DEFEAT AT STAMFORD

A late Stamford strike condemns Needham to defeat on the road, ending a run of two straight defeats.

Tom Rothery made 3 changes to the home victory over Stratford Town, Eddie Barker, Jamie Mauge and Ben Hunter all dropped to the bench with Reggie Lambe, Seth Chambers and Ollie Saunders all returning to the starting eleven.

Needham went close just 25 seconds after kick-off, Seth Chambers neatly spun round his marker onto the right-hand side whose squared ball was flicked on by Joe Neal for Myles Cowling at the far post who shoots just wide from a tight angle at close range.

Needham (7') shot over from just outside the box, though the whistle went for a free-kick to the hosts as Chambers was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Jackson.

Lambe (9') tried his luck at goal from outside the area, but shot low and wide, while Jake Dye threaded a sumptuous right wing ball round the defence towards Chambers in the area but was gathered by the onrushing Jackson (15').

The Marketmen remained on top and went close from the first corner of the afternoon (18'), Kyle Hammond's excellent left wing set-piece just evaded Dan Morphew lurking free at the far post from point blank range.

Needham again went close (21'), a smart counter attack saw Ollie Saunders exploit space on the left-hand side to square a great low ball across to Chambers, which was crucially intercepted by Jackson off his line well - palming the ball away low to his left.

Neal (23') saw a good strike cannoned out for a throw in by a defensive block, while Hammond's right wing corner was partially punched clear by Jackson, falling to Cowling at the far post who worked space in the area before seeing his effort blocked, as Saunders' follow up low ball across was cleared.

Tommy Smith meanwhile forced a strong save from Jackson (28'), the defender's ferocious strike from distance was just kept out by Jackson, low to his right, who just pounced on the loose ball ahead of a Blue shirt.

Chambers (33') held off a tug from a defender to drive through the hosts' half to shoot, only for his 20-yard effort to be fired over.

At the other end however, Lobjoit (35') met a left wing corner free at the near post but headed a good opportunity wide.

Lambe's 38th minute free-kick from 30-yards, and follow up strike from around 25-yards out, was blocked, while Dan Morphew (44') blocked George Hobbins' low strike from long range.

Hammond (45'+4') saw his venomous shot well blocked, as the half ended goalless despite a good half from the visitors.

Lambe (53') saw a fierce low volley held by Jackson at his near post, following a great long ball set Chambers through down the left to deliver an insightful ball to the midfielder, free at the back post.

Both sides had a shot on goal in quick succession, while Neal's tight angled effort from the left-hand side is held by Jackson at his near post after a deflection (58'), Bradbrook was on hand to expertly stretch to his left to tip a shot crucially wide (59').

Hunter replaced Saunders, though Stamford headed a 64th minute right wing corner just wide at close range.

Joshua Cavallo (72') fired wide of the bottom far corner, prior to Appauh (73') darting in unchallenged onto the left-hand side but curled his shot just agonisingly over the top far corner.

Ingram (84') broke into the box before seeing a shot blocked, as the hosts took the lead (87').

Jackson's long kick wasn't dealt with as Lobjoit drove through clear to stab just past Bradbrook in the net.

Hammond's 91st minute left wing free-kick was on target but punched clear by Jackson.

Needham return to Bloomfields on Saturday when Kettering Town travel to Suffolk (3pm).

Click here to listen to Manager Tom Rothery's reaction: https://youtu.be/YlKzQpSz5PM?si=V5LYenAKq60aG450

Thanks to Stamford photographer Rob O’Brien for the cover photo