PERFECT DAY FOR NEEDHAM MARKET REACTION FROM SATURDAYS GAMES

Needham Market picked up their second straight win inflicting a 1-0 defeat on in-form Stratford Town, who'd won their last 6 outings. 

Tom Rothery's side made 3 changes from the win at Leiston, three weeks ago, Joe Neal, Ben Hunter and Eddie Barker replaced Luke Ingram, Ollie Saunders and Reggie Lambe - all started on the bench.

Eddie Barker (39'secs) worked space smartly on the left wing, whose attempted cross went behind for a goal-kick.

Barker, making his first league start certainly made an early impression (3'), driving down the left wing to square for Joe Neal free from 8-yards out whose shot was smothered behind by Jake Weaver.

Hammond's (4') resulting corner found Dan Morphew free at the back post, the defender's great towering header rebounded off the inside of the post as Weaver appeared to have just kept it out as appeals for a goal were dismissed.

Jamie Mauge (8'), fresh from scoring away to Preston U21s in midweek, hung an inviting cross to the far post, with the arriving Hunter doing well to connect to it but couldn't quite turn his effort on target, shooting just wide.

While Needham arguably enjoyed a lot of the possession, there was a tentative spell, until Eddie Barker's left wing cross was claimed by Weaver on his line (22').

A crucial goal saving challenge form Keiran Morphew (41') denied Ty Deacon from getting a clear shot off inside the area, who stuck his foot in the firing line in the process of poking the ball away from danger, on the receiving end of a foul in the process.

In the first of five first half added minutes, Stratford saw a shot from a yard out at the right-hand post blocked behind for Bradbrook, while the corner saw a shot deflected for another set-piece resulting in a foul.

Two important blocks from Dye in as many minutes (52' & 53') blocked dangerous low crosses, one from each side, the first falling to Sherif who shot wide of the bottom left-hand corner, prior to deflecting the second dangerous delivery behind for a corner.

James Bradbrook (55') then held onto Charlie Wragg's low right-hand dangerous low shot in his six yard box.

Ben Hunter, after a triple substitution pepped Needham up, whipped a great ball over the top towards Seth Chambers but for Weaver racing out to parry clear.

Reggie Lambe meanwhile broke the deadlock (61') with an exquisite 30-yard strike. Max Appauh, also fresh off the bench, fed the midfielder in acres of space to curl a beautiful strike into the top far, right-hand, corner - sparking the game into life.

The game went from quiet to explosive, as Seth Chambers broke down the left-hand side before being hauled down by Bo Morris - who was cautioned - on 63 minutes, albeit Ingram's low penalty cannoned back out off the inside base of the left-hand post.

A huge double stop from James Bradbrook (67') expertly preserved the hosts' lead, an underhit back pass from Dan Morphew gave Stratford the opportunity to break into the area where two low shots in quick succession were blocked away by the onrushing goalkeeper.

Roberts' header from a left wing corner (72') was held comfortably by Bradbrook, as Dan Morphew was a whisker away from connecting with Ollie Saunders' peach of a left wing cross, with the goal virtually gaping.

Ingram picked out Appauh with a brilliant left wing cross (80'), whose header was glanced wide of the far post.

The latter continued to trouble the visiting defence, as the winger burst clear on goal, with Weaver charging out to meet him, the goalkeeper missed the ball resulting in the Needham winger going down (81') but was booked for simulation.

Ingram crucially blocked a 92nd minute close range strike, as Dan Lafferty was sent off for a excessive foul on Ben Hunter two minutes later.

Stratford looked to grab a late equaliser, but struggled to test James Bradbrook, which was made worse when Lafferty was sent off for an excessive foul on Ben Hunter (94').

Bradbrook (97') claimed a lofted free-kick to a crowded far post, making it two wins on the bounce for the Suffolk side. 

Needham travel to bottom side Stamford on Saturday (3pm).

To listen to post match interviews with goalscorer Reggie Lambe and Manager Tom Rothery click the link below https://youtu.be/d4SUP5gzWpc?si=SmDKY9sjlQrmPmvs

Elsewhere, a perfect day was rounded off by wins for our Reserves (3-1) and Under-23's (3-2).

Reserves defender Brad Smith reflected on the victory at Wivenhoe Town. 

DK: A great way to kick off 2026, you must be delighted? 

BS: Yeah great way to kick off 2026 and sets the tone for what we need to carry on as a team for the second half of the season. It was a strong dominant performance and a very well deserved win.

DK: How important was it to get the win?

BS: I think it was a very important win against a side who are in and around us in the table so 3 points to increase the distance between us and the is always nice 

DK: How'd you describe the performance? 

BS: It was a very front footed aggressive performance from us and it was nice to take the pressure off of ourselves abit by taking the lead. We had a lot of the ball and created a lot of chances and could easily of been more goals scored. So that’s a huge positive showing that we are going in the right direction and starting to take charge of games.

DK: What pleased you most? 

BS: I would say the overall dominance on the game pleased me the most because for large periods of time we parked in there half and kept the ball popping around and kept them on the back foot so was very nice to have that much of the ball.5) Another very important game for us as it’s another chance to pull a gap from the bottom 3 so I’m sure the lads will be up for it and will approach the game in a similar way as this week looking to play the game in their half and have a lot of the ball so that we can create chances and score more goals. The group all have a clear target that we want to achieve by the end of the season and another win would be a big step towards that.

DK: A trip to Leiston U23s next, what are your thoughts on that?

BS: Another very important game for us as it’s another chance to pull a gap from the bottom 3 so I’m sure the lads will be up for it and will approach the game in a similar way as this week looking to play the game in their half and have a lot of the ball so that we can create chances and score more goals. The group all have a clear target that we want to achieve by the end of the season and another win would be a big step towards that.