Match Preview

NEEDHAM MARKET v BLUES
- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Match Information
Needham Market v Blues
Pitching In Southern League Central Premier
Monday 10th April
1pm kick off
Bloomfields, Quinton Road, Needham Market, IP6 8DA.
Tel: - 01449 721000.

Admission Charges
Adults - £11
Concessions - £8
12-16’s - £2.

Game 40/42.

Leiston visit Needham Market for a local derby tomorrow afternoon as the league season nears it’s end.

Leiston’s win on Saturday saw the side move up to second place in the league standings, four points behind Coalville Town, although the Leicestershire side have a game in hand. Needham dropped a couple of places to 16th in the table on Saturday, but are still six points clear of the drop.

This will be the sides third meeting of the season, and there will be a fourth next Tuesday in the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final when the sides battle it out at Stowmarket Town.

Leiston should have the same squad to select from that played against Barwell, with Adam Bailey-Dennis and Rossi Jarvis nearing match fitness.

Seb Dunbar will make his 350th club appearance tomorrow providing he plays against Needham.

FORM GUIDE: -
Needham Market: - DLDDW
Leiston: - WWDDW.

LAST MEETING: -
The Blues won 2-1 the last meeting on Boxing Day last year between the two sides. Joe Marsden’s goal in the first half was cancelled out by Luke Ingram’s penalty with just over ten minutes to go. However, in the last kick of the game, Adam Mills crossed to Ben Fowkes who bundled home from close range to seal the points. In September at Bloomfields, Needham were the victors in the FA Cup as they progressed 3-1 in the competition at the expense of the Blues. Will Davies opened the scoring but Needham hit back as two Ross Crane strikes and a Patrick Brothers goal put them out.

FUN FACT: -
Although 16th place in the table, Needham Market have conceded just 45 goals this season in the league. Rushall Olympic have also conceded that amount with only Leiston (44), Tamworth (39) and Nuneaton Borough and Coalville Town (37) conceding less.

Leiston haven’t won at Needham since New Year's Day 2018, when they defeated the ‘Marketmen 5-2. Luke Ingram put the hosts ahead after just four minutes but goals from Chris Henderson and Matt Blake have the lead a half time lead. Dan Morphew netted from the spot to level the scores but just a minute later, Patrick Brothers put the side back in the lead. Christy Finch and Jack Ainsley (penalty) rounded of the scoring.

Matches in the Pitching In Southern League Central Premier: -

AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Bedford Town
Barwell v Coalville Town
Basford United v Ilkeston Town
Bromsgrove Sporting v Stourbridge
Hednesford Town v Rushall Olympic
Kings Langley v Hitchin Town
Mickleover v Nuneaton Borough
NEEDHAM MARKET v LEISTON
Redditch United v Alvechurch
Royston Town v St Ives Town
Tamworth v Stratford Town.

Meanwhile, back at Headquarter’s tomorrow, the Blues Reserves host top of the table Heacham in a 3pm kick off. The Reserves went down 4-0 at the weekend to Holbeach United, but stayed in 16th place in the league table. A win tomorrow could lift the side up two places to 14th, if results went their way.

Captain Kyle French will make his 50th appearance for the Reserves if he plays tomorrow. A win for Heacham could see them win the league title, if Downham Town lose at home to AFC Sudbury Reserves. The Reserves host Cornard United next weekend before heading to FC Parson Drove on Saturday 22nd April in their last match of the season.

Games in the Thurlow Nunn First Division North on Monday: -

Framlingham Town v Great Yarmouth Town
Cornard United v Holland
Debenham LC v Needham Market U23’s
Downham Town v AFC Sudbury Reserves
Harwich & Parkeston v FC Parson Drove
Haverhill Borough v Whittlesey Athletic
LEISTON RESERVES v HEACHAM
Norwich CBS v Diss Town.