NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN PROGRESS IN THE FA CUP

Needham Market have continued progress in this season’s FA Cup with a comfortable 3-1 win away at fellow Eastern Regional south side Toby FC in Essex.

They made a fast start through Mia Etheridge-Golding and went on to dominate the first half with a brace from top scorer Annie Posnett giving the visitors a healthy half time lead.

It was a non-event in the second half with both sides lacking much creativity on a very challenging pitch, but the home side did get a consolation as a bobbly back pass was blocked into the net.

Needham started well and took an early lead through Etheridge-Golding as she smashed into the roof of the net from close range to score in consecutive games after great build up play from Posnett and Keira Topple getting her into a scoring position.

They continued to dominate and had chances to increase their lead, but it was tough with such an uneven surface forcing the team to be very direct.

And this was to lead to the second goal as Charlotte McGrath battled hard on halfway to win the ball before going long over the top for Posnett to outpace the defenders and the goalkeeper as her deft touch cleared the keeper allowed it to trickle into the corner.

Toby had made very little impression on goal but went close to getting back into the game as a cross come shot floated narrowly onto the roof of the net.

But it remained Needham as the most likely and they made it a strong lead with the goal of the game as a deft touch from Anna Sullivan direct from a goal kick was taken first time from Posnett, who buried it from 25 yards.

The second half became an attritional affair as both teams opted to play directly with the very hard and uneven pitch making it tough to play on the surface.

It looked like the game was meandering to a comfortable Needham victory but out of nowhere Toby grabbed a goal back as an Elise Wade back pass took a dodgy bounce to deceive Danni Clarke as she tried to clear and was blocked by the Toby forward into the net.

Chances remained at a premium and it was Needham through Jae Lewis-Samuel, who sealed the win in the last round, camethe closest as her one on one was cleared off the line in the last 15 minutes.

Chloe Brame made a goalscoring return to action for the Development side last week and made a boosting first team return from the bench in the second half after a collarbone injury had kept her out since January.

It was the first ever competitive meeting with Toby and willbe first of three as face them in League action; for now, the club will wait to see the draw as they enter the third and final qualifying round looking to make the main tournament for the first time in two seasons.