SKIPPER STRIKES AS WOMEN'S TEAM PROGRESS IN FA CUP

 Needham Market bounced back from last week’s humbling start to the season with a confidence boosting 1-0 win over Woodbridge Town in the FA Cup. 

Starting in the expanded Preliminary round the club made history with a run to the 2nd round proper only a couple of seasons ago and the start of their journey this time was begun by captain Mia Etheridge-Golding with the only goal. 

Just like last week the club handed more competitive debuts with goalkeeper Amy Brunning, defenders Lexi Debenham and Millie Lamden playing from the start and fellow defender Caitlin Howe coming on as a second half substitute. 

The opening stages were frantic with both teams creating some half chances on what a was a difficult and dry pitch to play on. 

And it was on the 17th minute that the contest was settled with Etheridge-Golding tapping home from close range after good work from Esme Marsh and Keira Topple in the buildup. 

They had chances to make this more comfortable with Anna Sulivan being denied by the woodwork after a cross deflected into her path within the box. 

Jae Lewis-Samual also went close to the break with a neat turn at the edge of the box that allowed her to curl one that was parried up in the air by the home keeper before being cleared close to the line. 

It was only 1-0 at the break but it had been a fairly comfortable half. 

And that continued in the second with Needham looking more likely to add to their tally than the home side getting themselves back into the game. 

The first 20 minutes were uneventful with lots of midfield battling but no quality in the final third with both goalkeepers having very little to do. 

It took until almost the final quarter for there to be a real chance of note with Annie Posnett dragging wide from close range after being set up by Chloe Brame.  

Topple almost scored a brilliant goal of her own making but like for most parts of this match it was the final ball or finish that made the score closer than the game really suggested. 

Not a classic by any means on a hot day and on a dry hard pitch but in the cup, it doesn’t matter the score all that matters is winning the game and getting through. 

This season’s hopeful long cup odyssey is off and running.