REACTION | Tom Rothery Post Match Interview| Felixstowe + Walton United V Needham Market| 29.07.2025

Manager Tom Rothery reflects on last night's friendly at Felixstowe.

DK: Not quite the night you were hoping for, how do you sum up the game?

TR: First half was good aside from missed chances, they had one clear chance that we need to do better with but overall I felt we were good aside from not taking the chances and openings we created. In a proper game they have a bigger problem with the foul on Joe Neal which looked like a penalty but was given as a free kick. The second half from us was really poor simple as really. Yes you make changes but regardless it’s just not good enough. Their keeper getting man of the match tells the story wasn’t quite as bad as the end score suggests but clearly plenty for us to do better. 

DK: Are there any positives to take, and how do you think that compares with preparations so far this summer?

TR: I think generally we’ve been ok we are moving the ball well and before tonight I’ve said to the lads we need to be more ruthless and clinical and equally more resilient. Before tonight we are not giving lots of chances away but despite this we are conceding too many tonight kind of summed up where and what we’ve done in the previous games. Keiran 55 minutes, the young lads all came on and offered some good bits more minutes into others but not much other than that. 

DK: What do you think needs putting right after a disappointing night?

TR: We need to be more solid, more clinical. 

DK: One final friendly before the season kicks off, what do you think to the first handful of league fixtures?

TR: Tough, Harborough and Real Bedford are pretty much everyone’s tip for the title, Bromsgrove away never easy and a new challenge in Worcester and a local derby with Leiston so there’s no easy ones there but we know what to expect. As I’ve said previous this level of football is tough there all tough games. 

DK: Before then however, we travel to Lowestoft, what are you expecting from the game and from us?

TR: We have a couple back in Dan and Jake so I’m certainly looking for more solidity, Hunts still isn’t ready but aside from Jamie everyone else as it stands is available so we need a more complete performance. There’s been bright spots we need to see that more consistently and to do that we need to add more solidity and a more clinical performance.

REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market V Aveley | 26.07.2025 |

Needham's pre-season campaign continued with a hard fought 2-2 draw with Isthmian Premier Division side Aveley.

Two equalisers from the Marketmen through Seth Chambers and substitute Luca Savill cancelled out a goal in each half for the visitors in a tight fought pre-season friendly. 

Aveley saw a third minute low shot well saved by James Bradbrook diving low to his left-hand side, while Seth Chambers broke through clear on goal four minutes later, rounding the keeper only to see his low shot well blocked by a recovering defender. 

Chambers then won a penalty on 11 minutes, but saw his low spot-kick saved, while Aveley broke up the other end and saw Elliott Sartorius' shot deflected in a minute later.

Kyle Hammond then saw a 14th minute effort deflected behind for a corner, who picked out Jamie McGrath free at the far post with the resulting pinpoint set-piece but the latter headed narrowly wide. 

The Marketmen remained on top, despite being a goal behind, as Kyle Hammond's brilliant left wing cross was met by Jamie McGrath at the far post whose effort was saved by the keeper on 20 minutes. 

Kyle Hammond meanwhile looked to thread Eddie Barker clear on goal on 24 minutes but the latter couldn't quite latch onto the ball. 

Ryan Miles then won a penalty moments later, which Chambers took and ruthlessly smashed home down the middle.

Needham continued to be on top, as Ryan Miles was fed smartly by Ollie Saunders down the right wing after being found by Hammond on 35 minutes, but his shot-cross was well held by North. 

Reggie Lambe meanwhile set Jamie McGrath through into the box a minute later who saw his shot held, while Ryan Miles saw an effort go wide on 40 minutes. 

Despite that the Marketmen started the second half strongly, controlling a lot of the possession, Aveley retook the lead on 56 minutes as a left wing cross was fired into the bottom near corner by Rowan Libaud at close range. 

Keiran Morphew meanwhile intercepted a dangerous Aveley attack down the right-hand side with a brilliant tackle on 68 minutes, before Eddie Barker was slotted through down the right wing smartly after great play from Tommy Smith a minute later only to see his dangerous low cross cleared. 

Eddie Barker was threaded through down the left wing well on 70 minutes, finding Chambers who teed up Ryan Miles whose low shot was blocked. 

Keiran Morphew saw a good strike following a corner deflected over in the 71st minute as Needham hinted a second equaliser. 

Needham went close with a clever free-kick on 80 minutes after a foul on Luca Savill. Reggie Lambe took it quickly, feeding Tommy Smith in space on the left wing whose low cross into the danger area adjudged to have been shot wide of a goal-kick. 

Luca Savill then headed a cross narrowly wide at close range on 85 minutes, while James Bradbrook was on hand two minutes later to fly up to his right-hand side and scoop the ball over. 

Needham deservedly equalised on 89 minutes as Academy players Brad Smith and Luca Savill combined, the former whipping an exquisite left wing cross to the latter to head home into the top near corner at close range. 

Needham travel to Isthmian North side Felixstowe and Walton United on Tuesday (7:45pm). 

Needham:- 1 James Bradbrook, 4 Kyle Hammond, 6 Dan Morphew (c, 59' 5 Keiran Morphew), 15 Trialist, 19 Reggie Lambe, 8 Ollie Saunders, 14 Jamie McGrath (78' 10 Luca Savill), 18 Eddie Barker (84' 2 Brad Smith), 11 Ryan Miles (73' 7 James Coton), 9 Seth Chambers.

Goals: Seth Chambers (26'pen), Luca Savill (89'); Elliott Sartorius (12'), Rowan Libaud (56').

REACTION | Tom Rothery Post Match Interview| Needham Market V Aveley | 26.07.2025 | 

Manager Tom Rothery reflects on the draw with Aveley.

DK: Another good friendly done? 

TR: Yeah, I've just said to the lads, I thought there's a lot of positives again. You can always pick holes in the goals that you concede, but I thought there's a lot of positives. We created a number of chances, which on another day you might take a couple and they're not a bad side. I thought it was a good workout as well. No knocks that I'm aware of, so that's positive as well, and bearing in mind we had no Joe Neal, no Myles, obviously Hunts with his ankle, he's out at the moment, which isn't a bad one. Ingers and Jake, so that's five quite important players. So to produce that performance with those five not here, I think is a real positive. I think so (had the more of the possession), but I thought they'd moved the ball quite well at times. So yeah, I thought first half we should have been ahead, rather than obviously it was 1-1. Thought we should have been ahead at half time, that's what I said to the lads. Second half, I thought we had more chances first half, so we should have definitely come ahead, come in at half time ahead. Whereas second half, Bradders has made one really good save at the end. They had a free header, I remember, and obviously they've scored a goal and I don't think we created as much. We still had a couple of bits, didn't we? Obviously the goal we scored, Luca went close with another chance, trying to think of another one. We put a few dangerous balls in the box, but yeah, I thought second half, probably on chances created, they probably edged it slightly maybe. We probably had a bit more possession second half and first half was probably a bit more possession-wise, but yeah, like I said, I think we created enough chances to win the game. So that's positive, especially when you consider who wasn't here.

DK: Yeah, the most pleasing points are obviously, like I said, no-one, as we know of, has got knocks and showed a lot of resilience to come from behind. 

TR: Yeah, I've said that in the changing room. That's what I'm really pleased about. Whilst it's not important, the result is still important because even though I'm contradicting myself, you don't want to lose games. You don't want to get into a habit of losing games. So whilst it's not the be-all and end-all, it's actually really pleasing that we haven't lost, one, because I didn't think we deserved to and two, it just shows that there is character in the team. And you could tell in that last 20, 30 minutes, we were really pushing to get at least an equaliser and maybe at times left ourselves a little bit open because of that. So that is pleasing and it's also obviously really, really pleasing that Reggie's done really well in the build-up to win the ball and then pass it and then obviously Brad's put a nice cross in and Luca is there at the end of it. So that's obviously hugely pleasing and along with James and along with all the reserves that have stepped in this season at pre-season, like I said, one, they'll get opportunities and two, I think they've all shown that they've got ability and now it's just about them coming into the squad at the right time because you don't want to push them in there when they're not ready, but they've all got qualities and now it's just about managing their expectation and them understanding when they need to come in and when they're ready to come in. But there will definitely be opportunities for them like there has been so far in pre-season. So one, that's good for me as a manager and two, that's great credit to our academy and James Manty and Grogs and people like that. 

DK: Yeah and it's quite fitting to be talking about the academy given that both goals came from current and former graduates. 

TR: Yeah look, since I've been here, I've been in a really privileged position whatever position I've held in the fact that the players that we've got have come through the academy, you know, you're locked to Kieran Morphew, Jake Dye and the younger ones that are coming through.

We've had so many good players come through that academy, Callum Page, Taylor Clark, you know what I mean, Charlie Warren, it's ridiculous really the amount of players that have come through that academy and gone on to better things. So, you know, I'm very privileged as a first team manager and we're very lucky as a club I think. 

DK: Moving on to Tuesday, a familiar test in Felixstowe.

TR: Obviously, we know them having knocked us out on penalties, we know that anyway. It's going to be a tough game, we know that. I think obviously they've lost Charlie who I've just mentioned but they've made some really good signings, Jacob Lay for one as an example. So, I think on paper they look stronger than they were last season. So, you know, we know it's going to be a tough game away from home.

It's never easy to go to Felixstowe anyway. So, look, it'll be another really good test for us. We've got a few back, so Joe, Mylo and Luke are back.

Jake's still away and Dan's banned because of last Tuesday. So, Jake and Dan won't be available and Hunts still won't be ready with his ankle but we've got three back so we'll be a bit stronger than we were today. But it'll be another good test and that's the pleasing thing really. Out of the games, I think we've got something out of all the games and I think generally it's been positives, but, you know, there's always a few things that you need to work on whether you want to call them negatives or not, it's up to you. But there's always things that you need to work on. I think by and large the games that we've had have been good. They've tested us and they've allowed us to really sort of implement some of the things that we're trying to work on in training, like shape, phases of play and also out of possession as well, how we press and when we don't press. And I think the lads have really brought into it and I think they've shown real promising signs in the games.

DK: How would you summarise pre-season so far?

TR: I just said to the lads, I think it's been good. I think the buy-in's been brilliant. Obviously, getting Darren in has been a real huge plus. I know it does sound like some people will underplay that, but getting a kit man in has been a huge plus because it allows the coaching staff and myself to concentrate on the jobs that we're here to do. Patch is brilliant. Obviously, I've got a really good assistant in Muller and I think Ben Mendrys has been a huge addition for us on the strength and conditioning. The lads have really brought into what he's trying to do. I've really enjoyed what he's doing and I think it has really helped us as well and I think it's been a really good addition. So, yeah, I'm really pleased with that, and obviously, James, the physio, he feels more settled now and you can tell that he's sort of getting a real grip of what he's trying to do. So, yeah, as a management, I think we're in a good position. I think it's been a really positive pre-season, but I've just said, bizarrely enough, I've just said that exactly to the lads down there, but it's important now. We've got two weeks of pre-season left. It's important we finish it in the right manner and make sure that it's a full and complete pre-season because that doesn't mean you're then going to get results, but it puts you in a good position because the league season is nine months long and a good pre-season gives you a good foundation to hopefully go on and do well during that season, which obviously is what we're trying to  

Needham Market U18 v Debenham LC U23s | 23.07.2025 | PSF

Needham Market Under-18's continued their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win over Debenham LC U23s.

A first half brace from Zak Tamila and a late goal from Taha Yildrim settled an entertaining friendly in the hosts' favour.

Needham started brightly, on the front foot as an 8th minute long ball towards Zak Tamila was well intercepted and gathered by the goalkeeper off his line. 

Two minutes later though, Debenham's number 8 broke into space on the right-hand edge of the box but saw his fierce shot well held by Jake Bloom, who then guarded his left-hand post to hold the same man's shot at a tight angle at head height in the 12th minute. 

Zak Tamila then headed an 18th minute left wing cross straight at the keeper, while Needham arguably deservedly took the lead ten minutes later.

Alfie Scully slid Zak Tamila through on goal inside the box to smartly pick out the bottom left-hand corner. 

Debenham meanwhile flashed a dangerous 33rd minute low cross across the face of goal, before Tamila was threaded one on one inside the box and rounded the onrushing keeper but his touch forced him wide two minutes later.

Dan Thompson flashed a 30-yard low shot wide of the bottom near, left-hand, corner on 37 minutes, prior to Josh Tennial exploiting space just outside the box only to curl his shot over the top right-hand corner. 

Tamila then doubled his tally on 39 minutes, while Josh Tennial shot just wide moments later. 

Just inside a minute of the restart, Needham shot just wide of the bottom left-hand corner from a dangerous pull back, as the visitors weaved onto the left-hand edge of the box but fired their shot straight into the chest of Bloom guarding his near post well on 48 minutes. 

Debenham on the other hand pulled a goal back three minutes later, a left wing cross to the near post was poked home into the far corner by the forward at point blank range. 

Archie Pickett was then threaded into the box but saw his effort held by the keeper, while he fired a shot just wide of the bottom left-hand corner on 53 minutes. 

Debenham fired a shot from distance over in the 55th minute, while Needham created a few half chances from corners but nothing much of note as Debenham saw a 65th minute low shot from the right-hand side deflected but beaten behind by Bloom. 

Archie Pickett saw a shot blocked on the edge of the box a minute later, as both sides searched for the pivotal fiurth goal of the game. 

The away side however broke through on goal but sliced a 70th minute shot over. 

The young Marketmen continued to look bright going forward, Fin Wilson worked space to shoot 30-yards from goal on the left-hand side but saw his low shot across goal held by the diving keeper on 73 minutes. 

A dangerous left wing Needham corner on 79 minutes flashed through the six yard box with a Red shirt at the far post just unable to latch onto the ball. 

At the other end sixty seconds later, Debenham saw a low shot deflected just wide into the side-netting for a corner 

The home side went close again on 82 minutes, Tyler Wright broke through smartly onto the left-hand byline but saw his dangerous cutback just evade two Red shirts arriving. 

Needham broke through onto the left-hand side of the box five minutes later, albeit the low shot went wide of the near post as Needham looked the more likely to score.

Debenham flashed a shot narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner on 90 minutes, as Taha Yildrim restored Needham's two goal advantage a minute later.

Archie Pickett released Yildrim through on the right-hand side to cooly beat the onrushing keeper and slot into an empty net. 

Pickett danced his way through the right-hand side a minute later only to see his low shot smothered behind the near post by the keeper. 

Needham record a hard fought victory against a good opponent in Debenham U23s. 

Needham:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Jack Nunn, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Dan Thompson, 16 Josh Tennial, 8 Jack Coombs, 10 Josh Guffey, 17 Oscar Appleby-Hepburn, 7 Alfie Scully, 9 Zak Tamila.

Subs: 12 Olly Head, 19 Archie Pickett, 14 Taha Yildrim, 12 Oliver Chmielewski, 18 Fin Wilson, 15 Miles Baldwin. 

Goals: Zak Tamila (28', 39'), Taha Yildrim (90'+1')

D9 Elliot Whayman (51').

REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market v Ipswich Town U21 | 22.07.2025 |

 

Needham Market's third friendly ended in defeat to a good Ipswich Town U21s side on Tuesday night. 

Joe Neal's fifth goal in three matches gave the Reds a half-time lead, with the lead standing until two late quickfire goals from the young Blues turned the game on it's head against ten men. 

Leon Elliott saw a second minute left wing cross well held by James Bradbrook at his near post, while Town fired a shot over soon after. 

At the other end, Tommy Smith picked out Joe Neal with a great left wing cross to the far post although the forward's header went just over on 6 minutes. 

Ashton Boswell meanwhile drove into space but fired his low shot wide of the bottom right-hand corner eleven minutes later as Town enjoyed more of the early possession though both teams looked bright going forward. 

Ash Boatswain then saw a 21st minute low shot from the left-hand edge of the box well held by Bradbrook, while Needham released Joe Neal through inside the box who held up possession well to find Myles Cowling whose shot was blocked. 

Ollie Saunders meanwhile clipped a great ball across the face of goal that was headed behind for a corner just ahead of Ryan Miles on 23 minutes, which saw the latter wrap a low shot narrowly wide. 

Josh Pitts however curled a dangerous free-kick narrowly wide of the top near, left-hand, corner on the half-hour mark, before Needham broke the deadlock a minute later.

Joe Neal added his fifth goal in three games as Henry Gray gave possession straight to him on the penalty spot to open space to net into an empty net. 

Boswell's left wing 37th minute corner found Walker Shabazz-Edwards at the far post but his dangerous headed was blocked behind by Jake Dye.

Town however fired a 30-yard free-kick over at the end of the first half as Needham led at the break. 

Great link up play and one two between Joe Neal and Myles Cowling almost released the latter through on goal but was intercepted before he could drive towards goal on 49 minutes. 

Needham however started the second half the brighter, Kyle Hammond though struck a 30-yard free-kick over the crossbar in the 56th minute, while James Bradbrook narrowed the angle brilliantly to deny Town at point blank range on 62 minutes with Tommy Taylor's lay off seeing Boatswain denied at close range. 

Dan Morphew was soon a second yellow card soon after, while Josh Pitts was fed through inside the box but saw his low fierce shot well held by Bradbrook on 70 minutes. 

Town enjoyed more of the possession as the half progressed, though the game remained fast paced and an entertaining contest, even with both sides having made a bunch of substitutions.

Tommy Taylor however equalised on 83 minutes, the attacking midfielder received possession in space to fire in off the inside of the bottom right-hand post. 

Two minutes later, Jamie Mauge then met a left wing cross to head home into the far post at close range. 

Pitts then weaved into space but saw a low shot comfortably held by Bradbrook on 87 minutes, while Town saw a rasping 90th minute strike well held by Bradbrook at head height.

Needham host Aveley on Saturday (3pm).

Needham:- 1 Bradders, 4 Hammond, 2 Dye (HT' 5 Trialist MT), 6 Dan (c), 3 Tommy, 12 Hunter (60' 18 Eddie Barker), 8 Saunders (82' 19 Brad Smith), 15 Cowling (60' 17 James Coton), 11 Miles (60' 14 Jamie McGrath), 10 Neal (60' 9 Seth Chambers), 7 Lambe (73' 18 Olly Reynolds). 

Town:- 31 Henry Gray (HT' 1 Woody Williamson), 2 Dan Babb, 3 Leon Elliott (66' 19 Josh Lewis), 4 Trialist A (66' 14 Fraser Heard), 5 Shabazz Walker-Edwards (66' 12 Corbin Mthunzi), 6 Steven Turner, 7 Ashton Boswell (66' 17 Nico Valentine), 8 Trialist B (66' 15 Abs Onuchukwu), 9 Ash Boatswain (66' 16 Jamie Mauge), 10 Tommy Taylor (c), 11 Josh Pitts. 

Goals: Joe Neal (31'); Tommy Taylor (83'), Jamie Mauge (85').

REACTION | Tom Rothery | Needham Market v Ipswich Town U21 | Post Match Interview | 22.07.2025 |

DK: Despite the result, another good pre-season friendly in the bag? 

TR: Yeah, I thought it was a really good workout. Lots of positives up until whenever the red card was the 60-65, not sure when that was. 62, yeah, so up until that point really positive. I thought after that there were still positives, as in how we tried to contain, but as a spectacle from our perspective, we didn't get much out of it then other than trying to contain, obviously. So, yeah, there is frustration, but the first 62 minutes especially and the game in general still has proved to be a good exercise for us from the point of view of they were good, they moved the ball really well, they made it difficult for us and I thought, like I said, for the first hour we were good and we managed that really well and then obviously when we go down to ten it makes it very difficult and you then kind of, it's very difficult then to build anything and try and build anything, so that then kind of ruins that side of it for us. So, yeah, frustrating really from that perspective, but overall a good workout. 

DK: Yeah, it was a very fast-paced game and it was quite open in terms of possession, but it was kind of tight in terms of chances created?

TR: Yeah, there weren't many until the red card, I can't think of a chance they had to be honest, but yeah, I thought they were good, they moved the ball really well, they were energetic and off the back of that we then had to make decisions around when to press, when not to press and obviously how we then moved the ball as well and when to play forward, etc, etc. So, like I said, it was a really good workout and yeah, really, there are positives, quite a few positives, but you kind of come out of it with a bit of a negative feeling, like I said, just because of the red card and the implications that could then have onto the start of the season and also, like I said, you end up spending the last half hour just obviously trying to defend against the 11 men.

DK: Yeah, it was fine margins even with the red card, but I think you could probably say a draw would have been fair?

TR: Yeah, I thought it's very difficult, isn't it, in pre-season, that's why, look, it's good to get results, it's good to build momentum, but the reality is the results aren't the be-all and end-all and I think in general, up until, I don't know when they scored the first goal, around the 80th minute, was it? Yeah, so look, once you start making, you're making seven changes, you wouldn't do that in a league game and then it becomes a little bit false and like I said, when you're down to 10 men as well, so look, that's kind of then rising to that result, isn't it? They get their tails up after the first goal and then score a second goal very quickly after, so that's fair play to them. Like I said, I thought they were good, probably pleased with what they got out of it and like I said, I'm pleased with what we got out of it up until the red card. I just think the red card's unnecessary and I just think it's a little bit, I just think it's over-fussy really, if I'm honest, but that was kind of the story of the night.

DK: But even with the changes, other than the two goals, do you think we still defended okay? 

TR: Yeah, I thought we did. By and large, I thought Hammo and Tommy were good throughout. Obviously, it's difficult for the trialist and Oli then coming on as well, so look, like I said, it just makes it difficult, doesn't it? Because you're defending against 11 men for the trialist and Oli, they're defending against good players with players they don't necessarily know that well. They don't know their games that well and then you're bringing on Brad and James from the reserves into it as well and that just makes it very tough for them, doesn't it, when they're playing against 11 men. So that's the frustration really. I intentionally made the changes late tonight because we've got a few away Saturday, so I know people are going to have to do more minutes on Saturday. So I've tried to get the lads that aren't here Saturday to get more minutes tonight and then the lads that are here Saturday get less minutes tonight and what they've ended up doing is coming on late in the game and defending against 10 men and the reserves have come on when we've got 10 men and it just makes it very difficult for them players that are coming on. The seven subs that are coming on are coming on trying to fight fires rather than actually trying to impress really, so I feel sympathy for them really, if I'm honest. 

DK: It was Ryan's debut in red, he put on a good performance? 

TR: Yeah, like I said, look, so Ryan was subbed when he just scored the first goal along with I made four changes, didn't I? Was that just before the red card, the four changes? I think it was, wasn't it? I can't remember now. So he was one of the four changes that I made and I think that happened before the red card, didn't it, if I remember right? I think I did it on 60 and then like you said the red card was shortly after. So yeah, like I said, there was lots of positives. I thought Ryan was positive. I thought Ollie Saunders had a really good game in the centre of the pitch. I thought Hammo was outstanding at full-back. Tommy was solid as usual. Joe Neal was excellent again. Mylo was excellent. So there were lots of positives but like I said, you come away with a little bit of negative feel because of the last half an hour and like I said, it's also frustrating because players who want to then come on and impress haven't really had that opportunity to do because of the circumstances. 

DK: Yeah, and speaking of Joe, five goals in three games, even if it's pre-season, that's still good. 

TR: Yeah, it's brilliant. It's good for him, it's good for the team and like I said the other night, he's just a good player. So we're not surprised at what he's doing but I think what he's also doing is, you can see from his work ethic, he's superb. He's closing people down, he's hunting and we're defending from the front and that's obviously hugely important if we want to be successful and it's also important that when we then do get the ball forward that one, he can look after it and two, he knows where the back of the net is, where the old onion bag is and he definitely knows that side. Yeah, it's been a really positive start for him. 

DK: Next up is Averley on Saturday, and I know you said we've got a few players missing but that should still be a very good test. 

TR: It'll definitely be a test. They're the same as us, they've come down from step two obviously. New manager and obviously they've rebuilt. They look strong on paper from what I've seen of who, well I know who they've signed so they look very strong and yeah, it'll be another good test, but like I said, pre-season's about trying to build momentum and get results but that isn't the be all and end all. Obviously I always want to win games and I always want to build momentum but it's also important that you understand there are going to be players away. You're going to get decisions like we did tonight, that may happen in the season as well, and you have to deal with all those ups and downs. Like I said, Saturday we've got four away so obviously we are going to be lighter than we would want to be. That might be five away as well so that takes us down to a little bit shorter but we'll call up the reserves and we'll go as strong as we can and try and get another good workout out of it and I'm sure we will.

Olly Reynolds | Henley V Needham Market Reserves Post Match Interview | 19.07.2025 |

Reserves captain Olly Reynolds reflects on the win at Henley Athletic and Pre-Season so far.

DK: A great result today for you, how did you find it?

OR: Today's game was a half decent game the opposition wasn’t the greatest team we have ever faced but still not the worst, I feel like for the lads who played first half we adapted really well to the conditions and the style of the game it took us 10 minutes to get into it but other then the first half we had majority possession. 

DK: A bit of a topsy turvy day today, but you must be delighted to have got on the score sheet? 

OR: Of course who doesn’t love scoring goals, it was a great delivery from Flynn Bobby from a corner and I beat the keeper to it for an easy open goal, good way to come to the end of pre season.

DK: How have you found Pre-Season so far, particularly with the Reserves? 

OR: I can feel this season being our best yet, we have been sharp in training pushing each other and been even sharper in games, all the lads have put a shift in and can’t wait for the season to start and show the league what we got. 

DK: Are you a proud captain of the momentum built so far ahead of next weekend's opening league game?

OR: I couldn’t be more happy to be honest, all the lads have worked very hard on and off the pitch, we had a bit of a tough start to last season with getting used to men’s football but from the second half of the season I thought we played really well in almost every game, I can’t wait to get the year up and running and let the lads express themselves. 

DK:  You also must be proud to have featured for the first team in both games so far, how did you find those games and the experience overall?

OR: I love being with the first team, it’s a massive step up from the Reserves and I’m glad the managers at Needham think I’m capable to deal with it, both games have been a really good challenge for me and can't wait to see what this season holds for me.

DK: One more friendly before your league campaign gets underway, when Sporting 87 visit on Tuesday - firstly what type of game are you expecting and what are you hoping both personally and as a team to get out of it?

OR: Me personally have never played Sporting, so I’m not to sure how the game is gonna plan out, but I’m sure whatever they throw at us me and all the lads will stand up to the challenge, as a team we are all hoping to end pre season on a high with a win to help us have a positive start to the season, me personally get some good minutes in my legs ahead of the start of the league making sure I’m as fit as possible and maybe even try and get on the score sheet again. 

REPORT & REACTION | Ipswich Wanderers V Needham Market | 15.07.2025 |

Needham Market's Pre-Season campaign continued with a 3-1 win at step 5 Ipswich Wanderers after another brace from Joe Neal and a penalty from Luke Ingram.

Wanderers took the lead on 56 seconds as a right wing corner was headed home into the roof of the net. 

Needham were awarded a penalty on 4 minutes though as Luke Ingram chipped Kyle Hammond through down the right-hand side before being hacked down.

Luke Ingram duly dispatched home the spot-kick, smashing home into the bottom left-hand corner!

Ingram then broke onto a great long ball over the top clear on goal but fired his half-volley just agonisingly wide of the bottom left-hand corner on 16 minutes. 

Joe Neal then made it 2-1 with another well taken finish on 21 minutes, the forward latched onto a great ball over the top beating the offside trap to expertly chip the onrushing Brand outside the box into the roof of the net. 

Needham continued to dominate since conceding as two minutes later, Jake Dye latched onto a great through-ball down the right wing before picking out Myles Cowling free on the left-hand edge of the box whose fierce low shot was parried away by Brand at his bottom near corner. 

Seth Chambers then saw a good strike at goal blocked on the edge of the box in the 29th minute.

Great link up play from Needham two minutes later saw Needham race into a 3-1 lead, Jake Dye's right wing throw in threaded Ingram through onto the byline whose driven cross was well controlled then smashed home into the bottom near corner from close range by Neal for his fourth goal in two games. 

Needham remained on the front foot as Joe Neal smartly slipped Myles Cowling through on the left-hand side of the box whose shot was deflected behind the near post for a corner, which Kyle Hammond's resulting corner was on target but was well held by Brand on his line. 

Kyle Hammond's right wing corner was headed brilliantly back across goal by Dan Morphew but just wide with Tom Dickens lurking. 

Rothery then made four changes at the break, as Seth Chambers did find the bottom left-hand corner thirty seconds after the restart but the whistle had already gone for a foul. 

Needham then went close on 52 minutes, substitute Eddie Barker broke down the right wing before picking out McGrath whose effort was blocked crucially behind for a corner, which Hammond found Ingram whose header looped narrowly over. 

Needham were awarded another penalty on 56 minutes after a foul on Jamie McGrath, but Seth Chambers' spot kick was saved. 

Chambers meanwhile latched onto a brilliant long ball over the top down the right-hand side just after the hour mark but saw his close range shot denied by Brand. 

Needham then made several changes as Eddie Barker saw a shot saved by Brand off his line on 69 minutes, before a rather quiet nine minutes followed before Eddie Barker found space on the left-hand side of the box but saw his dangerous cutback intercepted and cleared. 

Harlyn Palmer then squared a brilliant inviting ball across the face of goal at close range for Jamie McGrath but for a defender to intercept and clear on 82 minutes. 

Two minutes later, a dangerous cutback following a surging run from Ollie Saunders onto the left-hand byline was well gathered by Brand off his line. 

The Academy players then linked up nicely on 89 minutes as a good run from Brad Smith started the move as Kellen Fiddy then picked up possession whose defence splitting pass to James Coton just overran to Brand. 

REACTION | Tom Rothery | Post Match Interview | Ipswich Wanderers V Needham Market| 15.07.2025 

DK: Another good run out and a good performance would you say?

TR: Yeah I think there was a lot to like about the performance. As with all friendlies it can become a bit frantic with so many changes but I thought everyone who played for us came out of it with positives, no knocks so yeah pleasing. 

DK: Having gone behind right at the start, you must be pleased with the reaction?

TR: Not the start I wanted but you can give them credit it was a good delivery and great run but yeh we need to do better with everything from the start and then the goal but I didn’t think it affected us. The lads knew what we wanted to do and I think they still stuck to that and really took control of the game after that start and again credit to Ipswich as they played with a real intensity which is what we expected. 

DK: Another 3 well taken goals, two of which from the in form Joe?

TR: Yeah we created a bit so could have had a couple more if you’re being a little critical but in general I just want to see that intent from the team and I thought we showed that throughout. Whatever anyone else thinks I know what I’ve brought into the building with Joe so yeh it’s a good start from him but nothing that I didn’t expect he’s a top player. 

DK: What pleased you most tonight?

TR: Aside from the goal against there wasn’t anything I didn’t like. I thought there was a nice intensity about us throughout against a good competitive side who have played a few more games than us. The pitch was difficult but I thought we handled that well too. Look I just like the intent we are playing with I feel like the lads are really in a good space. 

DK: Next up, a trip to Whitehawk, what are you expecting from that and what kind of squad can we expect?

TR: It’ll be another good test, they are the same level as us it’s a bit of a sloping pitch so that adds another test and a bit of travel to add to that so it’s a good test for many reasons and it’ll be nice to spend some time with the lads after the game also and start building those relationships. Hammo and Dan are away but Ryan is back everyone else is there plus we will have Olly, Brad and James from the academy/reserves with us so we will go there with 18.

NMFC:- 1 James Bradbrook (66' Skinner), 2 Jake Dye (66' Brad Smith), 6 Dan Morphew (c), 16 Tom Dickens (66' Reynolds), 3 Tommy Smith HT' Saunders), 4 Kyle Hammond (66' Fiddy), 19 Reggie Lambe (HT' Hunter), 15 Myles Cowling (HT' Barker), 9 Seth Chambers (66' Coton), 10 Joe Neal (HT' McGrath), 7 Luke Ingram (66' Palmer). Subs: 14 Jamie McGrath, 17 Ben Hunter, 8 Ollie Saunders, 18 Eddie Barker, 1 Charlie Skinner, 15 Kellen Fiddy, 19 Harlyn Palmer, 5 Brad Smith, 12 Olly Reynolds, 11 James Coton. 

Goals: (1'); Luke Ingram (5'pen), Joe Neal (21', 32')

REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market Reserves v Coplestonians | 12.07.2025 |

REACTION | Charlie Skinner Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Brantham Athletic |

Academy Goalkeeper Charlie Skinner reflects on his first team debut against Brantham. 

DK: How did you find it making your first team debut?

CS: Yes it felt amazing when I got told that I was going to be involved and obviously was even more excited when I knew I was gonna be coming on in the second half.

DK: Coming off the bench is never easy, but you handled it well?

CS: Thanks, yeah I found I handled it well it’s a shame to concede after a strong comfortable first half from the lads but I felt like I kept my focus throughout the rest of the game.

DK: You must be proud of the last year you've had at the club, playing for the U23s and winning the cup with the U18s so where does this rank among those?

CS: Winning the cup with the U18s was a great and a big achievement for the club but since joining the academy the main aim for me has been to play for the first team so definitely up there with those.

DK: A crucial penalty save from you maintained our advantage, which must be a proud moment for you?

CS: Yes definitely a proud moment for me but also saving to for the team and gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of the game.

DK: What went through your mind as the penalty was being taken and you making the save?

CS: As a keeper it’s my job to keep it out of the net so just trying to do my best to save it. As the striker lined up and put to my right I knew I had it covered.

DK: How have you found pre-season overall so far?

CS: Yeah I found my pre season has going really well feeling very fit and sharp and can’t wait to start the season with the reserves. 

Needham Market Reserves v Coplestonians | 12.07.2025 | REPORT & REACTION |

Reserves Manager James Mant called it a successful day, after a team comprised of the Reserves and Under-23's drew 3-3 with SIL Premier League side Coplestonians, having seen seven current Reserve Team players feature for the First Team against Brantham Athletic, six of them being first team debuts. 

"It's just a really good experience for them to go and taste what men's football is like in a dressing room where people put more expectation on you, where winning is everything. I think, ultimately, for me, it's about them going in there, experiencing that and using it as motivation to try and come back into the reserves and do better in order for them to try and get into the first team in the next couple of years."

Kell Fiddy's goal inside twenty minutes meant the game was 1-1 until the young Marketmen were awarded a penalty just after the half-hour mark, which Henry Vieira sent the keeper the wrong way to confidently find the bottom left-hand corner on 32 minutes. 

Vieira then fired a shot on the turn narrowly over threw minutes later, while the forward was slotted through one on one inside the box but saw his low shot blocked by the keeper on 38 minutes. 

Needham then added a third moments later, as Olly Bowman latched onto a great through-ball down the left-hand side before finishing smartly into the bottom far corner for a 3-1 half-time lead. 

A complete fresh eleven started the second half, as Sam Collinson shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post from outside the box on 48 minutes, while Cops finished well into the bottom far corner from the left-hand side on 58 minutes.

Needham then dragged a well hit low shot from inside the box just wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner on 76 minutes, before Needham saw a smart low cross turned goalwards a yard out at the back post saved three minutes later. 

Danylo Konik broke smartly down the left-hand side before cutting it back smartly to Josh Tennial who thundered his volley over on 85 minutes.

Two minutes later, Cops equalised after latching onto a ball over the top to smash home into the top left-hand corner. 

Oscar Wakeling then fired a good strike from 35-yards narrowly wide on the stroke of stoppage time, three minutes into which the Reds rattled the right-hand upright to finish an entertaining game.

"(It was) really good to see all of the boys in action, 45 minutes for everyone. Lots of first-year students getting their first taste of men's football. All in all, a really pleasing day. I think we tried to apply the principles that we looked to apply in both halves of the game. Both XI's tried to do it to the best of their ability. Lots of the work that we've done in training over the course of the last two weeks, you could really see come evident in today's game. So, for me, it's a really pleasing game. On the Academy players gaining experience against a senior in Coplestonians Mant said, "they've obviously done really well last year. I think they finished third in the SIL. So, for our boys to go and compete the way they did today, I think it's really pleasing." 

When asked about the overall performance in particular Mant added, "some of the boys that played in the first half have obviously been with the reserves last season, so the experience that they've gained from that, they could apply into the first half. The second half squad was a little bit younger, the average age, and some of those players haven't played as much football. So, yeah, our first half performance was strong and we really came alive after the first 20 minutes (with) some good goals. Nice to see Olly Bowman score at the back post. We keep talking about players getting in at the back post and we've been yet to see it really last season. So, I'm really pleased that we've started on the front foot where we're crossing balls into the box and we've got players arriving at the back post to score goals. It's something that we need to do more of." 

On pre-season so far, with this game being the third for the Reserves, he said, "yeah, really pleased. I think really what's most pleasing is what we've had go on at the club today. We've had seven or eight boys in and around the first team. We've had everyone else with us on the 3G pitch and I think it's a really good time for young players to be involved at this football club, the opportunities that they're being given.

Yeah, just the way that the whole day has gone, I'm really pleased with." 

Reserves 1st half: 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Brandon Ndlovu, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Max Keen, 5 Ben Smith, 6 Kellen Fiddy, 7 Alex Oakley, 8 Luca Savill, 9 Henry Vieira, 10 Harry Hopkins, 14 Olly Bowman. 

2nd half: 1 Oscar Shelton, 2 Seth Garza, 4 Danylo Konik, 5 Hudson Minns, 7 Oscar Wakeling, 9 Josh Tennial, 10 Mehdi Tazerout, 14 Josh Guffey, 15 Jack Nunn, 16 Sam Collinson, 17 Oliver Harper.

REACTION | Jake Bloom Post Match Interview | Needham Market Reserves v Coplestonians |

Academy Goalkeeper Jake Bloom reflects on stepping up to the Reserves.

DK: A good pre-season outing, you must be happy with your performance? 

JB: Yeah, good experience. First (game) up for reserves and it was a good start to the game. We got off a little bit good on the front foot and we just tried to ease into the game slowly but when we gained control and had the ball we looked quite dominant and going forward I thought the attacks were very fluid and creative.

DK: You've had quite a strong pre-season personally as well, would you agree? 

JB: Yeah, a big jump from playing in the 16s going straight into under-18s and reserves but it's good. It's all about the experience and getting to know some of the older boys and that helps a lot, especially with good teammates that have got so much experience. (The) first half was a bit different to the second half but both halves were still dominant when we had the ball and going forward we looked very good going forward in both halves but it's just the lack of moments and key details.

DK: That's the thing when you play a senior side like Cops that have been going for a while that it's going to be a difficult test. 

JB: Yeah, they're a good team. They're very dominant, very physical and they kept us out at the back. Just struggled a little bit to get out at the start of the first half and second half but when we gained the ball then we got dominant with it. I think just trying to carry on through my good habits from 16s into 18s, 23s and reserves. Just trying to keep up with the good stuff and just trying to carry it through. 

DK: I'm assuming there's quite a few of the lads out there today who have been your teammates previously? 

JB: Yes, quite a few but not all of them. It's good to know a few recent weeks in the academy, pre-season training. It's been good to know some of the others and it's just really good to have a great squad with us for the new season upcoming. 

REPORT & REACTION | Needham v Brantham Athletic | 12.07.2025 |

Needham Market kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over step 4 Brantham Athletic at Bloomfields, courtesy of two well taken first half goals from Joe Neal.

An inviting second minute right wing cross just evaded Harlyn Palmer at point blank range.

Needham had a great chance two minutes later as Ollie Saunders broke onto the left-hand byline before clipping a great cross to the far post which Tom Dickens met but could only head straight at the keeper at his bottom left-hand corner. Joe Neal then saw a shot blocked as Needham started on the front foot.

Needham went agonisingly close on 18m minutes, an exquisite cross-field ball released Joe Neal racing through one-on-one but shot agonisingly wide of the bottom far corner with the keeper beaten off his line.

Needham though broke the deadlock on 35 minutes as the impressive Joe Neal, making his unofficial second debut for the club, latched onto a brilliant defence splitting pass from Brad Smith on the right-hand side before expertly finding the top near corner. 

Three minutes later, Jake Dye threaded through Joe Neal through expertly clear on goal down the right-hand side to round the keeper and find the bottom far corner with ease.

James Coton was fed into space in distance but fired over on 45 minutes in a good first half display from the Marketmen.

Needham went close two minutes into first half stoppage time, an exquisite low pass from Jamie McGrath released Tommy Smith through down the left wing whose clever wrapped cross flashed across the face of goal with nobody in Red in the area.

Ten minutes after the restart, Brantham halved the deficit, driving through the right-hand side to find the bottom far corner. 

Reggie Lambe meanwhile saw a low shot from outside the box well held by the keeper on 56 minutes, while the referee awarded Brantham a penalty on 58 minutes.

Skinner however guessed correctly, low to his right-hand side to brilliantly beat the spot-kick away. 

A great run and quick linkup play between Brad Smith and Flynn Bobby see the former break through onto the left-hand side of the box, picking out Lambe on the byline who earned Needham a corner on 66 minutes. 

Brad Smith's 76th minute throw in saw Dan Morphew whip a brilliant left wing quick cross into Kyle Hammond free at the far post but the ball just evaded the latter at close range. 

Two minutes later, Reggie Lambe was fed in space outside the box before turning expertly into space but fired his shot over. 

Seconds into stoppage time, Lambe picked up in possession only to see his shot blocked while a deflection saw the ball find Myles Cowling whose close range shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

Needham then rifled a shot over in the 92nd minute, prior to Kyle Hammond wrapping a 94th minute venomous shot over the bar

Needham travel to step 5 Ipswich Wanderers on Tuesday (15th, 7:45pm). 

NM 1st Half:- 1 James Bradbrook, Brad Smith, Tommy Smith, Ollie Saunders, Jake Dye, Tom Dickens, Luke Ingram (c), Jamie McGrath, 9 Joe Neal, James Coton, Harlyn Palmer.

2nd Half:- 1 Charlie Skinner, Kyle Hammond, Ollie Saunders (62' B.Smith), Charlie Smy, Olly Reynolds, Dan Morphew (c), Reggie Lambe, Ed Barker, Seth Chambers, Myles Cowling, Flynn Bobby.

Goals: Joe Neal (35', 38')

REACTION | Joe Neal | Needham Market v Brantham Athletic | 12.07.2025

Double goalscorer Joe Neal reflects on today's friendly.

DK: Good first half back in red.

JN: Yeah, no, it was a good run out. Tough conditions, but good to get the cobwebs out of the legs and get playing with some of the new lads. Obviously the team was mixed, a few youngsters, a few of us boys, so yeah, it was a good run out. I should have maybe had one more before my first one, but two decent finishes, hopefully. Start as a means to go on.

The academy lads have been great. Obviously they've been training with us and their standards are very high, so they're just up with us and it's like you saw out there, a few of them, very good. Very good balls through, just helping us out.

DK: How good is it to be back in a red shirt? 

JN: Yeah, very good. Great club, great facilities. Obviously it helps knowing a few of the lads from last time and a few of the boys coming over from Sudbury, but no, it's great. Obviously the lads are great and the staff are great, so hopefully we have a good season to kick on from today. 

DK: Are you feeling fresh after that 45? 

JN: Yeah, tired. I mean, that was a hot one. Very, very hot one. Just get inside and hydrate and get ready for Tuesday night.

DK: A lot of running as well in the heat.

JN: Yeah, but that's what I'm good at. I think that's what I can do to help the team running behind us.

Where my second goal come from, run that channels and hopefully I do that all season long and get a few more goals that way. Definitely competition from places. That's another thing. I'll keep my own standards high and keep my place in the team. Just keep doing what I can do.

REACTION | Tom Rothery | Needham v Brantham | 12.07.2025 |

Manager Tom Rothery reflects on our first friendly.

DK: Good start to pre-season, you must be pleased? 

TR: I thought it was okay, yeah. I don't know about pleased, but it's okay. It's a start, yeah. Definitely things to work on. That's obvious, like I've just said to the lads. There were some good elements, some okay elements and some elements that need to be improved. Minutes-wise, pleased. No knocks, that's really pleasing. Everyone obviously got 45, Ollie Saunders got 60, that's really positive.

DK: Is it right to say the first half was a bit more expansive than the second? 

TR: Yeah, I'm more pleased with the first half. The first half, generally speaking, we moved the ball better. We looked like we had more structure, whereas the second half definitely looked more ragged, didn't have the same kind of structure. I just think we didn't move the ball as well either. Like I said, that's things to work on and that's the falseness of pre-season as well. You don't change your whole team at half-time, do you, in a normal situation? So, yeah, it is what it is. Overall, to easily analyse it, the first half was pretty good. The second half, pretty average, I guess. 

DK: Joe Neal getting his second spell underway with a couple of good goals?

TR: Yeah, yeah, really. It's always nice, I think, for a striker to get off the mark as quick as they can, pre-season or not. I thought he showed some really bright bits, not just the goals, his movement, his hold-up play. So, yeah, a really, really nice start for him, definitely.

DK: The Academy lads, all but Olly didn't have any real experience in the first team and they didn't look out of place and played well?

TR: No, it's brilliant for them. Like I've said, they'll definitely be involved in these first two games and at times during the season, if they're good enough, they've got opportunities. So, that's down to them. That's not really just me. Obviously, they've got to impress for the reserves, they've got to do well, they've got to show a good attitude. So, most of them have trained now with us and then played today. So, yeah, they've done well. They did really well at training. Some good parts about today for them and probably some difficult parts, but it's all good experience for them.

DK: Brad got an assist and Charlie saved a penalty. So, that will stick in the mind? 

TR: Yeah, definitely. Like I said, it's all good experience for them, even when it's things that have gone wrong or not gone how they wanted it to. It's all a learning part and part of their development. So, yeah, it's nice for Charlie to get that penalty save. Obviously, Brad had a nice assist as well. So, yeah, that's good.

DK: We've got most of our squad available but obviously we've got Keiran injured and a couple unavailable. Is it the same squad for Tuesday? 

TR: So, Huntz and Ryan weren't available today. Huntz is back for Tuesday. Ryan's still away and Keiran, we've had a scan now. It's nothing major. He'll be a couple of weeks. So, he can still do straight line running. So, we'll play that by ear. But yeah, he's had good news with a scan. So, that's pleasing as well, so, Keiran hopefully in and around Aveley. Maybe Felixstowe, he should be okay to get some minutes.

DK: And next up, another familiar test in Wanderers? 

TR: Yeah. Obviously, Patch is Bruvs brother. He's been in the Needham changing room. So, yeah, he's a good lad and I hope he has a great season. But yeah, it'll be nice to go there and see him again. It'll be another good test for us. So, another step. Yeah, we've got seven games, haven't we? So, that's first game chucked off, second game. I'm not a big fan of pre-season. It's just the process. It's what you have to do, and obviously, the games, you just have to tick them off. And like I said today, we've come out of it with no injuries. And hopefully, that'll be the same Tuesday. Keep trying to build momentum ready for August 9th, the start of the season.

Tommy Smith | End Of Season Q&A | 12.06.2025 |

Defender Tommy Smith discusses last season and previews the upcoming campaign.

DK: How do you reflect on the season from a team perspective? 

TS: It was obviously a tough season, being relegated, but at no point did we ever throw the towel in. We gave our absolute best every single game. Obviously, there were tough moments and there were also good moments as well. Obviously, in the end, it finished off disappointing of how the league table was. 

DK: Would you say you've still had a positive season personally?

TS: I thought I'd done all right. I mean, I think when teams get relegated, I think it's hard to sort of have a really good season individually. I thought I'd done all right. Nowhere near as well as I think I can, but I don't think that I struggled. I thought it was a decent performance, to be fair. I think at the start, it took us a while to sort of climatise ourselves to the league. I thought that reflected in the first few months leading up to Christmas. I thought from the New Year, I thought we actually did okay. I thought a lot of our performances weren't bad. We were picking up results. Obviously, at that point, the pressure was off us, really. There's no pressure when you're expected to go down. That was how we probably should have came into the season, with that pressure sort of off us, but I felt it affected us the first few months, maybe.

I just thought we were going up the league and not many players have faced that level before. It might have just been just the first couple of months, I think. It was for everyone who was trying to find their feet. I think towards the end of the season, we definitely showed our worth in the league. If we would have started like that the whole way through, I think we would have definitely stayed up.

DK: The previous season (2023/24), our home form was really good, I'm guessing next season (2025/26), your aim as a team and individually is to return back to that form? 

TS: Yeah, definitely. It was tough. We found actually playing away, I think, this season, probably picking up better results away than we did at home, which was a little bit strange, but understandable probably as well when there's all these massive grounds and everything like that. We did struggle at home this year, and we're definitely looking to high man away this season coming up, so definitely perform better. 

DK: What would you say your highlights are from the season? 

TS: Obviously, the team performances. Like everyone's been saying, you've got the Hereford game, or rather the Warrington and Hereford Saturday-Tuesday, I think it was towards the start of the season. It was a really, really good feeling, a really good moment. Playing at all them grounds in general, really good experiences, whether we won them or lost them. They were still really good experiences. Obviously, on a personal note, it was nice picking up my first goal as well, so that was something that I'm quite proud of. We obviously spoke about that goal at the time.

DK: Looking back at that, that must be the best goal you've scored? 

TS: Yeah, it would probably be the best goal I've scored, yeah. I'm quite confident, probably, to be fair, hopefully, this season. I'm going to be picking up a few more, hopefully.

DK: I know those were friendlies, but technically that's not the only goal you've scored for the club. 

TS: No, they all count, exactly. Exactly, they all count. Looking back at those, those were good finishes as well. I think it was hard this season. I think we were on the back foot quite a lot of the time. I think everyone felt that as well. I thought we gave it our all this season. I don't think anyone would have even dreamt of throwing the towel in. At no point did we ever even think about going down. Until the last game, we always thought we had a chance. 

DK: Yeah, and now that you've all got experience at that level, you know what the expectation is.

TS: Yeah, it makes us hungry to get back there. All the experiences, we want to be back there. That's where we want to be now. We're definitely going to give it our best again this season. So, that's something the aim is definitely to get back there, one way or another. I think it has to be (the mindset). I think when you come down, I think the aim is always to go back up, no matter who you are. If you spent the last season in the league above, that should be the aim, to get back there, no matter what the squad's looking like or what the situation is at the club. I think you should always be looking to get back to where you were last season. Obviously, the Premier Cup would be nice as well, like it was the season before. Promotion from the league is definitely the main target. 

Obviously, when I came in, I don't think anyone was expecting to win the title, considering the season before. I'm not sure where they finished, but I think it was near the bottom half. Yeah, so I think it was a bit of a, well, it wasn't a shock because I think we fully deserved it, but it would have been a shock from where we were at the start of the season. Then going from winning the league to dominating most teams week in, week out, to then going from one end of the spectrum to the other is always tough. I guess it's similar to how Ipswich played this season and from last season, to be fair. It's tough, but that's experiences. You've got two really good experiences in two years, and now it just makes you more hungry to get back to where it was. 

DK: Yeah, speaking about Ipswich, it's kind of rather ironic that Needham and Ipswich last couple of seasons have mirrored each other. 

TS: Yeah, it is a bit strange. It is a bit strange, yeah. Both struggled this season, but the season before, both were very, very good.

DK: Are there any other standout moments on or off the pitch? 

TS: I mean, obviously the journeys and all that were good experiences with the lads on the bus, but nothing really that stands out.  

DK: What is the biggest takeaway from the season that you'll forever remember?

TS: Probably just the experience, really. Probably the grounds that we played at. Not everyone plays at grounds like that, so I think that's definitely the biggest experience and a moment to look back on. This league is completely different to how I played at Ipswich. It's a very physical league. It's loads of experienced players and very, very good players as well, but I really enjoyed it. It was really good fun. 

Needham Market U18s v Mildenhall Town U18 | Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena | Pre-Season Friendly |

Needham Market Under-18s pre-season campaign kicked off with a solid all round performance in a 3-1 win over Mildenhall Town.

Mildenhall had the first chance in the 9th minute, but headed a right wing cross straight at Jake Bloom at the far post.

Three minutes later, Ahmad Wadoh shot over from close range on the right-hand side after a good flick on, while Wadoh drive through before seeing a low shot well held by the keeper diving low to his right-hand side.

Two minutes later, Needham broke the deadlock with a great bit of play, Josh Tennial saw a low right-hand shot tipped onto the post before smashing the rebound in off the underside of the crossbar.

Needham maintained their momentum on 16 minutes as Henry Vieira broke onto the left-hand byline before seeing his low shot smartly denied by the goalkeeper as Wadoh's header from Vieira's corner was held by the stopper at his far post. 

Needham went close again on 19 minutes, saw a great left wing cross released Zak Tamila through one on one but his close range shot was held by the keeper.

Needham continued to enjoy a lot of the possession as Fenton Grimmer's good driving run midway through the visitors' half on 29 minutes was well controlled by Ahmad Wadoh though a defender just intercepted his set back to Tamila. 

Henry Vieira saw a shot blocked, while Ahmad Wadoh doubled Needham's lead a minute later. The forward exploited pass on the right-hand side of the box to latch onto a great defence splitting pass before smashing home into the top far corner. 

Six minutes later, intelligent goalkeeping from Jake Bloom saw the keeper advance off his line well to gather a through-ball into the box as Mildenhall looked to get a foothold into the game.

Needham then threaded Tamila through one on one but strong defending denied him a shot at goal on 39 minutes.

A minute before the break, Seth Garza fired a shot narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner from distance before Josh Guffey curled a good strike over.

The visitors though curled a 45th minute free-kick over as the young Marketmen led 2-0 at the interval.

Jake Bloom then beat away a smart close range shot from the left-hand byline on 49 minutes as the referee pointed to the penalty spot, which was confidently smashed into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Another great save from Jake Bloom thwarted a close range shot following a great defence splitting pass on 57 minutes, before the away side shot just over from 6-yards out. 

A 62nd minute fierce Needham shot was well held by the substitute goalkeeper before Danylo Konik expertly cutback a left wing free-kick back into the danger area, first time, but was cleared by the visiting defence.

Alfie Scully saw a 66th minute shot deflected narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner, which saw Needham restore their two goal advantage from the resulting well taken set-piece.

Konik's pinpoint curling delivery picked out Max Keen at the near post to bullet head home at point blank range into the top near corner.

Jahjah Straw then wrapped a 70th minute free-kick wide of the top right-hand corner, as Konik intercepted the goalkeeper's clearance but shot over on 73 minutes.

Fourteen minutes later a clever block on the goalkeeper's clearance just bounced off target of the far post as Needham continued to be on the front foot.

The last action saw Scully latch onto a great cutback from the right-hand byline after a great surging run but turned his shot just wide on 91 minutes.

The Under-18's next face Debenham in two weeks time.

Needham Market U18:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Seth Garza, 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Jack Nunn, 5 Max Keen (c), 6 Fenton Grimmer, 7 Ahmad Wadoh, 8 Josh Tennial, 9 Zak Tamila, 10 Henry Vieira, 16 Josh Guffey. Subs: 15 Taha Yildrim, 12 Oliver Chmielewski, 14 Olly Head, 17 Jahjah Straw, 18 Alfie Hunt, 5 Oliver Harper, 2 Danylo Konik, 19 Alfie Scully, 3 Fin Watson.

Goals: Josh Tennial (15'), Ahmad Wadoh (20'), Max Keen (66'); Mildenhall (50'pen). 

REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market Reserves v East Bergholt United | Tue 08.07.2025 | PSF | Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena |

 

Needham started well in a closely fought encounter, but did have the lion share of the early possession as Evan Gledhill's left wing corner was flicked on by Olly Reynolds peeling away at the near post before falling to Ben Smith at point blank range who could only turn it wide on 8 minutes.

Three minutes later a great long ball released Ben Smith down the right wing whose sumptuous cross fell to Alex Oakley who opened space to see a shot blocked. 

Needham then created a great chance on 15 minutes, Oscar Wakeling exploited space on the right wing into the box but his low clever cross just couldn't be turned home by Evan Gledhill. 

A neat 'Maradona' turn from Charlie Smy soon after followed by a first real shot on target as East Bergholt saw a 25th minute low shot from the left-hand side of the box well held by Skinner down at his near post.

Needham did put the ball in the net on 33 minutes left James Coton was adjudged to have been offside as he found the bottom right-hand corner. 

A smart double save from Charlie Skinner kept the scores goalless on 38 minutes as he dived down smartly to his right-hand side to beat a low shot away before quickly reacting to hold the second on the rebound.

Alex Oakley then latched onto a good forward pass before feeding James Coton on the right-hand edge of the box only to wrap his low shot agonisingly just wide of the bottom far corner in the 41st minute.

On 45 minutes another great double save from Skinner thwarted Bergholt, firstly diving low to his right off his line to palm away a dangerous cross before holding onto the resulting low shot. 

Four minutes after the restart, James Coton broke into acres of space clear on goal before ballooning his shot over. 

Bergholt broke the deadlock on the hour mark, breaking through on goal before slotting past Skinner at close range. 

A great chance for Needham on 68 minutes was headed narrowly wide by Olly Bowman as Needham continued to play well albeit with little really between the two sides, apart from the goal.

Hudson Minns then a far post shot crucially blocked at close range with 10 minutes remaining, though Needham deservedly equalised in the 91st minute. A great surging run forward from Brad Smith saw some great quick passing as Oscar Wakeling threaded Alex Oakley through inside the box to equalise cooly into the bottom left-hand corner. 

Needham Market Res:- 1 Charlie Skinner, 2 Ben Smith (32' Bowman), 3 Brad Smith (HT' Manhood, 59' on), 4 Ryan Pitt (59' off), 5 Olly Reynolds (c) (HT' Minns), 6 Charlie Smy (59' off), 7 Harry Hopkins (59' off), 8 James Coton (59' off), 9 Evan Gledhill (59' off), 10 Alex Oakley (HT off, 59' on), 11 Oscar Wakeling (32' Bobby, 59' on). Subs: 18 Hudson Minns, 12 Louis Manhood, 17 Harlyn Palmer, 14 Flynn Bobby, 15 Olly Bowman.

Ratings: Skinner 8.8, Ben Smith 7.8, Brad Smith 8.5, Pitt 7.5, Reynolds 6.8, Smy 6.5, Hopkins 6.6, Coton 5.2, Gledhill 6.3, Oakley 7, Wakeling 7; Minns 6.5, Manhood 6.8, Palmer 6.1, Bobby 6.5, Bowman 6.

Goals: Alex Oakley (90'+1'); 7 (60'). 

REACTION | Brad Smith Post Match Interview | Reserves V East Bergholt United | 08.07.2025 |

DK: A good run out and a deserved draw, wouldn't you say? 

BS: Yes, good game, good draw. We'll take that. First pre-season game back, it's always good to get a draw. Maybe it's not what we wanted, but we'll take it for now. 

DK: That surging run at the death proved decisive. 

BS: Heard the ref say 20 seconds left on the clock, so I thought I had to pick it up and draw forward, try and create something. Luckily, we got something out of it, so I'm happy with that. 

DK: Head loss? Bit of both, a bit of head loss (Flynn Bobby: Nose bleed). Same time, got to do what I can for the team, get forward, create something. Luckily, it worked. I like to try and create headlines, get on the ball, do my bit for the team, help out as much as I can. 

DK: Defensively, you were all pretty solid today, despite the changes other than the goal.

BS: Yes, we were pretty solid at the back, just limiting chances for them. They were solid, really, making sure that they don't get too many opportunities. We gave away a silly goal, apart from that, we were solid. 

DK: Would you say it was a close encounter? 

BS: Yes, it was a close game. They deserved their goal, and I think we deserved to score as well. Both teams had chances. It was a fairly even game. It was just a draw from there. 

DK: Would it be fair to say that the only criticism for us being the fact that maybe we didn't test their keeper as much as what they tested Skinner? 

BS: Yes, I don't think we got enough shots off throughout the whole game, but it's something we can work on. We work on it in training every day, so we'll keep going with that, and it's good chances, really. 

DK: Next up, another good test against another SIL senior side, in Coplestonians on Saturday. 

BS: Yes, it's going to be another good test. It'll be a physical game, a tough game, and hopefully we can pick up a win. 

REPORT & REACTION | Needham Market Res In House Friendly | 05.07.2025 |

An entertaining in house friendly within the Needham Market Reserves and Under-23's teams ended in a six goal thrilling encounter to kick off the 2025 pre-season schedule.

While most impressed at times, James Coton took the limelight - scoring the first goal for the home side before adding four more after the restart for the away side to turn the match on it's head.

Flynn Bobby's 3rd minute dangerous 25-yard free-kick curled over the wall before dipping towards Bloom's bottom near right-hand corner though the keeper watched it well to beat it away in the wind, as the winger dragged the rebound wide of the near post. 

Kellen Fiddy then drove into space inside the box but saw two shots well blocked, the second by Harry Hopkins as the home side dominated possession in the opening six minutes. 

Fiddy again broke through into the box four minutes later but saw his low shot creeping into the bottom right-hand corner well saved by Bloom.

Jack Nunn was then adjudged to have handled a cross into the box in the eleventh minute, which James Coton dispatched cooly into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Bloom the wrong way smartly.

Ben Smith then hit an ambitious shot from outside the box wide on 15 minutes as the home side continued their good start, looking firmly on the front foot.

At the other end, Zack Tamila drove forward in possession before cleverly threading Harlyn Palmer whose shot was blocked behind by Kaio Brittain in the visitors' first real attack on 22 minutes, as Charlie Skinner claimed the resulting corner.

Ben Smith however headed just over Flynn Bobby's 25th minute right wing corner from 6 yards out, while Jack Nunn saw a shot blocked on the half hour mark.

Harlyn Palmer meanwhile weaved into space to shoot just outside the box but his shot was comfortably held by Charlie Skinner on 33 minutes as the away side grew into the game well. 

Palmer then wrapped a low cross straight at Skinner on his line moments later, before Zack Tamila headed Harry Hopkins' great right wing cross narrowly over on 35 minutes.

Five minutes before the break, the Reds doubled their lead as Flynn Bobby's low shot from the right-hand side deflected to Kellen Fiddy to tap home at the far post at point blank range in the last action of the first half. 

Thirteen minutes after the break, Skinner was alert to palm a corner away in an even start to the second half. 

Nine minutes later a great right wing corner was met by Sam Collinson at the far post whose superb header was brilliantly beaten away by the quick reactions of Bloom as the defence cleared off the line.

Brittain then had a shot well blocked soon after, while James Coton halved the deficit on 73 minutes. Having switched sides at the break, Coton picked up possession threading Palmer through with a brilliant through-ball down the right wing before smashing home into the top left-hand, far, corner to score for both sides. 

Coton then completed arguably the weirdest ever hattrick on 81 minutes, exploiting space on the left-hand side to find the bottom far corner. 

Two minutes later another good effort from Coton was well held by Skinner, before Coton scored a hattrick for the away side on 86 minutes as his shot from distance as Skinner tried to control the ball but miscontrolled it and couldn't keep it out. 

He then scored his 4th of the half and fifth of the game two minutes later, breaking onto the left-hand side before picking out the bottom far corner, wrapping it home with ease. 

Star Man Coton continued to look hungry for more, taking the Man Of The Match accolade just ahead of Kellen Fiddy with a lot of impressive performances.

Max Keen impressed, as did Ryan Pitt and Kaio Brittain in particular.

First Half Teams:-

Home Side:- 1 Charlie Skinner, 2 Ben Smith, 3 Kaio Brittain, 4 Frenton Grimmer, 5 Ryan Pitt, 6 Kellen Fiddy, 7 Flynn Bobby, 8 Josh Tennial, 9 Henry Viera, 10 James Coton, 18 Olly Bowman. Subs: 14 Oliver Chmielewski, 15 Jack Coombs, 16 Alfie Scully, 17 Sam Collinson.

Away Side:-1 Jake Bloom, 2 Mehdi Tazerout, 3 Brad Smith, 15 Max Keen, 5 Oliver Reynolds (c), 6 Charlie Smy, 7 Harlyn Palmer, 8 Jack Nunn, 9 Evan Gledhill, 10 Harry Hopkins, 11 Zack Tamila. Subs: 14 Josh Guffey, 16 Archie Pickett.

2nd Half and Overall Ratings:-

Home: Skinner 6 (7), Ben Smith 5 (6.5), Brittain 8 (79' Grimmer 6.5), Chmielewski 5.8, Pitt 8, Fiddy 8.6 (53' Viera 7.5), Bobby 7, Coombs 5.9, Scully 5.9, Collinson 5.9, Bowman 6.5. Tennial 5.9.

Away: Bloom 7, Tazerout 7.5, Brad Smith 7, Keen 8.6, Reynolds 6.9, Smy 6, Palmer 6, Gledhill 5.8 (65' Nunn 6.5), Guffey 5.8, Pickett 5.8, Hopkins 7. Tamila 5, Coton (60' on) 10. 

Goals: James Coton (11'pen), Kellen Fiddy (40'); James Coton (73', 81', 86', 88').

REACTION:-

James Coton Post Match Interview | Needham Reserves In House Friendly | 05.07.2025 | 

DK: Well, what a way to mark the first game back, scoring five goals overall, you must be delighted.

JC: Yeah, just being in the right place. Do you know what I mean? And then you got scoring, so I'm pleased with that. 

DK: You don't normally have a game where you score one for one side and then four for the other.

JC: Yeah, no, I don't. Yeah, well, I mean, helping out another team's good. So, yeah, just enjoying it really.

DK: How did you find the game in general?

JC: I found it alright. Obviously, it's tough for some of the boys, especially me. You know, you're off and then you have to come back. You're straight back into football. The intensity of the sessions, I've had an intense week. The coaches have been pushing us. So, yeah, obviously, it's tough having a game at the end of the week. 

DK: Five very well-taken goals as well.

JC: Yeah, it is. Yeah, I just slotted them. Just done the business, didn't I, Drew? That's how it is at the end of the day. That's football.

DK: Does that give you a bit of bragging rights within the squad? 

JC: I guess it does. I can tell Skinner that he should be saving them. But, yeah, no, it's nice to score goals. That's what I enjoy doing. I felt bad for Skinner, but you've still got to be there, you know, press the goalkeepers down and score the goals when they come. 

DK: That must be the first time that you've ever done something quite like that.

JC: Yeah, well, yeah, definitely at my age as well. At 17, definitely. But when I was younger, you know, I used to win 10-0 every game, but, obviously, now it's a lot harder. We've a lot like, you know, you've got good first years Coming into the building. Second year is obviously really strong. So, yeah. 

DK: That's normally you'd be pleased with scoring one or two first game back, but to have done that already, you've set the standards high. 

JC: Yeah, obviously, yeah. Now, I've got to continue it. I've given me confidence for the rest of the season. Hopefully, I can continue it, you know, stay on good form.