A few controversial decisions in the first half led Needham Market to a chastising 5-0 defeat to Luton Town on a very hot day at Bloomfields.
The first goal scored by Shanice Lewis looked to have gone out for a throw in in the build-up, while the second was given as having crossed the line from an in-swinging corner.
Needham probed for the majority of the of the second half but lacked a product as they stung by three late goals from Fiona Buttigieg, Jess McKay and Lewis.
The game was tight for the 20 minutes, but it was about to become very controversial as the ball looked to have run out of the play, but the referee called play on, and Needham were caught cold to allow Lewis in to lob over the on rushing Yaz Walford.
It remained tight but only 10 minutes later the officials came under scrutiny again as an in-swinging corner from Pearson from the right was adjudged to have gone over the line after a big goal line scramble.
Needham looked better in the second half and played some very neat passing football but with no product as they struggled to break down a tough Luton defence.
The game was effectively over with 10 minutes to go as another corner went straight in by Buttigieg as it avoided everyone and clipped the back post.
Luton added gloss with two quickfire goals with McKaytapping in before a brilliant second for Lewis curling in from the outside the box.
But all was not lost with Hayley Kindred hitting the bar late on for a late consolation on her home debut, while Sheryce Slater and Lucy Loomes both played making their overalldebuts for the club.
A tough day at the office in very tough conditions and on another day, Needham turn there possession into a dominant win but for today it just wasn’t to be.
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