LATE DRAMA AWAY AT CHELMSFORD FOR NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN

Needham Market lost out to a heartbreaking stoppage time winner to be edged out 3-2 away at Chelmsford City after a performance that merited at least a point for their efforts.

The first half saw their top scorer Zoe Rushen open the scoring early before a beautiful Esme Marsh equaliser had us deservedly level, but we were undone by a corner that led to Abi Clarke restoring the lead.

Chloe Brame had looked to have claimed at least a point with a late goal, but it was heartbreak for the visitors as Abi Woollvin scored a late stoppage time winner.  

Just prior to kick off the heavens opened, which made the pitch very heavy come kick off with both teams making a weary start.

But the home side broke the deadlock early as some neat play at the edge of the box gave Rushen time to just give herself a yard from Laura Bloomfield and rifled one into the top corner.

The game settled down after that, and Needham started to get themselves back into the game and deservedly levelled through Marsh.

Just prior to the goal Marsh had got clear and saw her pull back cleared but within seconds she received it again, playing a brilliant one-two to get clear down the right and this time she lobbed the keeper as the ball nestled into the bottom corner.

Chelmsford restored their lead as the half drifted to the break from a controversially given corner, which Needham failed to clear as Clarke rifled in the rebound.

Jae Lewis-Samuel came closest after the break as her pace caused problems and she was able to get her shot away although it was pushed away for a corner.

Clarke then made a brilliant save as the game entered the final quarter to keep the team in it before a sweet volley from the resulting corner looked to be cleared off the line by a home player – although she didn’t know much about it.

But Needham’s Perseverance paid off as Lewis-Samuel chased what was a comfortable back pass and forced the keeper into a rushed clearance falling for Brame, who took a touch before beating a defender and unleashing her finish high into the net.

Chelmsford hit the crossbar as the game went end to end and unfortunately for Needham the coin fell the wrong way as Woollvin won the game in stoppage time as the imperious Clarke unfortunately saw her clearance charged down right to the striker’s feet.

A cruel end to what was a brilliant performance while missing three big players and to end like that just shows how games can go but it is a performance to be proud of even if the result hurts.

Needham’s Development side carried on their top form with a 5-0 thrashing of Capel at Bloomfields. It was another good day for Immy Porch with another brace and goals from Lexie Ferris, Paige Pugh and Khyla Anderson-Hayler.