STOWMARKET Town manager Louis Newman today hailed his side after knocking holders Needham Market out of the Ridgeons League Cup.Underdogs Stowmarket won 1-0 thanks to an 83rd minute strike from Lewis Driver, who ironically started the season as a Needham Market player.

Nick Garnham

STOWMARKET Town manager Louis Newman today hailed his side after knocking holders Needham Market out of the Ridgeons League Cup.

Underdogs Stowmarket won 1-0 thanks to an 83rd minute strike from Lewis Driver, who ironically started the season as a Needham Market player.

Stowmarket, who currently sit 11th in Division One of the Ridgeons League, upset the odds against Premier Division Needham who last season won both the Ridgeons League Cup and Suffolk Premier Cup as well as reaching the semi-finals of the FA Vase.

Newman, who took over Stowmarket manager in January, said: “Without doubt it is the best win we have had since I became manager.

“I am so proud of my players. To go to Needham, who are a very good side, and win was a terrific result.

“They produced a fantastic performance. We asked them to do certain things and they were very disciplined and worked very hard.

“I spoke to Danny Laws, the Needham manager, after the game and he said we thoroughly deserved our victory.”

Newman said of his match-winner: “Lewis was at Needham at the start of the season but did not make Danny's final squad. He had not scored for us before last night, but scored a terrific goal from 20 yards.”

He also paid tribute to goalkeeper Ross Charters who produced three superb saves including one late on from an effort by former Ipswich Town player Kevin Horlock.