Marcus Garnham News Today

In what proved to be a proverbial game of two halves, a young, ten-man Town XI were beaten 4-2 by Needham Market in the semi-final of the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup at Hadleigh Uniteds Millfield ground on Tuesday evening.

Boss Roy Keane felt local non-league sides Leiston and Bury Town provided his team with more than useful midweek workouts. A largely second string side beat the Ridgeons League team 2-0 at Victory Road on Tuesday with a more senior squad defeating the Ryman League club 1-0 yesterday.

Dean Bowditch was the star as Town started their pre-season programme with a 3-0 victory over Bury Town at Ram Meadow. The 22-year-old put in a sharp display scoring the first goal, having another disallowed and striking the cross bar.

Conor Chaplin scored a hat-trick and Matt Penney, Tommy Hughes, Freddie Ladapo and Greg Leigh netted one each as the Blues hammered Needham Market 7-0 in their first pre-season friendly at Bloomfields.

Matt Penney netted the first goal of pre-season with the Blues 1-0 up at Needham Market.

The people of Needham Market have been speaking out on their sides fairy-tale run in the FA Cup - and who they'd like to face in the first round proper.

The Blues reserves beat Bury Town 2-1 at Ram Meadow on Tuesday evening in front of watching first team boss Roy Keane. Irishmen Shane O’Connor and Ronan Murray scored the Town goals.

Conor Chaplin scored a hat-trick and Matt Penney, Tommy Hughes, Freddie Ladapo and Greg Leigh netted one each as the Blues hammered Needham Market 7-0 in their first pre-season friendly at Bloomfields.

Matt Penney netted the first goal of pre-season with the Blues 1-0 up at Needham Market.

Two of Needham Market’s FA Trophy heroes are relishing their toughest test yet as they look to keep their Wembley dreams alive this weekend.