UNBEATEN RUN CONTINUES FOR NEEDHAM MARKET WOMEN

Mia Etheridge-Golding was the heroine for Needham Market as her second half strike made all the difference in a tight 1-0 league victory over Stanway Pegasus at Bloomfields.

This is her second spell at the club having left at the end of the 23/24 season and becoming unattached with Injury curtailing a comeback to the game before she returned to the club this summer and now using her experience to decisive affect.

Needham were the better side in the first half and created a few chances, but Caitlyn Brand in the Stanway goal made some smart stops to frustrate the home side.

It remained cagey with the only goal from Etheridge-Golding coming just after the hour mark when she tapped home from close range as Stanway failed to clear a Needham free kick.

A Faith Witmore free kick was met by Topple poking it back into the middle of the danger zone where Etheridge-Golding was able to force it home.

Stanway had a lot of possession in the latter stages of the second half but failed to make any impression on the Needham goal, but they did force Danni Clarke into a smart save as they looked for an immediate equaliser.

The home side started the better and it was - guess who? – Annie Posnett with the first effort but her chance to make it the first goal in 5 consecutive matches in this campaign was denied by Brand in the Stanway goal.

Posnett was involved again minutes later when her cross-field ball was met by Emma Drake, who managed to get her shot away under pressure, yet again the keeper was equal to it.

On the half hour mark Ciera Flatt and Posnett combined to release Keira Topple, who yet again was denied by Brand in a frustrating first half.

It remained cagey but it was just after the hour mark when the decisive moment came.

Needham’s Development squad kicked off their Suffolk League Premiership campaign with 1-1 draw away at Kesgrave Kestrels.Needham were behind at half time but salvaged a point in the second half thanks first team midfielder Chloe Brame. Brame’s return to competitive action is a welcome sight after suffering a collarbone injury in January that kept out of the rest of last season.