Oscar Wakeling | 2025/26 Q+A #4 | 10.05.2026 |

Academy winger Oscar Wakeling reflects on the 2025/26 season.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U23/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

OW: I think personally for me the season has only gone uphill. I started off playing in the Under 23’s at the beginning of the season. Began scoring quite a lot, and doing really well, alongside that I also was playing lots of minutes in the Under 18’s side, this is where a lot of my confidence was built up, I then got my chance for the reserves against newly promoted KPR. I started the game strong, and within the first 15 minutes I had grabbed my first goal for the reserves, I then went on to double that, and then finishing the hat-trick off in the second half. On a personal note this season I have seen the most improvement within myself and I pledge to keep pushing. 

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

OW: I think the first game for me would have to be the county cup final, reason being last year I know we won, however I missed out on playing and being part of the squad although being in prior rounds, when that happened it lit something inside of me to keep going and wanting more and more. The entire season I have been training hard and playing well. This year we made it to the same stage and I started, it was a personal achievement for me although we didn’t win. Second game would have to be the FA Youth Cup First round proper - second time in history we as a club had ever been in that round, and to come on and score in it to help send us into the second round was incredible. The third and final game I would have to say is as I previously mentioned KPR during the reserves season, I was waiting on my opportunity to step up from u23’s to reserves and I finally got it, I started the game and scored a hat-trick, it doesn’t get much better than that. Now makes me the Second player out of the reserves squad to score a hat-trick. Evan Gledhill being the other.  

DK: How do you think this season ranks within your previous seasons at the club?

OW: This season doesn’t compare to other season It was a season of real highs, with a group of lads that i will miss playing with every week.  

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves and U23s?

OW: The under 23’s season goes without saying is the best the club has had in a long time and I couldn't be prouder of the lads. Reaching a cup final is a great achievement and although I didn’t play I was down supporting the boys. As for the reserves, I can’t really comment on the first half of the season, however the second half I think was positive we knew every game mattered and we didn’t always get the result we wanted, but it didn’t stop us from working hard. 

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

OW: The under 18’s is arguably the best team at this age group around this area, not many people do what we did this season and just to be a part of that was incredible, I'd like to thank Luke Betts massively for putting trust in me this year, something Ihadn’t been given by anyone else. 

DK: How special was it being part of that impressive FA Youth Cup run, the best the club's ever had?

OW: The Fa youth cup run was second to none. The nights under the lights, scoring goals and just sharing a pitch with some great lads, nothing beats it, to get to the second round proper having scored in the first round proper was crazy to say out loud for me. I had never played at such a high level.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

OW: It’s a real shame we didn’t win the cup this year but to get to the final in the manner we did was great. And to play in every round including the final is the biggest success for me, and not only play in the final but to score as well. 

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

OW: Winning the league on my last season for the Under 18’s was something special. To do it with the boys was just amazing and makes it even harder to know that we are all separating now. It’s certainly one to remember.

DK: You scored plenty of goals this season, can you pick 3 that stand out for you?

OW: I think one of my favourites this year was my goal against Diss Town for the reserves. I picked up the ball and drove into space and hit a shot from outside the box going into the top left corner. Another one where not many people may remember I came on against FC Peterborough away, with 15 minutes to go, and Charlie Smy won a header on the edge of the opponents box and it fell to my feet I weaved between 3 players inside the box to get a shot off and scored, this one felt good in the moment. 

My last would have to be my first round proper goal, nothing beats scoring in the Fa Youth Cup to help send your team to a round the club has never reached before and make history, that was arguably the best. 

DK: Any goal that a teammate scored in a game you played in that stands out? 

OW: I think the best goal I’ve seen when I’ve played is Flynn Bobby against Dussindale at home, in a 2-1 win, he striked it from outside the box and I don’t think it could’ve got any further in the top right hand side corner.

Brad Smith | 2025/26 Q+A #3 | 09.05.2026 |

Defender Brad Smith talks about the 2025/26 season for the Reserves and Under-18's, as well as breaking into the First Team.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

BS: I think from a personal perspective it’s been a very positive season gaining a lot more experience with another year of reserves football combined with some great experiences with the 18s playing some top sides in the fa youth cup.

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

BS: Sudbury county cup 18s, just always a good feeling to beat them and always nice to win on penalties. Southend in the youth cup, although result went against us was an unbelievable test and experience for all the lads to show the levels of academy football. Erith Town 1st round proper of youth cup, unbelievable night top team performance and made history for the club.

DK: How do you think this season ranks within your previous seasons at the club?

BS: For me personally it’s the best I’ve had at the club due to the fact that I've made my debut for the first team and made history in the fa youth cup within it so it definitely takes top spot. Been a season that’s been full of achievements so on a personal note I’ve loved it.

DK: Similarly, how'd you summarise your time at the club?

BS: I’ve absolutely loved my time at the club and I wouldn’t change it for the world being here since I was 12 years old there been a lot of bumps in the road but I’m proud of my journey to this point.

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves?

BS: This season has been a rollercoaster as always for the reserves after having a very positive start to the season and carrying decent form through to the Christmas and then had a spell of time where we struggled a lot but we managed to pick ourselves up and finish the season in a positive way with a couple of good and needed results.

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

BS: I’m very proud of the group as a whole I feel like we deserve every bit of success we’ve had due to a lot of hard work and a lot of struggle at points in the reserves football so it’s nice for us to go and dominate football games and show how good we are at that level.

DK: How special was it being part of that impressive FA Youth Cup run, the best the club's ever had?

BS: Yeah as previously said the run in the fa youth cup was such an amazing feeling as a group we all knew that we wanted to better on what we’d done the season before and attempt to make history at the club so to do so was unbelievable.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

BS: Yeah at the start of the season one of the goals we’d set out as a group was to retain the cup so it’s frustrating to come so close but not quite get over the line. But you have to give credit where credit is due because they were very clinical on the night and probably deserved to win the game so it was a shame but the group gave it everything again so I couldn’t of asked for anymore.

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

BS: It’s always great to finish a season unbeaten and it’s a great outlook for the academy as it’s been pretty much a different lineup every week through the league season and some of the under 16s have stepped up and done very well so I’m sure they’ll have a very positive year next year.

DK: A largely unchanged team over the previous seasons, how much has that consistency and togetherness played a part in the success?

BS: Playing multiple seasons as a group always helps because it gives you more time to gel and we all know how eachother play very well by now so it does make a big difference on the pitch.

DK: Another great personal achievement was that you broke into the First Team this season, how did you find it being in and around the squad on training and matchdays as a whole?

BS: Being in and around the first team environment is such a good learning experience and it shows the levels that are required to compete at that level so being given the chance to be involved on game days and training is great for personal development.

DK: Adding to that you made a fair few appearances, even starting for the First Team, how was that for you - and how much did that motivate you for more?

BS: Yeah turning up on the day and seeing my name in the starting 11 was a bit of a shock to be honest, but I can only be grateful to Tom for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to start and I thought I did well on the day so was buzzing. But I know what the process is ahead and am ready to step up whenever I’m required to but there’s a lot of hard work that has to be done first.

DK: One of those first team appearances saw you feature in 2 county cup finals in as many days, overall how was that experience - rather abnormal?

BS: Yeah it was definitely a new experience playing two cup finals in two days but it was such a good feeling to get on and win the game which helped to take away the disappointment from the night before

DK: Focusing on the First Team Final, how special was that to play in and win the Suffolk Premier Cup Final?

BS: It’s a great experience and special moment to play and win the premier cup at my age. Even more special on a personal behalf playing against my uncle in that kind of game so was a nice moment for the family.

Tyler Wright | 2025/26 Q+A #2 | 09.05.2026 |

 Tyler Smith 09.05.2026

Reserves and Under-18's defender Tyler Wright reflects on the 2025/26 season.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

TW: I think the season went well from my pov first season playing men’s football which was tough had a period of time which was difficult overall good.

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

TW: I think Res v Peterborough we knew they were a difficult team and we managed to get a point Erith town fa youth cup to make history for the club was brilliant and winning 4-1 to top it off was brilliant and last hadleigh at home had to win it to get a good spot at top of table came back from 2-0 to win 3-2.

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves?

TW: I think the reserves league was a mixture of good games and not so good we done well start of season getting some wins dropped of during the end of season not gaining as many as we would of liked

DK: How'd you find your first season of senior football?

TW: First season in men’s football was difficult getting thrown into a tough league with many good teams as 16 year is tough didn’t contribute as much as I would of liked but I thought I done well.

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

TW: Yeah brilliant season going unbeaten in the league is brilliant for everyone involved having great coaches to back us up is brilliant I’m proud as a player to be playing in that as it boost confidence.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

TW: Yeah cup was difficult to not win it again but once again proud of the boys to get that far again didn’t play as much due to injury but watched on and we played really well

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

TW: Unbeaten is just brilliant everyone played their part the 16s coming up doing their part seeing what the standard is just brilliant hopefully same again next year.

Charlie Smy | 2025/26 Q+A #1 | 08.05.2026 |

Reserves and Under-18's midfielder Charlie Smy reflects on 2025/26.

DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U18s) - arguably a successful one?

CS: Yeah I think it’s been a very good season, with the 18s in particular as we managed to get to the second round proper which was a massive achievement and also to win the league undefeated. Reserves season was a tough one but a good learning experience nevertheless.

DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?

CS: 1- Erith Town in the first round proper - I thought we dominated the game from start to finish and it was a really good 4:0 display from the boys.
2 - County cup vs Sudbury- it was a very tough game and I was buzzing to get a goal and to go on to win it on penalties a very good moment.
3- Second round of the fa youth cup vs Southend - it was a very good opportunity to play against a very strong side in the second round proper and it was a good experience to play in front of so many people at Bloomfields. 

DK: How do you think this season ranks within your previous seasons at the club?

CS: I think this season has been a good one mainly due to the success in the cup run with the 18s and the league title and it’s a season that I will remember for a long time.

DK: Similarly, how'd you summarise your time at the club?

CS: It’s been a really positive experience, I’ve learnt a lot during my 2 years at the academy which I can take forward into my footballing career.

DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves?

CS: It’s been a season full of ups and downs with some good performances not getting the points they should have. However there’s also a lots of things I’ve learnt from the reserves season this year.

DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?

CS: I’m very proud of the 18s season and to do it with the boys makes it so much more special. Definitely a season to remember.

DK: How special was it being part of that impressive FA Youth Cup run, the best the club's ever had?

CS: It was very special, obviously making history for the club in that competition was a massive goal for us at the start of the year and thanks to all the coaching staff that helped us along the way, we managed to get to the second round which is a very good accomplishment.

DK: Unfortunate to not quite retain the Suffolk Midweek Cup, but you must be otherwise proud of that run?

CS: We had a good run in the competition, with some big wins like the ones against Sudbury and Lowestoft but we were very disappointed to lose the final, a game where we never really found our rhythm. 

DK: An unbeaten U18 League Champion campaign though, how does that feel?

CS: It’s very good to win the league and to do it unbeaten makes it much more impressive.

DK: A largely unchanged team over the previous seasons, how much has that consistency and togetherness played a part in the success?

CS: All of us boys go to college together and it’s brought us all a lot closer over the 2 years we’ve been here which I feel has played a massive part in all of our success.

Needham Market U18 v Hadleigh United U18 | 16.04.2026 | Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Youth League Central Division | Bloomfields |

Needham Market Under-18's overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat title rivals Hadleigh United 3-2 and move within 3 points of the summit with 5 games left to play.

Luke Betts' side have now won 12 of 13 league outings in the Thurlow Nunn Youth Central Division, drawing the other.

Dennet (8') and Youngs (33') gave the league leaders the lead, though James Coton's brace (39', 68') wiped it out.

Flynn Bobby (79') turned the game on its head, heading home at point blank range for an important win for the young Marketmen.

Jim Gregory (3') saw a close range shot from the left-hand side deflected just wide, while Riley Dennet's following corner was on target only to be denied by Bloom.

Flynn Bobby (5') however was fed into space down the left wing, whose low cross was cut out for a throw in, though Dennet intercepted an under-hit back pass (8') to slot into the bottom right-hand corner.

Brad Smith (9') in reply hit a low strike straight at the keeper from outside the box, as Flynn Bobby (10') jinked into space on the left-hand edge of the box only to fire narrowly wide of the bottom near corner.

Needham arguably had the better of the possession since the goal (16'), Charlie Smy was found after neat passing unmarked outside the area only to fire just wide of the bottom left-hand corner.

Jake Bloom (17') meanwhile was on hand to re-adjust and divert a long shot behind for a corner, as Needham went close (20'). A partially cleared Bobby right wing corner fell to Evan Gledhill to loop a clever side-footed lobbed strike at goal, though the keeper reacted well to just hold on his line.

Harry Hopkins (22') drew a smart stop from the keeper soon after, the midfielder's ferocious strike from distance was tipped just wide of the bottom left-hand corner.

Bobby's resulting corner caused more havoc, albeit flick on at goal was deflected agonisingly just wide of the bottom far corner - which Bobby's set-piece was headed just over at the far post.

Great work from Oscar Wakeling (24') won back possession high up the right wing, which James Coton latched onto the loose ball to play a smart one-two with the former to drive freely into a shooting position, but to slice his shot wide.

Wakeling (26') then received the ball in space to shoot, which was blocked.

Needham continued to pile the pressure on (28'), Brad Smith's clever throw released Gledhill down the right-hand side, spinning his man excellently to cross for Wakeling who controlled it well but shot just agonisingly wide of the top far corner.

Hadleigh (33') doubled their lead rather against the run of play, Jervel Youngs challenged Jake Bloom for the ball from a long range free-kick before finding the unguarded net.

Wakeling (35') floated a dangerous right wing cross towards goal, which was tipped away crucially, before a big stop (36') thwarted Hadleigh at close range.

Bloom (39') held onto Youngs' header from Dennet's left wing free-kick, as Needham halved the deficit moments later.

A right wing cross picked out James Coton arriving at the far post to wrap home into the bottom far corner from an acute angle.

Needham (41') saw a close range header following a right wing cross seemingly tipped over, but for a goal-kick to be given, as Bloom (42') held onto a low tame strike at his left-hand post.

Evan Gledhill (45') was denied by a sharp save from the keeper, again turned passed his man on the right-hand side before dinking a great strike towards the top far corner only for the keeper to tip it onto the inside of the post to bounce back into his grateful gloves.

Gledhill (45'+2') spun into space only to fire narrowly over from inside the box to end the first half.

Wakeling (52') exploited space, albeit shooting low and straight at Bell at his near post, as Gledhill (54') curled a free-kick from just outside the box narrowly over.

Bloom (63') meanwhile was forced into an incredible stop, launching low to his right-hand side to tip a thunderous volley behind, as two crucial blocks a minute later, one from Drake at close range, denied Hadleigh from the resulting corner.

Coton (68') rifled Needham level. After Gledhill, Wakeling and Smy - the duo playing a smart one-two - linked up nicely, Coton was threaded through down the right-hand side by the forward to lash home into the bottom far corner.

Bobby's (71') good left wing free-kick was met by Fiddy leaping highest at the far post whose header was held by Bell, as Bobby (74') headed Needham in front.

Henry Vieira's great right wing cross was headed in off the underside of the crossbar by Flynn Bobby at close range to give Luke Betts' side a 3-2 lead.

Wakeling (76') fired straight at Bell, while Bobby's cross-shot was held by the keeper (79').

Gledhill (80') saw a low shot from a tight angle held by Bell, as Needham smashed narrowly over (81').

Fletch Stalford (83') fired over from outside the penalty area, as Hopkins' (85') far post header was headed off the line from Bobby's left wing corner as appeals for a penalty wwere waved away.

Needham remained on top, Henry Vieira (87') darted through onto the left-hand only for his low cutback to be turned behind for a corner, which was nodded wide of the far post by Drake.

Gledhill intercepted Bell's clearance (89'), though the stopper recovered to dive and gather the ball before it could trickle over his goal-line.

Bloom (91') advanced to claim a long range free-kick.

Needham Market return to league action on Thursday, at home to Ipswich Wanderers (7:45pm).


Needham:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Brad Smith, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Kellen Fiddy (C), 5 Xavi Drake, 6 Charlie Smy, 7 Flynn Bobby, 8 Harry Hopkins, 10 James Coton (73' Vieira), 14 Oscar Wakeling, 19 Evan Gledhill. Subs: 9 Henry Vieira, 15 Kyle Roper, 16 Riley Parker, 17 Alfie Mark. 88' Smy & Bobby off for Parker and Mark.

Hadleigh:- 1 Josh Bell, 2 Alex Spraggons, 3 Theo Stalford, 4 Zach Simpson, 5 Alfie Tynan (C), 6 Luke Hyde, 7 Hasim Koksal, 8 Riley Dennet, 9 Jervel Youngs, 10 Rico Aubrey, 11 Jim Gregory. Subs: 12 Fletch Stalford, 14 Daniel Senah, 15 Charlie Smith, 16 Tyce Aubrey, 21 Oli Rose.

Booked: H GK (44'), Bobby (79')
Goals: James Coton (39', 68'), Flynn Bobby (74'); Dennet (8'), Youngs (33')