NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN PROGRESS IN THE LEAGUE CUP

Needham Market have progressed to the third round of the Eastern Regional League Cup with a comfortable 2-1 victory of Mulbarton Wanderers at Bloomfields.

The scoreline suggested a tight game but it was a comfortable win for the home side, who rarely faced any peril and missed plenty of chances throughout.

Annie Posnett opened the scoring in the first half and Needham looked like they would have a comfortable day, butthey spurned several chances and that saw them pay when Rebekah Lake equalised just before the break.

The pattern of the game didn’t change much in the second half with Needham on the front foot for much of the half and they scored the decisive goal thanks to an own goal.

It was a strong start by the home side with Posnett going close and Needham continuing to be on the front foot but failing to make the keeper work in the away goal.

But the goal did come as Posnett scored from just inside the box after being set up by Mia Etheridge-Golding to make a deserved breakthrough.

New signing Megan McCrae-Robinson made an impressive second debut after re-signing from Ipswich u21’s side.

It was comfortable for Needham, and it looked like the gap would only get bigger but profligacy in front of goal and a defensive error brought the visitors back into the tie.

A long ball was played over the top and captain Laura Bloomfield tried to head the ball back to Daisy Morris in goal,but she couldn’t get the power on it and Mulbarton captain, Lake pounced to equalise from their first chance.

The second half followed the same pattern and again another early goal as a high cross from Esme Marsh was turned into her own net by the Mulbarton full back.

Needham again looked comfortable but had Morris to thank for a brilliant double save as first she denied Lake at her feet before getting up quickly to make a strong save from the powerful rebound from outside the box.

Although the scoreline remained tight Needham never looked in real danger of conceding another equaliser and saw out the game to progress in the League Cup and confine Mulbarton tothe League Plate.