MOLLY HALL | END OF SEASON Q+A | 13.06.2023

Womens top scorer and forward Molly Hall reflects on the season, including scoring at the home of English Football - Wembley. 

DK: How do you feel the season has gone from both a personal and team view point?

MH: I’m really happy with how this season went. As a team, considering we were only just promoted into the Eastern Region Premier league, to finish third is an huge achievement. We seemed to get stronger and stronger throughout the season and managed to get some good results against top teams. From a personal point of view, I’m pleased to have been top goal scorer for the club and I’m proud to wear the Needham Market shirt.

DK: It's been another successful season for the team, but do any moments standout more than the rest?

MH: For me, our Suffolk cup run was the highlight of the season. Beating Sudbury early on and then going on to win the whole competition at Colchester United was a great experience and one we as a team have been focusing on for a while.

DK: Can you put into words how it felt to win the County Cup?

MH: It was an incredible experience to play in the cup final but to win it was the cherry on top. Knowing how hard all the girls had trained and the work the coaching staff had put in made it even sweeter.

DK: How pleasing was it to reach the first round of the FA Cup?

MH: It was exciting for sure and good to put Needham Market on the map. We are focused to get even further in the FA cup competition next year!

DK: What was it like playing and scoring at Wembley earlier this season?

MH: Playing at Wembley was like a dream come true, I still can’t believe it was real! Scoring a goal there was a magical experience and one I will never forget. 

DK: How do you reflect on the league season?

MH: Overall I’m proud of the team for how we have performed on the pitch and how hard we have worked together to achieve everything we’ve done this season. We have made mistakes throughout the season however I believe it has made us stronger and set us up to be in a good position to compete for promotion next year. We have a great team atmosphere and I’m excited to get started for next season already!

DK: I know there's a massive togetherness in the squad, but was it pleasing to finish as the team's top scorer?

MH: I’m very proud to finish as the teams top goal scorer and I’m hungry for more goals next season. However it certainly wouldn’t have been possible to achieve this without girls and the knowledge I have learned from the coaches.

DK: What targets do you have for next season, as a team and personally?

MH: As a team our biggest goal next season is to push for promotion and I believe we have the ability to do so. To get further in the FA cup and hopefully win the Suffolk Cup again is another aim of ours. Personally, I’d like to score more goals next year than I did this year and continue to learn and develop my overall performance. Bring on next season!!

JODIE SHARP | END OF SEASON Q+A | 13.06.2023

Women's team Winger Jodie Sharp gives her thoughts on the 2022-23 season, reaching 50 appearances for Needham and winning the County Cup.

DK: How do you feel the season has gone from both a personal and team view point?

JS: Unfortunately my season didn’t properly start until around October time as I got injured back in June during pre season training so I missed some games but since being back on the pitch I feel like I have had a strong season making over 50 appearances in total now for the club. As a team we have had a good season to get promoted and then come 3rd in our first season in the Eastern Region Premier division with a great FA cup run and winning the County Cup is a great achievement for the whole squad and management team. 

DK: It's been another successful season for the team, do any games standout more than the rest?

JS: The game that stands out most is knocking rivals Sudbury out of the county cup. Most of the team played at Wembley on the Friday then we had the big game against Sudbury 1day later it was great to get 90 minutes in a game like that and you could see everyone working so hard to see the game through to the end no matter how tired everyone was we never gave up.

DK: Can you put into words how it felt to win the County Cup?

JS: It felt amazing to finally win the county cup with Needham Market, we had been challenging for it for years and the whole group deserved this success. 

DK: How pleasing was it to reach the first round of the FA Cup?

JS: It was big achievement getting that far in the FA cup, it is such a huge competition and you just never know what is going to happen. 

DK: How do you reflect on the league season?

JS: Considering it was our first season in this league to finishing strongly in 3rd position we should all be happy, of course everyone aims to win the league but we now know we can compete at this level. 

DK: What targets do you have for next season, as a team and personally?

JS: I think our targets as a team would of course be to win the league, and it would be great to reach even further in the FA cup. On a personal level I’m aiming to get my fitness back to the level it was before I got injured and polish up on my finishing.

LINA NAGIB | END OF SEASON Q+A | 10.06.2023

Needham winger Lina Nagib reflects on a history making season for the Women's Team, including playing at Wembley and scoring in and winning the Suffolk Women's Cup Final.

DK: How do you feel the season has gone from both a personal and team view point?

LN: Season has been a great season, we didn’t expect to be fighting for top spot towards the end of this season and it just came all because we was just all enjoying football and working hard for eachother as a team. Season overall for me I’ve enjoyed massively, didn’t score as many goals as I wanted but it started to come towards the end, form started to come back etc can’t wait for the new season to start. 

DK: It's been another successful season for the team, but do any moments standout more than the rest?

LN: Moments that stand out, of course WEMBLEY and COUNTY CUP WINNERS. Yes we didn’t enter Wembley as needham but we was needham and I couldn’t have wanted to experience it with anybody else than my needham lot. COUNTY CUP, we finally got there hay, we deserved it massively after what was a good season for us and of course once again with a bunch of girls that made it special! Hope to keep this trophy now🤪.

DK: Can you put into words how it felt to win the County Cup?

LN: Winning the county cup we’ve been waiting a while hay, but now we have it’s been amazing it was such a good night we came to show our Needham fans we deserved this trophy for a couple years now. 

DK: How much did it mean to you to score in County Cup Final?

LN: To score in the county cup final was unbelievable, infront of the fans was even better they were amazing they made that moment one to remember, and to score the goal I did.. well let’s say that’s why I’m in that position ;) to cut in and score top binssss.

DK: How pleasing was it to reach the first round of the FA Cup?

LN: Fa cup overall is the greatest experience to come up against higher teams and show them who needham are, electically at the first round furthest we’ve ever reached and we aim to reach further and further every year as we deserve to.

DK: What was it like playing at Wembley earlier this season?

LN: Wow Wembley I still haven’t got over it, it was the next experience I have ever experienced as a female footballer. I wouldn’t of wanted to do this with any other players than I did, we all deserved to play on that pitch we all work hard, we’re all a family now. It was amazing home of English football. 

DK: How do you reflect on the league season?

LN: League season we didn’t expect to be fighting for top spot this season but we was, we had an amazing season and I’m supper proud of how we started and ended this season, promotion next season incoming… 

DK: What targets do you have for next season, as a team and personally?

LN: Target is of course promotion, we just have to work hard and we will get what we deserve. Personally it’s always to score more goals, but working hard in pre season currently and keep going I’ll get where I want to be.

 

EVA HUBBARD | END OF SEASON Q+A | 02.06.2023

Defender Eva Hubbard reflects on a successful season for the women's team.

DK: How do you feel the season has gone from both a personal and team view point?

EH: From a personal point of view I’ve been relatively happy with my season. I feel I contributed lots with goals and assists and started most games. As a team I think we’ve had a good season; this is the first season for Needham in the Eastern Region Prem and to finish 3rd in the league, semi finals in the league cup and winners of the county cup sums up a good season!

DK: It's been another successful season for the team, but do any moments standout more than the rest?

EH: I think there has been lots of good moments for the team but I would say going unbeaten against Sudbury who went onto win the league was pretty special, I know it meant a lot to the girls to come out with 2 wins and a draw out of the 3 games we played as it’s always a good game when we play against them due to them being local rivals.

DK: Can you put into words how it felt to win the County Cup?

EH: The county cup win was a special moment for the team - a lot of players first time winning it so I was really pleased for the girls who had never won it before. You could really see how much it meant to them and the coaching staff.

DK: How pleasing was it to reach the first round of the FA Cup?

EH: The FA Cup run was massive for the club as this is the furthest Needham Market Womens FC have ever gotten before. Cups are always exciting games to play in and I think we did really well to get that far.

DK: What was it like playing for Wembley as a squad and personally?

EH: The Wembley occasion was something I’ll never forget. It’s every footballers dream to play there. The girls are such a social bunch so we had a great time. The result was unfortunate and could so easily have gone the other way but definitely an experience of a lifetime.

DK: How do you reflect on the league season?

EH: Like I said previously with this being Needham's first season in the premier division I think we coped really well. We had a few wobbles like most teams do and dropped a few silly points here and there, but overall a strong season which puts us in a good position for next season.

DK: What targets do you have for next season, as a team and personally?

EH: I think the main target for next season is to finish as high as possible in the league but it would be nice to do the treble (league, league cup and county cup) which I think is definitely doable!

DK: Of the goals you scored this season, do any of them stand out - and if so why?

EH: I think it would have to be the hattrick against Kings Lynn at the start of the season. I scored 1 right at the end of the first half and then 2 in the first 5 minutes of the second half to really put the game to bed.

LOIS BALFOUR | END OF SEASON Q+A | 29.05.2023

Forward Lois Balfour reflects on another historic season for the Women's Team and targets more success next season. 

DK: How do you feel the season has gone from both a personal and team view point? 

LB: I feel we’re all happy overall with our season. To get promoted last year then finish in top 3 shows how far we have come as a group and what exciting times we have ahead of us! 

DK: It’s been another successful season for the team, but do any moments standout more than the rest? 

LB: Yeah for sure! The home win against Sudbury in the county cup is a game we all remember. A 8 goal thriller with some crazy goals & football played! We had played at Wembley on the Friday & then pulled out a brilliant performance to knock the current holders in the group rounds of the competition! 

DK: Can you put into words how it felt to win the County Cup? 

LB: It was a long time coming but it’s great to bring the trophy back to where it needs to be! I feel this silverware showcases the hard work that all the players & management staff have put in over the past couple of seasons and it’s a huge achievement for us to look back on!

DK: How much did it mean to you to score to help the team through to the FA Cup first round? 

LB: Of course it’s always great to get on the scoresheet and especially in such a great competition! But for us as a group to start making historic steps for this club is a huge motivation factor and it’s giving us the chance to showcase our hard work! We look forward to the competition again next season!  

DK: What was it like playing at Wembley earlier this season?

LB: It’s hard to put into words. It was a crazy and surreal day for everyone! The experience itself was priceless but then the fact we all got to do the day with each other made it more special. A day we will all remember!

DK: How do you reflect on the league season? 

LB: Of course we will reflect on moments in the season we can improve on. But all in all the biggest reflection will be what a great season it’s been and how we can build to make it even better in the next! 

DK: What target do you have for next season, as a team and personally? 

LB: Targets for the team next season will be to push for promotion as we came so close this season! But for me personally it’s to keep building on this great environment we have and success will follow!

MIA ETHERIDGE-GOLDING | END OF SEASON Q+A | 25.05.2023

Midfielder Mia Etheridge-Golding reflects on the Women's Team's first season in the Eastern Regions Women's Premier Division and finally getting their hands on the Suffolk Women's Cup trophy.

DK: How do you feel the season has gone from both a personal and team view point?

ME: This season for the team has been a good debut season in the eastern region prem. We held our own and even was in the running for the title and took points from all the big hitters which left us with lots of confidence and we really did show the league why we are about. On a personal note I think I had my best season in a Needham kit and really enjoyed playing along side the girls. I’m full of confidence ready for next season.

DK: It's been another successful season for the team, but do any moments standout more than the rest?

ME: Stand out moments would be the early cup win against Sudbury, the 2 wins in a row against Stevenage and Luton and definitely the cup final. 

DK: Can you put into words how it felt to win the County Cup?

ME: To win the county cup final was an unreal feeling. It’s been a long time coming and a lot of us in the squad haven’t one it before so to all come together and get some well deserved silverware was amazing. This team is like a family and I think the occasion really showed that.

DK: How much did it mean to you to score in County Cup Final?

ME: To score in the cup final was special, I had a lot of family in the stands so it was nice to score in front of them especially to score the opening goal. No matter who scored I think it would have been special as the cup means so much to us.

DK: How pleasing was it to reach the first round of the FA Cup?

ME: We were happy to reach the 1st round of the FA cup. For a little club like ours to do it is amazing but I think we wanted to go even further and that will be a goal for the club for the coming season.

DK: What was it like playing at Wembley earlier this season?

ME: Wembley, what a dream come true! It’s something you dream of when you’re a kid but you never think it will become reality. Every single won of us were star struck and it’s a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It’s something you can tell your kids and your grandkids when you’re older and I’m honoured to have shared it with such an amazing bunch of girls. 

DK: How do you reflect on the league season?

ME: Looking back at the season I honestly think we shocked ourselves with how well and how quickly we settled into the league and like I said earlier it’s a debut season to be proud of. We also have a lot to work on, we dropped points against teams we shouldn’t have and ultimately that cost us the league title but we learnt a lot and we can fix those mistakes in the coming season. 

DK: How much did it mean to you to get the Player Of The Year award?

ME: To get the player of the year award was an honour. I put in 100% every week and leave everything on the pitch every game but I wouldn’t be able to do it without the girls. Like I said we had such a good season there’s a number of players that deserved this award so to get recognised by the gaffer means a lot. 

DK: What targets do you have for next season, as a team and personally?

ME: As a team we definitely want to do better than this season just gone which will be very hard but we’re ready for it. We want to get further in the FA cup and we want to win the league and secure promotion. We now know we are capable of it so that’s the target. Personally I want to continue my form with the addition of more goals, more assists and to continue learning and improving. You’re only as good as your last game so this coming season I want to keep pushing myself to be the best I can.

PAIGE WAKEFIELD | END OF SEASON Q+A | 24.05.2023

Midfielder Paige Wakefield reflects on her first season with the Women's Team.

DK: How do you feel the season has gone from both a personal and team view point?

PW: We have had a brilliant season this year! From a personal point of view, I was just looking to enjoy playing again and I’ve definitely achieved that with this team. As a team, we have really clicked and played some very good football, and I think we have shocked teams with some of the results. 

DK: It's been another successful season for the team, but do any moments standout more than the rest?

PW: I think we have to mention all 3 Sudbury games! Each game was a real battle and thankfully 2 out of the 3 times we came out on top…and scoring in each one was a personal highlight😊.

DK: Can you put into words how it felt to win the County Cup?

PW: Winning any type of silverware is a great feeling! But winning it with these girls was extra special this year. Obviously finally getting Needham Market’s name scribed on that cup was definitely something we will all remember from this year. 

DK: How pleasing was it to reach the first round of the FA Cup?

PW: Playing in the FA Cup is always a brilliant experience, so getting as far as the first round was a fantastic achievement. We just took each game as it came and enjoyed the ride. 

DK: How do you reflect on the league season?

PW: Obviously I joined the team this season and this was the first time in this league after being promoted. Finishing 3rd in this league after promotion is huge and I think as a team it’s something we can be proud of. We now know what the teams are like in this league and we will definitely be challenging for the top spot next season.