Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Needham Market 4 Brightlingsea Regent 1 - the hot streak continues...

It's been an exciting first two months of the season for supporters of our local Ryman League Division 1 North football team, Needham Market FC. Taking advantage of some decent conditions for the sort of flowing football they like to play, they had won ten out of twelve in the league, and won three FA Cup ties into the bargain, coming into last night's home game with league newcomers Brightlingsea Regent, and only being kept out of first place on goal difference by Harlow Town.

The form line was slightly tricky, in that the visitors had been knocked out of the FA Cup by London Tigers, who had then been brushed aside fairly easily by Needham on Saturday. And yet, Brightlingsea had then drawn with the league leaders, so perhaps the two teams were more evenly matched than might have been predicted.

Needham Market kicked off, wearing their usual red, with Brightlingsea Regent in their change strip of mauve shirts with black trim, black shorts and black socks - their goalkeeper's pink shirt accessorising nicely with his central defenders. And, for fifteen minutes or so, it was pretty even, with the visitors playing some neat football. But it was that man again, Sam Newson, heading in from a corner to put the hosts in front.

18' - Needham Market 1 Brightlingsea Regent 0

The home team could relax a little and began to dominate proceedings, eventually pressurising the Regent goalkeeper into muffing a clearance and giving Needham an unexpected shot at an open goal, albeit from distance. His luck was in though, as the attempt rebounded off a post and away to safety.

With the news that Harlow were unexpectedly losing at Wroxham, the Marketman continued to take the game to Brightlingsea and it wasn't much of a surprise when, following a neat turn, Sam Newson made it two.

36' - Needham Market 2 Brightlingsea Regent 0


There was still time for Sam Newson who hit the post with a chip over the keeper following a bravely won 50:50 ball by Lemell Howells, making his first start for the club, but Harlow had equalised at Wroxham. Needham were still top of the table though, if things stayed as they were.

At half-time, it all looked pretty comfortable, but then, I had thought that on Saturday...

The second half started relatively quietly, with most of the action at the Brightlingsea end, until under pressure from Lemell Howell, Brightlingsea conceded a soft throw-in on their right flank. Quick movement saw the ball reach Luke Ingram on the right-hand edge of their penalty area with time and space, and he found the net with a low shot.

63' - Needham Market 3 Brightlingsea Regent 0

Unfortunately, Harlow almost simultaneously took the lead at Wroxham and thus were, for the time being, back on top of the table. Time to bring on some fresh legs, decided manager, Mark Morsley, and Ingram, Howell and Newson were all withdrawn, with Clarke, Crisp and Cunningham coming on in an evident bid to improve the goal difference position.

However, after a goalmouth scramble in the Needham box, the referee blew for a penalty and beckoned Ian Westlake for what didn't seem likely to be a friendly chat and a request for an autograph. The red card was shown, and Needham were down to ten men. Brightlingsea skipper Josh Gould stepped up to take the penalty, and put it away comfortably.

76' - Needham Market 3 Brightlingsea Regent 1

Were we to see another ten minutes like we did on Saturday? No, as the Marketmen looked just as threatening with ten men as they had with eleven, calm in defence, incisive in attack. And when Ryan Crisp received the ball on the halfway line, held it up nicely and then took on the defence, allowing George Clarke to get up in support, his subsequent neat pass sat up invitingly for Clarke to crash one into the net.

87' - Needham Market 4 Brightlingsea Regent 1

There was still time for Crisp to make and miss a good opening before the final whistle, but Needham were home safely for another win and three valuable points in their quest for promotion. Brightlingsea weren't a bad side, perhaps lacking penetration a little - they've only scored more than one goal in a league game twice in their first thirteen games - but if they can adjust to the higher skill levels required, they should be alright this season.

And so, Needham stay level on points with Harlow Town at the top of the table, with a goal difference of +17 to Harlow's +18. Next up for the Marketmen, Romford away, whilst Harlow entertain AFC Sudbury. Perhaps our local rivals can do us a favour...


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