WOMEN BEATEN BY LUTON DEVS

Needham Market were brought back down to earth with a bump after a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of league leaders Luton Town Development.

After a morale boosting win last week it was always going to be a tough assignment against the team at the summit, but it ended up being quite heavy defeat.

Luton were two goals to the good at the break thanks to Princess Mgbemere and Andie Dickens, but it didn’t tell a story where Needham hit the post and had big chances themselves.

But once the third went in from Shakeela Hussain the floodgates opened with Mgbemere adding her second and then a late double that saw another for Dickens and a long-range Alice Sullivan strike.

After winning last week the visitors started with confidence and had early chances through Keira Topple and Adele Stalnionis.

Danni Clarke made a big save but again the big chances fell to Needham with Topple hitting the post and Ella Edwards missing the rebound to give them a deserved lead.

But with no lead the home team took the lead against the run of play thanks to Mgbemere.

Topple was denied again this time by the goalkeeper and with the break approaching the home side doubled the lead from Dickens lob from range.

The second period yielded less chances but was competitive until the home side’s third and fourth goals coming in the space of a minute thanks to Hussain and then Mgbemere’s second as she rounded Clarke. 

And like that combination Luton scored a second quickfire double at the end with Dickens heading in her second before a long-range Sullivan strike in stoppage time to put a convincing spin on a game that for three quarters of it was competitive.

Needham’s Development side had a better day on the road as they convincingly won 5-1 away at Halesworth Town.

The visitors picked up all three points in this Suffolk League clash thanks to a brace from Eve Boggis and goals for Lola Hunting, Esme Marsh and Lexie Ferris.

   

UP TO FIFTH WITH STOURBRIDGE WIN

Needham moved to fifth with a 4-1 win over Stourbridge.

Liam Pearce got in behind in the first minute, but dragged his cross-shot wide, as Watkiss' left wing cross was headed wide by Luke Ingram after quarter of an hour.

The Marketmen took the lead on 18 minutes, a corner was flicked on at the near post for Luke Ingram to control and volley home off the crossbar.

Watkiss' left wing cut-back found Liam Pearce whose shot hit the bar on 22 minutes, then Willis' shot in the 24th minute, from the edge of the area was saved well by James Bradbrook.

Verma crossed in for Wragg, who headed straight at Bradbrook on 25 minutes, with Watkiss cautioned.

Watkiss' 33rd minute deep cross found Ingram who headed straight at the keeper, the goalscorer then shot low from the edge of the area to draw a big save from the keeper a minute later.

Verma was booked for Stourbrdige on 36 minutes, with Marcel Lewis' free-kick deflected behind for a corner.

Pavey shot from the edge of box, albeit straight at Bradbrook five minutes before the break, then good control from Pearce in the area set up Marcel Lewis, whose shot was deflected behind by a good block.

Liam Pearce picked up the loose ball only for his curled shot to be saved, likewise with Hammond's rebound effort on.

Keiran Morphew was booked going into added time, while Willis also saw yellow for kicking the ball away at the half-time whistle.

Luke Ingram's shot straight from the second half kick-off went well over the bar, as Needham doubled theor lead on 54 minutes.

Lewis' cross back in from a corner is flicked across by K.Morphew, hitting Portman on its way in.

Hammond was cautioned on 58 minutes.

Tommy Smith replaced Watkiss in the 68th minute, while Liam Pearce was booked on 74 minutes.

Joe Neal returned from injury in place of Marcel Lewis two minutes later, as Ingram made way for Ollie Saunders with ten minutes remaining.

Needham extended their lead on 82 minutes, Ryan Miles broke into the box to shoot, the keeper made a good save but Miles tucks home the rebound!

Hammond went close two minutes later, breaking in behind but the keeper rushed out to save.

Needham added a fourth on 86 minutes, Neal was fed onto the byline to cutback for Kyle Hammond to turn home.

Stourbridge netted a consolation goal a minute later as Pavey swept home from a cross.

A comfortable win at home for Needham, who host Banbury United on Saturday.


Manager Tom Rothery concluded - I wouldn’t say comfortable, I think they’re a really good side they were the only team above us in the form league for the past 6 games. They started well and it took us 10-15 to really get going I thought once we got the first goal we were really good, their goalkeeper made a couple of outstanding saves to keep it at 1. They carried a threat throughout which I felt we dealt with well and when it went 2-0 and they tried to come at us a bit more we looked a real threat again and scored some further goals to put the game out of their reach.
I thought aside from the first 10-15 minutes we were really good in all aspects of the game.
Luke took his [goal] really well and we spoke about the set pieces at half time so to get the second was really pleasing, again big credit to the players and the third and the fourth similar to last week are just really good transitional goals which we’ve started to really nail down.
[Players returning] - It helps certainly as it showed again today to have Joe, Ollie and Tommy to bring on was a big reason as to why it finished as you suggested earlier comfortably but I could still only name 14 today so it’s still not an idea situation but James, Ben and the players have worked really hard in this past few weeks to get back on the grass which is big for us, so credit to them all especially Ben who’s put on some extra sessions to make that happen.
[Stamford Away being postponed] -Strangely I’d rather have had the game on, it was planned with time booked off work and we may have had at least one more back but from a positive perspective it gives me and the staff another week to get more detail and information into the players and more recovery time.
[Season so far] - Fairly happy, I think we are starting to do some really nice things in and out of possession. As always I think the lads are giving me everything and we are a tight bunch so they are always a pleasure to work with but I still think there’s more to come.

[Banbury at home] - Tough game as always, they’ve made a managerial change so they will be possibly different set up wise to previously but look it’s important as usual that we refocus, train hard and get ready for another tough game which will be the message from me to the players this coming week.

Ryan Miles' thought - Yeah really happy after today’s performance. We all wanted to put right Redditch last week so to show a good performance like that is good!
I think as a whole we are happy with today. We looked dangerous and pretty solid at the back for most parts of the game so that’s good to see. Really happy for Joe especially coming back from a period and effecting the game the way he did so overall today’s been good!
[Putting game to bed] - Yeah, 1-0 can always be a bit touch and go. So to be able to stick another 3 past them was definitely a positive and I think that now puts us as second highest scorers so long may it continue!
Happy to be back scoring and helping the team out where I can. After the last couple of games I wanted to make more of an impact which I felt I did.
[Feeling of scoring] - Just get it back on target and not to lash at it. To be fair the keeper made a decent save from my first effort and luckily the rebound fell to me perfectly so yeah just get it on target was all that was going through my head.
[Season so far] - Yeah really pleased, I think from a team point of view this is where we expect ourselves to be. We know we are good enough to give anyone a match and to be right up there, we just need to keep taking one game at a time and do the business. Personally been really happy too, I’ve said before after last year I knew I could play the level but my season being cut short was disappointing but this year my aim was to try show what I can do on a consistent basis.
[Banbury at home] - Hopefully so, we like to play at home I think results show that. As previous games though in the league it shows it doesn’t matter where you are in the league every game is tough and we just need to recover this week and hopefully carry on the league form.

MARKETWOMEN OVERTURN TWO GOAL DEFICIT TO RISE UP TABLE

Hitchin Belles v Needham Market Women | 01.11.2026 | Eastern Region's Womens League Division One North |

A Match winning goal by birthday girl Keira Topple gave Needham Market a massive 4-3 away victory at Hitchin Belles to elevate them out of the drop zone and up the table.

The first half was a crazy roller coaster with five goals as the home team raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from Kayleigh Gray but Needham finished the stronger and scored three thanks to a double from Mia Etheridge-Golding and Sophia Gillingham.

It was just as action packed in the second period with the home side equalising from the spot thanks to Holly Thomson before Danni Clarke saved a second spot kick and then Topple’s curler to win the game.

Needham have been used to going behind early in games but there wasn’t even a minute played when the home team took the lead with pacey Hollie Quince out sprinting Chelsea Brett and putting over a perfect cross for Gray to head home from close range at the back post. 

Ten minutes later it was an action replay with the same combination linking again for Gray this time to tap home from the middle of the six-yard box. 

It was another 2-0 deficit to come back from, but the visitors stuck to their task well and started to play some good passing football without too much threat. 

Then came the game changing moment as Etheridge-Golding picked up the ball outside the box and with not the cleanest strike managed to score thanks to a poor fumble from the home keeper.

And that moment led to a complete turnaround as in as many minutes they were level thanks to the unlikeliest scorer in Gillingham, who poked home from close range after captain Etheridge-Golding flicked a header into her path from a corner.

It was a great moment for her to record her first goal for the senior side after her journey coming through the Academy and Development Team, and not long after that brilliant moment, Etheridge-Golding had put the visitors ahead with a beautifully buried low shot from the dee. 

Chances still came as Topple was denied by a fine save from close range with the momentum of the game completely changed at the break.

The home side did come out determined in the second half and were given a chance to level after a needless foul by Lexi Debeham ended in a penalty that was dispatched by Thomson.

And in this to and fro contest it looked like another momentum shift when a second spot kick for a harsh handball was given to the hosts, but this time Thomson was denied by Clarke at full stretch with a big hand to palm it round the left-hand post.

Who would win it was anyone’s guess with both sides looking potent against nervy defences, but it was to be the visitors that gave the final nail in the coffin on Halloween weekend as the hosts allowed Topple to run towards the box unchallenged and she opened her body to curl one into the far corner. 

It was apt that Topple would score the winner on her Birthday and it was such a clever finish although right at the end the hosts looked to have missed an open goal with the last kick of this extraordinary game.

It was a big win for the team after starting the day in the drop zone and it elevates them up to 7th although only one point still above it as we hopefully start to look up after two wins on the bounce.

The development team got back to winning ways with a big 4-0 away victory against Arlesford Colne Rangers Ladies in Suffolk League action.

It was a welcome return to winning ways with Maddie Lee-Steward scoring a brace and further goals from Kim Stock and Immy Porch to round off a brilliant double win for the club with the Devs now sitting 4th in the Premiership.

MARKETMEN SQUANDER THREE GOAL LEAD TO DRAW AT REDDITCH

Redditch United v Needham Market | 31.10.2026 | Valley Stadium | The Pitching In Southern League Premier Central Division Game 15 |

REACTION | Tom Rothery, Luke Ingram Post Match Interviews | Redditch United v Needham Market | 31.10.2026 |

A goal-frenzy second half saw five goals scored between the two teams as Redditch United overturned a 3-0 deficit to draw 3-3 with Needham Market at the Valley Stadium.

Needham - who in the 94th minute sat 4th but dropped to 8th at the final whistle - made one change to the side that drew at home to Leighton Town on Tuesday night, Jake Dye (ankle injury) dropped out with Dan Morphew returning to the starting eleven. The only other changes saw James Coton drop out the squad, in action for Mildenhall Town, with Academy striker Henry Vieira joining the returning Ollie Saunders in completing the bench. 

The two sides went into the game with equal league form, with Needham only a place higher in third due to goal difference - both winning 3, drawing 2 and losing one of their last six as 13th hosted 6th. Redditch went into the clash with 3 wins, 1 draw and one defeat at the Valley Stadium, while Needham sit 5th in the league away table winning 4 and losing 2 of their 6 league matches on the road.

When the two sides face one another, generally they are hotly contested affairs with whoever is at home coming out on top in 8 of the 13 total meetings - with Needham the only away victors in that time. Coincidentally the last 4 meetings have seen the team at home victorious - Needham winning 5 of the 14 encounters, drawing 4 and losing 4.

Needham went into the break deservedly in front, Luke Ingram (7') dispatched from the spot after Straw fouled Lewis. Ingram, taking his season tally to four goals, swept home a second (51') after a fantastic move, which Liam Pearce (57') followed up his assist with a clever low finish of his own soon after to put Needham into the ascendancy - netting his 12th goal for the club and 7th league goal of the season. Redditch through struck twice in the 70th minute and clawed a point at the very death to ensure a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw.

James Bradbrook (5') claimed a right wing cross-shot at his near post, while Marcel Lewis (6') looked to latch onto a through-ball into the area but had his outstretched leg clipped, with the referee confidently pointing to the spot.

Luke Ingram (7') fired home expertly into the bottom left-hand corner to break the deadlock, 1-0 Needham.

Needham kept on the front foot, Kyle Hammond (12') fired just wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner while Liam Pearce (13') saw a close range shot blocked.

Szhem Whyte-Hall (14') volleyed over in space from outside the area, while Stan Straw (20'), who conceded the penalty made the exact same foul on Pearce out on the left wing and received the first caution of the afternoon.

Liam Pearce saw a ferocious shot (21') cleared crucially off the line, as Needham maintained their good start.

Great intricate football from the Marketmen (25') saw Liam Pearce and Luke Ingram link up to feed Marcel Lewis onto the right-hand side of the area whose ball towards Miles was gathered by Brown.

Needham led at the break after Ingram's early penalty, with the Marketmen also starting well after the break Marcel Lewis (47') weaved into space only to fire wide of the near left-hand post close to goal.

Jake Watkiss (50') was cautioned, prior to Needham doubling their lead on 51 minutes.

Great football saw Needham quickly break onto the left-hand side through Liam Pearce - who rounded Shambrook, the ball was then squared on a plate for Ingram arriving from 16-yards out to fire home into the bottom near, right-hand, corner to double our lead, and double Ingram's goal tally for the campaign to 4, making it 2-0 to Needham.

Needham swiftly added a third goal on 57 minutes. Clinical football ended with Liam Pearce being found free outside the box to lash home into the bottom right-hand corner, for his 7th league goal of the campaign!

The game suddenly exploded into life with the temperature increasingly massively, as Redditch swiftly scored two in a matter of seconds to bring the game back to life. Home substitute Dan Sweeney (69') was fed in space outside the area to turn and shoot across goal to Bradbrook's right albeit the keeper tipped it wide, which Redditch pulled two goals back in the following minute (70'). 

First Da Silva turned home from the resulting corner, as Fielding found the bottom right corner after Sweeney's pass.

The visitors withdrew Ryan Miles for Ollie Saunders (73'), before Liam Pearce (77') whipped a great right wing cross into Jake Watkiss free at the back post, but it just evaded the latter at close range.

Needham made two late changes, Josh Tennial (91') replaced Lewis and Palmer (93') was introduced for Watkiss.

A last minute foul from Keiran Morphew - which saw the Needham skipper cautioned, and Dan Morphew also carded for dissent - proved to be decisive as Redditch snatched an equaliser. Dan Sweeney (95') curled home a free-kick from just outside the box into the top right corner.

Needham, who are now the joint second top scorers in the division (32 in 15 games) and are unbeaten in six league matches, return to Bloomfields Saturday - for the visit of Stourbridge (3pm).

Redditch United:- 1 Rory Brown, 2 Joel Shambrook, 4 Morgan Owen, 5 Stan Straw, 6 Gus Mafuta (56' Soleman), 7 Harrison Hazard (58' Da Silva), 12 Danny King, 15 William Fielding (92' Willow) , 17 Szhem Whyte-Hall (71' Beedie), 18 Tyler Bruck (56' Sweeney), 20 Robbie Bunn (C).
Subs: 3 Jack Willow, 11 Aram Soleman, 14 Alezandro Da Silva, 16 Dan Sweeney, 21 Sam Beedie.

Needham Market:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Jake Watkiss (93' Palmer), 4 Kyle Hammond, 5 Keiran Morphew (C), 6 Dan Morphew, 7 Luke Ingram, 10 Ryan Miles (73' Saunders), 12 Liam Pearce, 16 Marcel Lewis (91' Tennial), 17 Ben Hunter, 20 Kell Fiddy.
Subs: 3 Tyler Wright, 8 Ollie Saunders, 11 Josh Tennial, 15 Henry Vieira, 18 Harlyn Palmer.

Booked: Stan Straw (20'), Jake Watkiss (50'), Keiran Morphew (95'), Dan Morphew (95').

Goals: Alezandro Da Silva (70'), Billy Fielding (70'), Dan Sweeney (95'); Luke Ingram (7'pen, 51'), Liam Pearce (57')

Needham MOTM: 7 Luke Ingram.