Needham Market have suffered another heavy 5-0 defeat in the League against promotion chasing Luton Town at Bloomfields.
Luton went four up at half time thanks to two goals from Jess McKay and contributions from Francesca Partridge and TashaFensome as they dominated from the first period.
McKay made sure of her hat trick, but Luton could not find the net again with the home side going close to getting a consolation on a couple of occasions.
Although the away side started the better Needham were very competitive in the opening 10 minutes, showing a threat on the break.
But once the first went in it was an uphill struggle as McKayflicked a header from 5 yards over Dani Clarke as Luton recycled a cleared corner at the edge of the box.
Again, Needham had a threat, but Luton always looked like they would add more, and it was no surprise to see Fensomescore although there was more than a hint of offside, but the flag didn’t come.
Needham couldn’t keep the ball for long enough and Luton added a third with Partridge sliding it in from close range as the home side failed to first stop the cross.
They weren’t finished there either as Clarke was beaten again by a exquisite chip from McKay after making a strong save to deny her moments earlier.
Needham made a better fist of the second half and had two early chances from neat moves that saw Cate Jackson hit straight at the keeper before Keira Topple looked like she was fouled as she looked to finish from close range.
McKay did complete her hat trick as she volleyed from close range at the back post after a brilliant ball across.
Clarke showed her class with 2 excellent stops, one frompoint blank range before an even more impressive tip over as the ball was destined for the top right-hand corner.
Another tough day at the office but a heartening second half performance where they could and should have scored and tightened up defensively.
Needham’s Development side bounced back with a morale boosting 3-1 win away at Stowupland.
Poppy Nunn opened the scoring in the first half from a header after a brilliant cross from Hepsie Attrill and that was how it remained at the break.
The home side levelled after the break, but Needham recovered the lead thanks to Emma Drake, who took advantage of a goalkeeper mistake to restore lead.
And Needham were to make sure as Nunn, who opened the scoring, scored her second and made sure of the first three points of the season.
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