Needham Market v Worcester City | 12.09.2026 | The Pitching In Southern League Central Premier Division | Bloomfields |
A third goal in two games from Liam Pearce (66') wrapped up a great 2-0 home victory for Needham Market over Worcester City.
Rothery made one change to Tuesday's FA Cup replay victory over Stanway Rovers, as captain Keiran Morphew returned to the side with Josh Curry on the bench.
After a Worcester goal was ruled out for handball, Needham deservedly broke the deadlock as Dan Morphew (31') poked home the loose ball from Tevan Allen's corner.
James Bradbrook (33') was at full stretch soon after to thwart the visitors, before Jake Dye's cross for MOTM Liam Pearce (66'), chosen by match sponsor Jennifer Nunn, to turn home his third goal in two games, in a routine win for the Suffolk side.
Needham started brightly, and enjoyed the early possession, as Kyle Hammond (6') was fed free in space from 30-yards out, albeit fired his shot wide of the bottom far, left-hand, corner.
Another good chance for Needham (9') saw Tommy Smith drive into space to slide Liam Pearce through onto the left-hand side who beat his man, but the ball just overran for a goal-kick.
After Dan Morphew (22') cut out a left wing low cross across the danger area for a corner, a handball ruled out Nathan Hayward's close range low finish underneath the keeper, pouncing on the loose ball.
Kyle Hammond's right wing delivery (25') just evaded Liam Pearce at close range, as Needham continued to remain on top.
Great play from Needham (27') registered the first shot on target of the afternoon, Tommy Smith's great cross found Jake Dye leaping at the far post, from 16-yards, out but his header towards the bottom near corner was comfortably held by Dzialuk.
Needham deservedly broke the deadlock (31'), Tevan Allen's right wing corner was palmed away acrobatically by the keeper straight to Dan Morphew who stabbed home at point blank range, making it 1-0 to Needham.
James Bradbrook (33') was on hand to expertly thwart Worcester and preserve Needham's lead, Nathan Hayward's low curling effort from the left-hand edge of the box forced Bradbrook to launch, full stretch, across to his far corner and beat it away brilliantly.
Worcester (44') however had a great chance, the visitors threaded Lockett clear with a great ball over the top, the winger charged through on goal but looped his shot well over, as Needham were rather worthy of their lead at the break.
After the break, Charlie Wise (49') was the first recipient of a yellow card for a late challenge on Tommy Smith, as the Marketmen remained in control of possession.
Ollie Saunders (63') was well placed to intercept and clear a far post cushioned cross back in from a cross-field right wing free-kick, prior to Tommy Smith cutting out a potential cross for a corner.
The Marketmen then doubled their lead with a fantastic move, Jake Dye's excellent low cross into the box picked out the arriving Liam Pearce to turn home his third goal in two games, into the roof of the net at close range!!
Needham went close to a third soon after (71'), excellent weaving play from Marcel Lewis saw the silky winger break onto the right-hand edge of box, only to curl his shot agonisingly just wide of the top far corner.
Roberts (72') was cautioned for a foul on Tevan Allen, as James Coton (77') replaced Lewis.
Worcester meanwhile (78') fed Charlie Lutz unmarked in the box although great defending from the Needham backline forced the substitute to blaze over.
An important hold from James Bradbrook (79') denied a fierce shot on the right-hand side, as Worcester fired straight at Bradbrook's chest who held well at his near post!
At the other end (81'), a neat one-two between Allen and Hammond, following a back pass on the left-hand side of the box, saw the former's wrapped near post shot held.
Harlyn Palmer (84') was introduced in place of Hammond, before Charlie Wise (86') was dismissed for a second yellow card then a red card for a reckless challenge off the pitch.
Ben Hunter was withdrawn for Kell Fiddy (91'), with captain Keiran Morphew replaced by Josh Curry.
A comfortable 2-0 win for Needham, who now switch focus to the first of two Cup fixtures on Tuesday night, away to Lowestoft Town in the Suffolk Premier Cup (7:45pm).
Needham Market:- 1 James Bradbrook, 2 Jake Dye, 3 Tommy Smith, 4 Kyle Hammond (84' Palmer), 5 Keiran Morphew (C) (91' Curry), 6 Dan Morphew, 8 Ollie Saunders, 11 Tevan Allen, 12 Liam Pearce, 16 Marcel Lewis (77' Coton), 17 Ben Hunter (91' Fiddy). Subs: 13 Charlie Skinner (GK), 14 Josh Curry, 15 James Coton, 18 Harlyn Palmer, 19 Kellen Fiddy.
Worcester City:- 1 Cristiano Dzialuk, 2 Josh Ezewele, 3 Mitchell Roberts (74' Richards), 4 Luke Rowe, 5 Duncan Idehen, 6 Charlie Wise (C), 7 Brandon Smalley (61' McLean), 8 Nathan Hayward, 9 Fabian Salmon (74' Lutz), 10 Josh Taroni, 11 Liam Lockett (74' Guinan). Subs: 13 Mamadou Diallo, 12 Matthew Richards, 14 Ryan McLean, 15 Charlie Lutz, 16 Zak Guinan.
Booked: Charlie Wise (49', 86'), Mitchell Roberts (72')
Sent Off: Charlie Wise (86')
Goals: Dan Morphew (31'), Liam Pearce (66')
Att: 340
Star Man: Liam Pearce (NM)
MOTM chosen by match sponsor Jen Nunn: 12 Liam Pearce