NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN RETURN TO PORTMAN ROAD

Needham Market have made it back to Portman Road with a 3-0 Suffolk FA Cup semi final win over Halesworth Town.

They beat the Suffolk League Premiership side at Framlingham Town and now set up a re-match against rivalsand holders AFC Sudbury at the home of Ipswich Town eight years on from the clubs first Portman Road final in its first season as a club.

Being the higher ranked team Needham were heavy favourites to make another final and had a dominant 1-0 lead at the break thanks to Annie Posnett.

And that dominance put the game to bed in the second half with goals from Mia Etheridge-Golding and Megan McCrae-Robinson to send Needham to a fifth final in eight years.

The start of the match was expected with Needham in control of possession and creating numerous chances with McCrae-Robinson going close early on.

And eventually the floodgates were breached when top scorer Posnett ran clear and nestled one into the bottom corner midway through the half.

Chances continued to come with Etheridge-Golding denied by a fine save before Posnett saw an effort cannon off the post after a wonderful Chelsea Brett cross.

Although it was only a single goal lead, Needham were looking strong going into the break.

It wasn’t long before they took real charge in the second period when Etheridge-Golding headed home from a pin perfect McCrae-Robinson cross.

Needham had further chances but failed to add until McCrae-Robinson put the final gloss on the win, scoring into an open net in the final minute to get a well-deserved goal her performance deserved.

The result now takes them back to another final as they look to avenge their 2022 defeat at the hands of Sudbury at Colchester United and to add to the title, they won the year after in 2023.