A GOAL four minutes from the end by defender Richard Butler put holders Needham Market through to the final of the LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup at the expense of Ipswich Town Reserves at Bloomfields last night.

Elvin King

A GOAL four minutes from the end by defender Richard Butler put holders Needham Market through to the final of the LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup at the expense of Ipswich Town Reserves at Bloomfields last night.

The Ridgeons League side were equal to their opponents for much of the match although it was Ipswich who went closest to a goal on an uneven surface.

Butler, who played well at the back for the home side with Rhys Barber, tried his luck from 25 yards after a Kevin Horlock free kick was only half cleared. The ball arrowed low into the net leaving Town keeper Ian McLoughlin motionless for the only goal of the game.

While FA Vase beaten quarter-finalists Needham were made up of mainly local players, Town had Canadian and Bermudan full internationals in their side in the form of Jaime Peters and Reggie Lambe.

Peters' pace caused ex-Town player Kevin Horlock a few problems down the right side, but it was Lambe who Horlock tripped in the 12th minute to give the visitors a penalty. Dean Bowditch stepped up to take the kick but saw his shot touched onto the bar by Liam Jones - with Bowditch putting the rebound wide from an angle.

Lambe struck a post soon after the restart, and after a good run by substitute Ronan Murray, Barber cleared off the line in the 63rd minute.

With 10 minutes left the busy Bowditch worked an opening, but missed the target despite slotting his shot beyond Jones.

Ipswich's youngsters will have learned from this experience, but full marks to Needham, who did not carry a particular goal threat but were well organised and far from outclassed.

Needham now play Lowestoft Town in the final at Portman Road on April 28.

The teams

Needham Market: Jones, Pemberton, Horlock, Parker, Butler, Barber, Boyland, Bexford (Bailey 89), Phillips (Dixon 72), Smy (Smith 63) and Thrower. Unused subs: Dennnis and Sparkes.

Ipswich Town: McLoughlin, Hyam, Richards, Cawley (Daniels 57), Ainsley, Eastman, Peters, Upson, Wickham (Murray) 57, Bowditch and Lambe. Subs: Ward, Clark and Watson.

Referee: Mr S Long (Ipswich).

Attendance: 345.