Needham Market advanced to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup following a fine 2-1 away win at Braintree Town.
A Braintree equaliser (55') sparked the visitors back into life, who struck the decisive blow through Josh Tennial in the 73rd minute.
Needham started well, and almost pounced on the Braintree keeper russhing out only to miss a long ball towards Henry Vieria (13'), but the defender beat the forward to the ball, to vitally prevent a shot at an open goal, though Needham deservedly broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.
After starting on the front foot, a great move saw captain Kyle Roper retain possession and drive forward and play a smart one-two with Henry Vieira before poking home past the onrushing keeper, 1-0 Needham!
More fantastic football (28') followed, Aden Chandler's right wing cross fell to Alex Breeden whose shot from outside the box stung the keeper's hands.
In a comfortable first half for the Reds (38') Aden Chandler weaved smartly into space on the right-hand edge of the box, albeit fired narrowly wide of the bottom near corner.
Braintree7 (39') meanwhile drove through onto the right-hand side but lashed wide of the near post, before Braintree9 (44') fired over after spotting Bloom slightly off his line.
A goal-line clearance (45') following a far post shot from a corner preserved Needham's lead at the break.
Needham started the break superbly, maintaining their good performance, Riley Coote's (48') low shot at goal is crucially blocked, following a right wing free-kick.
Braintree on the other hand grew into the game and equalised with their first major chance of the night (55'). A long range free-kick was swung to the far post and fired home into the bottom left-hand corner.
Breeden (56') rasped a fierce strike from the right-hand edge of the area straight at the keeper at his near post.
Jake Bloom (67') punched a dangerous long ball away, while Needham (70') went close to restoring their lead.
A clever cross-field left wing free-kick was swung to Riley Coote free at the back post, whose great ball back across goal was back heeled agonisingly straight to the keeper by Roper.
Excellent football on 73 minutes saw Josh Tennial regain Needham's advantage. Substitute Fin Brock was threaded driving onto the left wing, his great low delivery was controlled well by Henry Vieira to set up Tennial to first time sweep home into the bottom left-hand corner, 2-1 Needham!
Fin Brock continued to make an impact raced through (79') to slide Vieira free in the area whose effort was delected narrowly wide of the far post.
Chandler (81') then was found in space to neatly spin and turn effortlessly through two defenders but his low shot was held.
The Iron though missed a golden chance at close range in the 85th minute, meeting a right wing corner unmarked at the far post only to loop the header over onto the roof of the net.
Tennial (87') jinked expertly onto the edge of the box to fire low but straight at the keeper, as Riley Coote (88') met Dawson Coldwell's right wing corner at the back post but headed just wide.
A Braintree free-kick was crucially headed off the line twice (90'), as Needham held on for a fine away win on the road in the FA Youth Cup.
Match winner Josh Tennial said, "very delighted with the win thought the boys fought well in the game especially in the second half good to be going through the next round. Very proud of the lads tonight and i thought we done very well away from home especially dealing with the other team not delaying kick off for us meaning we had to switch some things up which we dealt with very well so very proud of the lads tonight."
On scoring, the attacking midfielder said, "felt unbelievable seeing the ball hit the back of net so far im 3 games and 2 goals in fa youth cup and want to keep the streak going so it felt amazing to score especially scoring when I know we deserved that win.
"First thing I thought when I scored was what celebration to do first 😂 but after the ball went in I was just genuinely happy to score and help Needham go through to the next round.
"Tonight's win is very important as us winning tonight gets us 1 more game away from getting to first round proper and we’re hoping to go make history like the last year (team) did and be good to get further."
Asked if backing up Saturday's win for Reserves made tonight's win feel even sweeter, he said, "Yeah hundred percent the win on Saturday felt good as I think the boys deserved to get that win, after that win on Saturday all the focus was bringing that winning mentality to the Thursday night game which I thought we done very well."
Previewing the Reserves game against Gorleston Reserves at Bloomfields on Saturday, "Yeah ecxited I think we will all be pumped up from tonight's game going into Saturday because that winning feeling feels incredible so I think the boys will definitely push for a win on Saturday and will be good to get 2 back to back wins in the league."
Needham Market U18:- 1 Jake Bloom, 15 Kaio Brittain (54' Konik), 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Riley Coote, 6 Kyle Roper (C) (86' Fox) , 7 Aden Chandler, 8 Josh Tennial, 9 Henry Vieira, 10 Alex Breeden (69' Coldwell), 17 Alfie Mark (61' Brock). Subs: 14 Dan Thompson, 16 Charlie Fox, 18 Riley Parker, 19 Dawson Coldwell, GK Freddie Foreman, 2 Danylo Konik, 11 Fin Brock.
Booked: B9 (42'), B16 (68').
Goals: Kyle Roper (20'), Josh Tennial (73'); B9 (55').
Needham MOTM: 8 Josh Tennial.
Needham Market U18:- 1 Jake Bloom, 15 Kaio Brittain (54' Konik), 3 Tyler Wright, 4 Fenton Grimmer, 5 Riley Coote, 6 Kyle Roper (C) (86' Fox) , 7 Aden Chandler, 8 Josh Tennial, 9 Henry Vieira, 10 Alex Breeden (69' Coldwell), 17 Alfie Mark (61' Brock). Subs: 14 Dan Thompson, 16 Charlie Fox, 18 Riley Parker, 19 Dawson Coldwell, GK Freddie Foreman, 2 Danylo Konik, 11 Fin Brock.
Booked: B9 (42'), B16 (68').
Goals: Kyle Roper (20'), Josh Tennial (73'); B9 (55').
Needham MOTM: 8 Josh Tennial.