All Square At The Market

NEEDHAM MARKET 0-0 GRAYS ATHLETIC

Blues recorded their fifth draw in eight games since the turn of the year but had they taken the numerous opportunities created they could have come away with all three points.The closest they came to a goal came from a rasping drive from DD Dumaka which beat keeper Danny Gay but not the post.

On a heavy pitch Needham were quickly into their stride Mann forcing Tom Hadland into an early save. Both sides were finding the playing surface difficult with the ball sticking in certain areas making control difficult.

The contrast in styles was clearly evident the home side adopting a more direct approach launching the ball forward at every opportunity for their three forward players to fight for the spoils.Blues stuck to their passing game utilising the pace of their wide men and to an extent the tactic worked getting behind the home defence on numerous occasions.

Dumaka was looking menacing each time he received the ball nearly opening the scoring his fierce drive cannoning off the post.Bradley Fortnum-Tomlinson especially was outstripping the Needham defenders, on one occasion beating the offside trap only to see Gay block his shot.

Needham forced three corners in as many minutes with Hadland being called into action after the ball was only partially cleared saving Izzet's shot.

Dumaka did well to win a header playing the ball into the path of Tomlinson he hurried his shot the ball sailing harmlessly over,Dumaka then saw his effort saved by the agile Gay.

Needham could so nearly have gone in front when Roman Michael-Percil brought down Brothers just outside the box,Wright stepped up curling his kick over the wall clipping the bar with Hadland beaten.

At the other end Sean Cronin came close for Grays from a corner which caused consternation in the home box ,the ball eventually found Kenny Beaney he played the ball back into the box where Cronin was quickest to react with a volley that clipped the bar.

HT 0-0

Blues were quickly into their stride in the second period the pacy Correy Davidson sent in a wicked cross cleared only to find Nicky Symons his first time effort sailing over.

Dumaka went close shortly after, Jey Siva made a timely interception feeding Dumaka his shot looked to be heading for the far corner of Gay’s goal but the keeper pulled off a great save turning the ball round the post.

Blues continued to probe the home defence using the flanks to get behind the back four but too many times the quality of the crosses was found wanting.

Needham then enjoyed a period of pressure helped to a degree by Blues loose passing,they did get the ball in net when Brothers broke clear Hadland could only push the ball out to the onrushing Izzet who fortunately for the visitors was in an offside position.

The game ebbed and flowed as both sides searched for a breakthrough but as the clock ticked down Blues were enjoying the lions share of possession it was just the quality of the ball into the box that was lacking the ball seemingly drawn to the hands of keeper Gay.

The home side came close in the dying moments Brothers intercepted a loose ball running into space he unleashed a fierce drive that flew just over.

Blues would have been disappointed with the result,on the balance of play they created the majority of openings but just lacked tthat final ball to turn turn pressure into goals.