A brace from Lina Nagib gave Needham Market a vital three points on the road with a 2-0 victory in Cambridgeshire against Royston Town.
Only one goal was scored in a rather tight first half with Needham having a lot of possession but both teams getting bogged down to a midfield battle before Nagib scored straight from a corner just before the break.
Chances came for both sides in the second half, but it was Nagib again in the final quarter that settled the match and gave Needham a much-needed win after a couple of tough defeats on Suffolk soil.
It was a tight opening half hour with the referee not allowing much of a flow to the game with most niggly little fouls being called and a few bookings being handed out.
The home side had the first real opening when they hit the bar and after that it was the home side who looked the most likely, forcing Evie McKane into some comfortable stops and forcing several corners.
But it was Nagib that would open the scoring after she was denied minutes earlier by a last ditch tackle that would have seen her clear on goal, she swung in a delicious ball from the corner and went straight in. It was a great time to score as the half came to an end.
McKane was in action early, but Needham had more of a threat in the second half and almost doubled the lead thanks to Paige Wakefield - but her shot was well saved.
Molly Hall was then denied before Nagib sealed the win with an effort all by herself as she closed the defence and winning the ball back before a trademark drive into the box and smashed finish into the roof of the net.
With the game all but settled it allowed Needham room to bring on two development players in Emma Drake and Poppy Nunn, who travelled with the squad and featured for the first team for the first time this season.
McKane made another good save to keep her well-earned clean sheet intact – which also saw the return of Lindsey cooper from Injury - as Needham made it three straight wins on the road and more importantly give Needham a chance to forget the last few weeks and build a head of steam into the Autumn.
Needham’s Development Team have made a strong start to the season by backing up their brilliant 6-2 win away at Holland with a point at home to Woodbridge.
Ella Long put the Dev’s into the lead from the spot but they were pegged back by the visitors in the second half, who also missed a penalty of their own. But four points from a possible six is a great start to their season!
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