Impressive Needham Market coast to victory at Lowestoft

Needham Market skipper Gareth Heath prepares to take a corner during the Suffolk debry at Lowestoft (Image: Archant)

Needham Market stopped the rot with a terrific win at Lowestoft Town in an entertaining Suffolk derby at Crown Meadow tonight.

Richard Wilkins’ men had only picked up one point from their previous six Bostik Premier matches, with five defeats and a draw against Billericay.

But they richly deserved this win, thanks to goals from Adam Mills (36), Gareth Heath (52), Luke Ingram (64) and Callum Harrison (79).

Needham had a great chance to break the deadlock in the ninth minute, but Mills headed over the bar from Heath’s teasing cross.

At the other end, the Trawler Boys also went close as Harvey Hodd’s goal-bound effort from a corner was superbly headed off the goal-line by Darryl Coakley.

The Marketmen enjoyed some good pressure midway through the first half, but ironically it was the hosts who broke the deadlock on the break.

And it was a cracking goal, Jacek Zielonka smashing a glorious long-range shot into the roof of the net, leaving keeper Danny Gay clutching at thin air.

But the Marketmen were deservedly level in the 36th minute, via a classy passing move and a slick finish by Mills.

Some neat one-touch passing from Jake Dye, Kieran Turner and Heath ended with the latter crossing low for the onrushing Mills to divert home from seven yards out.

Three minutes later and only the woodwork prevented Lowestoft from regaining the lead, Rory McAuley’s header striking the top of the bar.

Just like the first half, Needham were the brighter at the start of the second and Ingram had a low shot well saved by Dudzinski, before the striker set up Heath for the second goal.

Dudzinski scurried off his line to block Ingram’s shot with his legs, the ball rolling at the feet of Heath. The Needham skipper took his time but finally managed to squeeze home the rebound.

And Needham increased their lead to 3-1 on 64 minutes. Ingram’s speculative lob from near the right touch-line deceived keeper Dudzinski and flew into the roof of the net.

Four minutes later and Lowestoft reduced the arrears as defender McAuley nodded home.

But Harrison wrapped up the points with 11 minutes left. His swerving shot embarrassed keeper Dudzinski.

Squads

LOWESTOFT: Dudzinski, Barker, Smith, Cole, McAuley, Leacock (sub Nyadzayo, 70), Zielonka, Jarvis (sub Fisk, 67), Reed, Borrer, Hodd (sub Bammant, 49). Unused subs: Greenleaf, Putnins.

NEEDHAM MARKET: Gay, Dye, Coakley, Turner, K Morphew, D Morphew, Simmons (sub Gibbs, 86), Heath, Ingram, Harrison (sub Schaar, 82), Mills. Unused subs: Griffiths, Nunn, Munson.

Referee: James Turner

Attendance: 319