MARKETMEN MOVE UP TO FIFTH

Needham Market moved up to fifth with a clinical start to the second half, scoring 3 goals in 9 minutes to beat St Ives Town 3-1 at Bloomfields.

Richens gave the Ives a half-time lead inside the opening quarter, though the Marketmen had the majority of the possession and chances throughout.

However, the Reds turned the game on its head in quick succession after the break - Tommy Smith headed home Ollie Saunder's right wing cross five minutes after the restart, before Dan Morphew's free-kick freed Luke Ingram to give the hosts' a well earned advantage.

Joe Neal came off the bench to promptly give the Suffolk side breathing space, turning home Luke Ingram's cross, ultimately moving into the final play-off space, approaching the business end of the season.

Tom Rothery again named an unchanged side to last Saturday's 2-0 home win over league leaders Spalding United, 

The home side had a great chance early on, Reggie Lambe (4') was slid through onto the left-hand side, but shot wide into the bottom near side-netting from close range.

St Ives however broke the deadlock rather against the run of play on 14 minutes, as Michael Richens headed home a right wing free-kick at the far post.

In reply, Kyle Hammond's (16') left wing corner was met by Luke Ingram at the near post, albeit the winger looped his header over.

The woodwork (18') then denied Needham an equaliser as Tommy Smith's low ferocious strike from distance cannoned agonisingly back into play, away from any lurking Red shirts, off the inside base of the bottom right-hand, far, post.

James Bradbrook then did well to pluck a dangerous right wing cross out of the air on 21 minutes, while Ingram (24') was fed into the area only to see his low strike blocked.

The first half continued to follow the pattern of stop start, as Taylor required treatment after gratefully pouncing on the loose ball (35') after Luke Ingram fed Reggie Lambe down the left-hand side before rounding the onrushing keeper.

MOTM Tommy Smith's (42') cross was glanced wide for a goal-kick, before Kyle Hammond's (45'+1') cross was claimed.

The Marketmen, who dominated the first half, started the second half in the same vein (48'), Luke Ingram latched onto a left wing great cross to the far post, but the ball bounced off the forward out for a goal-kick.

The Suffolk side (50') were deservedly level on 50 minutes, as Tommy Smith met a right wing cross with a clever diving header into the bottom left-hand corner at close range. 

Wyatt (52') was denied by the woodwork at the other end, though Luke Ingram gave Needham a thoroughly deserved lead on 56 minutes.

Dan Morphew's free-kick, after a foul on Kyle Hammond, threaded Ingram clear on the right-hand side to slide home past the onrushing keeper.

James Bradbrook (58') smartly parried away a low shot across goal low to his right-hand side, while Joe Neal (59') quickly added a third for the Marketmen.

Having been on the pitch two minutes after replacing Lambe, the striker cooly finished a move down the right wing at close range.

Needham almost netted a fourth (65'), the relentless home side were in full flow as Myles Cowling won back possession dangerously on the left-hand side, as his low excellent low ball across the face of goal just evaded the arriving Hammond at point blank range.

Luke Ingram (67') weaved into space on the left-hand side before skewing a good strike wide.

Chambers (73') replaced Cowling, as Luke Ingram spotted Taylor off his line from distance, although his superb strike went narrowly over.

Luke Ingram (76') sliced Joe Neal's low cutback wide of the far post, before Max Appauh (85') replaced Hammond.

Appauh (87') saw his shot blocked after beating his man into the box, while loud appeals for a penalty after a foul on Jake Dye were waved away. 

Hunter (88') made way for Eddie Barker, as Needham extended their unbeaten run to 8 games. 

Needham face Bury Town on Wednesday in the Suffolk Premier Cup Semi Final at Stowmarket Town (7:45pm).