DEFEAT AWAY TO LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Needham Market suffered an 8-1 defeat against champions Luton Town with results elsewhere meaning that the battle to stay in the premier division continues for another few weeks.

Becca Stephenson had put the visitors into an early lead, but the lead was soon whipped out by Tasha Fensome before she went onto complete a hat trick with a further a goal from Tsaianne Leander completing the first half comeback.

The pain didn’t end in the second period with Fensome adding her fourth and further goals from Ami Martins, Amber Leighton and Gabby Spillman.

Luton started strongly as expected in front of an expectant crowd but didn’t threaten and it was Needham, who grew in confidence and took the lead through Stephenson as she pounced on a poor back pass after great Needham pressure.

But the lead lasted a matter of minutes as Luton won a corner and Needham couldn’t clear as the original header can back off the post for Fensome to tap home on the line.

They then added a second quickly again through Fensome as she took a neat touch from a cross to allow her to finish within the 6-yard box.

Debutant under 16 goalkeeper Daisy Morris made a great stop as another corner was whipped in and powerfully headed at goal but she showed quick reactions to tip over the bar.  

Fensome was involved for the third as she turned provider to play in Leander and she made no mistake before Fensome completed her hat trick with another close-range finish from another corner.

Luton rolled the changes at half time and added an early fifth after a mix up at the back allowed Ami Martins to score in an empty net.

Annie Posnett hit the post from an excellent back to frontcounterattack but sadly Luton went up the other end and Fensome added her fourth rounding Morris in goal before a seventh with 10 mins to go from Leighton.

Needham just wanted the final whistle, but the drama hadn’t quite ended when Luton were awarded a penalty and Ashtyn Newley was sent off for a harsh handball offence in the areawith the resulting spot kick missed with Morris going the right way in any case.

Spillman added the eighth in stoppage time to round off things as Luton lifted the trophy in front of their fans.

As for Needham it was a tough day, but results do mean that the fight goes on and can take some positive with Morris marking a great debut with some top stops and more time for u16’s and development players to make more first team appearances.