REACTION | TOM ROTHERY POST MATCH INTERVIEW | LEISTON 0-0 NEEDHAM MARKET | 28.08.2023 |

Assistant Manager Tom Rothery reflects on yesterday's draw at Leiston and previews Saturday's Emirates FA Cup game.

DK: What did you make of the game?

TR: I don’t think it was a classic but I thought we did ok. We started well and gave ourselves a good platform in the game but just lacked that final bit of quality on the day. 

DK: Were you pleased overall with the performance, especially with 1 full rest day?

TR: Think it’s really tough for any team with the quick turnaround so looking at it from a point’s perspective, 4 from 6 over the weekend is a good outcome, 6 would be better though. I felt we had more control in the game and looked the more threatening of the teams. 

DK: Would you call it a positive or frustrating performance? 

TR: Bit of both really. They have a good home record and like I said I felt we had more control in the game so anytime you come away from home and do that you should be happy but a little frustrated that we didn’t take a chance or create a bit more on the day with the possession we had. I think on another day we have a penalty also, the foul on Luke for me is a penalty.

DK: Would you say it rounds off an overall positive month and start?

TR: Yes I think so especially after the first game. Four clean sheets from six and we’ve had some tough games amongst that six so overall I think it’s a pretty good start. Still things we can do better and will continue to work on but I think we’ve got a good foundation to build on.

DK: Despite being early days how pleased are you that we're currently in the top five?

TR: Like I say it’s a good start but that’s all it is but by starting in those positions it gives you possibilities to build momentum and when you lose which all teams will if you can react quickly it can keep you in the mix which is obviously where we hope to be come the end. 

DK: Back in FA Cup action on Saturday, how do you see that game?

TR: It’ll be tough, they’ve scored five in both their previous FA cup ties and I’ve seen on video that they have threats. I’ll watch them live on Wednesday so we will prepare Thursday and be ready for a tough game Saturday but fully prepared for it.

DK: After last season, what for you would be a positive cup run, i.e. get to First Round Proper again or get further?

TR: We need to take one game at a time and try and put ourself in the draw Monday. It’s always great to have a cup run, the money and exposure it brings but you can’t expect to do it every year but obviously we will try and progress and get as far as we can but we can’t do that if we don’t get past FC Romania.

REACTION | JAKE DYE & PATRICK BROTHERS POST MATCH INTERVIEWS | NEEDHAM MARKET 2-0 ALVECHURCH | 26.08.2023 |

REACTION | JAKE DYE POST MATCH INTERVIEW | NEEDHAM MARKET 2-0 ALVECHURCH | 26.08.2023 |

Goalscorer and MOTM Jake Dye reflects on yesterday's win over Alvechurch, and previews Monday's trip to Leiston. 

DK: Another win, must be pleasing?

JD: Yeah, I mean momentum's flying at the minute after obviously a poor start at Stratford we got a proper dogged draw against Halesowen, and yeah everything we're doing seems to click. We're being more positive, more intent to score, looking very, very, good at the back and yeah another really good performance today!

DK: Back on the scoresheet again!!

JD: I know! Don't know what's going on mate, what's that 3 now, so I'll take that, but yeah anything to help the team I'm very happy with, and yeah the more goals I get obviously boost my confidence, so very, very, happy!

DK: The question everyone will be asking is did you mean it?

JD: I wouldn't say yes, going to say yes, but no, it was more just to find an area and luckily it just looped over the keeper nicely, and yeah I'll take it!

DK: It's a good performance despite very much torrential rain.

JD: Yeah, I think half-time came at a wrong time for us, came at a good time for them. They could go and regroup, we were on a roll, we had chances where we could've gone 2, 3, 4-0 up and it would've been fully deserved. Unfortunately we didn't, and they came out, to be fair them, put us under the cosh a little bit. We defended really, really, well. Marco made a point blank save which that's Marco for you, but a proper good result and chuffed for Tev as well!

DK: As you say three straight wins in the league, the momentum's currently on our side.

JD: Yeah, the momentum is rolling, like we say, we work really hard in training, we've got a good group here, we're confident, like I say we're now attacking with more intent, we're playing our style and I think we're looking very, very, dangerous and fingers crossed we can follow up Monday and get a good result away at Leiston.

DK: Even with a good performance in difficult conditions, it's about finding a way to win. 

JD: Absolutely and that's what good teams do. We're not going to play as well as we did away at Coalville every single week, some games we're going to have to grind out results and that's what good teams do. Kev said at the start of the day good teams win, great teams are consistent, so that's what we're doing, we're grinding out results and long may it continue!

DK: When we last spole we'd just beaten Bury in the County Cup, looking to keep that going on and look at the end of the month - it's been almost perfect.

JD: Yeah, like you say, but now it's all about can it continue. Obviously we've got one day rest tomorrow before Leiston, then we've got a nice break before the FA Cup, hopefully we can progress like we did last year - that's obviously a target for us - just like I say we're confident so keep the games rolling and hopefully we'll keep getting the results in!

DK: I know it's only five games played, but we're currently in fifth!

JD: To be fair we're not really looking at the table at the minute, we're just concentrating on ourselves. I think people look at us, 'a little old Needham Market,' and we'll just keep on surprising teams, keep playing our way and long may it continue when we get the results we deserve!

DK: Speaking of the FA Cup, I know we've got Leiston in two days time but, that's a good draw for us?!

JD: Yeah, well I mean I think it's away at Cheshunt('s ground), so a nice ground. Obviously we'll go there looking to win, obviously it'll be their cup final, they're there to make an upset, but the way we're playing at the minute if we play as we can then we fear no-one, and hopefully it's just another win for us. 

DK: Going back to Monday, it'll be a tough derby on the road.

JD: Yeah, definitely, you know what happens when it's Needham vs Leiston. It either comes with loads of goals or it comes with a little bit of argie bargie, but it's something we're looking forward to. We're all going to rest up, recuperate, roll on Monday and like I say we're confident. We're going to go there play our away, and I think that'd be enough for us.

DK: How does it feel to get Man Of The Match today?

JD: Yeah, chuffed! I continue to work hard on my own game and to get recognised with MOTM, yeah I'm really happy! What more could you want!

DK: How does that goal rank for your career so far?

JD: Probably not my favourite! I quite enjoyed the one at home to Walsham Le Willows, where I actually made a good strike of it, but yeah they all count and I'll take it! Another stat.

DK: Some people from another angle might say, 'that's a worldie.'

JD: If they say that then I'll go along with it!

REACTION | PATRICK BROTHERS POST MATCH INTERVIEW | NEEDHAM MARKET 2-0 ALVECHURCH | 26.08.2023 |

Player-coach Patrick Brothers also reflects on yesterday's 2-0 victory.

DK: Three wins on the spin!

PB: Yeah, it was very good, very good, obviously I wasn't there for the Coalville game, but I heard - obviously the result speaks for itself - it was a great game and we're at that point where we're getting a bit of momentum and players are slowly developing and getting better a better - or a more effective - way of playing, obviously it's showing with 3 wins on the bounce! Obviously it's very early days to be over confident, but with every game we're getting better, we're getting stronger and it's great to see!

DK: Yeah, like you say it's early days but very much pleasing and almost a perfect start. 

PB: Yeah definitely, obviously I think the first game of the season is always a bit of a lottery and yeah as the result says of that game we weren't anywhere near our best, but maybe that gave us a little bit of a kick to go, 'we need to up our game, up our energy, up our standards,' and ever since every man has been spot on.

DK: Yeah, it's been a good performance in very difficult conditions.

PB: Yeah, I think we started the game really well, again it was raining as hard as it was at the end of the half, but we started the game on the front foot and they were struggling to get out. Second half, with the weather still pretty bad, but I think they come out, I reckon their gaffer might've had a couple of words to a couple of their players, and they come out and we had to defend well in times. Marco made a very important save probably around the 70th minute mark. We always look solid at the back, we've always said it and then a couple of good subs, obviously Ollie's worked magic and just threaded Tev whose got a tap in so an all-round, on an indifferent weather day, good 2-0 win!

DK: It's a mark of a good team though who can win in different ways.

PB: Hundred percent! I think I said it in pre-season, Needham have always been known as - or more recently when Kev's taken over - the pretty ball playing side. We've still got that, no doubt, we see it in training, we see it in the warm ups and we see it in spells in games, we've now got the other side of the game where we can dig in. We can play second balls, we can play physical and we can mix it up with any team in this league.

DK: Yeah, I know he didn't come on, but it's nice to have him back in the squad!

PB: Yeah, definitely, Luke's a massive part of the squad, a massive part of the team, on and off the pitch but it does show how strong we are. He's missed a couple of games and we've won both of them and it's the same with other players missing - gone on holidays or coming back from injury whatever it may be - a strong 18, 19, 20 is a must have at this level.

DK: Another good thing was seeing Byron involved in the warm up!

PB: Yeah, fantastic news, everyone's buzzing for him obviously it's been a long, long, long, long time since he's been out there and everyone's just over the moon that he's back just even getting involved in the warm up. Obviously it's still early days, we don't want to get too ahead of ourselves but it's very positive, and hopefully touch wood we do see him in another Needham first team shirt!

DK: What's been the most pleasing thing for you either today or since the start of the season?

PB: I just think we're slowly, we've always had it, but we're slowly learning when to play and when not to play, which comes hand in hand with a bit of communication, a bit of talking, but I think we've got a really good group of lads here, I said another 19, 20 players who all want to work for each other, all want to work for the club and they're all in together to get 3 points. No matter whether it's a clean performance or a bit of an ugly performance that's the most important thing and to a man we've have got that I believe!

DK: Like we said in pre-season, this squad looks more stronger than teams we've had in the past - no disrespect to those before - and it's starting to show signs of coming to fruition. 

PB: Definitely, in pre-season I said that I told you that we were ready and obviously we went to Stratford and it just shows if you're off it for one game you can get turned over and it can get embarrassing and that's why to a man we have to be on it all the time. As I said it's still early days, but what I'm seeing and what Kev and Tom with speaking to them have seen and what the players can see we are building is some good momentum, some good form. We've just got to be consistent, we can't just turn up one game here and there. Three (wins) in a row is great, can we make it four, can we make it five is important.

DK: Yeah, that's the challenge for when we go to Leiston for a local derby on Monday.

PB: Yeah, I think everyone bigs up the local derby games, and as they should, but again we've got to treat it like any other fixture, keep our momentum going. They got a good result today so they'll be up for it and again if we match them physically, we match them energy wise I've got full confidence that we should get a positive result - and that's taking nothing away against Leiston. They were up there last year, they've had a few changes, so hopefully it'll be a good, good step 3 game and hopefully with Needham coming away with 3 points. 

JAMIE MCGRATH | GET TO KNOW Q&A #4 | 23.08.2023

Striker Jamie McGrath answers the questions in the fourth instalment of our home matchday Get To Know Q&A series. 

Quickfire Questions:

Favourite Hot Drink: Tea

Favourite Cold Drink: Fanta Fruit twist

Favourite Snack: Crisps

Favourite Takeaway/Dinner: Chinese

Favourite TV Show: Prison Break

Favourite Film: Shawshank Redemption

Team you Support: Liverpool

Favourite Professional Player (current/all time): Current - Firmino (has been for years) All time - Stevie G

Favourite Song/Musician: Song, Danza Kuduro - what a tune

Favourite sport other than football, and why? Cricket, played it pretty much my whole life. 

If you could’ve been involved in any sporting event ever, what would it have been and why? Football World Cup final just gone, Messi winning the WC on pens after the best final ever. Or the Cricket World Cup in 2019 when England won, that had everything in it as well and was won on the last ball of a super over!

If you could swap places with anyone else in football (player, coach), who would you pick and why? Probably Trent, has won it all already and still has years ahead of him playing for Liverpool. 

Player Profile:

How would you describe yourself as a player? Haha think I’ll leave that for others to do!

What’s the one thing you think you’re personally known best for (playing wise) and why? Hold up/link up play, would say it’s one of my strong points. Or being able to jump high!

What are your standout moments from your career so far and why? Getting to the FA cup first round, and scoring over 50 goals in a season for Bergholt! Think they’re both great achievements in their own right

What inspired you to be a footballer? Probably my Dad, and the rest of my family to be fair. They all love it so it’s what I grew up around.

Best Player Played With and why?

As a youngster Luke Woolfenden, always had another level of quality on the ball, as well as pace/strength/height etc 

At senior level Keiran Morphew - probably the best centre half in our league!

REACTION | KEVIN HORLOCK & JAMIE MCGRATH POST MATCH INTERVIEWS | COALVILLE TOWN 1-6 MARKET | 20.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 4 | LEAGUE 3 |

REACTION | KEVIN HORLOCK POST MATCH INTERVIEW | COALVILLE TOWN 1-6 MARKET | 20.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 4 | LEAGUE 3 | 

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on the win yesterday.

DK: How do you summarise that one? 

KH: Magnificent. There's no other word for it, obviously I imagine they'll come out and say they didn't perform very well today, but that's undoing it for us, because we didn't give them chance to be good. They looked a threat early on, but we just nullified that. We defended really well and composed. We played balls into areas, we dominated in midfield, we were dangerous out wide, Jamie held the ball up, the subs affected it as well. It was arguably the best performance I've had, since I've been Needham manager. Possibly, I don't think could there have been many better performances from a Needham team? 6-1 Away at Coalville, unbelievable! It just shows what we're capable of, so like I said to them (the players) in there (changing room), we won't get too carried away. They (the players) deserved it. We've had some good performances here in the past and not left here with what we deserved, so today we got what we deserved, and we thoroughly deserved it! 

DK: What a clinical performance that was! 

KH: Yeah, we've got it, and at times me and Tom get frustrated that we don't quite do it, but it's been coming. Obviously after the first game of the season no-one's seen that coming, it's a bit of a shock, it was unlike us, but since them we've steadily got better, Halesowen 0-0 and could've won that one. Obviously beating Hitchin was a real good performance and good to get the three points on the board. Again nobody would've probably given us a chance coming here today, we know we can come here and win. We thought probably be a bit closer than it was, but we were unbelievable. With the movement, when to keep the ball, when to play in the areas, we were clinical today. 

DK: Goals were shared about as well, Pagey got two, McGrath got, Jacob, Dan and Seth off the bench. 

KH: Yeah, it was one of them. Obviously we've been looking to add goals into the squad for a couple of years now, and it's difficult to come by goalscorers but we have got goals in the team, but like today they will be shared about. Everyone's capable of scoring. I don't think we've got that talisman that's going to score you 25 a season like most teams at this level have got, they cost a lot of money as well, but we've got good players. We've got players that can play, we've got players that can add goals and we've got players that have got energy in them and are willing to make forward runs, so that's always going to give you chances. 

DK: Is it more pleasing that all our goals were pretty much in the Needham DNA? 

KH: Yeah, look I want to win games of football obviously, I want to be successful. I want Needham to progress and I want this group of players to reach their potential, but I do like football to be played in a certain way. It isn't always a way that if you do it all the time and play pretty football that gets you success you have to mix it up. I think we've got that mixture now, I think we're playing into areas rather than play through the thirds all the time. It's about making the right decision when to do the passing through the thirds or leaving it in areas, so the balance was really, really, good today, and yeah it's pleasing. The goals were all really, really, good buildup and finishes. 

DK: And we're 4 games unbeaten now in all competitions. 

KH: Yeah, don't jinx it, don't jinx it! Yeah look, I know it sounds mad but I wouldn't swap any of the back 4 for anyone in this division, the 6-1 first game of the season was a bit of a shock, but we've got a steady base with Marco behind and then ahead of that we've got a team that can play. I did ask the question and we have done work on it over the last week or two about in the final third and creating chances, and finishing. So I'd like to believe that obviously mine and Tom's work has sort of come to fruition today, but the players are capable of it, so yes it is a good start. That makes it a good start now, but again we've got to back it up. There's no point coming to Coalville winning 6-1 and then losing your next (game) and not performing well. So it's about the consistency, keeping the lads feet on the ground, obviously training when we get the opportunity to train as hard as we can and we'll keep going. 

DK: Is it fitting that the day we score six, we move into sixth - even if it is early days? 

KH: I don't know. Look, I'd much rather be sixth, I know people say you shouldn't look at the table and maybe they're right, but I'd much rather be where we are now than where we were when we finished the season, last season. So I won't go over the top with it, it's nice but I'm just concentrating on keep pushing these lads forward, because we've got that nucleus of the team that have been here for a while, but we've got young players within that, that have got massive potential, and as a team anything is possible. So I want them to aim high and dream big and see where that can go to. 

DK: So the team talk before the game and at half-time very much came to good effect? 

KH: Yeah, look, I just want them to set their standards, that like I say that the last two performances in the league have been good. It's about setting those standards, we said you know what we're not going to come here and be expansive, we're away from home. We're playing Coalville, who are a massive club and have always been there or there abouts, so we said we might have to be a little bit more structured, we might have to be a little bit more patient, which I thought we were early on. We played into areas and then we let the shackles off and we were dangerous, we created chances, we got into really good areas and off that the goals come, and that breeds confidence and the lads are flying. So I'm hoping that momentum carries on now. 

DK: It's important that after we struggled for away wins last year, but without over talking it, that we've got it at the second attempt. 

KH: Yeah, I actually said at the start, and it's not negative of me, I think you're coming to Coalville if someone offered you a point at the start of the journey I think you take it. Obviously you do want to win away games, but Coalville were right at the top last year, so it was always going to be tough. They've got some good players that have obviously played at a higher level, so you would've took it, and I said to the lads in there, "look at the minute we've got a point. You're capable of getting more," so I honestly believe that and I want them to believe it too, but we haven't got to go and be gun ho, do you know what I mean? Be structured, be disciplined, do the tough things, or the horrible things well that they need to do in football and they got to. I said, "you've got ability to go on and win it," and that's what they've done. They were brilliant, I can't say anything more than that really, and as I said, that's how good we can be. That's our standard, stay near that and you've got a chance. 

DK: Other than being clinical, how would you describe the performance today? 

KH: It was structured, it was disciplined and they must've enjoyed it. I said at the start, there's only one way, I want them to enjoy football. I want them to enjoy playing, I want them to enjoy working hard, I want them to enjoy being together as a group, because they are a good group and I see that today. I see it, and it does come from confidence, obviously winning Tuesday and then going 2, 3 goals up, going celebrating goals together. The mood in there's really, really, good and it probably will be on the bus on the way home, so yeah it was a top performance, and like I say probably - I'm not talking results, because we've had some good days, Yeovil and everything else, but - in terms of full performance, or complete performance I think it's the best I've seen since I've been manager. 

DK: Saturday, we're back at home against Alvechurch, you can't underestimate anyone. 

KH: No, and obviously teams will look at this result and maybe we might prick a few ears up, thinking what's that about, so teams might come and try and contain us more rather than being expansive themselves, because we cut Coalville open today. So tough game, Alvechurch had a good run in the FA Cup as well last year, but it's at home, won the last two, so we're confident. It's all about attitudes and standards for the lads, and if we're anywhere near as good as we were today it should be a win, but you never know. 

DK: Normally we play Coalville and it's a tight game, 1-0, 2-0 maybe, so it would've caught a lot of people off guard really. 

Kh: Yeah, I'm not going to lie to you, I knew we had a chance today, because every time we've come here (we've done well, I think I've been here 3 times obviously this is the fourth. So the first time we won (1-0), and that's my second game in charge. Second time we lost 2-0, but we played really well, missed chances, they scored two goals just before half-time, it killed us. And we still went onto have a half decent second half, but couldn't score, and then last year I think we lost 1-0 but we missed a penalty, so they've never blown us away. Did I think we'd win 6-1, no. But did I think we had a chance of winning? Yeah, 100%! So we deserved it today, it was long overdue against Coalville for me, so it will be a nice journey home for everyone! 

DK: Another game where an all round perfect team performance, anyone really could've been Man Of The Match again. 

KH: Yeah, it could've been anybody. If there's one grumble, and it's hard to grumble, it'd have been nice to have kept a clean sheet, but we're going to keep a lot of clean sheets, so I'll settle for the one going in today, because we scored six. 

You always want more as a manager, I think it's important to always drive the team and the lads to perfection. I don't think anyone, any team ends up perfect, but yeah it would've been nice to have had a clean sheet, but I'm picking bones out off it. That's about as bad as a thing I can say about being unhappy about today. I'm made up for the lads. 

DK: On the bright side, it (their goal), which made it 4-1 at the time, we still went on to score 2 more and create further chances. 

KH: Yeah, and do you know the pleasing thing, obviously we've not go Ingers with us. He's not been able to travel, not fit, I thought the subs really affected the game today as well. Obviously Seth's wanting game time, Jamie's come in, and they'll get chances. Ollie's come in back from holiday and looked a threat, obviously Dylan's just come back from holiday, so I'm bringing on Dylan, Ollie and Seth and they've affected the game, so we're in a good place! 

DK: Even when we're heavily in front, they're making a good impact. 

KH: Yeah, it's easy isn't it when things are going well, everything's good and it can become a habit and that's what I'm hoping. That we keep standards up, that we work, we don't take our foot off the pedal, we keep working hard in training and in the end you get your reward, hopefully this is the start of us getting our rewards for all the hard work we've done over the last couple of years. 

DK: Emirates FA Cup draw on Monday, are you looking forward to that? 

KH: Yeah, I think it's always nice. Obviously everyone's going to be looking at us having a run like we did last year, will be tough to, but it's a benchmark what what we've got to set ourselves now. For a club like Needham, and clubs at our level, to get to the first round proper is a massive achievement. Financially it can be really good, which some teams, I think Coalville were one of them, that have realised that along with ourselves. So yeah, we look forward to it, all you can ask for is a home draw. Anyone at home. 

REACTION | JAMIE MCGRATH POST MATCH INTERVIEW | COALVILLE TOWN 1-6 MARKET | 20.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 4 | LEAGUE 3 | 

Striker and goalscorer Jamie McGrath reflects on the win, and getting off the mark for the season. 

DK: How do you describe that? 

JMcG: To be honest, I just think it was the complete performance, obviously we've spoken about in recent weeks trying to get more bodies forward and create more chances. We've been working quite hard on that in training, and I think that clearly paid off today. We had runners in behind, and chances came, thankfully we were all able to finish well as well! 

DK: Must've been nice for yourself to get on the scoresheet? 

JMcG: Yeah, it was nice, obviously nice to get off the mark for the season. To be honest I'd actually like to get to one or two more towards the end, but obviously can't complain with getting the one goal and obviously the team got six, so absolutely buzzing with that! 

DK: Like you say it was an all round clinical team performance. 

JMcG: Yeah, I think it was clinical, probably something we were a bit guilty of last season was perhaps maybe we didn't create that many chances, but when we did get them we didn't perhaps take them. So the fact that maybe 4 or 5 people chipped in with goals today, plenty of good finishes, as you say clinical. It was really positive going forward. 

DK: Must be nice to get your first goal since your injury? 

JMcG: Yeah, it is, yeah! Obviously it was a frustrating end to the season last year, and then it is was a case of over the summer working back my fitness. So the start of this season was in and out of the team, so nice to get a couple of starts under my belt obviously and get a goal today. So hopefully puts me in good stead moving forward! 

DK: What are your thoughts on the season so far? 

JMcG: Well, obviously the first game was a bit of a shock, but I think the way we've reacted since then is really positive. I think we're now scoring more goals, defensively we've always been really solid, so I expected that to sort itself out. But I think generally, as I say the first game was a shock, but the reaction to it's been really good, so it looks like we're moving in the right direction. 

DK: Back at home Saturday, that should be good? 

JMcG: Yeah, yeah, it's always lovely to play at home. We always seem to perform well at home, so it's just a case of looking to back up what we've done here today I think. That's the most important thing, not to get too excited based on what we've done today, same way we didn't get too down after what happened first game of the season. We all know it's about backing up on Saturday now. 

DK: Did you feel you that you took your goal well? 

JMcG: Well actually it was fairly simple in the end, couldn't really miss from there. I think some of the other boys had some better finishes, but at the end of the day all that matters is getting it in the back of the net and I didn't care how I got off the mark this season. So anyway I score is a good goal in my opinion! 

DK: Is it one of those days you score so many that they almost blend into each other? 

JMcG: Yeah, I know what you mean. Can't really remember them all of the top of my head, but as I say, I think there was a lot of good finishes in there. I remember Jacob's was a really good finish, Pagey obviously got a couple, the penalty (Dan's goal) and Seth's was a really good finish as well. So yeah, just think really, really, good across the board. 

DK: Not often that we have one of our centre backs scoring, not that it's a criticism! 

JMcG: Yeah, I think Dan's taken quite a few penalties for Needham and he always seems to bury them, so as I say that ended up in the back of the net. Happy days! 

DK: Did you want that penalty? 

JMcG: Yeah, I mean as a striker I think you always fancy a pen but as I say, Dan's scored plenty of penalties for Needham, so once I saw him step up I was confident he was going to put it away. 

DK: You just gave him, Mr Consistent, the ball and were like yeah you can have it. 

JMcG: Yeah, exactly, as you say, give it to Mr Consistent and he got the job done, so happy days!

REACTION | CALLUM PAGE POST MATCH INTERVIEW | NEEDHAM MARKET V HITCHIN TOWN | 15.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 4 | LEAGUE 3 |

Goalscorer Callum Page reflects opn Tuesday night's win over Hitchin Town at home.

DK: First win on the board, what do you make of it?

CP: Yep, good game, defence was very solid, we had runners in behind, we had people coming to feet making things happen, we were creative. It's all you can ask for really, we dug in deep and got the 3 points, which is the main thing.

DK: Talk us through your goal.

CP: To be fair it's an unbelievable team goal, I think Jakey, Jacob, maybe Tev, decent bit of linkup down the right side, Jakey's eventually got in behind and I'm thinking in my head the clip to the back stick's not on, so I need to get in front of him, luckily he's flat footed and I've caught him off guard and got in front of him, and yeah just swept it home I suppose, yeah good finish!

DK: Two goals in three games now, that's good confidence for you?

CP: Yeah, of course, obviously being injured last year it's good to get off the mark early in the season, because at the end of the day all I want to do is score goals, win games and get assists, that's my job at the end of the day. So yeah, happy days! Hopefully it continues!

DK: Is it nice to be back here permanently now?

CP: Yeah, of course, obviously speaking to Kev and Tom before everything was sorted I need to get back to my best self, and I feel like I can become my best self playing well, playing regularly here. I'm comfortable here, there's a good bunch of mates, I'm mates with all the players, like I said it's a good environment to be in.

DK: How do you reflect on the performance tonight?

CP: Yeah, it's obviously our best one of the season so far, clean sheet for the defence, two good goals - obviously Reece unbelievable, caught the keeper off guard only a few people can do that. Yeah, good team goal, for my goal, defence solid, midfield were running ratting about winning second balls, yeah not one person on the pitch can come off and say they didn't put in a shift, so yeah that's all we can do. We all did our jobs to the best we could.

DK: It was a bit of a competitive game.

CP: Yeah, to be fair to them they were resilient, obviously they kept coming at us. They got the ball down, they got in and around our box a few times, I don't feel like they created anything too extreme, which was obviously down to the defence being solid, but yeah it was a tough game, a lot of tracking runners, a lot of being switched on in the last 10-15 minutes, but yeah we got the job done which is the main thing!

DK: Yeah, it's been a kind of steady start to the season.

CP: Yeah, obviously first game of the season 6-1 away to Stratford is not an ideal start, but Tuesday after that we picked it up, obviously a win against Bury. Good point against a strong Halesowen team Saturday, and then obviously this is just icing on the cake for the week, and then build it on Saturday. Hopefully go again, another 3 points.

DK: Saturday will be another tough game, well they all are, but Coalville especially.

CP: Yeah, Tom said a few times that he feels like that this league has improved even more drastically from last year, so every games going to be a tough game, especially away from home. But yeah we've got more than enough to be able to beat anyone.

DK: We've got a bit more of a stronger squad depth this year.

CP: Yeah, it's always good having competition for places, keeps you on your toes, keeps you lively, no-one wants to feel comfortable, because when you feel comfortable you get complacent. That's where things start going for you, so yeah it's good, good competition for places, there's a good atmosphere around the changing room. Think it will be a good season!

DK: Definitely, and momentum's kind of growing gradually from last Tuesday, to Saturday and tonight.

CP: Yeah, obviously we had a good pre-season, unbeaten, scored a lot of goals. Obviously the start of the season didn't go how we wanted, but yeah this is a good stepping stone, and hopefully we can build even more on it and keep getting three points, it's what we're here to do!

REACTION | REECE HARRIS + KEVIN HORLOCK POST MATCH INTERVIEWS | NEEDHAM MARKET V HITCHIN TOWN | 15.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 4 | LEAGUE 3 |

REACTION | REECE HARRIS POST MATCH INTERVIEW | NEEDHAM MARKET V HITCHIN TOWN | 15.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 4 | LEAGUE 3 | 

Last night's Goalscorer and Man Of The Match, chosen by Match Sponsors Rock Estates, Reece Harris reflects on our first win of the league season and the campaign so far.

DK: First win on the board!

RH: Yeah, nice! Yeah, very good to get the three points, Saturday's a good game, obviously a draw you probably from the outside look at it as a 0-0 as an absolute borefest, but I think we created enough chances Saturday to back it up tonight, and as you've seen some good play. Very good play for the first goal, it was a bit more like what we were in pre-season, but yeah really good to get the win, just overall pleased for the lads, because the last two games warranted a win, so yeah good to get it on the board!

DK: And you took your second goal for the club in style!

RH: Yeah, to be fair I think I probably had about 7 free-kicks since I've been here, so glad one's gone in! I don't know to be fair if it went through or over the wall, but I'll take it as long as it gets us points on the board I'm not really fussed how it goes in to be honest!

DK: How have you settled into the club so far?

RH: Yeah good, obviously as you see around the place it's a good fanbase, everyone in terms of travelling fans is really welcoming, I knew a few of the lads beforehand anyway. The way we try and play as well sort of suits my style, so from that front it's been easy to adjust, and then the lads are just legends anyway! So yeah, really easy on that front!

DK: Yeah, it was an important 3 points tonight, like you say.

RH: Yeah, just I think mainly the scoreline at Stratford obviously maybe put, I don't know, I wouldn't even say like pressure to be honest, because we've played, it sounds really silly from the outset really, saying we've played well in a 6-1 loss, but we actually played some ok stuff for the first game of the season. As always first game no matter who you win or lose or draw against, at the end of the season the points tally's the thing that matters. So it was a bit weird because it sort of flattered them I think. I think they had about 8 shots in the whole game and scored 6, obviously some of the goals we conceded were a little bit poor, but as you've seen the last 2 games we've sort of built on what we were doing in pre-season. I think that's more of us especially tonight as well, definitely the first goal I think opitimises it. Short, sharp, passes, one two in and around the box and good movement from Pagey, and a great little ball from Jake and a good finish as well.

DK: It was a clinical first half really?!

RH: Yeah, I think especially when you've got a home game on a Tuesday night, if you can get some goals early on in the first half that always sets the tone, because obviously the away side have got to come out and chase. There's a little bit pressure as well, potentially there's a few more gaps, and the way that we play we can ecploit them. Obviously as you've seen second half we didn't add anymore goals, but we still a threat on the counter attack and obviously as you can imagine they're going to come out and try and chase and get back in the game. I think we defended excellently across the board, especially from the front as well.

DK: Yeah, like you say it was a sort of solid, comfortable defensive performance.

RH: Yeah, I think that's it. It sounds so cliche, but you give yourself a base to start from you can always add to it, especially when you're a side like ours, who like to get the ball down and play. I think we've been a little bit better in terms of mixing it up, maybe because the scoreline - like I said, not even in the way that we played the first game - obviously defensively, yes, but in terms of giving ourselves that base to play from you'll see that we will start creating stuff as the game progresses, or even like you saw in the first half with short, sharp passes when the game does open up for us to allow to do that. So I think it's just about giving ourselves a good base and setting the tone, and getting a couple of goals if we can and then teams have always got to come out and chase, and it's hard when you're chasing a game no matter what team you're playing against.

DK: Like you say, got the result the performance deserved.

RH: Yeah, definitely, obviously Saturday, like I said, it could've gone either way, they had a couple of chances, we had a couple really good chances, and I think if any team would've knicked it Saturday probably wouldn't have complained either way, but the football we played in spells and how solid we were on Saturday we've obviously came out tonight and as a team backed it up, like I said, from the outset defensively across the board we were good back to front. Like I say I think we took the chances as and when they sort of approached us, so it's pleasing to get the win!

DK: How does it feel to be Man Of The Match?

RH: Yeah, I mean it's always nice, first and foremost I would take anyone getting a single goal and us winning 1-0 every single week, but I mean it's obviously nice, but yeah just pleasing to get the win mate!

DK: Saturday will be another big game against potential promotion candidates in Coalville.

RH: Yeah, obviously as you saw last year they didn't quite have enough to get over the line, but it's always tough that season where you've had a good run and you haven't managed to get over the line, and then you've got that that little bit of expectation as well, especially the home side to then go again and see if they can back that up the following season, or at least push again. I think they've started well, and as you've seen they're a good side, so as long as how we've defended the last couple of games you'll see we'll still create chances, and hopefully it's just one of those where we're clinical and we can try and get the ball down and play in the right areas. 

REACTION | KEVIN HORLOCK POST MATCH INTERVIEW | NEEDHAM MARKET V HITCHIN TOWN | 15.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 4 | LEAGUE 3 | 

Manager Kevin Horlock also reflects on last night's first league win of the season.

DK: First 3 points!

KH: Yeah, it was pleasing tonight, I thought it was a good performance on Saturday, could've won it although I thought they (Halesowen) were good on Saturday as well so it's about backing it up, and I think we have done tonight against a team that's won their first two (games) and I think you can see why. They're threatening, they're mobile, they left 3 up when we were in possession, but I thought we nullified the game well. We put bodies on the line, defended in numbers and obviously got two really, really, good goals. First one is something that we've spoken about quite a lot, trusting each other, making runs forward, which we did that on the right-hand side. And we spoke about players making runs across people in the box and being mobile and on the move, and it was a great run from Pagey and a really good finish. Obviously Reece showed the quality that he possesses with the free-kick. So the goals are really pleasing, but the all-round performance I thought was really good tonight!

DK: Yeah, we were clinical when we needed to be.

KH: Yeah and that's important, and they're a good team. They've improved massively in my eyes from even last season and they were a threat, there's no getting away from it. They've got players that can handle the ball, they look to shift and shoot, and we've not conceded and won 2-0 so I'm made up with that!

DK: Would you say the second half was a bit fo a dull affair? 

KH: A little bit, but again I don't mind. I think we've done the damage in the first half, yes we could've maybe done a little bit more to kill the game off, but I like the fact that we managed the game, played into areas, we run the ball into the corners, these are all traits and things that teams do that are successful, because they end up winning the game, so I'm not going to grumble about the second half being a little bit of a dull encounter. I'm actually quite pleased it was, because they've not scored - alright we've not scored - but we've two (goals) tonight and that was enough. 

DK: Yeah, the first half was a bit of a half of two halves really, they started the brighter, then we came into it.

KH: Yeah, we sort of started a little bit tentative I must admit, we sort of panicked, not panicked but rushed when we were in possession and kicked it out off play quite a lot, but once we had that little bit of composure, played into areas that we spoke about we caused them problems. So yeah, look, it was an all-round really good performance from the lads. They're going to be tired, because they've put a lot of effort in the last two games, we'll manage them, see where we are on Thursday and this league's relentless, we go to Coalville on Saturday. So it's obviously going to be tough, Coalville are a good club, a good team that's always there or there abouts, but we go in good mood.

DK: Yeah, another solid all-round performance and second clean sheet on the spin!

KH: Yeah, we looked really solid defensively. Obviously Jake was magnificent at left-back (last season), right-back hasn't played there a lot in recent times but he has been magnificent. The addition of Tommy in alongside Dan and Keiran has really added to us as well, he not only defends well, he talks, he gives us a lot going forward so defensively we looked really good. Obviously with Marco behind them and Hammo in front of them with Reece on him.

DK: Yeah, Marco was relatively untroubled tonight.

KH: Yeah. It seems a million miles away from the first game of the season, I didn't see the 6-1 coming, this is what we're about, this is what I expect now, this is the standard they (the players) set, so the first game of the season I'm hoping it's proved it was just a one off and a blip. So we've been very good defensively the last couple (of games).

DK: Yeah, it's a bit like our start to last year really, a mixed bag, a win, loss, draw.

KH: Yeah, I think we take that now, obviously it's been a good start, it could've obviously been a lot better, it could've obviously been a lot worse. So I don't think we get too greedy at this stage and think about results too much, it's more about the performances because if you keep the performances that high and are consistent - like we have been the last two games - you'll win more than you lose. 

DK: You made a couple of changes to the starting eleven, any reason why?

KH: Ingers was struggling, so Ingers - I named him on the bench - wasn't going to participate, his knee's a little bit sore, and what was the other change I made, tell me.

DK: Seth for Jamie.

KH: Seth, I decided to start Jamie in the nine (position), thought he'd get hold of the ball - which I thought he did. I thought he did very well, he's not obviously played a lot of late, had the injury and then obviously brought Seth on to stretch them, because we wanted to stay a little bit more together and resilient in the midfield. So, we're a squad, lads are going to miss out at times, it doesn't mean lads have not done well, it'll be for certain games, certain moments in games. They will understand that, they're all going to get a chance, they wouldn't be here otherwise. They're all good players that can start, that sometimes you have to make decisions like that.

DK: We went back to our familiar 4-3-3.

KH: Yeah, I just knew they were going to play 3-5-2 so I thought we could try and hurt them in the wide areas and spaces in behind the wingbacks with Pagey and Jacob. So thats's what we looked to do and with the result being 2-0 obviously I must've got it right tonight, but that's part of management. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't.

DK: When you get it right you're a genius!

KH: Well I wouldn't go that far mate, I don't think I'll ever be classed as a genius, but I got it right. Me and Tom obviously talked about it a lot, Tom knows the opposition in and out, so that's what we decided to do, so we're made up. We won't rest on it, said to the lads there it was a good performance, but we want to keep backing it up and it starts on Coalville on Saturday.

DK: Do you think with the start being tentative there was a bit in the back of the players mind that we haven't lost here against them?

KH: I don't know, you could look at it both ways, I think their manager said they don't normally do too well here, and I said that I hope that continues. I think as a group it's difficult, because I try and keep them positive as I can. You're always chasing that first win at the start of the season, obviously we hadn't had it, that maybe makes you be a little bit more tentative and keep the handbrake on a bit, but once we got the goal it settled us right down, and gave us that confidence that we needed. So we're off and running, first 3 points now we're chasing our second three points and second win.

DK: Yeah, growing in confidence as we go on in games.

KH: Yeah, I think that's important, obviously football's a horrible game, it can be cruel at times, but out of the last couple of gameswe've got what we deserved.

DK: Saturday, another big one - well they're all big ones - but Coalville away especially.

KH: Yeah, it's always tough obviously going to Coalville, I think the good thing is that I'm not sure that they'd think about us, they're a good team and probably see it as a home win and 3 points for them, but I said to the boys down there if we defend like we do, have those energy levels when we are in possession there will be areas to play, there will be chances for us to get at them. So hopefully we can take them by surprise.

KEVIN HORLOCK | GET TO KNOW Q&A #3 | 12.08.2023

Manager Kevin Horlock continues our 'Get To Know Q&A' series, talking about his favourite food and drinks, his playing career, his managerial career so far and more.

DK: What's your favourite hot drink?

KH: Oh, I'll go hazelnut latte.

DK: Cold drink? Non-alcholic please.

KH: Yeah, that's fine, cold drink I would probably go Oasis. If I want to throw a little bit more in there, I'd probably go the berry one, not the orange, but I like either.

DK: Yeah, favourite snack?

KH: I'd go crisps, any flavour, any crisp.

DK: Favourite takeaway or dinner?

KH: Favourite takeaway is one hundred percent Chinese or Thai, I like noodles.

DK: Team you support, I think that's a bit obvious isn't it?

KH: Well as a kid I was a West Ham fan, obviously my affiliation with Man City went on quite a long time so I'll always look for Man City results, and obviously gloat to the Man United fans I know.

DK: You played for City and West Ham though, didn't you?

KH: Yeah, my dad used to take me to Charlton when I was a kid, but then as soon as I was old enough to one understand football and two old enough to go to games with friends, I ditched Charlton, went across the river and went and watched West Ham.

DK: Favourite pro player, current or all time? 

KH: My favourite pro player..... That is a tough one mate, I'm going to go Phil Foden.

DK: Favourite song or musician?

KH: That's easy, that's the same as my drink. I'm going to go Oasis.

DK: Favourite sport other than football?

KH: I'd probably go.... Tennis.

DK: Why?

KH: That's a good question as well, because it's played in the summer. You can go and watch it and have strawberries, and I don't know, I quite like the - obviously football's my favourite, it's a team sport and it's about that team bonding - I think tennis obviously individual sport, mentality, application. And to be fair I think I would've probably played tennis, if I wasn't a footballer.

DK: If you could've been involved in any sporting event ever, what would it be and why?

KH: I think, I don't know why I'm even going to say this, because I don't actually play that much, I played a few times. I'd love to won the Masters at golf. I'm crap at golf, I used to play with the lads and like we'd start and I'd hit one good shot, and then I'll duff the next. Then I might get on the green in two, and be on for a par, then I'd 4 putt, it's a really frustrating game. But I quite like it when they're walking up the 18th and they're winning and they take their hat off and all that. It must be a good feeling.

DK: What are the standout moments from your managerial and or playing career?

KH: I think the biggest standout, which is quite well documented, and one I'm probably best known for at City was the play off final. Probably didn't realise at the time how important it was. Managerially a hundred percent getting this group of players, who I've obviously got a great group together that I love working with. It's probably, and I'm not going to say getting to the quarter final (of the FA Trophy), the biggest standout for me was playing Yeovil away and winning that game on penalties. No-one gives us a chance, it was unbelievable, and obviously the Burton game. But my favourite is still to come, we've not been there yet!!

DK: Hope so, what inspired you to be a footballer?

KH: Probably my dad, although he wasn't pushy at all, I was obviously keen on football, but as most footballers that played the pro game have often got a parent that runs around for them, and time again I probably didn't realise he was picking me up straight from work, taking me training, not getting in 'till ten. And you don't appreciate it as a kid, do you, until now I look back and jesus it must've been tough for him! So probably my dad!

DK: What about what inspired you to be a manager?

KH: Do you know what, it just happened Drew, I don't think I planned it, I didn't even think I'd stay in football, and then all of a sudden I end up coaching football, because I didn't know anything else and it just sort of progressed from there really. I was Assistant Manager here with Danny Laws, I don't know actually how it happened, but I enjoy it. I enjoy it, it's only enjoyable when you have people around you that you like, obviously, and help you out and I've said it all along having Tom as my assistant I wouldn't be able to do it without him. He does so much, he knows the game, he's knowledgeable, and we work off each other really well.

DK: Nice one, and the best player you've played with?

KH: Obviously I was really lucky to play with some real big names, and I'm not going to just pick one of them because that'd be too easy. The favourite player, or the best player that I enjoyed playing with was someone called Eyal Berkovic. An Isreali lad that used to play for West Ham. He was brilliant, obviously there was other great players I played with, but I enjoyed playing with him most. He kept it simple, he had bags of ability, but he didn't overdo it. He was very similar, and again this is was someone that I would've was Georgi Kinkladze. He could play in Man City's team now. He was just at the right club, at the wrong time with players around him that weren't good enough unfortunately!

DK: What about best player you've coached?

KH: That is hard, because I don't want to single any out. Am I allowed to say two?

DK: Yes go for it.

KH: So far, Keiran Morphew. I'll never forget the first day I met him. I think I asked him what was his favourite position, I was at a Reserve game, what was his position, he said substitute. He had heart, he had desire, at that time he didn't bags of ability, but he's added to that. For me best centre half and this level and should've been a pro. And the other one, which unfortunately we've not seen much of him over the last two years, but he's not far away and he's going to be back playing for Needham is Byron Lawrence. My first signing!

DK: Love it, how would you describe yourself as a manager?

KH: Quite calm, quite understanding, I think the biggest thing for me as a manager, I'm not one for shouting. I don't really lose my rag, I think it's been calm, collective, and building that relationship with the lads. Knowing they can trust you, knowing that you're vulnerable, knowing that you can get emotional. I think it's just letting players see you, and I think that works quite well.

DK: What is the one thing you think, personally, that you're known best for, both when you were playing and now as a manager?

KH: Playing, I think everyone talks about being sent off for aggressive walk. Highlight of my football career, which tells you that I weren't particuarly good. It always gets mentioned I got sent off for walking towards the referee in an agressive manner at Bournemouth. Not a lot at the minute, I suppose I could be best known as a manager for getting Needham Market furthest they've been in the Trophy and the furthest they've been in the FA Cup, so far, and the manager that won 3 Premier Cups back to back!

DK: Having played for Ipswich, how did feel to then manage against Ipswich's first team?

KH: It was a bloody nightmare Drew, I don't know what the score was, it was heavy! But, look it was a pre-season friendly we played that game way too early, we didn't really have everyone here. It was a little bit of a farce in the end, but one day you never know we might play against them for real, in a competitive game. FA Cup maybe, we can live and dream and can work towards that so we'll see.

REACTION | MARCUS GARNHAM + KEVIN HORLOCK POST MATCH INTERVIEWS | NEEDHAM MARKET V HALESOWEN TOWN | 12.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 3 | LEAGUE 2 |

REACTION | MARCUS GARNHAM POST MATCH INTERVIEW | NEEDHAM MARKET V HALESOWEN TOWN | 12.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 3 | LEAGUE 2 | 

Goalkeeper and Man Of The Match Marcus Garnham reflects on Saturday's goalless draw with Halesowen Town.

 

DK: Nice clean sheet, point on the board!

MG: Yeah, tough game, good side, all credit to them. They've come here, we were under the cosh here and there and we had pressure as well and yeah, even though it's just a point, we had a few chances just like they did and it could've been either way at the end of the game really.

DK: Yeah, it's building block after last week.

MG: Yeah, last week was really disappointing, think everyone was disappointed, but you know you draw a line under it, go again and I think we've proven a point that we can play against decent sides like Halesowen and pick up points, so that;s all good! It's confidence building!

DK: Yeah, we've started our home season unbeaten!

MG: Yeah, it's only one game Drew, don't get carried away mate!! But yeah, we've played well today, there were patches where they've put us under immense pressure, we've defended really well as a team and their keeper has pulled off some great saves as well. On another day they'd have gone in, but their shots would've gone in as well another day, so think it's a fair result overall. 

DK: Would you say defences firmly on top?

MG: Yeah, done well, they gave us some problems, but we answered the questions. Can't grumble, they had opportunities, we had opportunities, they're a good side. It's good to see that we're more of a threat as well.

DK: After Tuesday as well, we've built on things that we've done wrong in previous games. 

MG: Yeah, just putting things right, changed the shape today to a sort of more traditional 4-4-2, kind of just went back to basics, kept it simple and played well. So same again Tuesday I guess!

DK: What's the most pleasing part for you?

MG: Not messing up for a change!! That was quite pleasing today, didn't chuck one in, that was all good!

DK: Nice little clean sheet!

MG: Yeah, exactly, it's all good and a bottle of wine for my Mum to take home with her, so yeah all good!

DK: Are you pleased to get Man Of The Match?

MG: Doesn't really matter to me, Man Of The Match, as long as we pick up points and get results, that's all that matters to me. This is just a bonus, but yeah I appreciate the sponsors and that doing it all, but yeah I think the team did well. Dug in when we needed to, was expansive when we needed to be, it's just like you said final ball decision making, every now and again but just being picky, we did well today.

DK: Tuesday, back at home to Hitchin, another tough game.

MG: Yeah, Hitchin are a tough side to play against, but you know take the confidence from today into Tuesday and who knows what will happen!

REACTION | KEVIN HORLOCK POST MATCH INTERVIEW | NEEDHAM MARKET V HALESOWEN TOWN | 12.08.2023 | 2023-24 COMPETITIVE GAME 3 | LEAGUE 2 | 

DK: Point on the board.

KH: Yeah, obviously going into all games you're obviously looking for 3 and we're no different, but I think reflecting on it and being honest, which I'll always try and be honest, I think the draw was probably the right result, I thought they were a really good team. I thought they could play, they defended well, they were a handful. The centre forward, and obviously they went to two later on in the game, they were a handful so yeah, we've got to be honest enough and hold your hands up and go, 'do you know what we'll take a point and move on.' We kept a clean sheet against a team that's dangerous, we could've scored, should've scored maybe on another day, but I couldn't fault the lads today. I think from where we were obviously last week, albeit shouldn't have been a 6-1 but, I thought our work ethic, our willingness to run, tackle, block, and try and push for that winner was there today. Like I said to the lads, if we perform to that level week in week out, you'll certainly win more games than you draw and lose.

DK: Yeah, it was a bit of a battling first half, they probably edged it would you say?

KH: Yeah, I think they probably had more possession, we changed it slightly, something we spoke about on Thursday in training, we were looking to go 2 up top today, to try and get us away from playing total football, which we've done. I'm getting sick to death of people saying, 'ah, you're the best footballing team we've played,' and we are. We play really good football between box to box, but not been a threat so we sort of changed it up today, went 4-4-2, and played into areas and it worked to a certain extent in terms of we caused problems and we looked more threatening in the final third, albeit not creating loads of chances first half, but that ended. The trade off with that is obviously we didn't have the 3 in midfield, which they did and they kept better possession. So on the eye it probably looked like they shaded the first half, chances and being threatening in the final third I would say was pretty even.

DK: Yeah on the other hand, we probably had the better of the second half.

KH: Yeah, obviously we changed it a bit, we then went to a 4-3-3 and tried to hurt them out in wide areas and dominate the football more, which we're more used to and I think that worked, and we did. I think we created the better more clear chances and probably just edged them slightly on chances created, but it weren't to be. The keeper's made a couple of good saves, Marco's made a good save as well so in the end we settle for a point. 

DK: Yeah, the game kind of sparked into life second half.

KH: Yeah, especially late on, it became a little bit of an open basketball match, where they attacked and looked threatening, then we had the ball and yeah, legs were getting tired by that stage and I think decision making wasn't great. Little bit of composure I think probably late on I think we possibly knick it, but I'm not going to grumble, I'm not going to be too disappointed. It was a good level of performance without getting the three points so we'll keep working hard, and pushing for the first win game Tuesday.

DK: Pagey came probably the width of the ball away from giving us the points. 

KH: Yeah, looked like we had a really good spell at that point and we worked it out right, ball in and he was in a good area, maybe didn't connect with it as well as he liked and the keeper's somehow kept it out. I don't know. The linesman said he didn't have a great angle on it, obviously where he was, but you're not going to change their mind, there's no point arguing over it, didn't happen, but yeah it was pleasing that we made chances today, against what I said was a very good team. I expect them do quite well this year.

DK: Quite a solid performance. 

KH: Yeah, I think both sets of players can be proud of their performance. A 0-0 when you read it in the paper, or whether in a report, you probably think it's going to come across as a bit of a bore draw, but it certainly wasn't that. I think it was two teams going hell for leather, two teams that could play football, two teams that were looking to create chances and on another day would've scored. but it was a good game. I wish we'd have got 3 obviously, but it's a point on the board and we move forward. 

DK: Yeah, a bit of momentum has carried on from the second half on Tuesday.

KH: Yeah, I think it's important. Obviously the longer you go about winning games the better the feeling around the club is, the better the players feel, so yeah it's a step forward. The big question is now can we keep that level of performance, can we add that little bit of quality in the final third and composure, which will enable us to get the 3 points. 

DK: Marco was given Man Of The Match today, but do you think anyone could've got it?

KH: Yeah, I think that Marco's a top keeper, he's made a good save. Man Of The Match for me makes it sound like we were under the cosh all the time, which I don't think we were, yeah could've probably gone to a number of players. I thought defensively we were really good, Dan was always in the right place, Keiran, Tommy at left-back, the covery run he made late on. I thought it was quite good across the board.

DK: Moving onto Tuesday, Hitchin another tough game here.

KH: Another tough game yeah, but we're a decent team so the test is and the challenge laid out to the players is be consistent, play at that level, every game, week in week out, we'll have a chance. It's at home, our pitch is good and we'll be looking again to go and get three points. 

DK: How do you reflect on the start of the season so far?

KH: Hit and miss, obviously the first game I didn't see that result coming. I think obviously it was individual errors and it killed us a little bit. I think we could've been a little bit more solid. When it went to 3/4 we wasn't going to win the game, but then you say it's not going to be anymore, so the 6-1 was a little bit of a shock to the system. We obviously bounce back in a strange game against Bury, which was massive for the football club. Always will be the Premier Cup so that was pleasing and we've drawn a game, not conceded a goal against a team that I believe will be right up there. So it's been ok so far and something to build on, but it's been an ok start.

DK: Mixed bag?

KH: Mixed bag, but Tuesday could change everything.

PATRICK BROTHERS | GET TO KNOW Q&A #2 | 11.08.2023

Ahead of today's home game with Halesowen Town, midfielder and coach Patrick Brothers answers the questions for the second edition of our 'Get To Know Q&As Series.'

Quickfire Questions:

Favourite Hot Drink: Vanilla Latte 

Favourite Cold Drink: Dr Pepper 

Favourite Snack: Starbar

Favourite Takeaway/Dinner: Thai

Team you Support: Colchester United 

Favourite Professional Player (current/all time): CR7 Ronaldo / R9 Ronaldo 

Favourite Song/Musician (if any): 50 Cent

Favourite sport other than football, and why? Golf - can’t beat a round in the sun. 

If you could've been involved in any sporting event ever, what would it have been and why? World Cup Final - Playing for your country in the biggest sporting competition in the world. 

If you could swap places with anyone else in football (player, coach), who would you pick and why? Bellingham - Young, world’s biggest talent, in Madrid.

Player Profile:

How would you describe yourself as a player? Hardworking and Versatile.

What's the one thing you think you're personally known best for (as a player) and why? Hot headed - love a head loss and moan up, espically to the refs.

What are your standout moments from your career so far? Fa cup 1st Round - Back to back promotions from step 5 to 3.

What inspired you to be a footballer? Family, older brother and Dad both played.

Best Player Played With and why? Byron Lawrence - best left foot in non league. Set piece specialist and all round midfielder. Not a bad bloke either. 😉

REACTION | JAKE DYE + TOM ROTHERY POST MATCH INTERVIEWS | NEEDHAM MARKET V BURY TOWN | 08.08.2023 | 2023-24 ENDEAVOUR AUTOMOTIVE SUFFOLK PREMIER CUP FIRST ROUND |

Goalscorer and right-back Jake Dye reflects on the Premier Cup victory over Bury, his goal and the second half comeback.

DK: How can you describe that one? 

JD: Where do you start? First half a below average performance from us, bloody took in what we did Saturday, so yeah 2-0 down, a lot to do. Boys showed character, albeit they went down to nine men, lost their goalkeeper. We started to create chances, started to move them about. To be fair to Bury they were resolute, done their job, but yeah we showed our quality in the end, which is promising. 

DK: And another goal for you tonight! 

JD: Yeah, I don't know, I don't want to use them up already, but went and attacked the ball, come off my head, actually kept my eyes open this time which is always good, but yeah really chuffed with it! 

DK: Must've meant a lot to you lads to have dug deep and came from 2 down to win? 

JD: Yeah, of course, like you say, showed good character, we always knew what Bury was going to do. Especially when they went down to ten men, and then nine men, and being 2-0 ahead we had to pick them off. Our quality showed through, there's still little bits which obviously we're going to work on in training. Need to polish off for Saturday, obviously cut out mistakes, that's the main thing. Tom said it before, we're really, really good before the halfway line, getting to the halfway line, getting to our attacking third and we sorted off played a bit off the cuff and yeah it's things we're going to try and work on for Saturday. 

DK: Yeah, it's that resilience to bounce back from Saturday to then keep the confidence up and fire those goals in. 

JD: Yeah, definitely, obviously first game of the season always disappointing and it's a one off game, then to find ourselves 2-0 down we sort of thought, 'what we doing,' but like I say we stuck together, started passing it, obviously pitch is really nice and we put the chances away when we could. 

DK: Do you think the red cards changed the game? 

JD: Yeah, in terms of finding little spaces, little pockets always helps us, but they had the same game plan when they had 11 men let alone 9 men, so we just had to show our quality, move them about and choose the right pass at the right time. We still missed a few, but to score 4 goals in the end is pretty promising! 

DK: It's the perfect block to move forward with with in terms of confidence and all round. 

JD: Yeah I'd say so to score four goals in the second half, just got to take that performance to Saturday. It's another win under our belt, obviously want to win the cup fourth time in the row, but like you say, take it into Saturday. Hopefully we can play our game and just show everyone what we're about really. 

DK: Three late goals, we didn't do that much last year. 

JD: No, we didn't. That is the one thing we're missing, we kept a lot of clean sheets, didn't concede many goals, obviously the final product let us down last year, but yeah when you've got Seth striking the way he does, getting into positions, making them runs he always looks like he's going to score when he gets in, so I'm really chuffed for him to score 2 and put the away. 

DK: Yeah, all the goals (for Needham) are from former or current club Academy graduates! 

JD: Yeah, you go, that's a good stat, isn't that?! Yeah, we're a tight knit bunch, like I said Seth really deserved it, took his goals well, obviously mine was put on a plate for me couldn't really miss, but obviously lads coming through the Academy score goals is brilliant for the club. 

DK: Do you think you could've possibly had another goal or two tonight? 

JD: Myself? I would never say no, but yeah I was sort of in the right place in the right time, maybe I had one in the first half which I put over the bar. Didn't really find myself in too many goalscoring opportunities, but I'll take the one and hopefully get more in the season. 

DK: Another one (goal) Saturday? 

JD: Fingers crossed, fingers crossed, that'd nice, wouldn't it?! 

DK: Yeah, a big game, at home again, will that help? 

JD: Yeah, I think so, obviously the pitch as it is suits us down to the ground. Halesowen obviously came up, beat Leiston at the weekend, so they're going to be no mugs, going to have to be on the top of our game, but like you say hopefully take the 4 goals in the second half as confidence, train well Thursday, recover and hopefully go again Saturday!

REACTION | TOM ROTHERY | NEEDHAM MARKET V BURY TOWN |

Assistant Manager Tom Rothery also reflects on last night's win!

DK: How do you reflect on last night's game?

TR: Ultimately with cup games it’s always about getting through. First half we were in possession but too slow, not enough cutting edge, not enough runners in behind but again conceding created some of those issues as it then allowed Bury to sit in and counter which they did really well. Bit for us to break that down we need to move the ball quicker and have more fluidity and intensity in our play. 

DK: Would you say the lads showed great resilience to come from 2-0 down? 

TR: They reacted well obviously the sendings off aided that comeback but the first red card comes from making a run in behind which caused the GK to make a decision which he got wrong and it was worthy of a second yellow which then gives us a man advantage. I still think we didn’t do enough at times after that to work the outfield player who goes in goal but Seth’s introduction to the game certainly added that. 

DK: Would you call it a more clinical second half performance? 

TR: In part yes because we scored 4 but with the amount of possession we had we need to be creating more. 

DK: It must've been pleasing to score multiple times late on and score from a corner, both things we didn't really do much last season?

TR: We don’t score enough from corners, last one was the final of the Suffolk cup, it’s something we work on but clearly still need to do more. Hopefully it helps confidence having scored 4 but again that final third area will be something that we will work on Thursday. 

DK: Looking ahead, how important is it to take that momentum into Saturday?

TR: Winning games helps with momentum, every game is important so hopefully it helps but we will need to be better on Saturday to get a result. 

DK: Halesowen will be another tough test, one the lads will need to be replicate the second half performance.

TR: Every game at this level is tough, they’ll be organised. They look like they have good technical players throughout the team and pace so they’ll come with huge threats that we will need to contain and hopefully we will give them some things to worry about.

TOM ROTHERY | GET TO KNOW Q&A #1 | 07.08.2023

Assistant Manager Tom Rothery kicks off our 'Get To Know Q&A' series, with the club's Players and Coaching staff.

Quickfire Questions:

Favourite Hot Drink: Tea

Favourite Cold Drink (ideally non alcoholic): Water

Favourite Snack: Crisps

Favourite Takeaway/Dinner: Chinese

Team you Support: Liverpool

Favourite Professional Player (current/all time): Zidane or Gerrard

Favourite Song/Musician (if any): Eminem

Favourite sport other than football, and why? Darts, I used to play when I was young. Represented Essex at U18’s. 

If you could've been involved in any sporting event ever, what would it have been and why? The World Cup win for England in the Cricket Vs New Zealand for the tension and the drama. 

If you could swap places with anyone else in football (player, coach), who would you pick and why? Pep or Klopp. The best currently, Klopp due to the team I follow and Pep because I think he’s the most innovative manager there has ever been, he’s changed English football.  

Player/Coach Profile:

How would you describe yourself as a coach? Demanding but fair, very driven and ambitious; Organised and Passionate 

What's the one thing you think you're personally known best for (coaching wise) and why? Difficult to answer myself but knowing about other teams and players in non league I would guess. 

What are your standout moments from your coaching career so far and why? I’ve enjoyed all the promotions as they are hard work over a season but winning trophies are special for the day. The FA cup run last year was brilliant but I don’t think Yeovil can be topped. The circumstances of that win and what everyone did but Marco in particular is just unbelievable and I don’t think it could be repeated. 

What inspired you to become a coach? My manager at the time said he thought I should, he knew I was retiring and suggested it. I thought about it and the bug just got me from that point. I liked the idea of organising a team and the more I got into by doing my coaching badges and actually managing teams the more it gripped me. 

Best Player Coached With and Why? That’s a difficult one, I’ve enjoyed working with players sometimes for the relationship you build with them and how you’ve helped them develop but if it’s just the best player as in who I believe could play at the highest level I’d probably say Keiran Morphew. I also enjoyed working with Kem Izzet, whilst it was the end of his career I really respected how professional he was and remained to the end of his playing days with Needham demanding top standards which I loved.

How did it feel last season both as a team and personally to test yourself against professional teams in Ipswich & Burton 1st teams? I never really enjoy the occasions as such I just see it as another game that I want to win. On reflection maybe I should have enjoyed them more but to me it was just another game that I wanted to win. The winning and planning on how to win are the driver for me the occasion doesn’t really get me until maybe after where you then win but even on those occasions I’m then thinking about how to win the next game.