This was a fantastic result against the team that I believe are most likely to win the league. The score-line is undoubtedly misleading but a spell of three goals in ten minutes, in between a missed penalty by our visitors, won the points.
Considering the tough matches we faced in the FA Vase on Sunday and the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday, the response from the players was fantastic. We again showed the professionalism, resilience and levels of fitness that we have within the group, as well as the collective character to react to the set back and demands in midweek with such a committed display.
The system of play adopted by Needham Market, 4-3-3, made for an interesting contest and more thought was required tactically compared to most Ridgeons League games. With three players narrow in midfield, it allowed our wide players time and space in possession of the ball, but equally, their three up front, especially when one of them dropped in the hole, also caused us problems.
Since we are playing them again in two weeks I won't go any further into our thoughts of how to combat/exploit their shape and I will keep the report a bit more of a factual account than usual. Suffice to say, none of us are fooled by the score and we know that not only are Needham a very capable side but they will also be formidable opponents in the FA Vase. Their record in the league is the model of consistency - 4th, 2nd, 3rd in the last three seasons - and they are genuine contenders for the FA Vase as their semi final and quarter final exits in the last two years show.
Our first goal came courtesy of good hold up play by Jack Bailey, who set JP away on the left. He beat the full-back, drew the keeper and pulled the ball for Bailey to shoot sufficiently off the floor to prevent the goal-line defender clearing it with his feet. Therefore, with the ball ricocheting in the air, Maz was on hand to pounce on the rebound with a close range header. At the other end Martin Davies had already pulled off a brilliant one-handed reaction stop from a deflected free kick.
As the half progressed, Jack Eades and JT also started to threaten on the right flank and JP volleyed just wide from the former's cross. Maz also had a decent chance, saved by the keeper, following a one two with Jack Bailey. The game had a good flow, with both sides looking dangerous going forward, and Martin Davies produced another top drawer save from a 20 yard thunderbolt while a very well-worked corner resulted in another strike from the edge of the box that was this time only inches wide.
We only needed to talk about details at half time because the work rate and application was evident from 1-11, which is how it should always be and is increasingly becoming the case within the group. That said, we started the second half poorly and surrendered possession needlessly on several occasions to allow Needham to get on the front foot.
Our second goal was a little against the run of play and looked suspiciously offside at first look.In fairness to the assistant, on seeing the DVD, he was spot on and correctly judged Maz onside. Daz passed the ball into Jack Eades' feet and with the opposing defenders still pushing up from the cleared corner, Jack played Maz in with a deft one touch pass round the corner.
Maz tried to chip the onrushing keeper, who saved his effort but was only able to divert the ball back into his path and he made no mistake with the rebound. The key to the goal, which again was more apparent by watching the DVD, was Jack's one touch pass, enabling Maz to stay onside. Nolan is always talking to Jack about his body shape to allow him to play that ball, so it was even more pleasing for that reason.
Our other Jack had a hand in the third goal, moments later, again freeing JP down our left with a ball slid behind their full back. He outpaced their player, drew the centre half and cut the ball back from the dead ball line in similar fashion to the first goal. As usual, Maz panicked in this situation! He went to shoot, dropped a shoulder, dummied the keeper and smashed the ball into the empty net from six yards. It was a composed finish and a trademark goal from Maz.
More drama was to follow. Danny Thrower hit a wonderful dipping volley from 25 yards for Needham that crashed back off the bar to their centre forward. His shot hit Martin in the face but the referee adjudged the Blaine was impeding him and awarded a spot kick. The ball struck the foot of the post with Martin covering the corner and rebounded to safety. One pass later, JP was again in full flight and, following his earlier success, it was no surprise that he was bundled over on the edge of their box.
The debate as to whether it was inside or out was rendered irrelevant by Jack Eades. His vicious curling strike from the resultant free kick went in off the far upright with too much pace, bend and dip for two keepers let alone one. It was some consolation for his similar effort at Tranmere that was only kept out by a combination of the keeper's fingertips and crossbar. This time the frames of the goals were on our side because instead of 4-0 it could easily have been 3-1 with a potentially uncomfortable 20 minutes remaining.
With the result beyond doubt both sides gave their three substitutes a run out and the only thing to take the shine off the afternoon was conceding a sloppy goal late on from a free kick. We lost two headers in the box before their player beat Martin from close range.
We now move on to play Newmarket Town in the RLC with nine changes so the likes of Eades, Hudson, JT and Bailey can have a deserved rest. We also have Daz, Maz and JP all in the first team squad from Saturday and although Luke Berry was still missing against Needham with his dead leg, he trained today and will be fit for the weekend.
Tonight will be a fantastic test for the younger lads in the squad and also an opportunity for new signings Remi Garrett and Christy Finch to partner in attack.
Team:
Davies, Thorpe, Coakley, Carr, Hudson, Hughes, Eades (Johnson 80), Tonks (Allen 70), Bailey (Finch 65), Marriott, Patrick.
