocked, with Evan Gledhill latching onto a great right wing cross to the far post at close range but saw his header and shot on the rebound both denied by the diving keeper, with another shot blocked on the rebound inside 2 minutes. 

Stow however tested Jake Bloom in the sixth minute as the striker, just outside the box, saw a low shot well held by the shot-stopper.

Zak Tamila did open the scoring in the tenth minute though, his exquisite left wing 35-yard cross just evaded Luca Savill and nestled into the far corner. 

Needham remained the better side as Evan Gledhill was threaded through into the box but the goalkeeper read it well to intercept and gather on 21 minutes. 

Kaio Brittain meanwhile looked to thread Evan Gledhill one on one inside the box three minutes later, but the ball just ran onto the keeper to gather.

The visitors however hit the woodwork on 27 minutes, a 35-yard free-kick looped over the wall before dipping towards the top right-hand corner but cannoned over off the top of the crossbar. 

Needham saw a 28th minute far post close range header from a right wing cross blocked, while the rebound volley on the left-hand edge of the box was held by the keeper, diving low to his left-hand side, as Needham looked to double their advantage.

The young Marketmen though did double their lead on 31 minutes, Luca Savill was fed in acres of space from 35-yards to rasp a great, powerful, swerving shot towards the bottom far corner that the keeper beat away as far as Evan Gledhill lurking at close range to tuck home into the bottom right-hand corner. 

Jack Nunn met Henry Vieira's clever right wing corner to the far post but headed agonisingly wide of the target on 34 minutes.

Luca Savill then saw a 42nd minute ferocious strike on the left-hand edge of the box blocked by the head of a defender, as Evan Gledhill shot over seconds later.

Stow saw a shot from outside the box blocked on 45+1 minutes, as Jake Bloom collected an effort seconds later. 

Oscar Wakeling increased Needham's lead 45 seconds after the restart, latching onto a great through-ball one on one into the box before drawing the keeper out to find the bottom left-hand corner. 

The ball then fell to Jake Nunn arriving onto the left-hand side of the box on 51 minutes but fired a first timed strike narrowly over. 

Stowmarket then turned a right wing low cross to the far post back across goal but off target two minutes later.

Jake Bloom stood firm on 57 minutes to hold onto a low shot at his near right-hand post, while Oscar Wakeling drove through free down the left-hand side but nobody was around to convert his dangerous squared ball across the face of goal two minutes later.

Luca Savill then fired over from 30-yards on the hour mark, while Evan Gledhill headed agonisingly wide on 75 minutes from close range. 

Stow pulled a goal back on 77 minutes from point blank range, while Gledhill saw a fierce 79th minute low shot held by the keeper, who then saw a great low shot towards the bottom right-hand corner tipped wide well by the keeper a minute later.

Needham fired narrowly over on 85 minutes, while Wakeling added a fourth on 95 minutes.

The winger broke through smartly into the box, weaving cleverly through defenders before smashing brilliantly into the top left-hand corner. 

Needham travel to Wisbech in the FA Youth Cup next Thursday. 

Needham:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Olly Bowman, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Kaio Brittain, 5 Oliver Reynolds (C), 6 Jack Nunn, 7 Oscar Wakeling, 8 Luca Savill, 9 Henry Vieira, 14 Zak Tamila, 19 Evan Gledhill. Subs: 15 Fenton Grimmer, 16 Oliver Harper, 17 Josh Tennial, 18 Josh Guffey.

Booked: Olly Reynolds (43').

Goals: Zak Tamila (10'), Evan Gledhill (31'), Oscar Wakeling (46', 90'+5')

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 Sudbury.

Oscar Wakeling (21') broke the deadlock after great work from Kellen Fiddy, before Sudbury equalised just after the half-hour mark.

Evan Gledhill meanwhile struck a second half hat-trick to secure an important three points, including two goals in two minutes. 

Needham went close in the fifth minute, Oscar Wakeling latched onto a right wing corner but saw his ferocious shot blocked from inside the box. 

At the other end three minutes later, a low volley from inside the box was well watched and held by Jake Bloom, who then gathered a deflected low close range effort moments after. 

Bloom then pushed a fierce right wing strike from a tight angle onto the near post in the tenth minute before dealing with a long ball forward soon after.

Oscar Wakeling then looked to break through down the right wing on 15 minutes but for the keeper to race off his line and clear out for a throw in. 

Needham broke the deadlock on 21 minutes, Kellen Fiddy broke through onto the left-hand byline before lifting a brilliant cross for Oscar Wakeling to head home into the gaping far corner from close range. 

Five minutes later, the goalscorer drove down the right wing but saw his dangerous low cross cleared away.

Sudbury then wrapped a free-kick from just outside the box wide on the half-hour mark, while the visitors fired a low byline shot wide into the near side netting.

Sudbury though equalised on 33 minutes, a low cross from the left-hand byline was turned home at point blank range. 

Needham went close on 39 minutes, Harry Hopkins' dangerous right wing free-kick just evaded Evan Gledhill sliding in at close range while Jack Nunn turned it just wide at the far post. 

Sudbury headed wide a 42nd right wing corner just wide at the far post, who then headed wide a right wing freekick swung dangerously to the far post wide of the right-hand post three minutes later.

Evan Gledhill then curled a great 30-yard free-kick over the wall, which the keeper beat away at his bottom near corner on 50 minutes, with the visiting defence denying another effort soon after. 

Henry Vieira saw a 54th minute shot blocked, while Gledhill beat a defender but was dispossessed before he could shoot.

Vieira weaved down the left-hand side two minutes later but shot agonisingly narrowly over, before Zak Tamila saw a close range effort blocked on 58 minutes.

Jake Bloom then claimed a 63rd minute long range free-kick confidently at his far post, while Evan Gledhill restored Needham's lead on 68 minutes.

Kellen Fiddy drove through smartly into the box before unselfishly threading Gledhill into space, onside past the defence, to neatly wrap a great finish round the keeper with the outside of his right foot into the bottom far, right-hand, corner. 

Needham then increased their lead on 70 minutes, Evan Gledhill's brilliant effort on the right-hand side deceived the keeper finding the bottom near corner. 

Evan Gledhill was then threaded through into the box but Oscar Wakeling on 82 minutes but saw his low shot held by the keeper, before Gledhill completed his hat-trick in style on 86 minutes. 

The forward exploited space on the left wing to superbly smash home into the top far corner.

Gledhill tried the same again on 90 minutes but this time the keeper held onto the effort, while Tamila fired just wide from the left wing a minute later.

Sudbury then saw two close range shots blocked on 94 minutes, before Boom stood firm at his near post to beat away a close range effort on the follow up. 

The Under-18s are back at home next Thursday, when Stowmarket Town visit (7:45pm).

NM:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Olly Bowman, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Dan Thompson, 3 Kaio Brittain, 6 Jack Nunn, 8 Harry Hopkins, 14 Kellen Fiddy (c), 15 Oscar Wakeling, 7 Henry Vieira, 19 Evan Gledhill. Subs: 12 Oliver Harper, 16 Tyler Wright, 17 Jack Coombs, 9 Zak Tamila. 

Goals: Oscar Wakeling (21'), Evan Gledhill (68', 70', 86'); (33'). 

REACTION | Olly Reynolds, Ryan Pitt, James Mant | Needham Market Reserves v Dussindale | 10.08.2025 |

Reserves Captain Olly Reynolds reflects on Saturday's win over Dussindale. 

DK: A hugely important 3 points today, how pleased are you with the result?

OR: A massive 3 points and well deserved we have had an unfortunate start to the season losing 2 in a row where we were mostly the better team so hopefully this is a start of a run in the league. 

DK: How would you sum up the performance? 

OR: The whole team dug very deep with it being very hot we run non stop for 90 minutes every single one of the lads put in 110% I couldn’t have asked for anything more, we were also much better on the ball Saturday keeping it a lot better. 

DK: With the togetherness on the squad, it must make it even more pleasing? 

OR: Yes as stated before every lad worked really hard and backed each other up that’s what it takes to win as a young squad in a tough league. 

DK: How important is it that you got the first victory of the season early on? 

OR: I think it’s huge that we got a win early on in the season, this will definitely give us confidence to push for more points this season hopefully beating our record from last year. 

DK: You spoke in Pre-Season about how much you wanted to carry on your goalscoring form going into the season, so you must be delighted to have done that, and be the match winner? 

OR: I’m sure I’ve said it before but who doesn’t love scoring goals 2 in 3 games is very good I couldn’t ask for much more especially being the winner it felt that extra bit more special, hoping to get more and more as the season rolls on. 

DK: Talk us through your goal and what went through your mind as it happened?

OR: It was a great delivery from HP as soon as he kicked it I knew it was gonna be on my head, I had the run on my marker so didn’t have to really beat anyone in the air, all I had to do then is head it home with a bit of power behind it. 

DK: A trip to Kings Park Rangers up next, what type of game are you expecting? 

OR: We are expecting a very tough game away from home and they are going to be very physical, but I think we can stand up to the challenge we have proven before we can get stuck in and I don’t doubt the lads to go out and give 100% again. 

DK: As captain what will you be asking from the rest of the team in order to get a result?

OR: I will always demand high standard from me and the lads as a minimum and no doubt they will do so, I will be repeating the fact that we can compete in this league and will be hoping from the 3 points again Saturday me and the lads are looking forward to the challenge.

Ryan Pitt discusses Saturday's win. 

DK: An important win yesterday, how delighted are you with the result?

RP: Yeah delighted. It was important for us to get our first win on the board.

DK: You must fairly be pleased with the start to the season so far?

RP: Yeah It’s been a good start. Two good results in the last two games but disappointing we didn’t take anything away from the first two games. 

DK: How much of an impact do you think the group largely being the same as last season has had on the start to the campaign?

RP: Yeah it helps massively that the group is near enough the same. We finished last season well and we want to continue those performances into this one.

DK: How important is it that you back up your last two results with another massive game at KPR on Saturday?

RP: It’s still very early in the season, but we’d like to keep the momentum going. We can take a lot of confidence from our last two results heading into Saturday’s game. 

Reserves Manager James Mant gives his thoughts on the start to the season. 

DK: First of all, how do you reflect on the start to the season, there must be a lot of pride?

JM: I'd say we have had a mixed start. We have had to adapt with some players away on holiday and others with the first team - so we haven't had complete consistency. But our last two performances have been really positive for sure. Two very different games - a really hard working out of possession performance last week to get a point vs Peterborough. Then a positive display in possession vs Dussindale. So I'm pleased that we've shown good adaptability in the last two games to get 4 important points.

DK: Would you say that the experience in the squad has helped the good start?

JM: All of the boys have gained good experience for their age with the opportunities that they were given last season. So this has definitely played a part in us being more adaptable and combative in difficult moments of the games so far.

DK: How do you reflect on the important win on Saturday?

JM: I've been watching the game back today and I'm really pleased with lots of aspects of our collective game. We created some really good opportunities and I could see improvement in some of our build up play which we looked at in training on Friday - so it was a positive performance and a really positive result.

DK: What pleased you most about the performance?

JM: I think we built play into the final third better than in previous weeks. We had a bit more patience and used the width more. I also think Henry Vieira (current first year) had a really good game. He has worked so hard in pre season and his performance yesterday for a 16 year old was really mature. He's providing real competition for the second years in the forward positions. 

DK: An important winner from the skipper, which must help galvanise the team when Olly is picking up key goals?

JM: Yeah Olly is probably our best player in the air - so we do try to get him into the best positions to win headers when attacking and defending at corners. He flew like a dove to head that corner home. He consistently wins most of his duels in the air - so I'm really pleased for him to pick up another goal.

DK: How would you assess the start to previous seasons, or is that not something you look at?

JM: I don't think our starts to a season have ever had any direct link to how we finish a season. We tend to normally get better as the season goes on because the players get more experienced and street wise as they play more games at this level. We are working really hard to try and meet our aim of securing our best ever league points total in the reserves history - so we will leave no stone unturned in trying to achieve that this season.

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. 

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.

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. 

REACTION | Tom Rothery Post Match Interview| Felixstowe + Walton United V Needham Market| 29.07.2025

Manager Tom Rothery reflects on last night's friendly at Felixstowe.

DK: Not quite the night you were hoping for, how do you sum up the game?

TR: First half was good aside from missed chances, they had one clear chance that we need to do better with but overall I felt we were good aside from not taking the chances and openings we created. In a proper game they have a bigger problem with the foul on Joe Neal which looked like a penalty but was given as a free kick. The second half from us was really poor simple as really. Yes you make changes but regardless it’s just not good enough. Their keeper getting man of the match tells the story wasn’t quite as bad as the end score suggests but clearly plenty for us to do better. 

DK: Are there any positives to take, and how do you think that compares with preparations so far this summer?

TR: I think generally we’ve been ok we are moving the ball well and before tonight I’ve said to the lads we need to be more ruthless and clinical and equally more resilient. Before tonight we are not giving lots of chances away but despite this we are conceding too many tonight kind of summed up where and what we’ve done in the previous games. Keiran 55 minutes, the young lads all came on and offered some good bits more minutes into others but not much other than that. 

DK: What do you think needs putting right after a disappointing night?

TR: We need to be more solid, more clinical. 

DK: One final friendly before the season kicks off, what do you think to the first handful of league fixtures?

TR: Tough, Harborough and Real Bedford are pretty much everyone’s tip for the title, Bromsgrove away never easy and a new challenge in Worcester and a local derby with Leiston so there’s no easy ones there but we know what to expect. As I’ve said previous this level of football is tough there all tough games. 

DK: Before then however, we travel to Lowestoft, what are you expecting from the game and from us?

TR: We have a couple back in Dan and Jake so I’m certainly looking for more solidity, Hunts still isn’t ready but aside from Jamie everyone else as it stands is available so we need a more complete performance. There’s been bright spots we need to see that more consistently and to do that we need to add more solidity and a more clinical performance.

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  

Needham Market U18 v Debenham LC U23s | 23.07.2025 | PSF

Needham Market Under-18's continued their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win over Debenham LC U23s.

A first half brace from Zak Tamila and a late goal from Taha Yildrim settled an entertaining friendly in the hosts' favour.

Needham started brightly, on the front foot as an 8th minute long ball towards Zak Tamila was well intercepted and gathered by the goalkeeper off his line. 

Two minutes later though, Debenham's number 8 broke into space on the right-hand edge of the box but saw his fierce shot well held by Jake Bloom, who then guarded his left-hand post to hold the same man's shot at a tight angle at head height in the 12th minute. 

Zak Tamila then headed an 18th minute left wing cross straight at the keeper, while Needham arguably deservedly took the lead ten minutes later.

Alfie Scully slid Zak Tamila through on goal inside the box to smartly pick out the bottom left-hand corner. 

Debenham meanwhile flashed a dangerous 33rd minute low cross across the face of goal, before Tamila was threaded one on one inside the box and rounded the onrushing keeper but his touch forced him wide two minutes later.

Dan Thompson flashed a 30-yard low shot wide of the bottom near, left-hand, corner on 37 minutes, prior to Josh Tennial exploiting space just outside the box only to curl his shot over the top right-hand corner. 

Tamila then doubled his tally on 39 minutes, while Josh Tennial shot just wide moments later. 

Just inside a minute of the restart, Needham shot just wide of the bottom left-hand corner from a dangerous pull back, as the visitors weaved onto the left-hand edge of the box but fired their shot straight into the chest of Bloom guarding his near post well on 48 minutes. 

Debenham on the other hand pulled a goal back three minutes later, a left wing cross to the near post was poked home into the far corner by the forward at point blank range. 

Archie Pickett was then threaded into the box but saw his effort held by the keeper, while he fired a shot just wide of the bottom left-hand corner on 53 minutes. 

Debenham fired a shot from distance over in the 55th minute, while Needham created a few half chances from corners but nothing much of note as Debenham saw a 65th minute low shot from the right-hand side deflected but beaten behind by Bloom. 

Archie Pickett saw a shot blocked on the edge of the box a minute later, as both sides searched for the pivotal fiurth goal of the game. 

The away side however broke through on goal but sliced a 70th minute shot over. 

The young Marketmen continued to look bright going forward, Fin Wilson worked space to shoot 30-yards from goal on the left-hand side but saw his low shot across goal held by the diving keeper on 73 minutes. 

A dangerous left wing Needham corner on 79 minutes flashed through the six yard box with a Red shirt at the far post just unable to latch onto the ball. 

At the other end sixty seconds later, Debenham saw a low shot deflected just wide into the side-netting for a corner 

The home side went close again on 82 minutes, Tyler Wright broke through smartly onto the left-hand byline but saw his dangerous cutback just evade two Red shirts arriving. 

Needham broke through onto the left-hand side of the box five minutes later, albeit the low shot went wide of the near post as Needham looked the more likely to score.

Debenham flashed a shot narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner on 90 minutes, as Taha Yildrim restored Needham's two goal advantage a minute later.

Archie Pickett released Yildrim through on the right-hand side to cooly beat the onrushing keeper and slot into an empty net. 

Pickett danced his way through the right-hand side a minute later only to see his low shot smothered behind the near post by the keeper. 

Needham record a hard fought victory against a good opponent in Debenham U23s. 

Needham:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Jack Nunn, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Dan Thompson, 16 Josh Tennial, 8 Jack Coombs, 10 Josh Guffey, 17 Oscar Appleby-Hepburn, 7 Alfie Scully, 9 Zak Tamila.

Subs: 12 Olly Head, 19 Archie Pickett, 14 Taha Yildrim, 12 Oliver Chmielewski, 18 Fin Wilson, 15 Miles Baldwin. 

Goals: Zak Tamila (28', 39'), Taha Yildrim (90'+1')

D9 Elliot Whayman (51').