Stowmarket Town U18 v Needham Market | 02.04.2026 | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Youth League Central Division | Greens Meadow |

Needham Market Under-18's continued their unbeaten Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division campaign with a 2-0 hard fought away win at local rivals Stowmarket Town. 

In truth, the young Marketmen were on top in the first half, but defended stoutly in the second half to bat off a good second half from the hosts, not only preserving their clean sheet - also grabbing a crucial second goal.

Harry Hopkins' header (23') gave Needham a deserved half-time lead, while Zak Tamila (76') was set through to wrap up an impressive tenth win from eleven league outings in 2025/26 for Luke Betts' side.

Danylo Konik (6') was fed through smartly down the left-hand side, only to curl his shot over the top far corner.

Oscar Wakeling (11') latched onto a through ball onto the right-hand side, but saw both of his close range efforts denied, the first smothered with the second tipped just over for a corner.

Zak Tamila (13') shot wide from outside the box, while Olly Bowman (14') rasped a ferocious strike back into the box which was deflected behind for a corner.

Needham (23') broke the deadlock, Olly Bowman's excellent right wing cross was headed back across by Oscar Wakeling for Harry Hopkins to head home from point blank range.

Needham nearly doubled their lead (26'), a right wing corner was superbly swung to the far post which Fenton Grimmer could only shoot agonisingly just wide of the top far right-hand corner.

The young Marketmen were denied a second by a great stop on 32 minutes, Leyton Coote's smart left wing cross was glanced goal wards by Wakeling but for Freddie Foreman in goal to leap high to his left-hand side to beat it away.

Underwood (36') however, fired a low free kick wide of the bottom left-hand corner from 30-yards out, in Stowmarket's first chance of note.

At the other end, Olly Bowman (37') was fed driving onto the right-hand side, but for his rifled strike to be swatted over by the sharp reactions of Foreman, as Tamila (40') flashed a good low strike from the right-hand side just wide of the bottom far corner.

While Needham controlled the vast majority of the first half, Stow (45') saw two close range shots blocked following a corner, though the loose ball was shot wide of the bottom corner, who then (45'+1') shot over from the edge of the box.

After the break - which Stowmarket arguably had the better of the play, Underwood (50') saw a low shot from outside the box deflected behind, as Coote (51') blocked Underwood's close range shot from the right-hand side.

Tom Simmons (54') fired low and narrowly wide, prior to Fenton Grimmer (56') weaving into space for the visitors only to wrap his shot over from just outside the Stow penalty area.

Needham skipper Olly Bowman (57') has a great chance to double his side's advantage, the full-back broke into space on the right, albeit dragged his shot just wide of the bottom far corner.

Dan Thompson (59') exploited space from 30-yards on the left-hand side to thump a great half-volley across goal, forcing Foreman to dive across and beat away.

Wakeling (60') was again denied by a solid stop from Foreman. Bowman's fantastic right wing cross found Oscar Wakeling whose low strike was destined to nestle into the bottom far corner until the stopper dived across to tip it wide.

Grimmer meanwhile (63') slid in at the vital moment to deflect Luke Simmons' low strike across goal, after darting freely onto the left-hand side, behind, while Stow fired low and wide from the resulting corner.

Wakeling (64') on the other hand went agonisingly close to making it 2-0, Tamila was fed down the right to square across for the forward arriving at point blank range, whose effort went just wide of the bottom near corner. 

Tom Simmons (66') wrapped a low 35-yard free-kick from distance, which Bloom watched well to get behind and hold onto, as Grimmer tracked back expertly (72') to block Simmons' shot.

Needham doubled their lead on 76 minutes, Zak Tamila was slotted through down the right-hand side past his defender to fire home into the bottom far corner. 

Grimmer (85') clear a goal-bound shot off the line, which Bloom gratefully gathered, as Stow fired over in the 89th minute.

Needham U18s travel to Walsham Le Willows on the 9th April (7:45pm).

Stowmarket:- 1 Freddie Foreman, 2 Morton Prentice, 3 Cameron Studd, 4 Fin Perry, 5 Caleb Wright, 6 Liam Turner, 7 Dan Harden, 8 Beau Szyszlyk, 9 Archie Underwood, 10 Tom Simmons, 11 Luke Simmons. Subs: 

Needham:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Olly Bowman (C) (73' Fox), 3 Leyton Coote, 4 Dan Thompson, 5 Fenton Grimmer, 6 Jack Nunn, 7 Zak Tamila (78' Mark), 8 Josh Tennial (68' Chandler), 9 Oscar Wakeling (68' Roper), 10 Harry Hopkins, 14 Danylo Konik. Subs: 15 Riley Parker, 16 Charlie Fox, 17 Alfie Mark, 18 Aden Chandler, 19 Kyle Roper.

Booked: Caleb Wright (8').

Goals: Harry Hopkins (23'), Zak Tamila (76')

Whittlesey Athletic v Needham Market Reserves | 04.04.2026 |

Needham Market Reserves 3 game unbeaten run ended with a 3-2 defeat away at 9th placed Whittlesey Athletic.

A very spirited performance from Colin Grogan's side ultimately ended in vain, despite fantastic finishes from Harry Hopkins (34') and Evan Gledhill (78') overturned Archie Waterland's early header for a 2-1 lead, having dominated proceedings from the end of the first half until after the hosts' equaliser (79').

Oscar Wakeling was adjudged to have fouled captain Ollie Gale (77'), which led to a sin bin for Flynn Bobby, which Jack Carter converted for the aforementioned equaliser.

It was late heartbreak for the young Marketmen in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Kieran Hibbins turned home after the visitors couldn't clear due to the howling wind, proving to be the match-winner.

Charlie Skinner was sin binned a few minutes later, with Brad Smith expertly seeing out the final minutes in goal.

Whittlesey (4') broke the deadlock, a set-piece fell to Archie Waterland in the centre to turn home off the inside of the bottom left-hand post.

Charlie Skinner (10') held onto a low shot at his left-hand, near, post - as James Coton (15') weaved through onto the right-hand edge of the area, albeit saw his low shot blocked.

Ollie Gale (18') was offside as he turned and shot low into the bottom right-hand corner from close range,

The hosts (27') headed over from a right wing corner, while James Coton (28') was fed into space on the left-hand edge of the box, but wrapped a very good strike narrowly wide of the bottom far corner.

Harry Hopkins (34') rifled home a spectacular equaliser, Flynn Bobby drove into space in midfield before threading the midfielder free from 30-yards out to smash a slightly deflected strike that deceived the keeper to nestle into the top left-hand corner.

Evan Gledhill (45') latched onto Coton pressing the keeper, intercepting possession free just inside the box - though firing just agonisingly wide of the gaping bottom left-hand corner.

After the break, Needham (50') saw a shot held by the keeper, while Flynn Bobby was released racing down the right wing on 55 minutes - wrapping an excellent ball across the danger area, just evading James Coton arriving from eight yards out.

Needham remained a threat, Oscar Wakeling (57') danced through expertly down the left wing, onto the byline close to goal to cut a great ball back in the six yard box finding Gledhill who shot just wide.

Whittlesey (60') shot just wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner after being fed into space outside the area - before Wakeling (61') drove into space smartly to fire low towards the bottom right-hand corner, forcing goalkeeper Danny Foulger to stretch across and palm the well hit shot behind.

A very bright second half from Colin Grogan's side continued, although Charlie Skinner (67') smartly watched Isaac Jobling's left wing free-kick to the far post to tip it away, before collecting the following dart down the left wing.

Needham however deservedly took the lead in the 68th minute, an excellent low strike from Evan Gledhill outside the area was wrapped home excellently into the top right-hand corner.

Whittlesey were awarded a penalty on 77 minutes for a foul on the captain by Oscar Wakeling resulting in a sin bin for Flynn Bobby.

Jack Carter (79') dispatched the penalty just past Skinner into the bottom left-hand corner, before Kieran Hibbins (90') was teed up through onto the left-hand side but scuffed wide from close range.

Whittlesey scored a rather harsh winner in the 96th minute, the swirling wind enabled the ball to sit up for Kieran Hibbins to turn home into the bottom left hand corner to snatch a 3-2 victory.

Skinner (99') was sin binned, while Matt Carter (101') was cautioned for kicking the ball out of the ground.

Needham Reserves return to the Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena on Monday, when AFC Sudbury Reserves visit (3pm).

Needham Res:- 1 Charlie Skinner, 2 Ben Smith, 3 Brad Smith, 4 Kellen Fiddy (C), 5 Xavi Drake, 6 Ryan Pitt, 7 Flynn Bobby (90'+1' Tennial), 8 Harry Hopkins, 9 Evan Gledhill, 10 James Coton, 11 Oscar Wakeling (85' Tamila). Subs: 14 Josh Tennial, 15 Zak Tamila. 

Whittlesey:- 1 Danny Foulger, 2 Alfie Fryett, 3 Jack Bates, 4 Matt Carter, 5 Lee Briggs, 6 Archie Waterland, 7 Kyle Hibbins, 8 Ollie Gale (C), 9 Kieran Hibbins, 10 Jack Carter, 11 Isaac Jobling. Sibs: 12 Lewis Lilley, 14 Josh Whaley, 15 Robert Goulding, 16 Dan Redhead.

Booked: Grogan (90'+1'), Matt Carter (90'+11').
Binned Flynn Bobby (77'), Charlie Skinner (90'+9').
Goals: Archie Waterland (4'), Jack Carter (79'pen), Kieran Hibbins (90'+6'); Harry Hopkins (34'), Evan Gledhill (68').

Goalscorer Harry Hopkins reflects on today's defeat at Whittlesey. 

DK: A good performance in tough conditions, what are your thoughts on it performance wise? 

HH: As a team I think we battled hard, was tough going down by a goal so early on, but the lads fought hard to turn it around, overall i think we gave a good performance. 

DK: A rather gutting late defeat however, after a decent run of form?? 

HH: Absolutely gutted to lose it late on and how the game played out, but definitely proud of the lads for the turn around in recent weeks. we now need to take it into Monday against Sudbury.

DK: A superb goal, you must be delighted? 

HH: Always nice to score a goal and contribute, starting to feel more confident after scoring back to back in the week for u18s and now reserves.

DK: Talk us through what was going through your mind as you scored?

HH: As soon as I saw Flynn set me the ball, I knew I was going to score and just laced it.

DK: How do you reflect on the season so far, personally - both U18s and Reserves?

HH: For the U18s this season it was difficult not getting so many minutes in the fa youth cup, however Bettsy has trusted me in the league and county cup and the lads are flying with a final coming up and hopefully winning the league soon. The Reserves season has been up and down for the group. Personally I think the beginning of the season we started well and we were always competitive in games, however it has been fine margins to losing games.

DK: Two goals in two days for you this week, and both very different ones? 

HH: Yes absolutely buzzing and nice to score different goals and show I can do a bit of everything.

DK: Focusing on the U18s, a very good win on Thursday, which marks a very good season?! 

HH: A fantastic season so far, the lads have been excellent, especially the first years and U16s stepping up in big league games to keep us going unbeaten.

DK: With another county cup final looming, how do you feel the season has gone as a team?

HH: Excellent to get to another county cup final with this team and personally to do it 3 years in a row for me is a great achievement. I think we have stuck together as a team with everyone playing their part.

DK A local rivalry with Sudbury on Monday for the Reserves, how do you see that and the season so far for the team?

HH: Always up for a local derby and to play my old team gives me more to play for. It will always be a tough game but with the talent that we have, we will definitely compete and I think we can take all 3pts.

Goalscorer Evan Gledhill also discussed today's defeat at Whittlesey.

DK: A tough one to take today, but you must be proud of the overall performance? 

EG: Yeah very tough one to take considering we had the lead and to concede 2 late goal is very tough to take but the boys showed a good reaction to going down 1-0 very early on in the game to get a 2-1 lead shame we couldn’t hold on.

DK: How difficult was it combating the wind?

EG: Yeah today the conditions wasn’t great and it took us 10-15 mins to get used to it but once we got used to it and found the way to play I thought we looked like the better team for the majority of the game.

DK: A very well taken goal for you today, which must be somewhat pleasing?

EG: Yeah from my own performance it was very nice to score a very well taken goal considering I missed a big chance in the first half and a big moment for myself personally this season taking me up to 15 Reserves' goals.

DK: What was going through your mind as you scored? 

EG: Well I didn’t actually expect the ball and then as Harry has missed the ball I just thought I’m going to turn and have a short and thankfully it went in the top corner and put us 2-1.

DK: What was the overall mood in the changing room after the game? 

EG: Overall mood in the changing room after the game was just a lot of frustration as in the game we felt very hard done by a couple of decisions but we just need to bounce back for Sudbury on Monday.

DK: A fast turnaround until you host AFC Sudbury Reserves, how do you see that? 

EG: Yeah Sudbury on Monday is a massive game in our season and we know that we need a result against them on our home turf and hopefully we can put our anger and frustration into that game from today.

DK: What type of reaction do you expect as a team in that game, after today?

EG: Yeah as I have just said the boys are gunna be very up for the game knowing how important this could be for our season and hopefully we can get a very much needed result.

REPORT + REACTION | Needham Market U18 v Woodbridge Town U18 | 25.03.2026 |

Needham Market Under-18's reached a third straight Suffolk U18 Midweek Cup Final, following a 4-0 victory over Woodbridge Town at Ipswich Wanderers.

The holders struck twice in 3 minutes, first Evan Gledhill met Flynn Bobby's corner, before James Coton latched onto the rebound from Bobby's free-kick to turn home a second on 21 minutes.

Coton thundered home his second and Needham's third ten minutes later, prior to Charlie Smy netting a late fourth to round off a solid evening for the young Reds.

Charlie Smy (10') weaved into space before shooting over from distance, in a fairly even start to the game.

At the other end (16'), an excellent save from Charlie Skinner - who flew high to his left, stretching his arm superbly to tip the striker's shot behind.

Woodbridge (17') headed ovver from point blank range from the resulting corner, as a brilliant ball across goal was intercepted for a Needham corner up the other end.

Evan Gledhill headed the Marketmen in front from the following set-piece (18'), expertly meeting Flynn Bobby's pinpoint delivery to bullet head home into the roof of the net.

In quick-fire fashion, Needham doubled their lead 3 minutes later - Bobby's long range free-kick was on target, which the keeper spilled out for James Coton to turn home the loose ball.

Clever play saw Coton (31') added a third, and his second, after the attacker's close range shot was deflected just wide from Bobby's brilliant low cross from distance, the former latches onto the loose ball to rifle a half-volley into the roof of the net.

Woodbridge (40') went close to pulling to a goal back, half-volleying just over from close range after Skinner parried away a cross.

Skinner (45') was again forced into another excellent stop, flying high to his left to beat a shot away.

Needham appeals for a penalty (45'+1') were waved away as a shot went just wide of the bottom far corner, with Bobby curling a great effort from the left-hand edge of the box (45'+4') at goal, prompting a deflection to turn it narrowly wide, as Luke Betts' side led 3-0 at the break.

After the break, Coton's (50') ferocious strike from 20-yards out was beaten away by the keeper, ahead of Smy's (56') ferocious goal-bound strike from the left-hand edge of the box being inadvertently blocked by Olly Reynolds.

Smy (57') blazed agonisingly wide, before a great stop from the keeper (63') thwarted Gledhill from netting a brace.

The striker's stunning curling 30-yard free-kick looked destined to find the top right-hand corner until the keeper flew across to tip it over via the top of the crossbar.

While Skinner (67') was alert to tip away a dangerous right wing corner, Olly Bowman (68') swung an excellent spot-on rirght wing cross into Gledhill whose header was glanced just wide of the bottom far corner.

Coton (70') wrapped a good effort narrowly over from just outside the area, ahead of Olly Bowman smartly tracking his man to reduce the angle - with the resulting shot comfortably gathered by Skinner.

Woodbridge lashed a good strike narrowly wide, as Needham added a fourth (85').

Following great play, Brad Smith thread Harry Hopkins whose flick on slid Charlie Smy through onto the left-hand side, one-on-one with the keeper to cooly pick out the bottom right-hand corner.

A very good professional performance from Betts' side, who will face Leiston in the Final.

Needham:- 1 Charlie Skinner, 2 Olly Bowman (83' Grimmer), 3 Brad Smith, 4 Kellen Fiddy (C), 5 Olly Reynolds, 6 Charlie Smy, 7 Oscar Wakeling (65' Vieira), 8 Harry Hopkins, 10 James Coton, 11 Flynn Bobby (83' Tamila), 19 Evan Gledhill (77' Nunn). Subs: 9 Henry Vieira, 14 Zak Tamila, 15 Fenton Grimmer, 16 Jack Nunn, 17 Jake Bloom (GK).

Booked: Harry Hopkins (56'), Kell Fiddy (74')

Goals: Evan Gledhill (18'), James Coton (21', 31'), Charlie Smy (85').

Double goalscorer James Coton reflects on last night's victory.

DK: A great win tonight, how pleased are you?

JC: Yeah it was a really good which I am pleased with I really enjoy big games like that with the boys under the lights.

DK: Very professional performance, which must make it even more pleasing?

JC: Yeah it was a good performance not just from me but from everyone. Going in 3-0 at half time it was important that everyone remained professional and kept our foot on the gas and didn’t concede.

DK: Two goals in a semi-final, to add to your tally - two well taken finishes?

JC: Yeah it’s always nice to score in any game but go get two to help the team get through to the final makes it even more special.

DK: Having made the final last year, can you put into words how it feels to have done it again?

JC: Yeah it feels good to have made another final it was a target that we set ourselves at the start of the season to retain the cup and it is one that we are only one game from doing so we are all really happy with that and I am looking forward to playing in it.

DK: You must be proud of the season you've been having personally, scoring goals and getting recognised with apps in the first team?

JC: Yeah I am pleased with how the season has gone so far. Making appearances for the first team is something I am really proud of as I enjoy challenging myself at that level and it has been a good experience.

DK: As a close knit team, it must make what you've achieved as a team over the 12 months extra special?

JC: It does make it really special I love the environment that has been created at the academy by all the coaches and all the players I think it is the perfect balance of having fun and being hard working and professional I think that is why we have achieved so much as a group.

Goalkeeper Charlie Skinner discusses reaching the Final of the Suffolk U18 Midweek Cup.

DK: A very good performance to make the final, how proud are you?

CS: Yes very proud of all of the lads in what was a tough game at times but we kept going right till the end, I think we all agreed that it wasn’t are most pretty performance but shows what a good to team we are to get it over the line.

DK: Some big saves from you to keep a clean sheet, how nice is it to contribute in that way?

CS: Yes, it’s always nice to come away with a win but getting a clean sheet aswell just makes it that little bit sweeter for me and the team and it’s always nice for me and the defence to do our part when the forwards are doing there’s.

DK: Can you describe how easy or difficult it can be to keep switched on as a GK throughout in a semi-final?

CS: For me personally I find it easy to because of how important it is to keep switched on, anything can happen in games and they can be changed so quickly.

DK: After winning the cup last season, does it make it even better to make it back there this season?

CS: Definitely it feels so good to make it to another final with this group of players and going back to back finals just shows how well we play as a team and is a special feeling.

DK: As a goalkeeper, you're no doubt very pleased with your clean sheet record in cup competitions?

CS: Definitely yes I’m very happy with it and there’s no better feeling for a gk than to support your team in that way.

DK: Having missed out on parts of the season through injury, it must make it extra rewarding to make it to the Cup Final?

CS: Yes having missed very important games throughout my injury it was very tough for me not being able to help my team in them games so managing to come back and get to a final with this team is very much rewarding.

DK: A huge game for the Reserves on Saturday, what are your thoughts going into that game?

CS: Yes a massive game Saturday which no doubt we need 3 pts out of it, as a team we have all said how important these last few games are in reserves and how important it is to finish strong right till the end.

INTERVIEWS | Olly Bowman and Ryan Pitt | 22.03.2026 |

Olly Bowman 22.03.2026

Under-23's and Under-18's full-back Olly Bowman discusses reaching the Suffolk Reserve Cup Final and the Under-18's season so far.

DK: A great win at home, how delighted are you?

OB: Yeah really happy to win again today especially with such a great scoreline to go with it. Thought the boys were excellent and thoroughly deserved it so yeah very happy.

DK: To pick up a couple of goals and 2 assists yourself, must make it even sweeter?

OB: Of course always nice to score even nicer to score 2 and the assists as well make the win all that more sweeter.

DK: U23s wise you're on a good 3 game winning run, how nice is that feeling?

OB: I think the boys have really started to click as a squad and are finally starting to reap the rewards of the ability the whole squad has and it’s a great feeling and great to be a part of.

DK: Among that 3 game run, you notably secured a spot in the Suffolk Reserve Cup Final, can you put into words what that feels like to achieve that?

OB: It was unreal and to do it in that style made it even better. I’m extremely proud of the boys it’s needhams first time in that final and I think we thoroughly deserved to go through, hopefully we can go all the way now!!

DK: It was also a spectacular comeback to do so, does that make it one of your favourite ever games?

OB: I think it’s definitely up there everyone loves a comeback especially one that puts you in the final so yeah definitely one of my favourite games I’ve played in for sure.

DK: You've also enjoyed success in the U18's this season, only losing once all campaign - from a personal point of view (excluding your injury earlier this season) that must make it an incredible season?

OB: To be unbeaten at 18s in a league which is by no means easy is a great feeling and a testament to how hard the lads are working on the training pitch to get these results. So yeah so far a great season but getting through to that final would make it even better!

Ryan Pitt 20.03.2026

Reserves defender Ryan Pitt reflects on Wednesday's 1-0 away win at Wroxham Reserves.

DK: A great win on the road at Wroxham Reserves on Wednesday, how delighted are you?

RP: Yeah delighted. It was a much needed win after tough spell.

DK: I'm told it was a brilliant team performance, which must make it more rewarding?

RP: Of course. Backing up a good result with a good performance gives us more confidence going forward.

DK: It must be a nice feeling to have scored in back to back games now?

RP: Always nice to get on the scoresheet. More so Wednesday because it was an important goal that ultimately gave us the three points.

DK: What was going through your mind as you scored the winner on Wednesday?

RP: Happiness and relief to put us ahead and get the goal that I feel we probably just about deserved in the game.

DK: With just a handful of games left of the season, how do you feel the campaign has gone - both personally and as a team?

RP: I feel like we’ve fallen short of the standard that I feel that we are capable of. I think with the quality we have we shouldn’t be in the position we are. That being said I’ve think we’ve shown in glimpses across the season what we can do with some excellent performances - just a shame we couldn’t do that more regularly. For me personally its a similar story - some good performances but also some not so great. Still 6 games left to play though, so there’s an opportunity to end strong.

DK: A week break before a huge home game against Wivenhoe, what your thoughts ahead of that game?

RP: big opportunity to build on the win Wednesday. However I don’t think it will be an easy game so we need to be at our best again.

DK: How important do you think Wednesday's win could be going into next weekend's match?

RP: I think the win will give us great confidence and the belief that we are capable of beating many sides in this league on our day.