REACTION | Nico Valentine Post Match Interview | Buxton V Needham Market | 26.10.2024 |

Goalscorer Nico Valentine reflects on yesterday's trip to Buxton.

NV: Obviously we know, we've looked at ourselves in there and, it's unacceptable, the first half performance. And we know that. I think we've got away from the stuff that we were doing last season. We've spoken about it. I think there was a lot more accountability last season, putting our bodies on the line a lot more last season. And I don't know, it's one of them where we can't go under in games. Like it showed we were 3-0 down and then obviously I've got my goal and we're kind of back in the game and you kind of thought we've got a chance here. But once the fourth has gone in, heads have dropped again, but last season, I think we still fight back. Obviously, it's very difficult when you're at the bottom of the league playing in teams like that. But we just need to go back to last season and look what even just off the pitch and the morale was like, because that's what got us through a lot of the games last season. It was on the table there and you never knew which way it was going to go. But because obviously the morale was good last season, it was easier to get results. But yeah, we have to move on.

We can't dwell on this. 

DK: Yeah, in a weird way it wasn't really a 7-1 game. 

NV: Yeah. Obviously, there's mistakes within it. I don't think we've really defended well enough today, haven't dealt with the ball early enough. But second half, I think we came out, it's hard to say, but you're obviously 6-1 down, but the only credit we can give ourselves from today is that we've come out in the second half and we've competed and we've not gone under. It would have been easy to be 10-11 after you're six down at half time, but I think the boys went out and did well in the second half. Obviously, it's a sucker blow conceding late on again. But yeah, we'll look at clips and we'll work on it and and well, it will never happen again. And I'm sure of that. 

They were clinical as well. Very clinical. I think they were good going forward. Not sure we tested them enough going the other way. I think maybe they're a little bit shaky with balls in behind. I don't think they dealt with them completely well, but obviously, they've got their chance and punished us. And when you've got three kicks like that flying into the top corner, you know it's your day. And obviously, it's a good day for them. They're looking at it on the opposite side. But I think we need to take a little bit of a look at ourselves and go, could we have defended better and could we have taken our chances better down the other end? But yeah. 

DK: One positive is, that you've scored first goal at Step 2.

NV: Yeah, it's first goal at this level. Obviously, it's not come in a great game and would have preferred to have a goal in a winning game. But yeah, for me personally, it's good to get off the mark. It gives confidence. 

DK: We'll move on quickly to Saturday, back at home, where we'll need our fans to get behind us and push on. 

NV: Yeah, it's tough when you're down there, but you need as many people as you can get in behind you. It's easy to turn on teams, but you look at the end of last season and that's another reason why we did so well last season. So many people were behind us. They don't understand how much it helps when people are positive and we're trying to stay positive in that. It's a long season with 14 games in, there's still 90-odd points to play for. And come the end of the season, you never know what could happen. We could be looking back at this and thinking, do you remember that day in Buxton when we got beaten 7-1? But yeah, we'll see.

REACTION | Kyle Hammond, Kevin Horlock Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v Brackley Town | 22.10.2024 |

Match report

REACTION | Kyle Hammond Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Brackley Town | 22.10.2024 |

Goalscorer Kyle Hammond reflects on last night's defeat.

DK: Bit of a tough one to take tonight. 

KH: Yeah, just said it there. I think just tough one.

I thought we actually played okay. At the end of the day, conceding under a minute, I think it was, doesn't help us. And then now the goals were set pieces. There's too many first corners in the box. And yeah, I think, like I said, I thought we played okay, but huffed and puffed. And then, like I said, their goals were just set pieces, which we just weren't good enough at, you know, like both boxes.

So yeah, tough one really. 

DK: It was one of those days where chances go for them first half, but second half, they didn't go for us. 

KH: Yeah, I mean, first half, I think the only chance they had that they scored from, to be fair, and then, yeah, we've obviously hit the bar twice. I think we might have had a couple of half chances in the first half, but yeah, just disappointing tonight because I thought we played well. And I think it was a little bit of a, it was a 100% improvement in terms of how we played to Saturday. So we've just got to keep positive, dust ourselves down and games come quick and fast. So we've just got to put it right. 

DK: Another goal for you, which is one positive from tonight? 

KH: I'd rather, I'd rather stop three goals tonight, to be honest with you, but yeah, that doesn't really mean much to me, to be fair, scoring. I just took a little bit of a chance at the back post, and as it was coming across, I thought, do I hit this first time? And then I thought, I'm going to sky this if I've hit it first time. So I took a touch and just with my left foot, put it in there. 

DK: And next up, away to Buxton, I believe.

Hopefully you get a good result. 

KH: Well, yeah, obviously we go into every game believing we can win, and I think we've got that belief there. We've just got to think it back to just doing the basics well from, especially from last year, just like, you know, defending and all those kinds of things that we've done really well last year. And I know it's obviously not as easy or tough, it's tougher in this league, but we've still just got to do the basics as best as we can. And I think that gives us more of a chance to win games.

DK: One bonus was a couple of weeks ago now, you made your 150th game for the club. 

KH: Yeah, I'm proud of that. You know, 150 appearances in three full seasons, so yeah, I mean, you know, I'm proud of that. So hopefully many more!

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Brackley Town | 22.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on last night's defeat.

DK: A bit of a tough one to take tonight? 

KH: Frustrating because on the night I thought between the two boxes we played reasonably well but unfortunately they were better than us in both boxes. They defended better than us and obviously they were clinical and I think it set up nicely for them. Obviously 40 seconds in or a minute in, long throw in the box, free header, unopposed finish which is obviously disappointing and it gives us a mountain to climb. We tried to climb it then we give them another goal and you just can't give goals away at this level, you get punished and it makes it very difficult.

DK: Second half we had enough chances to get a point really? 

KH: Yeah but I suppose the damage was done, we're chasing the game. They've sat off and sat deep and looked to hit us on the counter attack which they still look dangerous. I can't fault the lads in between the boxes but unfortunately that's not what wins you games. Defending and putting your bodies on the line and winning headers in our own box and being clinical in the other box is what gets you points and unfortunately we didn't do either of them today. 

DK: Like you say, we did well to get ourselves back level but then not long after conceded? 

KH: Yeah I think they recognised that we're missing possibly three of the back four tonight. In Dan Morphew, Keiran Morphew, Tommy Smith, they're big players for us but that said they threw the first ball in the box and scored from it and then loaded it for more areas then. See that we're struggling with that and yeah we just didn't do well enough in them areas. Winning first contact in the box and if you're not going to win first contact you've got to make it difficult for them and certainly got to win the second contact which we didn't and that's where the goals come from. And on the flip side I thought we put balls in really good areas tonight from set pieces and they're clearing it and defending it. Obviously when the chances did come we didn't have the rub of the green with it across bar on the post but I think the game was petering out then at that point anyway so we was all huff and puff. Passed the ball reasonably well, I thought we moved it through the thirds but unfortunately let ourselves down in that final third.

DK: What was the team talk at half-time like? 

KH: Just to be a bit more aggressive in both boxes really to obviously get numbers in the opposing box to create chances to score but get around it because obviously I knew they was going to throw things in the box because they was getting joy from it and I think we did it slightly better second half but that said once they got the third goal they were obviously dropping deep and soaking pressure up and looking to it as on the counter so from their point of probably the perfect away performance. 

DK: Moving on we've got Buxton away on Saturday, a chance to respond? 

KH: Yeah there's always a game around the corner. The downside is I don't think any of the lads that have not been involved tonight will be fit so we are still quite short of missing key members of the squad but it is what it is. No one else is going to help us so it's about us rolling the sleeves up and being better in the boxes than we were tonight then we'll have a chance because I think football wise we moved the ball well into good areas and just was lacking that final finish. Dylan's coming back so he's had an ankle injury, he's not done a full training session as yet so obviously Thursday probably train and then we'll see where he's at. 

DK: Eddie was on the bench tonight, it's good to see him back involved! 

KH: Yeah look like I said we was a little bit short tonight so Ed didn't have a game at his loan club Woodbridge so we got him involved and unfortunately didn't get on but he's a good young player.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Kidderminster Harriers | 19.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on the defeat to Kidderminster.

DK: A bad day at the office today? 

KH: I think it's a bad day at the office in terms of injuries. I think sometimes this season we're going to have to, and I expect to, hold your hands up and say we got beaten by that team and that's what we did. I think obviously they're a good outfit, full-time, and I think it showed. That quality up the pitch causes problems. I think we started quite well the first 15 minutes. We asked questions but then once they showed their quality, we went on the back foot and dropped deep and obviously it played into their hands and it didn't look like we were going to score after that. So I can't ask more from the lads in terms of effort. I think we can improve in moments where we need to make better decisions and obviously the goals aren't great from our point of view but I think today you've got to hold your hands up and say we got beaten by a better team today in Kidderminster. We know what sort of season we're in. It's going to be a tough season for us. We're going to have to work our socks off to get any points.

We're going to win games. We're going to lose a fair few games along the road and we're going to come up against teams that are obviously better than us. That's just the nature of it. Obviously a lot of their players have played higher. We've just gone up a division so I don't think I've got any excuses. No real disappointment in the fact that we got beat today because we are going to lose games of football. Yes, I wish we could have defended a bit better on the goals. I wish we could have made better decisions in the final third which would have maybe resulted in us getting a goal ourselves but today it wasn't to be. We've worked hard but got beaten by a bad team.

DK: Where does this rank today in terms of performances this season? 

KH: We started quite well but like I said, sometimes you're going to come up against a team where even if we had played as best as we can today we may not have got nothing. In other games where we play similar today and win games so it's peaks and troughs really. It's important not to get too down.Obviously we want to be winning games and moving up the division and I'm confident that we will do but today wasn't the day where we were going to get three points unfortunately. We weren't as good as we can be and they're a good team. They've not had the best start I suppose that they were hoping for but obviously going out of the cup last week as well it probably wasn't a good time to play them in terms of they're looking for a reaction.I thought they were very good going forward. I thought they caused us problems. The biggest disappointment for me today is obviously Keiran's come off injured and probably going to be missing for a little while. Tommy Smith's come off and going to be missing certainly for Tuesday. It's not ideal but we crack on, we work hard, we keep believing in ourselves and try and get as many points on the board as possible. 

DK: A quick turnaround so hopefully a chance to quickly respond from today's defeat and the added insult to injury is those two being out.

KH: Yeah, they're killer blows. We've spoken so many times about Keiran, he's massive for us and Tommy's come in and been a revelation at left-back. Without them it's difficult but it's options or opportunities for others. The game's come thick and fast and you look at it, it won't be easy. Brackley obviously on Tuesday so we'll have to be ready, we'll have to be fully fit and raring to go. If we play as well as we can we've got a chance of winning. If we don't, there's a good chance we'll lose. I think coming into the season after the euphoria of last season, everyone's excited to go up a level of course but what comes with that is playing in teams and clubs that are a lot bigger than us, that have a lot more pull and have quality squads. We all would love to have a season like we had last season but from success comes tough times where you've got to evolve and develop and hang in there. So we'll do that, we'll do that and I'm sure we'll pick up enough points to stay in this division and we try and grow. I'm not too disappointed, obviously I don't like losing games, I never will but we got beaten by a better team so I can go home knowing that we give everything, I think the lads worked their socks off but today it wasn't good enough.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock, Nico Valentine Post Match Interviews | Chorley v Needham Market | 12.10.2024 |

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Chorley v Needham Market | 12.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on the defeat at Chorley. 

DK: Harsh one to take? 

KH: Frustrating, I think. Obviously, we've come to a team right at the top end of the table. Obviously, no-one gives us a chance, but we do. I don't think there was a lot in the game. Obviously, a mistake for the goal, which puts us on the back foot a little bit. But I thought we'd come out in the second half. We looked dangerous towards the end. I'm not sure how we've not scored and left with at least a point. 

DK: We had a few chances in the second half, do you think we could've earned a point?

KH: Yeah, there wasn't a lot in the game. They were playing to the forward. I thought we snuffed that out quite well. They were getting frustrated. The crowd were really quiet. Then, obviously, the mistake for the goal gives them a lift and a little bit of impetus. Second half, we just asked us to be a little bit more braver in possession. Get into the final third and try and create chances, which, obviously, late on we did.

I don't know how it stayed out. I think we've hit the post and then the keepers saved one from point-blank range late on. It's another defeat, no matter what way you look at it. We'll have to learn from it and look to try and improve next week. I think we've been quite sound defensively in the large majority of the games. It's those small moments in games like the mistake that cost you at the end of the day. You don't take chances when they've come, whether it be a little bit of bad luck where it's come off the inside of the post. Obviously, a good save from the keeper. On other days, you score. It's fine margins in this division. I don't think anyone's really dominated us, apart from our bad performance at Oxford City. We've been in every game, but we've not got enough points to show for the performance that we give in. We need to turn that around as soon as we can, really, and put the performances and then get the result at the same time. That's what we're aiming to do. I think they've worked their socks off to the final minute. I suppose you can drive back to Suffolk, or we can drive back to Suffolk feeling a little bit unfortunate not to get something from the game. So, there is positives. We're keeping the lads upbeat, but I'm sure it will come. Obviously, we've won a couple of games away from home. We've beat South Shields comfortably, and today it was a fairly good away performance. Bar the mistake, it could have been a lot different. 

DK: Unfortunately, the goal came from a weird lapse of best judgment from Marco? 

KH: Yes, I think so, a little bit. I don't think he was unsure whether Josh had touched it..He was asking the ref, and then he decided to pick it up. Obviously, Josh had touched it, so I think it was the right decision, but yes, just one of those moments where it's created a chance for them from quite close range in terms of the free kick, and the lad has hit the target, which from that range is always going to end in a goal.

REACTION | Nico Valentine Post Match Interview | Chorley v Needham Market | 12.10.2024 

Nico Valentine reflects on today's defeat.

DK: A harsh defeat?

NV: Yeah, tough result today. Probably should have come away with a point as well. I think one of them's obviously hit the post before I could get there and then last minute it's a disappointing one, especially after how hard we've worked the second half. But yeah, I'm fit now, I feel fit, I'm getting there and I just want to try and come and affect this season and affect games. Unfortunately today that hasn't been the case, but I'm sure there'll be many more opportunities today.

DK: Yeah, it wasn't really a one-nil game, do you think?

NV: No, I think the game was pretty balanced, to be fair. I think we were better in the second half. I think we showed a little bit more, created a few more chances. I think maybe first half it was a bit cagey, but yeah, they've got their goal. It's a freak mistake. Marco never, never, ever makes those mistakes and it happens in football and similar to my chance, you're going to get chances that go begging, but yeah, it's happened now and we've just got to move on. Double game week next week, so we'll look forward to that. 

DK: Yeah, you've acclimatised quite quickly to this level.

NV: Yeah, I mean, it makes it easier coming into a changing room that I obviously already know. I was here last season. It's not a difficult changing room to get involved in. I feel like I can come in and affect the game straight away instead of having to adapt to the changing room. But yeah, I want to play as high level as possible. I think I've got to adapt to levels quickly, especially with my age. I want to climb the ladder as quick as possible, but obviously doing that at the right rate, with the right amount of minutes and getting the right experience. 

REACTION | Luke Ingram, Dan Morphew and Tom Rothery Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v Long Melford | 08.10.2024 |

REACTION | Luke Ingram Post Match Interview| Needham Market v Long Melford| 08.10.2024 |

Luke Ingram reflects on equalling the club's record goal tally.

DK: A great performance tonight.

LI: Yeah, I don't think anyone's seen that sort of stuff down here before. Good performance from the boys.

Ruthless in front of goal. Probably could have actually been more, but yeah, we'll settle on 12. 

DK: A record result for us competitively home or away as well.

LI: Yeah, obviously a nice one to tick off. Another one in the history books and yeah, hopefully, I don't know what the record is, but hopefully that's one to go down in the Suffolk County Cup history books as well. 

DK: Four goals for you tonight in 45 minutes. 

LI: Yeah, could have been more to be fair. Missed a few chances. I knew I was only playing a half, so I just tried to get my work done in the first half. A couple of good finishes, a couple couldn't miss, but yeah, I've obviously been out injured, so it's nice to just get the monkey off your back. Hadn't scored this season, so it's just one ticked off. 

DK: Once we got the second goal, we were ruthless.

LI: Yeah, I mean, it's hard for them. 7-0 down at half-time. I'm not really sure what the team talk can be, but we've done our job. We've kicked on. We've not come out and made it a rubbish half to watch second half, so yeah. 

DK: Good professional performance. Can't ask anything more of you lads after that? 

LI: No, at the end of the day, the win's the win. Next round, that's all that matters. We've got a big game Saturday at Chorley. It's no good coming here and putting on a performance like that if you're going to go to Chorley and put in a bad one. So, on to Saturday, hopefully no knocks and yeah, we've got to start kicking on in the league as well. 

DK: It's now two games in a row now that we've had a Morphew on a hat-trick.

LI: Yeah, I mean, I'll have to help him out Thursday, just get him over the line, try and get that third one. Both of them are club legends, so it's nice to see them getting goals and Keiran can carry on being the league top scorer for now. 

DK: Tonight, I believe you've equalled the clubs all time goalscoring record, which I know has been something you've been keen to do. 

LI: Yeah, I think I might be level, but yeah, just one more to get, so hopefully maybe I'll land on my 500th appearance and sort of kill two birds with one stone. But yeah, I don't want to stop at that. I want more goals. I want to kick on, I want to keep scoring goals and make it a record that hopefully I'll never get beat and when I'm gone from here, leave something to remember me by. 

REACTION | Dan Morphew Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Long Melford| 08.10.2024 |

Stand in captain and double goalscorer Dan Morphew reflects on last night's victory. 

DK: Good win tonight, you must be happy with that.

DM: Yeah, it's always difficult in the early stages of the Premier Cup. You don't know what you're going to get draw-wise, teams from different leagues, and of course it's a massive game for them. So they often try and, you know, they're given 100%. And it always can be tough at times, but I thought we kept our standards up well tonight. Yeah, moved the ball well, kept it one-two touch, quick tempo and got our just rewards for doing that.

DK: Club record win, clean sheet, not too bad? 

DM: Yeah, again, it's about keeping standards for us, I suppose. Like I said, it's easy to come into these games and maybe take your foot off the gas because you're against a lower level side. But I thought tonight we were professional, we kept our standards up and we moved the ball well, like I say. And yeah, it's a good thing for the club. Obviously, it looks good on paper, 12-0, I suppose it looks good. But for us as players, it's all about just the performance, really.

And I thought first half especially, I thought we played well. Second half, it's going to dip a little bit because of the scoreline and whatever else. But I thought, yeah, we've done well.

DK: And you almost scored a hat-trick! Y

DM: Yeah, doesn't happen too often, does it, Drew? On a perfect hat-trick, I would have been. So one header, one left foot, just needed the right foot. But yeah, I contribute with goals where I can, if I can. And I thought everyone popped in with some tonight, so it's good.

DK: And your second goal, you took like a striker. 

DM: Yeah, it fell nicely to me. So a good first touch and just passed it in, really. So yeah, when you've got a good first touch, it makes the second one easy normally. So I was lucky enough that mine stood the test for once and managed to pass it in. 

DK: We had seven or eight goalscorers tonight. Can you remember a game where that's happened?

DM: I don't know too many games we've scored seven or eight goals, let alone had eight goalscorers. But it's good it shows you that everyone's working hard, everyone's chipping in and everyone's making runs into the box. Without that, you don't get seven different goalscorers. So it shows that everyone's putting effort in and wanting to get on the end of things. So the fact that we've got seven different goalscorers is a really good thing, I think.

DK: You had a massive point to prove tonight, given the fact you're suspended.

DM: Yeah, I'm in purgatory at the moment, if you like, after Oxford. So just doing what I can to stay fit and hopefully compete for my place back in the team when I'm back from suspension. 

DK: If you can get into the team, with competition for places!

DM: It's a good thing. I think it's good for Needham Market to have a squad of 16 players who can all start. No one has a divine right to be in the team, no matter how long you've been here or how many games you've played for the club or how good you think you are. And I think that's a good thing. And so I'll need to earn my place back when the time comes.

DK: Also, you're getting ever closer to the 300 mark.

DM: Yeah, hopefully that's coming soon. I've been thinking it must be coming soon for a long time.

So, yeah, I mean, I'm still a way off, most probably Keiran and Luke, but I'd certainly like to get up to one of Needham's highest ever totals if I can. Some of those three suspended games, I would have been there, wouldn't I? So it's nice to know it's coming and hopefully, you know, push towards 350 by the end of the season. So that's my ambition.

REACTION | Tom Rothery Post Match Interview| Needham Market v Long Melford| 08.10.2024 |

Assistant Manager Tom Rothery reflects on our Suffolk Premier Cup win.

DK: You must be very pleased? 

TR: Yeah, really pleased. Especially in the first half, we moved the ball really well. Obviously a difficult night for Long Melford, but we've played them the last two years and haven't done that to them, so pleasing for us.

It just carries on a bit of momentum from Saturday, so yeah, pleased. 

DK: Eight goalscorers as well, not often that happens. 

TR: No, and I think, again, off the back of the way we've started the season, you know, it never hurts to hit the back of the net, does it? So, yeah, no, that's good.

DK: Another positive? Clinical in all senses. 

TR: Yeah, we could have had more. Yeah, I thought first half we were really clinical, second half, I think at times, maybe chose the wrong option when it's clinical, but yeah, you know, sounds a bit nitpicky, but yeah, we said at half-time, even though it was 7-0, we wanted to carry on and try and do the right things and carry on and, like I said, build momentum ready for Saturday because obviously we know Saturday is going to be a tougher challenge, but it's just important while we can we keep building momentum and trying to get confidence in the team and, you know, winning games is a good habit, as simple as that.

DK: Yeah, and like you say, keeping on that front foot, the momentum of that alone will stick with you if you keep doing that. 

TR: Yeah, definitely. I think, you know, as much as you can win these games, like I said, you can win them and you can get bad habits off the back of winning them, so that can then affect the game after, can't it? So, yeah, like I said, from our point of view, start of the night, we said we wanted us to be clinical, wanted us to be ruthless and wanted us to build on what we'd done on Saturday because arguably Saturday, not just because of the scoreline, but actually performance, I thought, was one of our best ones of the season so far and closer to what we were doing last season.

So, you know, that's good and we have built on it, you know, levels and all the rest of it, but it's still, like I said, winning games is a good habit. And I think the way you win as well, most of the time tonight, we've done the right thing, so that's pleasing. It's been tough after Oxford, off the back of Oxford and St Albans, it was tough, you know, and like we said right at the start of the season, we said to the players, mentality is going to be huge this season. We are going to get more knocks, potentially, than we've had ever before, you know, we're going to have times where we doubt ourselves, question ourselves and it's important that when we do that, we just stick together, believe in what we're doing and keep doing the right things. And I think, you know, we've done that the last two games and that is important. We're going to get more knocks this season, but if we stick together and do the right things, we'll come out the other side and we'll be better for it. And I think that will happen, I really do genuinely believe that. 

DK: Chorley, away at the weekend, every game of the season is going to be tough, but it's important that we try and keep going what we've been doing.

TR: Yeah, every game is tough at Step 2, we knew that at the start of the season, but again, also, every game, everyone's got a chance of winning it. I think the league is really close, you can see that now. You know, we win Saturday we're six points off play-offs, so you win three or four games, you can be right up there, you lose three or four games, you can be right down there. So, you know, we've just got to keep trying to build momentum, take the punches when they come on the chin and look to move on and improve from that. And that's what we're trying to do. That's what we keep telling the players and I do think the players are taking that on board and are starting to now, we're starting to see some of the rewards off the back of that, not just tonight, but like I said, Saturday as well. We're starting to see, you know, more from the players, what we expect really, I think, and that's not because they weren't trying previously. It's just, like I said, you know, we took a few punches on the nose and maybe struggled to deal with them at times and I do start to believe that we're starting to come out the other side of that, but not just because of tonight's result, but just what we're seeing in training and then what we're seeing in the game. 

DK: Other than the result and keeping on the front foot, what else pleased you most tonight? 

TR: Some of the players' performances, you know, some of the players really showed their standards, really played well within the game, you know, which is important. I thought Ollie had another good game, which is important for him, you know, a bit like the team, he's trying to build momentum, get a start in place and we're starting to see Ollie Fraser really come to where we believe he can get to and we're starting to see some real positives out of Ollie, so that's definitely pleasing. I thought Ben Hunter was really good tonight and a lot of the stuff that we work on in training, you know, I can't remember what goal it was, but Hunts sort of reversed passed into central areas, we work on that at training all the time, about playing central rather than taking the easy option and going out wide and just some of the combinations that we've seen today. Hammo stepped in, obviously played right back today, but stepped into midfield and picked up the ball and found some nice spaces. I thought Tev showed quality on the ball a lot. Seth's come on, scored a goal, which certainly won't hurt him. Jamie's got a goal, do you know what I mean? So there's lots of pleasing things really, you know, if we've been over a critical, we've given them a couple of little opportunities on the break, which is a bit frustrating if we're being really honest, but other than that, there weren't too many negatives.

REACTION | Keiran Morphew, Kevin Horlock, Reggie Lambe Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024

REACTION | Keiran Morphew Post Match Interview | Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024 |

MOTM and double goalscorer captain Keiran Morphew reflects on yesterday's home win. 

DK: What a win that was! 

KM: Yeah, good win, everyone played well. Makes a difference. Oh, big change from Oxford. Everyone was down in the dumps, but obviously today the atmosphere was good. Everyone's attitude was right and got the win. 

DK: And two goals from the skipper himself.

KM: Yeah, come like buses, mate. Yeah, I don't know what's happening there. Probably everyone should get a lottery ticket tonight. Yeah, but decent. Good day. 

DK: Talk us through your goals today.

KM: There's not much to them really. Hammy whipped the ball in, lovely cross. And I just slide tackled it in at the back stick, and then the second one, Tev beat the man, whipped in a lovely cross and I got a header on it, but I don't know, I won't score again. So, enjoy it.

DK: Perfect way to mark our first home win in this league. With a clean sheet on top. 

KM: Yeah, we've let in a lot of goals this year, something which we're not used to going on last year. Yeah, everyone worked hard. That was a good performance for everyone. Couldn't fault anyone today really and obviously they've got a long journey home. The hard work that's done in the first half and then the second half. I think in the second half you've just got to be careful not to overplay and get yourself in trouble. We get too far at the back.

I was shakey at the end and I'd give away a couple of half chances. Got away with it today. 

DK: We spoke about at Oxford of how the other end of the scale that was to have now all of a sudden after a fortnight to be the other end. That's a quick response.

KM: Yeah, that's just football. Never too low, never too high because as I say, two weeks and we lost 3-0. Then we won 3-0, first home win. I don't know if we moved up in the table. You never know. All we've got to do is just keep winning, keep playing the games and chalk them off and then we've got another one Tuesday. Boring response but that is what it is. 

DK: Talking of Tuesday, Premier Cup, one that is important to us. 

KM: Yeah. Yeah, we've just got to win every game. I won't say too much but whether it's a league game, cup game, friendlies, you just want to win. That's it. Bottom line.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview| Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on the win over South Shields.

DK: A superb all round performance today. 

KH: Yeah, it was a good performance today. Obviously the disappointment of last time at Oxford, we've obviously sat and had a chat and we just needed to get back to basics today and work hard and make forward runs and I thought we did that and obviously the quality from set pieces counted today and obviously Reggie added that little bit of quality today and you can see what he can do.

So all round it was a really good performance, clean sheet. Obviously we'd like to go on and score more but it never works out like that and obviously they went down to 10 men just before half-time and obviously then they work a little bit harder and a little bit harder to break down but overall, yeah, I'm chuffed with that. 

DK: A clean sheet as well to top it off.

KH: Yeah, we need it and it's difficult, let's not kid ourselves. It's been a tough start. We're in obviously a much tougher league and we're still finding our feet a little bit but I think today when the pressure was on, we're all aware we hadn't won at home so that was obviously definitely playing on my mind and no doubt the players. So to turn up and play with that intensity and quality at times to win a game at home at this level for the first time is really pleasing. The big thing now is to build on it, to obviously enjoy it tonight, obviously enjoy winning games at this level but then going on and getting on a winning month to start in the league. 

DK: Yeah and it's not normal that Keiran's man of the match for his attacking display as much as his defence.

KM: No, he's an unbelievable player. He's been an unbelievable servant for this football club. He's got many years left in him. There's none better than him in my opinion at this level or potentially the level above so it's great to have him. He does need to add more goals to his game. I think that's one area you could maybe critique a little bit. He doesn't score enough goals for someone that's so dominant aerially, but today he's in the right place and two great goals and I thought he might end up getting a hat-trick but another opportunity didn't come his way but I'm made up for him because he's a leader. He's massive for us and today he's stepped up to the plate and scored two goals for us. Yeah I think that another came off his toe I think and again you know what I mean he's in the right area. It's a great set and I thought our set pieces were good today in terms of quality. Tev's picked him out and it was unfortunate that the keeper just tipped it over.

DK: And Reggie, new signing, straight in with a goal? 

KH: Yeah he just adds that quality. Obviously he's been around seems like years and years. He's still very mobile. He adds calmness and the quality like the finish was unbelievable. I think anybody else, me included, I'd have panicked but he was calm as anything around the keeper and it was a lovely finish so it was an unbelievable day for him. So it just gives a glimpse of what we've got.

That little bit of quality that you can trust and that which then enables you to be able to make forward runs off that which changes the dynamics of our team and gets us back to when we were having success last season. 

DK: What's pleased you most today? 

KH: The three points are obviously what we come for but I think it was that reaction. Obviously last week after Oxford we were all bitterly disappointed for whatever reason. We looked a little bit lacklustre. We looked like we were lacking ideas. We looked like we were lacking energy. So we've addressed it. We obviously had a heart-to-heart chat. We're honest with each other. We've trained hard. We've trained well and people have just got to work at that level to stay in the team. I think the lads that have come off the bench today, obviously we've got Nico back, Josh is back in the building and Ollie Fraser has been patient and I think he's come on and done really well today. So we've got a stronger squad now and everybody's got to play to that level to stay in the team and if they do that, that's healthy. It means we'll win more than we lose. 

DK: Are there any new signings possibly coming in? 

KH: We'll always look to improve the squad. I'm quite happy with what we've got. We've got the search for a striker that scores 25 goals a season.

It will always be continuing for every club across the country, I imagine. But I'm happy with what I've got. The group are good enough to play at this level and I don't want to panic into signing someone that's not a right fit for the group or the football club.

So that search will continue forever, no doubt. But I'm happy with what I've got. 

DK: On to Tuesday, the run starts to hopefully defend our Cup? 

KH: Yes, Long Melford and obviously, I suppose on paper, it's a really tough draw for them in terms of us being at Step 2 now, but they'll come here and give it their all and we can't drop off. I don't care whether it's the Premier Cup against lower opposition or a league game or whatever. We've got to set our standards and keep doing what we believe in and play at that tempo. So hopefully, it'll be a really good game and there will be a few missing for that. Obviously, the Premier Cup and we'll give lads minutes that have been chomping on the bit waiting for them and then we'll see where it takes us.

REACTION | Reggie Lambe Post Match Interview | Needham Market v South Shields | 05.10.2024 |

Goalscorer Reggie Lambe reflects on his Needham debut. 

DK: Good win today, and congratulations on your first Needham goal. 

RL: Yeah, great win, good to get on the score sheet and three points at home, clean sheet, there's no better way to start. 

DK: Having come in from Braintree, your experience showed.

RL: Yeah, I think it's a good level, it's a good squad and I think as long as we start making the right decisions on and off the ball, we can definitely push on and get more points than what we currently have. So I think it's crucial for us to stick together as a team and, you know, start to learn our patterns and how we want to play. 

DK: Having played against us before, it must feel nicer to be on the home side today.

RL: Yeah, definitely. When I was at Braintree, we played here in pre-season and we, in my opinion, got popped. So I think coming into a side that wants to play football is beneficial to myself, who wants to get on the ball..So, yeah, today was good and to get on the score sheet as well, like I said, there's no better feeling. 

DK: You scored a very well taken goal as well. 

RL: Yeah, just took it round the keeper and slotted it home. I'm pretty sure most of the boys in there knew what was coming. So, yeah, it's one of my classy finishes. So, yeah, it's good to get it in the back of the net. 

REACTION | Keiran Morphew Post Match Interview | Oxford City V Needham Market | 21.09.2024

Captain Keiran Morphew reflects on yesterday's game.

DK: A bad day at the office today?

KM: Yeah, we haven't played well today and we didn't play well last week either, so I mean you can maybe write one off as a fluke but then to do it back-to-back, it's not good at all. So I think players have got to, everyone, including myself, older players, younger players, everyone's got to look at what they're doing outside of the games, after games, after training, before training, the whole thing's got to be looked at individually, collectively and we've just got to find a bit of heart really because at the moment that's the management said obviously and it looks like it, feels like it, we're lethargic, heartless, toothless and we have got it in the locker because we've shown it for obviously three or four months ago, from three or four months ago for the whole season and in all the Needham teams I've been part of they've always had heart and work rate, but last couple of games we hadn't seemed to have that so and I don't think that's, I'm not, listen, I don't think that's the lads choosing not to do it. I don't know whether it's like fitness is a question mark maybe or I personally think we've got to look at what how we're doing after, what we're doing after training and after games and are we doing the right thing but yeah.

DK: Is it still a good start though would you say?

KM: Yeah I mean, yeah I think we had a couple of good wins away and showed that we can compete with teams like Hereford who are right up there and they're a good sized club and we beat Warrington away. I think we've got it in the locker it's just it's hard to say really, but today was not good for anyone on Needham's side so we've had we had quite a few fans come out so yeah that's not a good one for them to see and I apologise for everyone really for what they've just watched.

DK: Like you say, one that as long as next week you put it right you can just brush under it.

KM: Yeah I mean you have to you can't you can't dwell on it because obviously the next game is in the Premier Cup we've got a free Saturday because we already got knocked out of the FA Cup after a poor performance so we're gonna have to dust ourselves off, go back to work, you can only work harder in training and if that means lads you got to do a outside of the commitment to the club to to play at this level then so be it. Obviously we want to win five in a row. I've tempted fate by saying it obviously, which I hate doing, but I want to win every game that makes me feel sick to the stomach when we get anything but a win let alone - when you play bad and lose. (That) feeling what lives with you for ages, but yeah you just got to put it right in the next training session and the next game, just typical things. What you can say, I hate saying the cliche phrases and stuff like that, because I just think that's most of the stuff that people say is why do you need to say that it's all a given anyway, but yeah you just got to dust yourself off and go again.

DK: In terms of how we have started this season though would you have anticipated as good a start what we had or would you think we'd have been better?

KM: We had a hard start, we had Southport, and I've said before in an interview with you, we obviously had Scunthorpe. We had tough games we gradually improved the results and performances got a couple of wins and then we've sort of fell off again so it's about solidifying getting a trying to while stabilizing the next result I always want to win, but a draw is an improvement just anything about a loss like I mean it's embarrassing really, like the way we just played dead - and I normally try and defend the players well as a in the changing room, probably some players say different but I don't know I try and sort of defend the players to the staff but today it's hard to do you know including myself.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock + Dan Morphew Post Match Interviews | Needham Market v St Albans City | 14.09.2024 |

Manager Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on yesterday's game.

"We weren't at the races today, but I've got to say they were very good. First half, they were better than us in all departments. They worked harder than us, they looked a threat, they defended solidly, and we were off it, so it was a recipe for disaster and we got exactly what we deserved, which was nothing. In the end, we did well to get zero because we didn't really create a chance. I can't remember too many good moments in the final third. Obviously, the three goals from their point of view, they say it was obviously good goals, but from our point of view, they're so avoidable and that's disappointing. We wanted to progress in the competition. Obviously, we've had a couple of good seasons in it where you end up playing big teams and there's obviously prize money on offer that all non-league clubs like and need. So, yes, I suppose it means we can concentrate on the league, but we'd have liked to have an FA Cup run for those reasons I've just spoke about."

"It wasn't good to watch. I can second that. We obviously tried to make changes. We changed shape to try and affect it and nothing worked today. So, we'll address it on Tuesday. Obviously, we train Tuesday, Thursday, we'll have a look back at it and areas we can improve on and get better so that it doesn't happen again."

On players returning from injuries: "Ingers is obviously just coming back. It was probably a risk I took. He's not too bad, but he can feel his hamstring slightly. Dylan's got quite a big black eye, but he'll be fine. So, other than that, yeah, we're all good."

On Josh Tomlinson's absence: "Yeah, we're just waiting. Obviously, his parents, Club Northampton, are in charge of that. So, yeah, concussion, so (if) it'll be a return to play. So, I don't know. It could be 10 days. I'm not 100% sure on it."

Oxford City away next: "Obviously, our record away from home this season's been a lot better than a home record, obviously. So, yeah, we go there off the back of a couple of good away performances and results. So, we're looking to bounce back and hopefully put this behind us. Obviously, a tough day for us all. We were just off it today. It's alright talking about us and how much we were off it, I think you've got to give them credit. They're a team that's not started too well in their division. But I've watched videos and they've been playing well, but not scoring goals. And today, they have and I think they showed what a good team they are. They moved the ball really well. Their movement was good and they looked a threat, so we do need to improve. We should have made it a bit more personal and got closer and tighter and possibly worked a bit harder. But off the back of it, I think I'd give them a little bit of credit as well, sometimes you've got to hold your hands up in football and say they were better.

Defender and MOTM Dan Morphew reflects on yesterday's game.

"It was a tough, tough, tough game. Not the result we obviously hoped for, but you live and you learn, I think it's sort of the best approach. We can use it to get better and that's all we can do today, I think. Take away what we need to learn from it and improve, come back next week.

"We've been fortunate the last couple of years. We've had good cup runs. It's been a while since we've been knocked out in the first round, but they are normally good additions on to the season, but it means we can concentrate on the league, take the silver linings where they are, if they are any, so focus on the league and put our energy into getting results in the league now. I think for us this year, every game is going to be a big game, every game is an opportunity to show what we can do, prove ourselves and prove ourselves worthy at this level, which I think we are. And I think we look forward to every week, look forward to every game. Like I say, another opportunity to prove what sort of team we can be on our day."

"I think we've played better than the points on the board reflect, I think, definitely throughout the first lot of eight games, I think that's true. And I think, yeah, there's more to come from us still as well. I think we can get much better as well.

"So, yeah, plenty to look forward to and sort of, yeah, work on as we move forward for the coming weeks."

On having more squad depth this season: "Yeah, I think that's one of the differences between this year and last year. You know, we've got players on the bench who can sort of compete for starting positions. You know, we'll have, I'm sure, will be competition for places after today. Next week, you know, there'll be people on the bench who are itching to start and be thinking they should start after today. So, yeah, I look forward to that competition and, you know, it keeps everyone, keeps everyone sharp as it sharpens us a little bit. So competition in the squad is a good thing. And it sort of keeps everyone on their toes and keeps everyone pushing forward and working hard as the season goes on."

On the most disappointing part of today: "I think there's not this one thing in particular, but, you know, as a team, it's 11 v 11. And I think, you know, you've got to win your individual battles all over the pitch. And I think we didn't do that enough today. You know, every game you go out, it's 11 v 11. It's 11 men v 11 men. And you just have to outwork your opposite number, and I think when you don't do that, you tend to lose games. And I think that's what happened today."

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Farsley Celtic | 07.09.2024 |

Click the embedded video below to watch Josh Tomlinson's thoughts on yesterday's defeat.

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on yesterday's defeat.

DK: Bit of a bitter pill to swallow? 

KH: Yeah, I think today is really disappointing. I thought we controlled long parts of the game, created some chances but you've got to take them at this level. Unfortunately, we've missed chances at Hereford on Tuesday. We've done the same again today. It's cost us massively in a game where I was going to be disappointed to only get a point. To be sat here now with no points, yeah, it's a bit of a pill to swallow.

DK: Is it a bit of a curse being called manager of the week by the league?

KH: No, I don't think that's the case. I thought we did okay in the game. We just lacked a little bit of invention in the final third. We wasn't ruthless enough. On another week, we scored a couple of goals today but they didn't go in. We weren't confident enough. We didn't take the chances that come our way. When that happens, you always risk it coming back to haunt you, which it did at the end. It came from our throw-in, it's our fault we took it too early. We're not set and it's dropped a lad in midfield who's able to run 10 yards and it's a good finish to be fair to him. No doubt, they'll be leaving here over the moon and thinking they took three points but that's football. 

DK: We're still waiting for our first point at home but it's not time to start panicking.

KH: No, I think if we win today, we would have three points off the play-off. There's a hell of a long way to go. I do feel that it's three points dropped, I'm not going to lie. The performance was there with that killer instinct in front of goal when chances come. There is positives to take out of it. We've dominated large parts of a Step 2 game again but we've not took chances to get the points, which is the main ingredient that you're after. We'll keep working hard and keep trying to put that right. 

DK: We've had players returning from injury today and as far as I'm aware, we've not lost anyone to injury. 

KH: No, I think Keiran come off, his groin is a bit sore but I'm sure he'll be all right by next week hopefully. It's good to have everybody back training and obviously, we've got the FA Cup next week which offers different challenges but we're looking to progress in that as well. Hopefully, by then, two training sessions we'll be firing on cylinders.

DK: Given that it's against the side that are the equivalent Step 2 league at home, we win that, that'll give us confidence because we haven't got anything at home just yet.

KH: Yes, obviously, the last two away performances have been really good and overall at the games we've played, performances have been fairly good. Today, again, I thought the performance was okay without that final third stuff, which bit us on the backside a little bit today. We're just looking to try and get that first win at home. Hopefully, that will come in the FA Cup next week and hopefully then lead to more results and more points being won at home.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock, Tevan Allen Post Match Interviews | Warrington Town V Needham Market | 31.08.2024

Click below to hear match-winner Jake Dye's thoughts on todays game.

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on today's away win. 

DK: Brilliant win on the road, you must be pleased with that? 

KH: Yeah, it was a great performance from the lads, I couldn't ask any more of them. I thought they worked their socks off, they stuck to the game plan and obviously the goals were really pleasing. Could have had more, obviously they've conceded last 15 and probably a little bit of nerves out there but we've seen it out, seen it through and it's a monkey off our back as such. We've got our first win now, moved up a couple of places now, something to build on. 

DK: Yeah, both goals were clinically taken as well! 

KH: Yeah, they were great goals, something we spoke about, pressing high, getting numbers in the box and obviously when you do that, you're going to create chances. So, credit to the lads, they've carried out the game plan to a 'T.' It was a big ask, obviously we went to a diamond and changed formation today and it asked a lot of the lads, we're asking for lads to be covering the pitch and making runs forward for as long as they can, which then we have to make changes but I thought everybody contributed today so it was really pleasing. 

DK: We also scored at crucial times, at the start and the end of the first half and then otherwise defensively looked sound? 

KH: Yeah, I know the results don't probably tell the full picture. We've been okay, we've not won games but we've been in every game and could have got a lot more points than we have, barring Alfreton where we deserved nothing, I think in the other games we deserved more than we got. So, today I think we got what we deserved, I think we deserved the three points. So, I'm hoping that I give the lads a lift and now believe that they belong at this level and hopefully we can create a few more upsets as such and collect more points than we have and going forward we'll be looking to climb the table and improve our position. We're missing big players for us, the lads that started the majority of games for us last season. So, missing players isn't ideal but I've got a squad that I believe can compete at this level and they all in their own right can play at this level. So, ideally you want all your players available but when they're not other lads have to step in and make a difference and obviously Marco, we lost Marco today in the warm-up and Danny Cullum's travelled with us. Then he got thrust in straight into the start and line-up and I thought he did really, really well. So, credit to him for one, travelling to do the warm-up with Marco but then two, to give the performance that he did. Dylan's ankle was still sore so he didn't train Thursday so he was not available.

Luke's hamstring is still sore so I imagine he's going to be probably another 10 days at least and Hammo's has settled down slightly but again didn't train Thursday. So, I think we'll have to assess it. They won't be involved on Tuesday but we'll assess it Thursday when we train.

DK: Yeah, moving on, we're at Hereford next. 

KH: Yeah, like I said to the lads in there, they don't get no easier. There's no easy games at this level. I think all the games have been fairly tight but you have to work to your maximum. You have to show quality in front of goal and defend for your lives to get anything from any game at this level. No-one rolls over you. So, we'll dust ourselves down. There's going to be some tired legs now and this evening but we'll prepare properly and give it a good go on Tuesday.

Goalscorer and MOTM Tevan Allen reflects on today's win. 

DK: Nice to get a win on the board. 

TA: Yeah, I think it's been coming. We said all together that it's not been the greatest. I think from the last game, we were a bit hurt from the last game. It was Alfreton at home, that loss, I think we didn't give a great account of ourselves. And like I said, in the Scunthorpe game, I think every other game we've tried to give a good account of ourselves. And I think Monday we didn't do that. So we had to have a bounce back. The win's been coming. Like I said, sometimes we haven't really got the rub of the green. I think today it wasn't about rub of the green. I think we just worked our absolute butts off for each other. And I think that came into fruition.

The fact that we got the win, went 2-0 up, away from home. I think it reminded us a bit of last season. I think the way we worked real hard first half, got to where we needed to be.

We were under the cosh a little bit second half. But luckily we got through the game on a hot day. Good opponents.

They're not necessarily going to be down there. So I think we've done really well today. 

DK: And to get a goal and assist is even better for you personally?

TA: Yeah, I think also it's been coming from myself.

I'm an honest man. I think I've been really below par. I think trying to get to grips with the league and the position I play in at the moment. It's been tough because some of the games, people don't really get it down and play. Opposition wise, it does go back to front quite quickly. And being in the 10, sometimes the ball can just kind of go over your head, but I think today with the shape, change of the shape, getting closer to the two strikers that we had allowed me to then be in a pocket to receive the ball and do what we had to do. So I'm glad to get first goal in this level, assist. It's what I dreamed of, really. So, yeah, glad to finally do it. And yeah, good win. 

DK: You struck that goal sweetly as well.

TA: Yeah, I was just saying to Jacob, I can't really ever remember goals. I know how it came about. It was a hard working endeavour. The ball was bouncing around in the box and I just saw an opportunity to hit it. So I thought, why not? And luckily, I think it went through someone's legs. I have no idea. I'd have to watch it back if they have got a video of it. But yeah, just when it went in, it was just relief, really, to go one away from home. It's a great feeling, travelling all this way to finally get a goal felt good. No, no alarm bells aren't ringing, not just yet. Yeah, it's good. Like it's another step up for me. Never played in this level. And yeah, it's another season to prove that. Although where I've played previously, like I can score goals if I'm allowed to have that freedom and play in that position. I think, yes, it's time to show people that I can do that. And I've done it last year. Six in the league, four in the cup. It's not a massive amount of numbers, but you can always improve. So to get one as early as this in the season, it's really pleasing, and hopefully I can get many more. 

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Alfreton Town | 26.08.2024 |

Click the photo below to watch our interview with new signing, and debutant, Josh Tomlinson.

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on Saturday's home defeat to Alfreton.

DK: Not the greatest of games, really? 

KH: No, I don't think it was a spectacle by any means. It was a difficult game for us to come into. Obviously, they're quite direct and, give them credit, they're good at what they do, and I just thought we struggled in that. I thought we dealt with the long balls quite well defensively, but you can only do that for so long. I think on the turnover, we needed to be a little bit braver and play, but we then started giving it back and playing into their hands a little bit and going longer. Obviously, eventually, if you're going to play like that, eventually something's going to drop to them, which it did. And then we obviously then had a mountain to climb. I think we've been good defensively for a while now, not just this season, but you can only defend for so long. I thought we were under the cosh. Obviously, they play in good areas. They're obviously quite a big group that look for percentages. They've got the long throws and we're defending for long parts of that game. And if you don't have no respite when you have the ball and you've got to be brave to stay on it and work hard and make runs forward, if you're not going to do that and you're not going to get out and eventually, obviously, the breakthrough comes for them. Just, again, another long ball, a flick on. I thought we won quite a lot of the aerial battle, to be fair, but what they do really well is keep it alive. They get bodies around it. They don't make it easy for you to clear and it stays in your defensive third, which then becomes a problem.

DK: A plus side for us is Josh made his debut. 

KH: Yeah, look, he's come in. I knew what they were about. I knew they were going to be direct.

So he's obviously a big, big lad. He's aerially really good and he's strong as well. So he gives us, he bolsters us up a little bit and I thought to a point it worked. But unfortunately, the tweak didn't really work in an offensive manner where we just didn't look a threat today. The ball didn't stick. We didn't really get behind them and it resulted in us getting exactly what we deserved, which was nothing.

DK: Anything pleasing for you today?

KH: I think Josh's debut was pleasing, obviously, coming into a team that you don't know many people. I thought Keiran was outstanding again, which we know what Keiran is, but just a little bit disappointed with everything else, really. We didn't land on enough second balls. Today wasn't about playing pretty football. It wasn't about patterns of play. It was about rolling your sleeves up and competing with a really big side that played percentage football and unfortunately, we came up a little bit short today.

DK: Moving on, we're away to Warrington who are within a couple of results, touching distance of us. 

KH: Yeah, look, it's still early days. Alarm bells aren't ringing. We're still getting acclimatised to this level. I think the biggest difference I've noticed is physically teams are a lot bigger, a lot stronger, a lot quicker, more direct. So we've got to get used to that sooner rather than later, but then we've got to have the strength and courage to then impose ourselves. And look, we are going to have to go a little bit more direct at times, but we're going to have to do it a bit better where we play into better areas. We have to understand it a bit more with second balls, but when we get opportunities to play football, I want us to play football as well. So yeah, Warrington's obviously another long away journey, which they all are in this division. That's not an excuse. We know where we are. We know what we've got to do and we need to be ready for it.

DK: Obviously, Luke and Kyle are out for a little bit, but is Jayden injured? 

KH: No, Jayden wasn't. Obviously, one had to be left out today. So we'll see where we are. I'm not sure if Hammo or Ingers are going to be ready in time for Saturday. We'll have to see. Obviously, we'll train Thursday and see where we are.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview| Radcliffe V Needham Market 24.08.2024

Click below to watch goalscorer Ben Hunter's video interview.

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on today's draw. 

DK: First point on the board for the season, you must be pleased? 

KH: Yeah, I think it was obviously important to try and get points on the board as soon as you can, and going the first three games without any was not ideal, obviously. But, yeah, I take points on the road. It could have been more today. I think if we'd have played with the intensity like we did on Tuesday, I think we'd win the game. But I'm a realist. Tuesday's game was really tough against Scunthorpe. We've had a six-hour journey here today. So, the lads worked hard and, yeah, got the first point, which is massive for us and it becomes a good result if we can back it up on Monday. 

DK: And Ben got his first goal for the club with a well-finished off, well-worked move! 

KH: Yeah, to be fair, our deliveries into the box wasn't great today, if I'm totally honest, but Milzy has put one back stick there. Hunts has made a run and got a tap in at back post. So, yeah, pleased for Hunts to get off the mark. But just pleased for the lads really to get something from today's game, because I think it would have been a tragedy if we'd have been sat here again like we have been in previous weeks, where we're saying we were unlucky not to get something. So, we've got a point on the board. It's a starting point and now we can start building.

DK: Could it have been three? 

KH: I think so. It's difficult for me to be critical of the lads because they've worked so hard again today. We've had a tough game Tuesday. We've had the long journey here, which we know we're going to have to do week in, week out. So, they give everything. But I think if we'd have shown a little bit more quality in the final third, because we did have opportunities, we got balls in good areas and I think we had a 3v2, a 3v1 at one point and we just didn't really capitalise on that opportunity. I think last year when we're winning games and we're full of confidence, I think we scored more than one goal today. So, it could have been three, definitely could have been three. But it's a point and we're not leaving empty-handed. So, we'll take that. 

DK: Another positive is that we responded quite quickly to going behind. 

KH: Yeah, I thought we were better second half.

Obviously, first half, we didn't get up the pitch as much as we'd have liked. Obviously, there's a slight slope here. But second half, I thought we played front foot. We dominated the ball at times. Played in there half a lot more. We got in good areas and just lacked that little bit of quality that we normally show.

DK: You brought in Josh last night. He was on the bench today, albeit didn't feature. 

KH: Yeah, obviously, he's a really good young player. He's a good size, a really good footballer. Comes with really good pedigree. So, we need bodies at this level. He obviously adds height and strength in defensive areas for us, which we certainly need. 

DK: And we had a few players out today with no Hammo, no Luke and Jayden. 

KH: Yeah, I think that's going to probably be the case this year where we're playing at a higher level. The games are a lot more intense and lads are going to pick up injuries. Certainly, when you're playing midweek and Saturday. So, yeah, you would ideally want all your squad fit, but that's not really going to happen. So, we've got bodies. We've got players that can come in.

We've got options in different areas. So, we're okay. 

DK: What's pleased you most today? 

KH: I think that we've just come away from home on the back of arguably three difficult results.

Albeit, we've played really well in the last two, I believe. We could have got something from both and I just didn't want the lads to start doubting themselves. We've had a trip here and it's difficult when you've not won a game to find that performance and where you're going to get that first point or first three points from, so I'm really pleased how they dug in. We've defended really well again today apart from the goal, which obviously there's always bones to pick when you can see goals. But as a group, we worked really hard and eventually got something for it.

DK: Yeah, like we say, it was a well-earned point and hopefully build on it as Monday against Alfreton. 

KH: Yeah, again, it's going to be a tough game. Alfreton are a big physical team. I think we've realised and realised early that the physical side of the game is a lot stronger at this level than the one below. So, we've acclimatised that reasonably well. It's just then going from the physical side of it on the turnover to then having the composure and the guile to cut teams open and create chances.

REACTION | Kevin Horlock Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Scunthorpe United | 20.08.2024 |

Manager Kevin Horlock reflects on last night's narrow defeat to Scunthorpe.

DK: A bit of a harsh defeat tonight? 

KH: Yeah, I thought the lads performed excellently tonight against, and let's be realistic, a Scunthorpe team that, in my opinion, will probably win the division. I know we've not seen a lot of it, but it's not going to be much better than that. And I think we matched them. Obviously, I think it took, or you could tell later on in the game that they were obviously a little bit fitter and stronger being full-time. But, yeah, the lads were magnificent to a man. I thought we defended stoutly and created a few chances, which on another day we'd probably score.

And then we may be having a different conversation. But I just don't want it to be, and already it's sort of feeling that way, where it's a little bit of an unlucky old Needham. It's not about that.

It's about us improving and getting better and finding our feet at this level. And I think we've done that game on game. I think we've improved and it's been a tough start for us. There's no doubt about it. We've played some of the top teams in the division. So we've seen what this division offers and what we're against. It's going to be difficult every week to get points, but we're moving in the right direction. And if performances stay as high as they have been tonight and last game against Southport, then we'll be all right.

DK: Yeah, like you said, we've competed with a full-time side that two years ago in the Football League, we've had chances. This could have easily nicked a point. 

KH: Yeah, I know it's soon after the game.

I can't remember them having too many clear-cut chances. I don't think Marco's been called upon lots tonight. And obviously to be defeated by a penalty, was it? Was it not? I don't know.

Some lads are saying there was a little bit of contact. Were they playing for it? Yes, probably. Do we get it the other way round? I don't know. It's frustrating. It's frustrating. And I feel for the lads after working so hard to be done by a penalty. But it is what it is. There's no point moping about it. We're not going to be down about it. Our performance levels have increased and we're getting better. We're getting used to this division. And we've got another tough away game at Radcliffe on Saturday.

DK: Yeah, with Milzy hitting the crossbar, forced their keeper into some good saves, could have easily been a different night. 

KH: Yeah, could have, but wasn't. So we'll have to take it on the chin, like I said to the lads.

We dust ourselves down. We still believe in what we're doing. We stick together. We'll train Thursday. We'll be ready for Saturday. I think it's one of them where we are slowly getting acclimatised to this division. It's definitely a massive step up from the league below. We've played the top teams within that as well already. So hopefully it becomes a little bit easier when we get to speed. And obviously we're not playing teams like Scunthorpe. So we keep working hard. We keep trying to do the right things.

Like I said, I thought we defended brilliant. Kieran, Dan, Jake and Tommy back four with Marco behind. I thought did unbelievable. They're a good team. Let's not kid anybody. They cause problems.

That's quite direct. But I thought we coped with it really well. So it's a little bit of a feather in our cap, albeit no points on the board. But it certainly gives us some positivity to take into games going forward. 

DK: You made two changes tonight. Seth had his first start in this league, and him and Jacob came in and did really well. 

KH: Yes. I don't generally make changes for the sake of it. I just thought it was quite a high output game, last game out. So I just thought of freshening it up a little bit. Obviously both were unfortunate not to start the game before. So I will put fresh legs in. And I thought Seth worked really hard in a difficult game for him. I must admit. He got three massive centre-halves, about seven foot. So he's always going to be up against it. But he worked his socks off, put himself about. And then obviously enabled me to make the changes in the game where I thought that could affect him. Milzy come on and nearly scored with his first or second touch. It was good save from the keeper. He's hit the crossbar. Jamie's come on and had a really good chance on another day, he scores that. So we need everyone as a squad. It's not all about just the starting XI. It's about players that are in the squad and come on and affect games and give us something different when we need it.

DK: It's incredible having a squad that's that big that players can't even get on the bench. 

KH: Yes. That's the level of football we're at now. The game's thick and fast. We're obviously playing more games as well and at a higher tempo.

So you need bigger squads at this level. Dylan's been unwell. And obviously I can't have everyone in the squad, unfortunately.

DK: And moving on to Saturday, we've got a trip to Radcliffe.

KH: Yes. And I know it's early days. But six points, I think, are down near the bottom with us. It's still really early days. But you want to get your first points on the board as soon as you can. Games start ticking by. So it's a massive game for us. Obviously another massive journey, but we knew what we were coming into. It's not an excuse. We know what league we're in. We're all looking forward to it. And we'll be going all out to get the first three elusive points. 

REACTION | Kyle Hammond Post Match Interview | Needham Market v Southport| 17.08.2024

Click the link to watch Kevin Horlock's interview, after today's game.

Goalscorer Kyle Hammond reflects on today's game. 

DK: First of all, what did you make of today?

KH: I thought we were well within the game. I thought we played really well for everyone to a man. We matched them really and just a couple of little mistakes which we haven't been doing.

Like last year we didn't really have many of them and it's just, we've just had, you know, Marco doesn't do that ever and it's just unfortunate, you know, and probably if that doesn't happen then we probably could go on or we have to take the draw. 

DK: Talk us through your goal, well struck. 

KH: Yeah, me and Tev were having a little bit of a who's going to take it and I just said can't please Tev and then he weren't going to and then in the end he just goes, oh go on then. I just tried to aim for the back post, just someone get across it and then, I don't know, just went in really. Oh no, I went for goal but I was aiming for the back post just and if anyone gets across it and heads it in doesn't matter but if not it misses everyone and it should go in and I think to be fair I don't think the keeper really, yeah it wasn't right in the top corner. I think he flapped out a little bit so yeah.

DK: But it must feel nice to be our first ever National League North goal scorer? 

KH: Oh yeah, it's nice I suppose, yeah it is nice but I know it sounds a bit silly but it doesn't really mean anything to me to be fair. I suppose it's a good thing that I was supposed to be in history that I'm the first goal scorer but to be honest with you, it doesn't really bother me.

DK: Yeah, it's been two kind of tough results to take after being well in the game and then coming out on the wrong end.

KH: Yeah, I don't think last week we were really ourselves to be honest. Going away from home, just little things like that, I just don't think we were really ourselves and gave a good account of ourselves last week. I think today we really have and I think if we play like that we'll be fine.

DK: And moving on to Tuesday, another big game against Scunthorpe?

KH: Well yeah, they're all big games aren't they now? Not just now because we've lost our first two but every game's a big game. I think if you play football and you don't think every game's a big game then a bit silly really. So we'll go into that, we'll dust ourselves down, recover well and give it another go on Tuesday.

DK: We're still, like we say, we're showing that we can compete with these big sides? 

KH: Yeah of course and I don't think we have any doubt about that within our group. Players, management, everyone else, I don't think we have any doubts about that. Obviously it'll be nice to get some points on the board in our first two games but we'll give it a good go on Tuesday.