Needham Market’s defence of the Women’s Suffolk Cup is over at the semi-final stage after being beaten 4-0 by arch foes Sudbury at Bury Towns Ram Meadow.
The first half was cagey on a very tricky surface after a lot ofmorning rain, but it was a late Jess Allen goal that gave Sudbury the advantage at the break.
After the break Sudbury took control thanks to a double from Yasmin Drake and then a second for Allen as the Tier four team put gloss on the win.
It was a half of very few chances with just the one effort from Molly Hall being blocked the best chance for the defending Champions.
Sudbury didn’t have much more although Amber Locker in goal made an impressive save from point blank range just minutes before the goal.
And it came from Allen after Molly Hall headed the ball back on halfway and the midfield failed to react allowing Sudbury to pick up and play a neat ball in behind for Allen to run in and finish over Locker.
The second half started better for Needham with MiaEtheridge-Golding showing a threat by winning an early corner.
It was Needham’s Number 10 that had the turning point in the game as she was put in clear, but her finish was low and allowed the on-rushing keeper to block.
It proved pivotal as minutes later Sudbury doubled their lead through Drake as Needham got caught on the counter and she was on hand in the middle to finish from close range.
As expected, the gaps began to develop, and it allowed Pike to finish the game from close range again before Allen added her second after pouncing on a moment of hesitation to bundle over from inside the 6-yard-box.
Substitute Annie Posnett had a chance to register a consolation, but her lofted finish was beaten away by the Sudbury keeper.
It meant an end to the defence of the trophy won last May and the last hope of Silverware for the season as Sudbury taught Needham a lesson in how to be clinical in a game of limited chances.
After the game Warren Lewis-Claxton said “It’s a tough one to take, I thought we had good moments in the game, but couldn’t take the chances we had, they took there’s, and I think that was the difference in the game”.
“It was a frustrating time to concede, as I thought we had defended really well. A lapse moment gave them an opportunity, which they took. It was a game of small margins, and of course if we score the equaliser, the game changes completely.
“we just have to push through the remaining games, do the best we can, continue to provide opportunities to the young players striving, and make the most of the end of the season”.