Needham Market manager reacts to 1-1 draw with Hampton & Richmond

The Marketmen more than matched their high-flying opponents as they put in a spirited performance full of hard work and endeavour to come from behind and draw 1-1.

“We’ve changed our focus this season,” admitted the boss.

“We’ve realised that we’re in a relegation battle and from that, as a bare minimum, we needed a committed performance (against Hampton).

“We needed 11 blokes who were going to die for the cause, and I think we had that.

“It’s got to become the norm.”

Morsley, whose side still sit six points from safety, continued: “We were indebted to our goalkeeper (Danny Gay) in the first 10 minutes, and I think he warrants the man-of-the-match award because we would have been 2-0 down.

“I thought we had some big players out there. On the back of that commitment and hard work, I felt, as the second half went on, they (Hampton) were changing their system to deal with us.

“They’ve scored 11 goals in their last two games, that tells you something.”

Ollie Fenn came off the bench to net Needham’s equaliser, following an injury to young centre-half Will Crisell, with Morsley heaping praise on his goalscorer alongside fellow substitutes Simon Thomas and Adam Mills.

“All three were excellent,” continued Morsley.

“I think Simon Thomas made a huge difference. He gave us something different.

“Although disappointed to have Kem (Izzet) injured, young Callum (Harrison) went in the middle of the park and made things happen for us.

“Him and Keiran (Morphew) had an excellent partnership, and they all did – Fenny comes on and scores.

“It’s a shame for Will Crisell because he had a half-decent game, but he got a hamstring (injury).

“That’s Fenny all over. He was disappointed to be on the bench but he was warming up the whole time, eager to get on. He got the goal and fair play to him.”

Needham are next in action tonight when they visit Whitton United in the Suffolk Premier Cup.