Colchester United loanee Issa nets last gasp winner for Needham Market

Needham Market keeper Jake Jessup prepares to defend a Lowestoft Town corner. Picture: CARL MARSTON (Image: Archant)

Needham Market’s home frustrations were finally ended against Suffolk rivals Lowestoft Town, although they left it until the last minute of stoppage time to snatch victory.

A rather disappointing local derby appeared to be drifting towards a rather inevitable stalemate, when super sub Tariq Issa came up trumps with a 93rd minute winner.

Colchester United loanee Isas, 21, on as a substitute just after the hour mark, directed a header goalwards. The ball reared up off the ground and looped over keeper James Bergin to fly into the roof of the net.

It was a cruel blow on Lowestoft, who are struggling in the Southern League Premier Central this season, but the Marketmen edged the contest in terms of possession, and chances.

This was Needham’s first home league win since their eye-catching 8-1 victory over Hitchin Town, back on August 14, and followed on from last Saturday’s excellent 2-1 win at high-flying Coalville Town.

Needham started brightly, although Lowestoft grew into the game during what was a rather disappointing first half. Reece Dobson won an early free-kick, from which Callum Sturgess curled in a 20-yard shot which was well saved by James Bergin.

It was certainly a feisty encounter, with four yellow cards shown in the first half. For the visitors, winger Conor McKendry and midfielder Rob Eagle were both booked for late tackles, while Needham skipper Gareth Heath and Lowestoft’s Adam Tann were also cautioned for a clash in the middle of the park.

The Trawlerboys did not register a shot in anger until the 21st minute, when McKendry curled a long-range free-kick a foot over the bar.

Needham went close with a free-kick of their own on 38 minutes. Left-back Sturgess directed his effort beyond the wall, but keeper Bergin dived to his right to push the ball around his post. Luke Ingram headed wide of the near post from the ensuing corner.

A rare Lowestoft attack nearly led to a goal in the 40th minute. McKendry’s effort struck the bar, while at the other end Dobson pulled a shot wide from an angle.

The Marketmen were on the front foot at the start of the second half. Joe Marsden was frustrated to see his low cross fizz wide of the far upright on 55 minutes, while Adam Mills squeezed a shot agonisingly wide following a one-on-one with keeper Bergin. With eight minutes left, Marsden failed to beat Bergin from just six yards out,

But Issa obliged at the death with the winner.

Squads

NEEDHAM: Jessup, Dye, Sturgess, Squire, K Morphew, D Morphew, Ingram, Heath, Dobson (sub Issa, 61), Marsden, Mills. Unused subs: Kamanzi, McLaughlin, Carragher, Shorten.

LOWESTOFT: Bergin, Castellan, Brown (sub Bammant, 79), Eagle, Jarvis, Tann, Schaar, Pollock, Higgs, Fowkes (sub Pinheiro, 87), McKendry. Unused subs: Wren, Fletcher, Reynolds.

Attendance: 360