MARKETMEN THROUGH TO LAST 4

Needham Market advanced to a sixth straight Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final following a 1-0 victory at fellow Southern League Central Premier Division rivals Leiston.

Eddie Barker and Dan Morphew started in place of Reggie Lambe and Jake Dye from Saturday's 3-0 home league win, as Tom Rothery's side made it 3 straight victories in all competitions.

Myles Cowling (2') saw an early shot saved by Billy Johnson, while Eddie Barker (3') fired wide of the left-hand post.

Another early effort for the visitors saw Cowling's (5') shot from inside the area blocked by Callan-McFadden, as Barker's couldn't quite turn home from close range, following a 13th minute shot just outside the area.

At the other end, ex-Marketman Adam Mills (16') fired well wide of the left-hand post, as a great ball into the Leiston box just evaded Luke Ingram (21').

James Bradbrook meanwhile was on hand to comfortably save Mills' (34') effort), before Ingram shot wide after neat play on the left inside 42 minutes.

Kyle Hammond (44') fired over as the first half ended goalless.

After the break, Joe Neal (58') saw an effort denied by Johnson, ahead of Leiston being reduced to ten men on 77 minutes, after Willie Clemons received a second yellow card.

In response, Ingram (79') shot wide, but did hit the match-winning goal on 83 minutes.

A smart finish from close range by the winger set up a last four showdown with Saturday's league opponents Bury Town at Stowmarket Town, to be played on Wednesday 18th March (7:45pm).

Manager Tom Rothery reflects on last night's away win.

DK: A great win on the road, through to another semi final, how delighted are you?

TR: Really pleased, I thought we deserved to win and we got some really important minutes for a couple of players so we can now park that and look forward to the semi-final in March.

DK: How pleased are you with the performance?

TR: We started really well and looked lively, we didn’t maintain that for the whole of the half but I felt we bossed the second half. The changes added well again and we got the win and another clean sheet which in honesty was deserved also as I felt we limited them to very little if anything really.

DK: Three straight wins now in all competitions, must be the icing on the cake?

TR: At this stage of the season it’s really important to build and keep momentum so it’s another positive result and keeps that possibility of a trophy in the background so we can now refocus on the league. All wins are important and it’s testament to the players and how hard they are working, we have a really good bunch and they’re in a good place.

DK: Another goal for Ingers has set up another clash with our next opponents Bury.

TR: Luke had a little hamstring strain that was affecting him but being the type of lad he is he wanted to always play but he came out for a couple and we managed him a little and I think we are now seeing the rewards of that. He’s looking really hungry and really sharp, that’s 3 in 4 for him now since that little spell out of the starting team so that’s really pleasing and I’m just pleased for him he fully deserves every bit of praise he gets.

DK: Can you give us an insight into the changing room at full-time and what was said?

TR: Make sure when we wake up tomorrow we are in the semi was the message at the start of the night. They did that so there was the praise they deserved but also it’s important we realise what we are doing well, what we can still do better and what we want to achieve.

DK: Speaking of Bury, what type of game are you expecting?

TR: Tough, they’ve certainly found their feet at the level, they lost Saturday but Banbury are on a good run and Bury were 9 unbeaten before that so look we will rest, prepare and look forward to a tough local derby.