Warren Lewis-Claxton highlighted his team’s togetherness as a major reason for his team’s first ever Eastern Regional topflight win away in sunny Norfolk against Wroxham.
The home side are very experienced at this level and are building for the national league themselves so for Needham to go and win 2-0 thanks to goals from Jo Brawn and Lois Balfour was a brilliant result.
Having lost to Haringey in their league opener and to back that up away from home again was going to be tough, but it is one hurdle they have overcome with flying colours especially with players missing through injury.
Warren said: “The togetherness and camaraderie that got us through the hard times last season will get us through the hard times this season.
“We have people away and with all the injuries I couldn’t be prouder what this group has accomplished overall but today was again special”.
Needham were missing players from the previous week but the quality of players coming in from the development squad has allowed them to continue to be competitive in games.
The biggest missing piece was the injury to undisputed number 1 Danni Clarke, who ruptured her Achilles last week, but in new signing Emily Cockrill they had a solid replacement – she made two top saves to deny Wroxham in the first half.
Warren continued: “Hats off to Emily, she got a round of applause in the dressing room as she only joined the club in the summer and was brought in to be our development keeper.
“To suddenly be drafted in and keep a clean sheet and put on that performance, massive well done to her as that is tough and shows her quality – I’m delighted for her”.
Having lost last week, this was always going to be a test of the character and what a way to stand up and be counted.
Warren concluded: “I was proud of that performance especially our heart and desire, we nicked a goal from Jo (Brawn) from hard work in the first half and that continued to give us the three points that I am so happy with – that has got us going and will put us in great spirits going forward.
Needham welcome Bedford as the first team to visit Bloomfields this season on Sunday – we hope to see many of you there!!
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