Needham Market Reserves v Coplestonians | 07.07.2026 | Pre-Season Friendly | Ruby Homes Bloomfields 3G Arena |

Needham Market Reserves struck 6 past SIL Senior Division Champions Coplestonians to kick off pre-season in fine fashion.

Dawson Coldwell (11') smartly gave Needham a worthy lead, ahead of Henry Vieira (22') doubling their advantage.

Both goalscorers linked up well in the 32nd minute as Coldwell added his second, with Alfie Mark (66') netting an outrageous fourth.

Cops (79') pulled a goal back, ahead of a Mark's second in a well taken fifth Needham goal on 81 minutes.

Harry Hopkins then rounded off the scoring with the final action of the night, as Needham recorded a 6-1 victory.

Needham started well, Kyle Roper (3') rasped a fierce low strike at goal from 20-yards out, which was well held by the goalkeeper.

Needham continued their bright start (9'), Dawson Coldwell was slipped free onto the right-hand side whose low squared ball was cleared out to Henry Vieira on the edge of the box whose ferocious strike was blocked.

The young Marketmen (11') broke the deadlock with a great goal, an excellent left wing cross from Tyler Wright picked out Dawson Coldwell at close range to expertly slam home into the roof of the net.

Hart (18') raced through on the left-hand side to square for Coldwell whose close range strike was well blocked by the legs of the keeper.

Zane Baker, at the other end however, stepped in at the perfect time to intercept a forward breaking onto the loose ball with keeper Freddie Foreman off his line having initially got to the ball.

Needham doubled their lead superbly on 22 minutes, smart play released Hart on the right-hand side whose fierce strike was denied by the keeper falling to Vieira to fire home low at point blank range.

Kyle Roper (25') fired wide from the edge of the area, while Foreman (31') advanced out off his area to thwart a forward breaking through down the right, with Tyler Wright on hand to hold up the attacker and win back possession.

Coldwell (32') netted a brace for Needham's well earned third, latching onto a brilliant dissecting through-ball by Vieira onto the right-hand side the forward cooly slid home into the bottom far corner.

Needham maintained their intent (37'), Coldwell was released clear one on one whose powerful quality strike was matched by a strong save across to his right by the visiting shot-stopper - as Needham's stunning first half performance saw Colin Grogan's team lead 3-0 at the break.

 

After the break, Aden Chandler (48') had a good low shot well held by the keeper, as Josh Tennial's (56') low tame shot across goal was comfortably gathered.

Cops (57') broke through onto the left-hand side and forced Tom Pringle into a key reaction stop, instinctively diving to block the shot with his foot.

The visitors (59') carved a man through one-on-one but dragged their low shot wide of the bottom left-hand corner, though Fenton Grimmer (61') headed narrowly over from a great right wing corner.

Danylo Konik (64') stepped in at the right moment to intercept a darting run through on goal, before Alfie Mark (66') curled home a spectacular fourth, that nestled perfectly into the top right-hand corner.

Tennial (78') blazed over, as Mark fired low and straight at the keeper.

Cops (79') threaded a man through on goal to convert one-on-one into the bottom corner, prior to Alex Breeden (81') firing just wide of the bottom left-hand corner.

Needham made it 5-1 moments later, a swift reply saw Mark through on goal to slide home expertly into the bottom left-hand corner from 10-yards out.

Hopkins thumped over at point blank range (84'), as Jack Nunn fired over a minute later.

Hopkins (91') smashed home a fantastic sixth into the bottom right-hand corner with the last touch.

Needham Reserves return to action at Bloomfields on Saturday against East Bergholt United (3pm).

Needham Reserves 1st Half:- 1 Freddie Foreman, 2 RB Danylo Konik, CB 4 Zane Baker, 5 Riley Coote, LB 3 Tyler Wright, CDM 20 Riley Parker, 17 LM Kyle Roper, 8 RM Harry Hopkins (c), CAM 10 Henry Vieira, 19 LST Dawson Coldwell, RST 14 Will Hart.

Needham Reserves 2nd Half:- 1 Tom Pringle, 16 Danylo Konik (77' Hopkins), 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Riley Coote, 2 Tyler Wright (C) (75' Baker), 6 Jack Nunn, 8 Josh Tennial, 12 Harvey Green, 7 Aden Chandler, 15 lst Alfie Mark, 9 Alex Breeden.

Goals: Dawson Coldwell (11', 32'), Henry Vieira (22'), Alfie Mark (66', 81'), Harry Hopkins (90'+1'); (79').