RESERVES WIN FINAL HOME GAME OF THE SEASON

Needham Market Reserves wrapped up their home league campaign with a 1-0 win over Leiston U23s.

James Mant's side started brightly and took an early lead in the 6th minute, a great move saw Brad Smith's low cross find Kellen Fiddy free whose pass teed up Alex Oakley to tap home at point blank range.

Kellen Fiddy then smashed a low shot narrowly wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner from the right-hand edge of the box on 13 minutes.

Three minutes later, Stanley Horne curled a good strike towards the top right-hand, far, corner from outside the box but the goalkeeper was well placed to take a superb catch.

Needham went close again on 18 minutes, Kellen Fiddy drove into space on the edge of the box before seeing a shot blocked, while Seth Chambers' low shot on the follow up was held by goalkeeper Marcus Mehew.

The young Marketmen remained on the front foot, forcing two good blocks in the 21st minute. Oakley drove close to goal only to see his low shot blocked, with Ollie Fraser's effort on the follow up also denied by a defender.

Charlie Smy fired a shot over from 30-yards two minutes later, while Seth Chambers broke into the box from the right wing but saw his low shot held by Mehew moments later.

Luca Savill won back possession well in midfield before smartly turning his man and exploiting space to shoot, whose low strike was well held by Mehew in the 26th minute.

Seth Chambers then tested Mehew ten minutes later, firing a low shot towards the bottom right-hand corner from inside the box but for the keeper to beat it behind.

Good passing play from Needham saw Ollie Fraser play a quick one-two before trying his luck at goal on 38 minutes but his low shot went wide of the bottom near corner.

Ollie Fraser weaved into space well on the left wing to create space to shoot, albeit the keeper was well placed to hold onto the low shot at his near post on 44 minutes.

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Needham then saw two close range efforts blocked from the resulting corner as the Marketmen deservedly led at the break.

Needham introduced Evan Gledhill and Harlyn Palmer at the break, while Mackenzie Travis half-volleyed a shot wide from outside the box on 47 minutes.

Alex Oakley saw a shot blocked from the edge of the box two minutes later, who then saw a low shot well held by the keeper following a brilliant low cutback from Brad Smith in the 52nd minute.

Two minutes later, Evan Gledhill went close to doubling the hosts' lead. The forward picked up possession smartly 25-yards out but fired his strike agonisingly just wide of the bottom left-hand corner.

Fiddy however fired a great strike just over from the edge of the box on 58 minutes, as Harry Hopkins entered the frey.

At the other end, Roan Tucker produced a big save to preserve the hosts' lead on 69 minutes, brilliantly smothering away Stanley Horne's low shot.

Tucker then comfortably collected a low shot at his bottom right-hand corner on 75 minutes, before Alex Oakley saw a low shot at a tight angle well held by Mehew two minutes later.

Harlyn Palmer then weaved into space to shoot outside the box but saw his shot well held by Mehew with ten minutes left on the clock.

Evan Gledhill's flick on from Charlie Smy's 86th minute effort was held by Mehew, with James Coton and Olly Bowman replacing Luca Savill and Alex Oakley for the final 5 minutes.

Harry Hopkins' goal-bound effort from Brad Smith's clever left wing cutback was blocked on 88 minutes, as Harlyn Palmer was released through on goal two minutes later but shot over the crossbar.

Leiston meanwhile were reduced to ten men during stoppage time, after Oliver Griggs was sin binned for dissent.

Olly Reynolds stood firm to block a 93rd minute shot as Needham held on for all 3 points.

The Reserves travel to AFC Sudbury Reserves for their final game of the season on Monday (3pm).