REPORT | Needham Market U18 v AFC Sudbury | 21.08.2025 |

Needham Market Under-18's kicked off the new Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Youth League Central Division season with a 4-1 win over AFC Sudbury.

Oscar Wakeling (21') broke the deadlock after great work from Kellen Fiddy, before Sudbury equalised just after the half-hour mark.

Evan Gledhill meanwhile struck a second half hat-trick to secure an important three points, including two goals in two minutes. 

Needham went close in the fifth minute, Oscar Wakeling latched onto a right wing corner but saw his ferocious shot blocked from inside the box. 

At the other end three minutes later, a low volley from inside the box was well watched and held by Jake Bloom, who then gathered a deflected low close range effort moments after. 

Bloom then pushed a fierce right wing strike from a tight angle onto the near post in the tenth minute before dealing with a long ball forward soon after.

Oscar Wakeling then looked to break through down the right wing on 15 minutes but for the keeper to race off his line and clear out for a throw in. 

Needham broke the deadlock on 21 minutes, Kellen Fiddy broke through onto the left-hand byline before lifting a brilliant cross for Oscar Wakeling to head home into the gaping far corner from close range. 

Five minutes later, the goalscorer drove down the right wing but saw his dangerous low cross cleared away.

Sudbury then wrapped a free-kick from just outside the box wide on the half-hour mark, while the visitors fired a low byline shot wide into the near side netting.

Sudbury though equalised on 33 minutes, a low cross from the left-hand byline was turned home at point blank range. 

Needham went close on 39 minutes, Harry Hopkins' dangerous right wing free-kick just evaded Evan Gledhill sliding in at close range while Jack Nunn turned it just wide at the far post. 

Sudbury headed wide a 42nd right wing corner just wide at the far post, who then headed wide a right wing freekick swung dangerously to the far post wide of the right-hand post three minutes later.

Evan Gledhill then curled a great 30-yard free-kick over the wall, which the keeper beat away at his bottom near corner on 50 minutes, with the visiting defence denying another effort soon after. 

Henry Vieira saw a 54th minute shot blocked, while Gledhill beat a defender but was dispossessed before he could shoot.

Vieira weaved down the left-hand side two minutes later but shot agonisingly narrowly over, before Zak Tamila saw a close range effort blocked on 58 minutes.

Jake Bloom then claimed a 63rd minute long range free-kick confidently at his far post, while Evan Gledhill restored Needham's lead on 68 minutes.

Kellen Fiddy drove through smartly into the box before unselfishly threading Gledhill into space, onside past the defence, to neatly wrap a great finish round the keeper with the outside of his right foot into the bottom far, right-hand, corner. 

Needham then increased their lead on 70 minutes, Evan Gledhill's brilliant effort on the right-hand side deceived the keeper finding the bottom near corner. 

Evan Gledhill was then threaded through into the box but Oscar Wakeling on 82 minutes but saw his low shot held by the keeper, before Gledhill completed his hat-trick in style on 86 minutes. 

The forward exploited space on the left wing to superbly smash home into the top far corner.

Gledhill tried the same again on 90 minutes but this time the keeper held onto the effort, while Tamila fired just wide from the left wing a minute later.

Sudbury then saw two close range shots blocked on 94 minutes, before Boom stood firm at his near post to beat away a close range effort on the follow up. 

The Under-18s are back at home next Thursday, when Stowmarket Town visit (7:45pm).

NM:- 1 Jake Bloom, 2 Olly Bowman, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Dan Thompson, 3 Kaio Brittain, 6 Jack Nunn, 8 Harry Hopkins, 14 Kellen Fiddy (c), 15 Oscar Wakeling, 7 Henry Vieira, 19 Evan Gledhill. Subs: 12 Oliver Harper, 16 Tyler Wright, 17 Jack Coombs, 9 Zak Tamila. 

Goals: Oscar Wakeling (21'), Evan Gledhill (68', 70', 86'); (33'). 

REACTION | Olly Reynolds, Ryan Pitt, James Mant | Needham Market Reserves v Dussindale | 10.08.2025 |

Reserves Captain Olly Reynolds reflects on Saturday's win over Dussindale. 

DK: A hugely important 3 points today, how pleased are you with the result?

OR: A massive 3 points and well deserved we have had an unfortunate start to the season losing 2 in a row where we were mostly the better team so hopefully this is a start of a run in the league. 

DK: How would you sum up the performance? 

OR: The whole team dug very deep with it being very hot we run non stop for 90 minutes every single one of the lads put in 110% I couldn’t have asked for anything more, we were also much better on the ball Saturday keeping it a lot better. 

DK: With the togetherness on the squad, it must make it even more pleasing? 

OR: Yes as stated before every lad worked really hard and backed each other up that’s what it takes to win as a young squad in a tough league. 

DK: How important is it that you got the first victory of the season early on? 

OR: I think it’s huge that we got a win early on in the season, this will definitely give us confidence to push for more points this season hopefully beating our record from last year. 

DK: You spoke in Pre-Season about how much you wanted to carry on your goalscoring form going into the season, so you must be delighted to have done that, and be the match winner? 

OR: I’m sure I’ve said it before but who doesn’t love scoring goals 2 in 3 games is very good I couldn’t ask for much more especially being the winner it felt that extra bit more special, hoping to get more and more as the season rolls on. 

DK: Talk us through your goal and what went through your mind as it happened?

OR: It was a great delivery from HP as soon as he kicked it I knew it was gonna be on my head, I had the run on my marker so didn’t have to really beat anyone in the air, all I had to do then is head it home with a bit of power behind it. 

DK: A trip to Kings Park Rangers up next, what type of game are you expecting? 

OR: We are expecting a very tough game away from home and they are going to be very physical, but I think we can stand up to the challenge we have proven before we can get stuck in and I don’t doubt the lads to go out and give 100% again. 

DK: As captain what will you be asking from the rest of the team in order to get a result?

OR: I will always demand high standard from me and the lads as a minimum and no doubt they will do so, I will be repeating the fact that we can compete in this league and will be hoping from the 3 points again Saturday me and the lads are looking forward to the challenge.

Ryan Pitt discusses Saturday's win. 

DK: An important win yesterday, how delighted are you with the result?

RP: Yeah delighted. It was important for us to get our first win on the board.

DK: You must fairly be pleased with the start to the season so far?

RP: Yeah It’s been a good start. Two good results in the last two games but disappointing we didn’t take anything away from the first two games. 

DK: How much of an impact do you think the group largely being the same as last season has had on the start to the campaign?

RP: Yeah it helps massively that the group is near enough the same. We finished last season well and we want to continue those performances into this one.

DK: How important is it that you back up your last two results with another massive game at KPR on Saturday?

RP: It’s still very early in the season, but we’d like to keep the momentum going. We can take a lot of confidence from our last two results heading into Saturday’s game. 

Reserves Manager James Mant gives his thoughts on the start to the season. 

DK: First of all, how do you reflect on the start to the season, there must be a lot of pride?

JM: I'd say we have had a mixed start. We have had to adapt with some players away on holiday and others with the first team - so we haven't had complete consistency. But our last two performances have been really positive for sure. Two very different games - a really hard working out of possession performance last week to get a point vs Peterborough. Then a positive display in possession vs Dussindale. So I'm pleased that we've shown good adaptability in the last two games to get 4 important points.

DK: Would you say that the experience in the squad has helped the good start?

JM: All of the boys have gained good experience for their age with the opportunities that they were given last season. So this has definitely played a part in us being more adaptable and combative in difficult moments of the games so far.

DK: How do you reflect on the important win on Saturday?

JM: I've been watching the game back today and I'm really pleased with lots of aspects of our collective game. We created some really good opportunities and I could see improvement in some of our build up play which we looked at in training on Friday - so it was a positive performance and a really positive result.

DK: What pleased you most about the performance?

JM: I think we built play into the final third better than in previous weeks. We had a bit more patience and used the width more. I also think Henry Vieira (current first year) had a really good game. He has worked so hard in pre season and his performance yesterday for a 16 year old was really mature. He's providing real competition for the second years in the forward positions. 

DK: An important winner from the skipper, which must help galvanise the team when Olly is picking up key goals?

JM: Yeah Olly is probably our best player in the air - so we do try to get him into the best positions to win headers when attacking and defending at corners. He flew like a dove to head that corner home. He consistently wins most of his duels in the air - so I'm really pleased for him to pick up another goal.

DK: How would you assess the start to previous seasons, or is that not something you look at?

JM: I don't think our starts to a season have ever had any direct link to how we finish a season. We tend to normally get better as the season goes on because the players get more experienced and street wise as they play more games at this level. We are working really hard to try and meet our aim of securing our best ever league points total in the reserves history - so we will leave no stone unturned in trying to achieve that this season.

REACTION| Evan Gledhill Post Match Interview | Needham Market Reserves v FC Peterborough | 02.08.2025

Goalscorer Evan Gledhill reflects on the Reserves' 2-2 draw at home to FC Peterborough.

DK: A big point on the board for you today, you must be pleased? 

EG: Yeah, massive point today, feel like we deserved it today the lads defended very well from the point of the first half to the point of conceding the first.

DK: Having come close to picking up points in your previous two games, it must be good to have got A result today? 

EG: Yeah in the first 2 games I definitely felt that we should’ve got more from them game but we have been working hard on things that have cost us recent points and I feel that today was a show of our hard work.

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

EG: I feel like our performance today overall was very good defence performance as we spent a lot of the time without the ball and with the limited chances we had I feel like we was clinical.

DK: A great free-kick from you got the scoring underway, which must make it even better? 

EG: Yeah it was a very weird situation as never had an in direct free kick in a game that I have played in and was good to score it and get my first of the season.

DK: Can you talk us through what was going through your mind as you took the free-kick? 

EG: When we was setting up to take it all that was in my mind was hit it hard and get it on target as I don’t think there is a much other things that you can do and thankfully it paid of.

DK: A third straight home game up next on Saturday, with another tough match against Dussindale, what's your thoughts going into that and what type of game are you expecting?

EG: Yeah, Dussindale at home next week I feel like will be another tough test for us the same as every game in this League but I feel like we can definitely get something from this game as that’s what we think going into every game. 

REPORT & REACTION | Lowestoft Town v Needham Market | 02.08.2025 |

Needham Market's pre-season campaign concluded with a 1-0 win at Isthmian North Division side Lowestoft Town.

A stunning second half strike from Luke Ingram enough to seal a good win on the road for the Marketmen.

Lowestoft had the first chance in the 3rd minute, directing a free header from a free-kick swung to the far post over the top right-hand corner at close range. 

Four minutes later, a low shot from inside the box was crucially blocked away by the diving James Bradbrook while the rebound shot was sliced wide of the top corner.

At the other end, Tommy Smith's left wing cross was deflected as Reggie Lambe picked out Luke Ingram on the right wing whose dangerous 12th minute cross was held by the keeper. 

Luke Ingram fired a 17th shot just wide from distance, as Needham grew into the game well.

Two minutes later, Tommy Smith released Ryan Miles through down the left with a great ball over the top who teed up Ingram on the edge of the box whose shot was tipped over. 

The Marketmen created a great chance on 23 minutes, great link up play between Miles and Ollie Saunders saw Myles Cowling threaded through onto the left-hand side but shot just passed the top far corner. 

Ingram then met a low right wing corner at the near post shortly after, but his shot at a tight angle went wide. 

Smith then found Saunders on the half-hour mark, who in turn found Ryan Miles on the left wing who fed Smith through on the left-hand side although his low dangerous cross was deflected as the keeper gathered ahead of a Red shirt. 

Needham went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock on 34 minutes, Ryan Miles slipped Reggie Lambe through down the right-hand side but with the keeper advancing fired his shot over from close range. 

Needham then a 39th minute shot from the right well held, while Ollie Saunders fired over from distance a minute later. 

Myles Cowling meanwhile fired a shot over on 42 minutes, as both sides went into the break level.

Needham started the restart on the front foot, Matty Tricker retained possession high in the hosts' half on 38 minutes, before Ingram wrapped a low shot smartly into the bottom corner only for the whistle to go for a Needham free-kick - which Lambe wrapped wide. 

Olly Reynolds then headed a Lambe 50th minute left wing corner narrowly wide of the far post, while Needham went close nine minutes later.

Ryan Miles latched onto possession down the right wing before Ollie Saunders slipped Myles Cowling through down the left-hand side who teed up Joe Neal only to see his shot blocked, before Reggie Lambe wrapped the rebound just wide of the top far corner. 

Myles Cowling however fired over on 62 minutes, after being teed up by Joe Neal. 

Reggie Lambe's 64th minute free-kick fell to Ollie Saunders free on the edge of the box, whose smart control and low volley went just wide of the bottom right-hand corner. 

Needham though broke the deadlock on 68 minutes, Tommy Smith fed Luke Ingram in acres of space from around the halfway line before spotting the keeper off his line and exquisitely lobbing him. 

Seth Chambers raced through down the right wing smartly on 72 minutes, sliding a great dangerous squared ball across to Ryan Miles who shot straight at the keeper at point blank range. 

Ryan Miles broke onto the left wing byline on 74 minutes, though his dangerous cross was well caught by the keeper, before Lowestoft saw a dangerous free-kick well blocked by the way on 85 minutes. 

Ingram broke into space three minutes later but saw his ferocious strike cannon back in off the top of the crossbar, with Chambers on the follow up seeing a close range effort held. 

Seth Chambers saw a 92nd close range shot goal-bound crucially blocked as Needham wrapped up pre-season with a 1-0 victory. 

Needham begin their league campaign away at Harborough Town next Saturday (3pm). 

Needham:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Jake Dye (68' Hammond), 6 Dan Morphew (C) (HT' Reynolds), 16 Matty Tricker, 3 Tommy Smith, 19 Reggie Lambe (80' Savill), 8 Ollie Saunders, 15 Myles Cowling (68' Barker), 7 Luke Ingram, 11 Ryan Miles (80' Coton), 10 Joe Neal (68' Chambers). SUBS: 14 Eddie Barker, 9 Seth Chambers, 4 Kyle Hammond, 5 Olly Reynolds, 17 James Coton, 12 Luca Savill. 

Goal: Luke Ingram (68')

REACTION | Nathan Munson Post Match Interview | Lowestoft Town v Needham Market | 02.08.2025 |

Nathan Munson reflects on our final friendly at Lowestoft.

DK: A nice 1-0 win to finish pre-season, you must be pleased? 

NM: Yeah, pleased with the clean sheet especially, we haven't had a whole load of those in the course of pre-season so far. So that was nice and I think after Tuesday it was important just to get back and do the basics well. And I think during the course of the match we actually did that.

DK: Lukey's goal was quite spectacular. 

NM: Yeah, I mean it's nice to have a player of Luke's calibre back in the building. He actually got back from holiday on Tuesday and then came straight out and played. So he got the minutes in then, but then I think you saw today it was a little bit fresher. It was a threatening, he hit the crossbar and nearly had another one, and the goal was absolutely sublime. He was able to spot the keeper off his line and he's hit it really well.

DK: Would you agree it was also an all round pleasing performance?

NM: Yeah, I think so. It's always nice to get through the games without any knocks because I think every game we've had so far, we've had someone come out with another injury and Tuesday night the pitch was quite different to what it was today in terms of injuries and who we might have available. So it was nice to get the squad out there to play the minutes that they did today without picking up any knocks. So that's a real positive as we move through and finish the friendlies and we've got the last couple of pre-season sessions before Harborough away next week. 

DK: Other than the result Tuesday overall, it's been a good pre-season for us?

NM: Yeah, I think so. It was nice to have the opportunity for the players to gel with the Brighton trip, that was good. The performances have been competitive. Pre-season is pre-season. Players want to get out of it what they need really. I don't necessarily mean that it's a good pre-season or a bad pre-season, depending just on the result next Saturday because then you follow up with a Tuesday game and then the game's come thick and fast. So it's difficult. If we were to lose Saturday but then win the next five, is that a better pre-season than winning next week and then losing? It's not all about games or so much on the first game. It's about the first portion of the game. I think we've done all right, we've got minutes. Obviously Keiran's missing today, so he should be OK by next Saturday. So we're looking much stronger injury-wise than we did Tuesday and last week.

DK: Speaking of next Saturday, we're up against one of the sides that's tipped to be up there? 

NM: Yes, certainly are. If you look at the odds, they're very hot favourites. So I think they've put a fair bit of investment into it. Obviously keen to go through the leagues. They'll be a really difficult game, but we're all right. We've had a good experience last year at step 2. We got into the requirements of that level, so we're used to playing good quality sides. I think we've added to the group during the course of the summer, so we'll go there and we'll be competitive, but I think Harborough are favourites for the title. They'll probably badge themselves favourites for Saturday. 

I think the important thing is that we play to our levels. If we play how we know we can and our players perform to the level we know we can, we'll get a really good result there. We know that, so I think that's the important thing really. It's worrying about what we do, how we perform, how fit are we, and are we doing the important aspects of the game and working hard, attacking and in defensive areas. If we do that, we'll be absolutely fine. 

REACTION | Luke Ingram Post Match Interview | Lowestoft Town v Needham Market | 02.08.2025 |

Goalscorer Luke Ingram reacts to our friendly at Lowestoft.

DK: A good end to pre-season? 

LI: Yeah, always good to end with a win. (There's) Definitely stuff we could do better, but that's that done. I hate pre-season, so glad it's over.

DK: A brilliant goal to wrap it up? 

LI: Yeah, I mean, saw him off his line and had a go. Nine times out of ten it don't come off, but the one that does, it's always handy to get that goal. If the keeper gives you ten yards then you've got to try and take it, but like I say, everyone forgets it if it doesn't go in, so just happy it went in. 

DK: Are you feeling ready for the league season? 

LI: Yeah, ready to go, mate. I'm probably the person who hates pre-season the most, so I'm glad to get that done and then the real stuff starts. Yeah, excited. We've got a tough start, so hopefully get some points and see how it goes.

DK: A few new teams to familiarise ourselves with as well?

LI: Yeah, it'll be nice to go to some new places, go back to a few dumps that we've been to before. We'll just enjoy it, mate. It's always better if you're winning games, so hopefully we win some games.

Matty Tricker | New Signing Interview | 31.07.2025

New signing Matty Tricker talks about his career so far and joining the Marketmen. 

DK: First of all welcome to the club, first of all could you talk us through your career so far (teams played for, and notable team/personal accolades)? 

MT: Thank you I’m very happy to be here. I grew up playing locally in Ipswich before signing for Colchester United at 13, played there until I was 19 and proceeded to go out to America on a football scholarship at Coker University. Also played USL 2 summer leagues at South Carolina United & Salem City whilst I was out there. This past year I was named Defensive player of the year & Scholar Athlete of the year for my conference, along with an All American recognition and named Male Athlete of the year at Coker.

DK: What would you say are the top 3 highlights of your career so far and why?

MT: This past year I was very proud of the team at Coker for reaching the last 16 nationally. It was the furthest in the programs history and that’s what I’d set to do when arriving there, making history. A personal highlight would be scoring the winning penalty for Salem City to reach the round of 16 in USL 2 nationals. It was a very special moment that will stay with me for a long time. 

DK: Having been on Trial with us previously while living abroad, you must be delighted to have now signed for us?

MT: ⁠Yes I was lucky to be able to train with the club a couple of times when I was back from the states. I know the club from being around the area, having a few friends that played here, I know it’s a very good set up and an ambitious club.

DK: Having Trialled previously, has that helped you get to know the club and most importantly the rest of the squad?

MT: ⁠Yeah I know a most of the boys from training here last time and I’ve been able to get to know a few of the new boys, hoping to add to what is already a top group.

DK: What can our fans expect from you, and how would you describe yourself as a player?

MT: ⁠Firstly as a player you should be able to hear me as I never shut up. I would describe myself as an aggressive defender as well as someone who can progress the play forwards.

DK: Targets with the club/as a team and personally? 

MT: ⁠As a team the goal is obviously to get promoted again. Personally, would be to help the team with keeping clean sheets - that’s my job, and chip in with a few goals here and there.