REACTION | Dan Morphew, Tom Rothery Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v Chester | 09.11.2024 |

Defender Dan Morphew reflects on his 300th Needham appearance.

DK: Congratulations on your 300th Needham appearance. 

DM: Yeah, thank you. It's a nice milestone, but a disappointing day in general, but it's always a good thing to achieve. I'm pleased to have made it to 300. Hopefully I've got 400 in the legs. So yeah, like I say, it's a good achievement, but yeah, three points would have been nicer. 

DK: We were on track for a well-deserved point until late on.

DM: Yeah, I think we dominated the game, if I'm telling the absolute truth. I think most of the game, we're the team on top. We're the team pushing, trying to score. I think the only thing you'd say is we didn't really create enough clear-cut chances. We had some half chances, but some good crosses in the box, but no one really on the end of it, but we were the team in the ascendancy the whole game. There were 11 men behind the ball, all in their half. But I think if you ask their manager, he'll most likely say it's a perfect away performance, kept it tight, didn't give too much away, and then they've nicked a winner. So it's disappointing from our point of view. I think the dressing room is disappointed. I think we all felt we were the better team today and we were on top the whole game, but we just couldn't do enough to get it over the line, which is unfortunate.  I think to a certain degree, you earn luck. I think they're the fine margins at this level of football. We've played well, kept concentrated for 90 minutes or for 85 minutes, and that one minute where you let your man go in the box or you lose track of the ball as the corner comes in, you're punished. I think that's the standard of football we're at. I think we need to really hone in on that. Set pieces are difficult at this level. I think they're very physical in the box. When you're attacking set pieces, it's more like a rugby maul than anything else, and I think we're a bit too soft when it comes the other way around. When we're defending corners, we're not as aggressive as what the other teams are when they're defending us. You've got hands all over you, being pushed everywhere when you're trying to attack the ball, and we're too nice when it comes to defending. We're too nice when people are putting in blocks. We're not getting tight enough and physical enough, I think sometimes, which we're a bit guilty of. But I think we'll learn from that, I think, and we'll keep getting better as we go.

DK: We've now got three straight away games, starting with the FA Trophy away at Alfreton.

DM: That'll be a nice trip to Alfreton, I'm sure. Nice close one, nice local draw, but I think, as players, we're used to travelling away on long journeys, so it makes no difference to us. We've been doing okay away from home as well at times. We've had ups and downs. But last year, certainly, we were good on the road. And that's something we're looking to get back into this year. So, yeah, looking forward to it.

Assistant manager Tom Rothery reflects on yesterday's game.

DK: How do you reflect on the result and performance today?

TR: The results disappointing but I think the performance was pretty good. There was a lot of endeavour, intensity and effort was spot on but overall didn’t defend the set piece well and it costs you again so that’s clearly disappointing. First half we carried more threat and didn’t really kick on in the second half which you’re hoping and aiming to do. I think overall we were well in the game and I think they’re a good side so it’s a disappointing result but we need to stay strong and keep looking to make improvements on the training pitch and improvements in the squad in key areas. 

DK: Is it a point dropped or all 3? 

TR: It’s no points so not sure about any of that but we got we got so we just need to learn and improve simple as really but after a heavy and awful defeat the reaction and performances have had positives so we need to feed off them and improve more. 

DK: Without going too much into it, the last 10 minutes must be up there as some of the more bizarre we've had this season?

TR: Watching it (the sending off) live I think it’s harsh. The forwards tried to block which you see in a lot of games I thought Marco just armed him or shouldered him away so I didn’t think there was too much in it but maybe I’ve not seen something or not seen what the officials feel they have. Danny coming on, as I said to him, no pressure just gamble and enjoy it. Danny’s a very capable young goalkeeper so that’s a good thing for him but unfortunately doesn’t help us today but still again shows what Danny is capable of. 

DK: Are there any positives from today?

TR: As I’ve said the work ethic and attitude from all the players as in competing doing the ugly side of the game I think we’ve done well and to some maybe that’s not enough or they don’t see that but for me there are clinks of light to show that we are growing as a team but only points now really fully demonstrate that and again hopefully a couple of improvements and Keiran and Josh coming back in will help that. But we are demonstrating more what we can do on the ball I can see more phases of play coming out but overall we just need more whether that’s quality or decision making but we will keep striving to do that. 

DK: A brief break from the league next week, as we visit Alfreton in the Trophy?

TR: Yeah no midweek so we all get a break from the travel and can rest and recuperate and add more details to what is some more tough games and travel to come with three long away trips up next.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Rushall Olympic V Needham Market | 05.11.2024

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on last night's draw.

DK: Bit of a bitter pill to swallow really? 

KH: Yeah, it feels like points dropped after obviously playing so well. Showed endeavour, obviously get the goal that we were craving, and then to concede a set-piece, it's so frustrating. I think it's a Stonewall penalty, turned it away. To be fair, in the end we could have lost it right at the death there. So, albeit every point you gain in this league away from home is a bonus, but I feel like it should have been free tonight.

DK: Yeah, we deserved to take the lead. It just maybe could have been more. 

KH: Yeah, I think Ingers hit the post first half.

Ollie's had (a) half-chance, set-pieces just didn't quite drop to us. But when we get a goal up, I thought we were going to see the game out. Obviously, they put two up and obviously went longer, bombarded us, and we coped with it, apart from that one corner where obviously they got first contact on it. I think it's headed into the ground, looped over and underneath the bars. Sort of the goals that we're conceding at the minute, and then, like I said, I think it's a Stonewall penalty. There's no way that's not a penalty. But for some reason, the ref didn't think it was. So, it's frustrating, but it's another point. Obviously, results haven't gone our way tonight, but tonight's not going to determine our season. Obviously, there's loads and loads of games left, but it was encouraging..We've obviously not lost in two now. So, we need to build on that and obviously try and get three points in and wins, which is a lot better than a one. 

DK: It was a very well-taken header from Milzy to take the lead? 

KH: Yes. We were knocking on the door. We had chances. We didn't show that much composure in front of goal tonight, unfortunately, because if we had, we'd have won the game, but yes, he was in the right place at the right time, and he could have had another one.

DK: Going into this game, since you've taken over, I think we've lost every game that we've played here, and against Rushall. So, that's a bonus? 

KH: Yes, it's a start. It's a start. I wish it had been a win. Obviously, it would have looked a lot better, and I think the performance deserved that, but in football, you don't always get what you deserve and we keep working hard. One day, it's going to be a long, old slog of a season, but we've got to keep our heads up. Like I said, the positive is we've not lost in two, and we need to build on that.

DK: I was just going to say that it's two points in a few days, which is good momentum for Saturday? 

KH: Yes, as long as we recover properly. Obviously, we'll train Thursday, and then put in the performance of a life, again, against a really good team. It's going to be a tough ask. But we'll be raring to go.

REACTION | Luke Ingram, Kevin Horlock, Seth Chambers Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v Spennymoor Town | 02.11.2024 |

Luke Ingram reflects on his club record 500th appearance. 

DK: A good point to mark your landmark appearance! 

LI: Yeah. Had a chance to get a goal as well. But, yeah, big point. Morale's been blown and things have been hard. People sort of turn out against us, but we've got our point, it's got to start somewhere, so a last minute point. I think we're all good for a point. Like, we sort of we looked leggy in some parts of the game, but think we were worthy of a point. We've had some good chances today. 

DK: And to make your 500th appearance for Needham is a special achievement! 

LI: Yeah. Very special. Having my, my family here. My Nan hasn't been to a game for years. So, yeah, it was very special, and hopefully, to many more for this, great club. I mean, it'd have been nice to get a win, and I felt like we were in the game. They were there to be beat, but, yeah, like I say, we've got to start somewhere, so a point here. We've got an away game at Rushall, Tuesday, long trip. People underestimate how hard these trips are for us. They expect us to just go away and win. They need to take into account. We've got jobs, and we're just traveling. It does take us toll, but we're going to Rushall off with a little bit of confidence. We're going to look to get 3 points and push up table and ultimately look looking to stay in league and stay up. 

DK: So far this season, are you happy with results and performances? 

LI: I'd say we're probably 6 or 7 points short of where we should be if we sort of take our chances and we've had a few mistakes in the goals. But, at the end of the day, this league, people need to realize it's a fine margin league. You can play well and lose. You can play bad and win, and it's always gonna be a tight margin to sit all about what happens in the 2 boxes. So we need to we need to score some more goals and, obviously, keep clean sheets, but look look at look how many players we got out injured. 

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on yesterday's draw.

DK: A Deserved point? 

KH: Yes, I definitely think we deserved something from the game. Obviously, as we were running out of time and you're 1-0 down, you wonder whether that's actually going to happen, especially on the run we're on at the minute and the knocks and injuries we got. So, to score so late on and get a point, I think it was deserved, but, yes, that was big today. That was a big goal from Seth under pressure. Great finish and a massive point. I know it's only a point, but it stops the rot of losing games. Hopefully, give the lads a lift and we go into a massive game on Tuesday. 

DK: Overall, would you say it's a point gained rather than potentially two dropped? 

KH: I think, look, in this division, all the games are tough. Certainly, the away ones with the travelling we do. So, if you're looking to get three points at home as often as you can, today would have been one of those days where I would hope to get three, obviously. But, in saying that, obviously, we've got lads coming into the team today that have been unable to train due to injuries and knocks they've received, Hamo, you've got Ingers, you've got Dan coming back, not played for two weeks, you've got Tommy coming back in. So, it's always going to be a tough game. So, I'll take a point today. I'll take a point. Like I said, it stops the rot. With it being so late as well, it always feels a little bit nicer, so yeah, we'll dust ourselves down and roll onto Tuesday. 

DK: Two substitutes had a big part in the equaliser, with Seth scoring it, and Ollie's run starting it.

KH: Yeah, look, they're good young players. And obviously, we're at a really good level now. And all the lads are vying for starts. So, they've been patient. Seth's not started for a while. And for him to come off and on and get off the mark is pleasing for him, and Ollie's a player that's got a real bright future ahead.

DK: Tuesday's a familiar ground, especially on a Tuesday night as well. 

KH: Yes, one where we've not had much joy since I've been manager, for sure. So, we'll be looking to put that right. They've had a tough FA Cup game, I think, today against Accrington. So, hopefully, all the emotions from that will level out. Obviously, the game that we've had here today and the travel that we've got to do. So, we'll go there ready. We'll go with a squad that's hopefully raring to go and we'll give it our all.

DK: How do you see the season so far? 

KH: It's been tough. I think we always knew it would be. Probably a little bit tougher than I probably first envisaged. I think it's just the physicality of it. Obviously, with a lot of the teams being full-time, it does give them an edge. And it's not an excuse, but the travelling we do is fairly difficult at times, but we knew that was going to be the case. So, we're all still fully focused, still working really hard to gain enough points to secure our position in this division next year.

Goalscorer Seth Chambers reflects on his first league goal at step 2.

DK: A well-earned point and a massive goal for you as well. 

SC: Yes, it was good for the team and good for me to get the goal at the end. It feels like a win almost because I felt like we were well in the game. That would have been a gutting game to lose, I felt personally, I felt we played well, we kept in the game, we were unlucky not to have other goals. To then concede, I don't know, maybe the fans were thinking, here we go again. I don't know, but me personally, I felt like there was definitely going to be at least a chance to level it up. I know they're missing players as are we. I felt confident that we would get something and we deserved something in the end.

DK: After coming off the bench, you made a big impact, not only with the goal. 

SC: Yes, you never want to be on the bench. It's been a tough start to the season with obviously playing a bit and not getting any rewards for whatever reason, obviously being in and out of the team. For me, I've been trying to work as hard as I can during the week, doing sessions with the reserves and various other things. It was nice to come on to make a difference in the game because that's the main reason you've been brought on at the end of the day.The manager's bringing you on because they need something different. They need something to happen that isn't at the minute. Thankfully, it fell nicely.

DK: After the course of the game, in a way, on other days that we've had this season, we could have just thought it's not our day. 

SC: Yes, we showed character. It would have been very easy for the lads and for all of our heads to drop and we just accept that we've lost the game because we've gone 1-0 down, which we have been maybe guilty of doing that in games where we've gone 1 or 2-0 down and we've thought it's not our day and we've not been able to get back into it, but you could see that we still believed that we could get something from it. So, yes, I'm proud.