DEFEAT AGAINST LEAGUE LEADERS FOR NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN

Needham Market have suffered back-to-back league defeats at home after succumbing to league leaders Hastag United Reserves 6-2 on a chilly day in Suffolk.

Hastag took an early lead straight from a corner and then doubled it through Kasey Keen before Needham missed two golden opportunities as Laura Bloomfield failed to convert two penalties, Chelise Fleming made it three at the break.

They added a fourth early on from Motunrayo Ojobaro before a late come back from Needham through Jae Lewis-Samuel and then Chloe Brame, but it was short lived as Hastag added an extra two late on.

Hastag started the better and pressed early and although the opener was unusual it was deserved as a corner went straight in.

Needham had the ball in the net through Keira Topple but the flag was up, and Megan Mcrae-Robinson had a shoot that clipped the bar as the hosts came back into it.

But Hastag doubled the lead through Keen and then Bloomfield failed to convert two penalties in as many minutes as the goalkeeper first tipped one onto the post before the second she failed to hit the target going the opposite way.

It was a major blow, and it was punished as Fleming shot from range and arrowed one over Danni Clarke for a commanding three goal lead at the break.

At the start of the second they increased yet further ahead through Ojobaro as she hit one from range again and it just evaded Clarke’s fingertips to hit the net.

Chances did come and go with Mcrae-Robinson coming close before Needham made a strong late comeback as first pressure from Topple gave Lewis-Samuel a goal and then moments later Brame drove one from outside the box as Hastag failed to clear their lines.

But any notion of a dramatic comeback was thwarted with a tap in goal before a late one for Erin Radburn from a narrow angle to complete the scoring.

Another tough day against another promotion rival has put a real dent in the season after a strong start but they are back in cup action next week with an away trip to Premier Division side Harpenden in the League Cup.