Needham Market have progressed to the next round of the league cup after an entertaining 5-2 victory away at Eastern Regional first division club Whittlesey Athletic.
They made a fast start to the game with Keira Topple smashing home, but it was soon cancelled out by Jenna Nairnand after that both teams squandered chances, they went into the break level.
It was another early goal this half from Sheryce Slater before Emily Johnson equalised on the hour, but Needham showed their class with Rebecca Stephenson, Lucy Loomes and then an unfortunate own goal from Megan Strickland.
The ref had only just blown his whistle when Needham found themselves ahead after Annie Posnett ran clear on the right and she picked the run of Topple, who emphatically smashed into the roof of the net.
But Whittlesey responded well forcing a few corners before getting level on the 10th minute mark with Johnson’s pace causing problems - getting her behind the Needham backline -before laying it off to Nairn to rifle in from close range with assistance from the bar.
After that it became more even with both teams failing to make the best of good positions.
Nairn should have scored again from a fine cross from Tara Parker and then Danni Clarke in goal produced a fine one handed stop from a free kick, before Rebecca Stephenson at the other end was denied at point blank range.
It remained all square as the ref ended a very entertaining half.
Needham started fast again and like the first half were back in front within a couple of minutes as Slater tapped home from five yards after the home side failed to clear a Cate Jackson in swinging corner.
They had chances to extend but found themselves pegged back again with Parker picking up the ball and playing in Johnson to calmly tuck away.
But the away side were growing increasingly in control and eventually went ahead again thanks to Stephenson who tucked home from another brilliant Topple run and cross.
And the game was secured thanks to a Loomes 30-yard free kick pinging in off the post before another outstanding topple run was smashed in by Strickland into her own net to round things off.
It was an entertaining match, and Whittlesey certainly played their part but in the end Needham were just too strong and have now made it three wins in a row as momentums builds.
Meanwhile the development team made another comeback to earn a home point against Stowupland.
In an even and uneventful half, it looked like it would be going in stalemate, but the visitors took not only took the lead but also added to it to have a 2-0 lead at the break.But Poppy Nunn, who has been in sensational form levelled from the spot before smashing in a brilliant 30-yard equaliserafter beating a couple of players with literally the last kick of the game to earn her team another point.
Needham currently sit third in the league three points behind Woodbridge and Brantham in the Suffolk Women’s League Premiership.
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