Smith Graps Equaliser at Market

An important fixture for both sides looking to consolidate there places in the play offs, and it showed in a disappointing first half in front of a crowd of 302, both teams were frightened not to give anything away on a hard bobbly pitch. Junior Dadson had a good chance after only 2 minutes after he was sent clear by a sublime pass from Alex Read, but the Needham goalkeeper Andre Plummer stood big to keep his shot out. That was really all that happened with both sides having half chances but none on target until Ex Hawk David Cowley hit a free kick in first half stoppage time from 25 yards but Daniel Knowles was equal to hit, saving low down to his right.

Needham Market came out with more urgency in the second half and on 49 minutes a poor clearance by Stanley Muguo fell to striker Ryan Crisp who hammered it past Knowles into the far corner to give Market the lead.
On 63 minutes Cowley burst down the left and cut inside but his drilled shot flew just over the bar. Alex Read then had a free-kick saved on 70 minutes by Plummer, but 4 minutes later a great through ball by James Smith but Read in on goal but once again the Market stopper was equal to the strikers shot. The Hawks were not to be denied an equaliser when on 84 minutes from 30 yards out substitute George Smith floated a high ball towards the far post, Plummer misjudged the flight of the ball and flapped at the ball before it nestled in the back of the net. The final minutes of the game was end to end and Alex read looked to have won his side a Penalty when clipped in the box by a defender but match referee Johnathon Burridge waved away the Hawks appeals. Then in the last minute of the game Market broke clear and it was Knowles turn to deny the Marketmen a very late winner.

With the game finishing all square Chapman's men stayed in 3rd placebut now level on points with Heybridge Swifts and Needham Market staying in Fifth with Thurrock breathing right down there necks. With two games left if is all to play for.