A DRAW ON THE ROAD FOR NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN

Needham Market remain unbeaten in the new Eastern Regional season after a battling 2-2 draw in tough conditions away at Hashtag Reserves.

Young full back Millie Bloom made her full debut and with the wind to their backs Needham took advantage by racing into a two goal lead before the break thanks to Annie Posnett and Keira Topple.

But they failed to keep that lead with Chelise Fleming bringing the home team back into it before an unfortunate own goal made sure a share of the spoils.

Needham started the better aided by the wind and could have gone ahead inside the opening 10 minutes with the home keeper stopping Topple before making a smart double to deny Ciera Flatt in the same attack.

Posnett was next to test the keeper, but she wasn’t to be denied too long as less than 10 mins later she opened the scoring with what was a miscued cross that floated over the home stopper and into the corner.

Posnett was causing problems and almost doubled the score but saw her effort cleared off the line.

Needham though did manage to get that crucial second just before the break as Topple scored from just outside the box with a smart finish after being given plenty space to get her shot away.

On a high going into the break but the second half would prove to be challenging playing into the strong wind.

Attack turned to defence as the home team got the same assistance and halved the lead within the first 10 mins of the second period with Fleming scoring a large range strike after a solo effort to get into space.

Hashtag failed to create much although dominating possession with the wind at their backs, but they got a bit of fortune about the equaliser as a cross into the box deflected about and looked to have taken a nick of one of the Needham defenders into the bottom corner.  

With the first home game postponed two points from two away trips isn’t a bad return with a home derby game to come in midweek against Brantham to hopefully kick start our season with that first win.