Needham Market Women were beaten 8-2 by another promotion chaser in Stevenage on a very cold and foggy day in Hertfordshire
The home side came right out of the traps and were two goals up early thanks to Jodie Bellinger and Amy Makewell, but a rocket by Eva Hubbard reduced the deficit at the break.
It was goals galore in the second half as Emily Schofield scored a brace as Makewell completed her hattrick – going on to score four – and a long range from Shianne Swarres with Molly Hall scoring a consolation.
It was a strong start by the home side as they pressed high penning Needham back and were ahead within five minutes when neat build up play found Bellinger and she cut inside to hit a brilliant curling shot into the top far corner.
The game seemed to be settling but it was 2-0 as an attempted clearance from Ele Catchpole – unfortunately hit her own player – and landed perfectly into the path of Makewell to put in a composed finish.
But slowly Needham started to get back into the game and reduced the lead after a rocket from Hubbard from just outside the box.
There were other chances as the away side finished the stronger with the home side clinging on a bit.
But the game was killed off in the first 15 minutes of the second period when a quick fire double from Schofield and another long-range effort from Swarres added three goals within the first seven minutes of the half.
Makewell was given the chance from the spot to add her second, which she did sending Daisie Gibbs the wrong way.
It settled down for a while but then there were three goals in four minutes as Hall scored a beautiful header from close range but that was in between a quick fire Makewell double that saw her complete a hattrick and add a fourth.
Not the way we wanted to round off 2022 but it’s been a great year at Needham and hopefully here is to many more in 2023.
From everyone at Needham Market Women we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Commentaires