Now that the 2021-22 season has been completed, I asked Needham Market's record appearance maker and season top scorer for his thoughts on the season.
Luke Ingram kicks off, hopefully a successful series of, the end of season Q&As. Photo added is courtesy of the fantastic Ben Pooley!
1. First of all, now the season is complete, how do you feel the season went overall?
LI: As a whole, I think it’s been a good year, if you offered us the Suffolk cup, quarter final of trophy and the games we played in it and mid table, would have probably took it before a ball was kicked.
2. How did the season fare in terms of personal and team targets?
LI: I think we overachieved in cups and under in the league, we would have liked to be around play offs but can’t have it all!
3. Looking back at the FA Trophy run now, how do you reflect on it? Can you pick a standout moment?
LI: I think looking back, the trophy run willl be one of the things we all remember when we finish playing football, memories to last, and has to be going to Yeovil, what a day!
4. How did it feel to take the opening penalty of the Yeovil shootout?
LI: Tbh I was nervous I won’t lie, but I’m in a lucky position to be on penalty’s in normal game so it made sense to go first really. Big relief it went in.
5. Can you remember the feeling you felt during the shootout?
LI: To be honest it’s all a blurr, I remember a couple of times thinking oh no we’ve messed it up now, but thanks to Marcus we always got another chance.
6. Any point in either cup run or season in general you knew something special could be round the corner?
LI: I think the Wealdstone was the moment we did, it was an unexpected win and to beat them comfortably was surprising and unbelievable from all the boys!
7. Must have been nice to win the Suffolk Premier Cup for second straight season, was it fitting do you think to do it on penalties? How was your nerves watching it unfold?
LI: Always lovely to win and play at a nice ground, was gutted to miss the game but I knew the penalty’s were in good hands, never going to lose!
8. Looking back at the FA Cup and League Cup, would it be fair to say you're disappointed with how both competitions went for us?
LI: The league cup was for the young boys to get an opportunity, and they done amazing at Royston so no shame! Yeah we let ourselves down going out to east Thurrock, but this season is the season we have an FA Cup run, I can feel it.
9. Looking at league season how do you summarise it?
LI: League season was tough, we matched nearly everyone but just let too many wins turn into draws unfortunately, and meant we couldn’t get any momentum going for a longer period.
10. Are there any league games that stand out to you?
LI: None particular really, getting a draw at Banbury and beating Nuneaton away were probably the nightlights.
11. Favourite goal you scored?
LI: Would have to be the chip against Wealdstone, it was a better goal than the Dartford penalty but Dartford was more important maybe.
12. Your player of the season and why?
LI: Marco (Marcus Garnham) and Kyle (Hammond) have been outstanding this season, so flip a coin.
13. If you could change any part of this season, what would you change? Why? What would you do different looking back?
LI: If I could change one thing, it would be what happened to Byron, we’ve missed him and love the guy!
14. How does it feel to be the first player to pass 400 Needham club appearances, and also be top scorer with 20 goals - just piping Fowkesy?
LI: Feels amazing, it’s something I wanted to do from the min I joined and be the top appearance maker, I’d like to think loyalty still goes a long way.
(C) NEEDHAM MARKET F.C./DREW KENDALL 2022
No comments:
Post a Comment