Charlie Smy | Needham Market Reserves v FC Peterborough | 26.10.2024 |

Reserves midfielder Charlie Smy reflects on yesterday's 2-2 draw at home.

DK: A good result today, what did you make of it?

CS: Yes very good result for the team today against a good footballing side. A point that the boys are really pleased with and that I feel we deserved.

DK: An important goal for you, what was going through your mind as it happened?

CS: I saw the ball fall to me from a deflection and it was just instinct to hit it first time to try and work the keeper.

DK: It must be even more pleasing to have picked up a great result against 6th placed?

CS: Yes as I’ve said before it’s a huge point for us as a team and it’s a result we are very happy with against a team that will definitely be up there this season.

DK: Up next, a trip to Holbeach, with an opportunity to hopefully build on today's draw?

CS: Yes hopefully we can carry on our momentum from today against what will be another tough test.

DK: Overall, how are you finding the season from a personal perspective?

CS: I’m really enjoying my first season in men’s football. Even though results haven’t always gone our way I feel that we’re learning from each game and are still trying to play football the right way.

REACTION | Nico Valentine Post Match Interview | Buxton V Needham Market | 26.10.2024 |

Goalscorer Nico Valentine reflects on yesterday's trip to Buxton.

NV: Obviously we know, we've looked at ourselves in there and, it's unacceptable, the first half performance. And we know that. I think we've got away from the stuff that we were doing last season. We've spoken about it. I think there was a lot more accountability last season, putting our bodies on the line a lot more last season. And I don't know, it's one of them where we can't go under in games. Like it showed we were 3-0 down and then obviously I've got my goal and we're kind of back in the game and you kind of thought we've got a chance here. But once the fourth has gone in, heads have dropped again, but last season, I think we still fight back. Obviously, it's very difficult when you're at the bottom of the league playing in teams like that. But we just need to go back to last season and look what even just off the pitch and the morale was like, because that's what got us through a lot of the games last season. It was on the table there and you never knew which way it was going to go. But because obviously the morale was good last season, it was easier to get results. But yeah, we have to move on.

We can't dwell on this. 

DK: Yeah, in a weird way it wasn't really a 7-1 game. 

NV: Yeah. Obviously, there's mistakes within it. I don't think we've really defended well enough today, haven't dealt with the ball early enough. But second half, I think we came out, it's hard to say, but you're obviously 6-1 down, but the only credit we can give ourselves from today is that we've come out in the second half and we've competed and we've not gone under. It would have been easy to be 10-11 after you're six down at half time, but I think the boys went out and did well in the second half. Obviously, it's a sucker blow conceding late on again. But yeah, we'll look at clips and we'll work on it and and well, it will never happen again. And I'm sure of that. 

They were clinical as well. Very clinical. I think they were good going forward. Not sure we tested them enough going the other way. I think maybe they're a little bit shaky with balls in behind. I don't think they dealt with them completely well, but obviously, they've got their chance and punished us. And when you've got three kicks like that flying into the top corner, you know it's your day. And obviously, it's a good day for them. They're looking at it on the opposite side. But I think we need to take a little bit of a look at ourselves and go, could we have defended better and could we have taken our chances better down the other end? But yeah. 

DK: One positive is, that you've scored first goal at Step 2.

NV: Yeah, it's first goal at this level. Obviously, it's not come in a great game and would have preferred to have a goal in a winning game. But yeah, for me personally, it's good to get off the mark. It gives confidence. 

DK: We'll move on quickly to Saturday, back at home, where we'll need our fans to get behind us and push on. 

NV: Yeah, it's tough when you're down there, but you need as many people as you can get in behind you. It's easy to turn on teams, but you look at the end of last season and that's another reason why we did so well last season. So many people were behind us. They don't understand how much it helps when people are positive and we're trying to stay positive in that. It's a long season with 14 games in, there's still 90-odd points to play for. And come the end of the season, you never know what could happen. We could be looking back at this and thinking, do you remember that day in Buxton when we got beaten 7-1? But yeah, we'll see.

REACTION | Kyle Hammond, Kevin Horlock Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v Brackley Town | 22.10.2024 |

Match report

REACTION | Kyle Hammond Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Brackley Town | 22.10.2024 |

Goalscorer Kyle Hammond reflects on last night's defeat.

DK: Bit of a tough one to take tonight. 

KH: Yeah, just said it there. I think just tough one.

I thought we actually played okay. At the end of the day, conceding under a minute, I think it was, doesn't help us. And then now the goals were set pieces. There's too many first corners in the box. And yeah, I think, like I said, I thought we played okay, but huffed and puffed. And then, like I said, their goals were just set pieces, which we just weren't good enough at, you know, like both boxes.

So yeah, tough one really. 

DK: It was one of those days where chances go for them first half, but second half, they didn't go for us. 

KH: Yeah, I mean, first half, I think the only chance they had that they scored from, to be fair, and then, yeah, we've obviously hit the bar twice. I think we might have had a couple of half chances in the first half, but yeah, just disappointing tonight because I thought we played well. And I think it was a little bit of a, it was a 100% improvement in terms of how we played to Saturday. So we've just got to keep positive, dust ourselves down and games come quick and fast. So we've just got to put it right. 

DK: Another goal for you, which is one positive from tonight? 

KH: I'd rather, I'd rather stop three goals tonight, to be honest with you, but yeah, that doesn't really mean much to me, to be fair, scoring. I just took a little bit of a chance at the back post, and as it was coming across, I thought, do I hit this first time? And then I thought, I'm going to sky this if I've hit it first time. So I took a touch and just with my left foot, put it in there. 

DK: And next up, away to Buxton, I believe.

Hopefully you get a good result. 

KH: Well, yeah, obviously we go into every game believing we can win, and I think we've got that belief there. We've just got to think it back to just doing the basics well from, especially from last year, just like, you know, defending and all those kinds of things that we've done really well last year. And I know it's obviously not as easy or tough, it's tougher in this league, but we've still just got to do the basics as best as we can. And I think that gives us more of a chance to win games.

DK: One bonus was a couple of weeks ago now, you made your 150th game for the club. 

KH: Yeah, I'm proud of that. You know, 150 appearances in three full seasons, so yeah, I mean, you know, I'm proud of that. So hopefully many more!

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Brackley Town | 22.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on last night's defeat.

DK: A bit of a tough one to take tonight? 

KH: Frustrating because on the night I thought between the two boxes we played reasonably well but unfortunately they were better than us in both boxes. They defended better than us and obviously they were clinical and I think it set up nicely for them. Obviously 40 seconds in or a minute in, long throw in the box, free header, unopposed finish which is obviously disappointing and it gives us a mountain to climb. We tried to climb it then we give them another goal and you just can't give goals away at this level, you get punished and it makes it very difficult.

DK: Second half we had enough chances to get a point really? 

KH: Yeah but I suppose the damage was done, we're chasing the game. They've sat off and sat deep and looked to hit us on the counter attack which they still look dangerous. I can't fault the lads in between the boxes but unfortunately that's not what wins you games. Defending and putting your bodies on the line and winning headers in our own box and being clinical in the other box is what gets you points and unfortunately we didn't do either of them today. 

DK: Like you say, we did well to get ourselves back level but then not long after conceded? 

KH: Yeah I think they recognised that we're missing possibly three of the back four tonight. In Dan Morphew, Keiran Morphew, Tommy Smith, they're big players for us but that said they threw the first ball in the box and scored from it and then loaded it for more areas then. See that we're struggling with that and yeah we just didn't do well enough in them areas. Winning first contact in the box and if you're not going to win first contact you've got to make it difficult for them and certainly got to win the second contact which we didn't and that's where the goals come from. And on the flip side I thought we put balls in really good areas tonight from set pieces and they're clearing it and defending it. Obviously when the chances did come we didn't have the rub of the green with it across bar on the post but I think the game was petering out then at that point anyway so we was all huff and puff. Passed the ball reasonably well, I thought we moved it through the thirds but unfortunately let ourselves down in that final third.

DK: What was the team talk at half-time like? 

KH: Just to be a bit more aggressive in both boxes really to obviously get numbers in the opposing box to create chances to score but get around it because obviously I knew they was going to throw things in the box because they was getting joy from it and I think we did it slightly better second half but that said once they got the third goal they were obviously dropping deep and soaking pressure up and looking to it as on the counter so from their point of probably the perfect away performance. 

DK: Moving on we've got Buxton away on Saturday, a chance to respond? 

KH: Yeah there's always a game around the corner. The downside is I don't think any of the lads that have not been involved tonight will be fit so we are still quite short of missing key members of the squad but it is what it is. No one else is going to help us so it's about us rolling the sleeves up and being better in the boxes than we were tonight then we'll have a chance because I think football wise we moved the ball well into good areas and just was lacking that final finish. Dylan's coming back so he's had an ankle injury, he's not done a full training session as yet so obviously Thursday probably train and then we'll see where he's at. 

DK: Eddie was on the bench tonight, it's good to see him back involved! 

KH: Yeah look like I said we was a little bit short tonight so Ed didn't have a game at his loan club Woodbridge so we got him involved and unfortunately didn't get on but he's a good young player.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Kidderminster Harriers | 19.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on the defeat to Kidderminster.

DK: A bad day at the office today? 

KH: I think it's a bad day at the office in terms of injuries. I think sometimes this season we're going to have to, and I expect to, hold your hands up and say we got beaten by that team and that's what we did. I think obviously they're a good outfit, full-time, and I think it showed. That quality up the pitch causes problems. I think we started quite well the first 15 minutes. We asked questions but then once they showed their quality, we went on the back foot and dropped deep and obviously it played into their hands and it didn't look like we were going to score after that. So I can't ask more from the lads in terms of effort. I think we can improve in moments where we need to make better decisions and obviously the goals aren't great from our point of view but I think today you've got to hold your hands up and say we got beaten by a better team today in Kidderminster. We know what sort of season we're in. It's going to be a tough season for us. We're going to have to work our socks off to get any points.

We're going to win games. We're going to lose a fair few games along the road and we're going to come up against teams that are obviously better than us. That's just the nature of it. Obviously a lot of their players have played higher. We've just gone up a division so I don't think I've got any excuses. No real disappointment in the fact that we got beat today because we are going to lose games of football. Yes, I wish we could have defended a bit better on the goals. I wish we could have made better decisions in the final third which would have maybe resulted in us getting a goal ourselves but today it wasn't to be. We've worked hard but got beaten by a bad team.

DK: Where does this rank today in terms of performances this season? 

KH: We started quite well but like I said, sometimes you're going to come up against a team where even if we had played as best as we can today we may not have got nothing. In other games where we play similar today and win games so it's peaks and troughs really. It's important not to get too down.Obviously we want to be winning games and moving up the division and I'm confident that we will do but today wasn't the day where we were going to get three points unfortunately. We weren't as good as we can be and they're a good team. They've not had the best start I suppose that they were hoping for but obviously going out of the cup last week as well it probably wasn't a good time to play them in terms of they're looking for a reaction.I thought they were very good going forward. I thought they caused us problems. The biggest disappointment for me today is obviously Keiran's come off injured and probably going to be missing for a little while. Tommy Smith's come off and going to be missing certainly for Tuesday. It's not ideal but we crack on, we work hard, we keep believing in ourselves and try and get as many points on the board as possible. 

DK: A quick turnaround so hopefully a chance to quickly respond from today's defeat and the added insult to injury is those two being out.

KH: Yeah, they're killer blows. We've spoken so many times about Keiran, he's massive for us and Tommy's come in and been a revelation at left-back. Without them it's difficult but it's options or opportunities for others. The game's come thick and fast and you look at it, it won't be easy. Brackley obviously on Tuesday so we'll have to be ready, we'll have to be fully fit and raring to go. If we play as well as we can we've got a chance of winning. If we don't, there's a good chance we'll lose. I think coming into the season after the euphoria of last season, everyone's excited to go up a level of course but what comes with that is playing in teams and clubs that are a lot bigger than us, that have a lot more pull and have quality squads. We all would love to have a season like we had last season but from success comes tough times where you've got to evolve and develop and hang in there. So we'll do that, we'll do that and I'm sure we'll pick up enough points to stay in this division and we try and grow. I'm not too disappointed, obviously I don't like losing games, I never will but we got beaten by a better team so I can go home knowing that we give everything, I think the lads worked their socks off but today it wasn't good enough.

REACTION | Brad Smith | Needham Market Reserves v Framlingham Town | 12.10.2024 |

Click here to Read Goalkeeper Roan Tucker's thoughts on the upcoming FA Youth Cup game.

Reserves defender Brad Smith reflects on yesterday's draw.

DK: A good result today against a team chasing a play-off place, you must be pleased?

BS: Yeah it’s a great result for us especially against a top end side and a good result was definitely deserved after a tough period for us.

DK: How would you assess the performance as a team today?

BS: I think as a team we battled through difficult stages of the game well and come back from them well. First 20-25 minutes thought we were the better side and then conceded and from that point I’d say up until the 60 minute mark we were very strong defensively stopping them from going further ahead. Then showed good character to come through and score a late equaliser. It was well deserved as we showed great character defensively to give us the opportunity to come out with a point and Pitty popped up and poked one home when we needed it.

DK: How do you feel the season is going both for you personally and as a team?

BS: It's been a season full of ups and downs at a very early stage as a young side trying to adapt to the league so it’s been a slow start points wise, but I feel like as the season continues we’ll grow stronger and stronger. On a personal note my main objective is to continue to progress as a player and continue to battle on no matter what the situation is.

DK: Next up on Wednesday, a big game for the U18s in the FA Youth Cup, what are you lads expecting from the game?

BS: Yeah it’s a huge opportunity for us lads to put ourselves in the hat for the first official round and I think me and all the lads are buzzing for the occasion. And it’s nice to be involved in a game like that.

DK: Equally how excited are you for the game, travelling hopefully with a full coach?

BS: I can’t wait it’s one of the biggest games I’ve played in on a personal note and I’m sure it will make the occasion seem even more special for the lads travelling up as a team and hopefully a coach full of fans.

PREVIEW | Roan Tucker 09.10.2024 | Needham Market Reserves v Framlingham Town 12.10.2024 |

Goalkeeper Roan Tucker previews the Reserves clash with Framlingham Town and Wednesday's FA Youth Cup trip to AFC Dunstable.

DK: A tough test ahead against Play-Off chasing Framlingham, but I'm sure one you're relishing?

RT: Yeah I mean it will be a tough game but I back us against anyone in this league at home and think we can get some points on the board.

DK: How do you feel the season is going, both as a team and personally for the Reserves?

RT: Yeah I am really enjoying this season I think we have been really unlucky with some of the reserve results but I think we will pick up momentum and still have faith for the rest of the season.

DK: Although you've only played 3 (including cup) U18s games this season, both individually and as a team would you say it's been a perfect start?

RT: Yeah we have been flying for the u18 and I think we have a really good group this year and our fa youth cup run has been amazing so far and had a great night last Thursday and hope it can continue on Wednesday away to AFC Dunstable.

DK: After this weekend, you're back in FA Youth Cup action, on the road which will hopefully be just as good as the last round?

RT: Yeah like I said the last round was amazing it was a great night and I am really confident going into next Wednesday as the boys are really working hard in training and games and it’s really paying off in the u18 games this year.

DK: What would you deem as success with both the Reserves and U18s this season?

RT: I think the u18s can definitely win the league this year if they maintain the same standards and consistency they have shown so far and I think with the reserves it’s not necessarily about the results but just improving as a team and sticking to the principles we are being given and improving individuals ready for the next step.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock, Nico Valentine Post Match Interviews | Chorley v Needham Market | 12.10.2024 |

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Chorley v Needham Market | 12.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on the defeat at Chorley. 

DK: Harsh one to take? 

KH: Frustrating, I think. Obviously, we've come to a team right at the top end of the table. Obviously, no-one gives us a chance, but we do. I don't think there was a lot in the game. Obviously, a mistake for the goal, which puts us on the back foot a little bit. But I thought we'd come out in the second half. We looked dangerous towards the end. I'm not sure how we've not scored and left with at least a point. 

DK: We had a few chances in the second half, do you think we could've earned a point?

KH: Yeah, there wasn't a lot in the game. They were playing to the forward. I thought we snuffed that out quite well. They were getting frustrated. The crowd were really quiet. Then, obviously, the mistake for the goal gives them a lift and a little bit of impetus. Second half, we just asked us to be a little bit more braver in possession. Get into the final third and try and create chances, which, obviously, late on we did.

I don't know how it stayed out. I think we've hit the post and then the keepers saved one from point-blank range late on. It's another defeat, no matter what way you look at it. We'll have to learn from it and look to try and improve next week. I think we've been quite sound defensively in the large majority of the games. It's those small moments in games like the mistake that cost you at the end of the day. You don't take chances when they've come, whether it be a little bit of bad luck where it's come off the inside of the post. Obviously, a good save from the keeper. On other days, you score. It's fine margins in this division. I don't think anyone's really dominated us, apart from our bad performance at Oxford City. We've been in every game, but we've not got enough points to show for the performance that we give in. We need to turn that around as soon as we can, really, and put the performances and then get the result at the same time. That's what we're aiming to do. I think they've worked their socks off to the final minute. I suppose you can drive back to Suffolk, or we can drive back to Suffolk feeling a little bit unfortunate not to get something from the game. So, there is positives. We're keeping the lads upbeat, but I'm sure it will come. Obviously, we've won a couple of games away from home. We've beat South Shields comfortably, and today it was a fairly good away performance. Bar the mistake, it could have been a lot different. 

DK: Unfortunately, the goal came from a weird lapse of best judgment from Marco? 

KH: Yes, I think so, a little bit. I don't think he was unsure whether Josh had touched it..He was asking the ref, and then he decided to pick it up. Obviously, Josh had touched it, so I think it was the right decision, but yes, just one of those moments where it's created a chance for them from quite close range in terms of the free kick, and the lad has hit the target, which from that range is always going to end in a goal.

REACTION | Nico Valentine Post Match Interview | Chorley v Needham Market | 12.10.2024 

Nico Valentine reflects on today's defeat.

DK: A harsh defeat?

NV: Yeah, tough result today. Probably should have come away with a point as well. I think one of them's obviously hit the post before I could get there and then last minute it's a disappointing one, especially after how hard we've worked the second half. But yeah, I'm fit now, I feel fit, I'm getting there and I just want to try and come and affect this season and affect games. Unfortunately today that hasn't been the case, but I'm sure there'll be many more opportunities today.

DK: Yeah, it wasn't really a one-nil game, do you think?

NV: No, I think the game was pretty balanced, to be fair. I think we were better in the second half. I think we showed a little bit more, created a few more chances. I think maybe first half it was a bit cagey, but yeah, they've got their goal. It's a freak mistake. Marco never, never, ever makes those mistakes and it happens in football and similar to my chance, you're going to get chances that go begging, but yeah, it's happened now and we've just got to move on. Double game week next week, so we'll look forward to that. 

DK: Yeah, you've acclimatised quite quickly to this level.

NV: Yeah, I mean, it makes it easier coming into a changing room that I obviously already know. I was here last season. It's not a difficult changing room to get involved in. I feel like I can come in and affect the game straight away instead of having to adapt to the changing room. But yeah, I want to play as high level as possible. I think I've got to adapt to levels quickly, especially with my age. I want to climb the ladder as quick as possible, but obviously doing that at the right rate, with the right amount of minutes and getting the right experience. 

REACTION | Luke Ingram, Dan Morphew and Tom Rothery Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v Long Melford | 08.10.2024 |

REACTION | Luke Ingram Post Match Interview| Needham Market v Long Melford| 08.10.2024 |

Luke Ingram reflects on equalling the club's record goal tally.

DK: A great performance tonight.

LI: Yeah, I don't think anyone's seen that sort of stuff down here before. Good performance from the boys.

Ruthless in front of goal. Probably could have actually been more, but yeah, we'll settle on 12. 

DK: A record result for us competitively home or away as well.

LI: Yeah, obviously a nice one to tick off. Another one in the history books and yeah, hopefully, I don't know what the record is, but hopefully that's one to go down in the Suffolk County Cup history books as well. 

DK: Four goals for you tonight in 45 minutes. 

LI: Yeah, could have been more to be fair. Missed a few chances. I knew I was only playing a half, so I just tried to get my work done in the first half. A couple of good finishes, a couple couldn't miss, but yeah, I've obviously been out injured, so it's nice to just get the monkey off your back. Hadn't scored this season, so it's just one ticked off. 

DK: Once we got the second goal, we were ruthless.

LI: Yeah, I mean, it's hard for them. 7-0 down at half-time. I'm not really sure what the team talk can be, but we've done our job. We've kicked on. We've not come out and made it a rubbish half to watch second half, so yeah. 

DK: Good professional performance. Can't ask anything more of you lads after that? 

LI: No, at the end of the day, the win's the win. Next round, that's all that matters. We've got a big game Saturday at Chorley. It's no good coming here and putting on a performance like that if you're going to go to Chorley and put in a bad one. So, on to Saturday, hopefully no knocks and yeah, we've got to start kicking on in the league as well. 

DK: It's now two games in a row now that we've had a Morphew on a hat-trick.

LI: Yeah, I mean, I'll have to help him out Thursday, just get him over the line, try and get that third one. Both of them are club legends, so it's nice to see them getting goals and Keiran can carry on being the league top scorer for now. 

DK: Tonight, I believe you've equalled the clubs all time goalscoring record, which I know has been something you've been keen to do. 

LI: Yeah, I think I might be level, but yeah, just one more to get, so hopefully maybe I'll land on my 500th appearance and sort of kill two birds with one stone. But yeah, I don't want to stop at that. I want more goals. I want to kick on, I want to keep scoring goals and make it a record that hopefully I'll never get beat and when I'm gone from here, leave something to remember me by. 

REACTION | Dan Morphew Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Long Melford| 08.10.2024 |

Stand in captain and double goalscorer Dan Morphew reflects on last night's victory. 

DK: Good win tonight, you must be happy with that.

DM: Yeah, it's always difficult in the early stages of the Premier Cup. You don't know what you're going to get draw-wise, teams from different leagues, and of course it's a massive game for them. So they often try and, you know, they're given 100%. And it always can be tough at times, but I thought we kept our standards up well tonight. Yeah, moved the ball well, kept it one-two touch, quick tempo and got our just rewards for doing that.

DK: Club record win, clean sheet, not too bad? 

DM: Yeah, again, it's about keeping standards for us, I suppose. Like I said, it's easy to come into these games and maybe take your foot off the gas because you're against a lower level side. But I thought tonight we were professional, we kept our standards up and we moved the ball well, like I say. And yeah, it's a good thing for the club. Obviously, it looks good on paper, 12-0, I suppose it looks good. But for us as players, it's all about just the performance, really.

And I thought first half especially, I thought we played well. Second half, it's going to dip a little bit because of the scoreline and whatever else. But I thought, yeah, we've done well.

DK: And you almost scored a hat-trick! Y

DM: Yeah, doesn't happen too often, does it, Drew? On a perfect hat-trick, I would have been. So one header, one left foot, just needed the right foot. But yeah, I contribute with goals where I can, if I can. And I thought everyone popped in with some tonight, so it's good.

DK: And your second goal, you took like a striker. 

DM: Yeah, it fell nicely to me. So a good first touch and just passed it in, really. So yeah, when you've got a good first touch, it makes the second one easy normally. So I was lucky enough that mine stood the test for once and managed to pass it in. 

DK: We had seven or eight goalscorers tonight. Can you remember a game where that's happened?

DM: I don't know too many games we've scored seven or eight goals, let alone had eight goalscorers. But it's good it shows you that everyone's working hard, everyone's chipping in and everyone's making runs into the box. Without that, you don't get seven different goalscorers. So it shows that everyone's putting effort in and wanting to get on the end of things. So the fact that we've got seven different goalscorers is a really good thing, I think.

DK: You had a massive point to prove tonight, given the fact you're suspended.

DM: Yeah, I'm in purgatory at the moment, if you like, after Oxford. So just doing what I can to stay fit and hopefully compete for my place back in the team when I'm back from suspension. 

DK: If you can get into the team, with competition for places!

DM: It's a good thing. I think it's good for Needham Market to have a squad of 16 players who can all start. No one has a divine right to be in the team, no matter how long you've been here or how many games you've played for the club or how good you think you are. And I think that's a good thing. And so I'll need to earn my place back when the time comes.

DK: Also, you're getting ever closer to the 300 mark.

DM: Yeah, hopefully that's coming soon. I've been thinking it must be coming soon for a long time.

So, yeah, I mean, I'm still a way off, most probably Keiran and Luke, but I'd certainly like to get up to one of Needham's highest ever totals if I can. Some of those three suspended games, I would have been there, wouldn't I? So it's nice to know it's coming and hopefully, you know, push towards 350 by the end of the season. So that's my ambition.

REACTION | Tom Rothery Post Match Interview| Needham Market v Long Melford| 08.10.2024 |

Assistant Manager Tom Rothery reflects on our Suffolk Premier Cup win.

DK: You must be very pleased? 

TR: Yeah, really pleased. Especially in the first half, we moved the ball really well. Obviously a difficult night for Long Melford, but we've played them the last two years and haven't done that to them, so pleasing for us.

It just carries on a bit of momentum from Saturday, so yeah, pleased. 

DK: Eight goalscorers as well, not often that happens. 

TR: No, and I think, again, off the back of the way we've started the season, you know, it never hurts to hit the back of the net, does it? So, yeah, no, that's good.

DK: Another positive? Clinical in all senses. 

TR: Yeah, we could have had more. Yeah, I thought first half we were really clinical, second half, I think at times, maybe chose the wrong option when it's clinical, but yeah, you know, sounds a bit nitpicky, but yeah, we said at half-time, even though it was 7-0, we wanted to carry on and try and do the right things and carry on and, like I said, build momentum ready for Saturday because obviously we know Saturday is going to be a tougher challenge, but it's just important while we can we keep building momentum and trying to get confidence in the team and, you know, winning games is a good habit, as simple as that.

DK: Yeah, and like you say, keeping on that front foot, the momentum of that alone will stick with you if you keep doing that. 

TR: Yeah, definitely. I think, you know, as much as you can win these games, like I said, you can win them and you can get bad habits off the back of winning them, so that can then affect the game after, can't it? So, yeah, like I said, from our point of view, start of the night, we said we wanted us to be clinical, wanted us to be ruthless and wanted us to build on what we'd done on Saturday because arguably Saturday, not just because of the scoreline, but actually performance, I thought, was one of our best ones of the season so far and closer to what we were doing last season.

So, you know, that's good and we have built on it, you know, levels and all the rest of it, but it's still, like I said, winning games is a good habit. And I think the way you win as well, most of the time tonight, we've done the right thing, so that's pleasing. It's been tough after Oxford, off the back of Oxford and St Albans, it was tough, you know, and like we said right at the start of the season, we said to the players, mentality is going to be huge this season. We are going to get more knocks, potentially, than we've had ever before, you know, we're going to have times where we doubt ourselves, question ourselves and it's important that when we do that, we just stick together, believe in what we're doing and keep doing the right things. And I think, you know, we've done that the last two games and that is important. We're going to get more knocks this season, but if we stick together and do the right things, we'll come out the other side and we'll be better for it. And I think that will happen, I really do genuinely believe that. 

DK: Chorley, away at the weekend, every game of the season is going to be tough, but it's important that we try and keep going what we've been doing.

TR: Yeah, every game is tough at Step 2, we knew that at the start of the season, but again, also, every game, everyone's got a chance of winning it. I think the league is really close, you can see that now. You know, we win Saturday we're six points off play-offs, so you win three or four games, you can be right up there, you lose three or four games, you can be right down there. So, you know, we've just got to keep trying to build momentum, take the punches when they come on the chin and look to move on and improve from that. And that's what we're trying to do. That's what we keep telling the players and I do think the players are taking that on board and are starting to now, we're starting to see some of the rewards off the back of that, not just tonight, but like I said, Saturday as well. We're starting to see, you know, more from the players, what we expect really, I think, and that's not because they weren't trying previously. It's just, like I said, you know, we took a few punches on the nose and maybe struggled to deal with them at times and I do start to believe that we're starting to come out the other side of that, but not just because of tonight's result, but just what we're seeing in training and then what we're seeing in the game. 

DK: Other than the result and keeping on the front foot, what else pleased you most tonight? 

TR: Some of the players' performances, you know, some of the players really showed their standards, really played well within the game, you know, which is important. I thought Ollie had another good game, which is important for him, you know, a bit like the team, he's trying to build momentum, get a start in place and we're starting to see Ollie Fraser really come to where we believe he can get to and we're starting to see some real positives out of Ollie, so that's definitely pleasing. I thought Ben Hunter was really good tonight and a lot of the stuff that we work on in training, you know, I can't remember what goal it was, but Hunts sort of reversed passed into central areas, we work on that at training all the time, about playing central rather than taking the easy option and going out wide and just some of the combinations that we've seen today. Hammo stepped in, obviously played right back today, but stepped into midfield and picked up the ball and found some nice spaces. I thought Tev showed quality on the ball a lot. Seth's come on, scored a goal, which certainly won't hurt him. Jamie's got a goal, do you know what I mean? So there's lots of pleasing things really, you know, if we've been over a critical, we've given them a couple of little opportunities on the break, which is a bit frustrating if we're being really honest, but other than that, there weren't too many negatives.

REACTION | Keiran Morphew, Kevin Horlock, Reggie Lambe Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024

REACTION | Keiran Morphew Post Match Interview | Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024 |

MOTM and double goalscorer captain Keiran Morphew reflects on yesterday's home win. 

DK: What a win that was! 

KM: Yeah, good win, everyone played well. Makes a difference. Oh, big change from Oxford. Everyone was down in the dumps, but obviously today the atmosphere was good. Everyone's attitude was right and got the win. 

DK: And two goals from the skipper himself.

KM: Yeah, come like buses, mate. Yeah, I don't know what's happening there. Probably everyone should get a lottery ticket tonight. Yeah, but decent. Good day. 

DK: Talk us through your goals today.

KM: There's not much to them really. Hammy whipped the ball in, lovely cross. And I just slide tackled it in at the back stick, and then the second one, Tev beat the man, whipped in a lovely cross and I got a header on it, but I don't know, I won't score again. So, enjoy it.

DK: Perfect way to mark our first home win in this league. With a clean sheet on top. 

KM: Yeah, we've let in a lot of goals this year, something which we're not used to going on last year. Yeah, everyone worked hard. That was a good performance for everyone. Couldn't fault anyone today really and obviously they've got a long journey home. The hard work that's done in the first half and then the second half. I think in the second half you've just got to be careful not to overplay and get yourself in trouble. We get too far at the back.

I was shakey at the end and I'd give away a couple of half chances. Got away with it today. 

DK: We spoke about at Oxford of how the other end of the scale that was to have now all of a sudden after a fortnight to be the other end. That's a quick response.

KM: Yeah, that's just football. Never too low, never too high because as I say, two weeks and we lost 3-0. Then we won 3-0, first home win. I don't know if we moved up in the table. You never know. All we've got to do is just keep winning, keep playing the games and chalk them off and then we've got another one Tuesday. Boring response but that is what it is. 

DK: Talking of Tuesday, Premier Cup, one that is important to us. 

KM: Yeah. Yeah, we've just got to win every game. I won't say too much but whether it's a league game, cup game, friendlies, you just want to win. That's it. Bottom line.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview| Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on the win over South Shields.

DK: A superb all round performance today. 

KH: Yeah, it was a good performance today. Obviously the disappointment of last time at Oxford, we've obviously sat and had a chat and we just needed to get back to basics today and work hard and make forward runs and I thought we did that and obviously the quality from set pieces counted today and obviously Reggie added that little bit of quality today and you can see what he can do.

So all round it was a really good performance, clean sheet. Obviously we'd like to go on and score more but it never works out like that and obviously they went down to 10 men just before half-time and obviously then they work a little bit harder and a little bit harder to break down but overall, yeah, I'm chuffed with that. 

DK: A clean sheet as well to top it off.

KH: Yeah, we need it and it's difficult, let's not kid ourselves. It's been a tough start. We're in obviously a much tougher league and we're still finding our feet a little bit but I think today when the pressure was on, we're all aware we hadn't won at home so that was obviously definitely playing on my mind and no doubt the players. So to turn up and play with that intensity and quality at times to win a game at home at this level for the first time is really pleasing. The big thing now is to build on it, to obviously enjoy it tonight, obviously enjoy winning games at this level but then going on and getting on a winning month to start in the league. 

DK: Yeah and it's not normal that Keiran's man of the match for his attacking display as much as his defence.

KM: No, he's an unbelievable player. He's been an unbelievable servant for this football club. He's got many years left in him. There's none better than him in my opinion at this level or potentially the level above so it's great to have him. He does need to add more goals to his game. I think that's one area you could maybe critique a little bit. He doesn't score enough goals for someone that's so dominant aerially, but today he's in the right place and two great goals and I thought he might end up getting a hat-trick but another opportunity didn't come his way but I'm made up for him because he's a leader. He's massive for us and today he's stepped up to the plate and scored two goals for us. Yeah I think that another came off his toe I think and again you know what I mean he's in the right area. It's a great set and I thought our set pieces were good today in terms of quality. Tev's picked him out and it was unfortunate that the keeper just tipped it over.

DK: And Reggie, new signing, straight in with a goal? 

KH: Yeah he just adds that quality. Obviously he's been around seems like years and years. He's still very mobile. He adds calmness and the quality like the finish was unbelievable. I think anybody else, me included, I'd have panicked but he was calm as anything around the keeper and it was a lovely finish so it was an unbelievable day for him. So it just gives a glimpse of what we've got.

That little bit of quality that you can trust and that which then enables you to be able to make forward runs off that which changes the dynamics of our team and gets us back to when we were having success last season. 

DK: What's pleased you most today? 

KH: The three points are obviously what we come for but I think it was that reaction. Obviously last week after Oxford we were all bitterly disappointed for whatever reason. We looked a little bit lacklustre. We looked like we were lacking ideas. We looked like we were lacking energy. So we've addressed it. We obviously had a heart-to-heart chat. We're honest with each other. We've trained hard. We've trained well and people have just got to work at that level to stay in the team. I think the lads that have come off the bench today, obviously we've got Nico back, Josh is back in the building and Ollie Fraser has been patient and I think he's come on and done really well today. So we've got a stronger squad now and everybody's got to play to that level to stay in the team and if they do that, that's healthy. It means we'll win more than we lose. 

DK: Are there any new signings possibly coming in? 

KH: We'll always look to improve the squad. I'm quite happy with what we've got. We've got the search for a striker that scores 25 goals a season.

It will always be continuing for every club across the country, I imagine. But I'm happy with what I've got. The group are good enough to play at this level and I don't want to panic into signing someone that's not a right fit for the group or the football club.

So that search will continue forever, no doubt. But I'm happy with what I've got. 

DK: On to Tuesday, the run starts to hopefully defend our Cup? 

KH: Yes, Long Melford and obviously, I suppose on paper, it's a really tough draw for them in terms of us being at Step 2 now, but they'll come here and give it their all and we can't drop off. I don't care whether it's the Premier Cup against lower opposition or a league game or whatever. We've got to set our standards and keep doing what we believe in and play at that tempo. So hopefully, it'll be a really good game and there will be a few missing for that. Obviously, the Premier Cup and we'll give lads minutes that have been chomping on the bit waiting for them and then we'll see where it takes us.

REACTION | Reggie Lambe Post Match Interview | Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024 |

Goalscorer Reggie Lambe reflects on his Needham debut. 

DK: Good win today, and congratulations on your first Needham goal. 

RL: Yeah, great win, good to get on the score sheet and three points at home, clean sheet, there's no better way to start. 

DK: Having come in from Braintree, your experience showed.

RL: Yeah, I think it's a good level, it's a good squad and I think as long as we start making the right decisions on and off the ball, we can definitely push on and get more points than what we currently have. So I think it's crucial for us to stick together as a team and, you know, start to learn our patterns and how we want to play. 

DK: Having played against us before, it must feel nicer to be on the home side today.

RL: Yeah, definitely. When I was at Braintree, we played here in pre-season and we, in my opinion, got popped. So I think coming into a side that wants to play football is beneficial to myself, who wants to get on the ball..So, yeah, today was good and to get on the score sheet as well, like I said, there's no better feeling. 

DK: You scored a very well taken goal as well. 

RL: Yeah, just took it round the keeper and slotted it home. I'm pretty sure most of the boys in there knew what was coming. So, yeah, it's one of my classy finishes. So, yeah, it's good to get it in the back of the net.