Needham Market 3-0 Leiston - Match Report

Needham Market defeated Leiston for the first time in ten and a half years in the league as the Marketmen won 3-0 at a sun drenched Bloomfields on Bank Holiday Monday.

In soaring heat, both teams struggled with any fluid passing in the first period. Rhys Henry had the first chance of the game after just two minutes but his lob went over ex Blues keeper Marcus Garnham and the bar. Charlie Beckwith, in for Jake Jessup, was down to a header for Needham’s first chance. Chances were few and far between in the first half and Joe Marsden struck straight at Beckwith from distance. A move in the 25th minute ended with Rhys Henry crossing to send the ball into the box but Ryan Sharman couldn’t get on the end of it. Beckwith did well to back pedal and tip over Russell Short’s attempted lob while Byron Lawrence was just off target in added on time in the first half.

Leiston forced an early corner at the start of the second period but it was Needham who took the lead in the 48th minute. A move down the left enabled Joe Marsden to cross and LUKE INGRAM tucked home inside the area. CRAIG PARKER headed home from close range just six minutes later with the Blues again struggling to stop the crosses into the penalty area. A goal mouth scramble ended with Rob Eagle clearing off the line as Needham started to apply more pressure. In the last fifteen minutes, Kyle Hammond let rip from twenty five yards to force Garnham into a save and Jerry Kamanzi put over the rebound. Byron Lawrence’s free kick was then easy for Garnham while at the other end, Needham netted a third in the 81st minute to finish the match. Beckwith pushed out a shot from Callum Sturgess but LUKE INGRAM grabbed his second to endure a win for the hosts.

Leiston now look to Saturday as they host Alvechurch.

Line-ups: -

Needham Market: - Garnham, Dye, Sturgess, Short, Kieran Morphew, Dan Morphew, Luke Ingram (Collard 88 mins), Squire, Neal, Parker (McLaughlin 90+2 mins), Marsden (Nick Ingram 82 mins). Subs not used: - Barker, Shorten.

Leiston: - Beckwith, Hammond, Woerndl (Llado 68 mins), Kamanzi (Parrondo 82 mins), Knights, Clements, Lawrence, Eagle, Sharman (Hitter 63 mins), Henry, McKeown. Subs not used: - Keys, Jessup.

Man Of The Match: - Harry Knights

Attendance: - 474.