Town made an embarrassing exit from the Suffolk Premier Cup at the hands of Ridgeons League Needham Market on Tuesday evening. Dean Bowditch missed a first half penalty for Town, while Needham's Richard Butler scored the only of the game with three minutes left.

Bowditch, Matt Richards and Jaime Peters provided experience to a young Blues team, while Kevin Horlock was at left back for the villagers.

Reggie Lambe almost opened the scoring after five minutes but blazed over when well placed. At the other end, Ian McLoughlin had to make a diving save from Needham's Phillips.

With 15 minutes played Reggie Lambe was brought down in the box, but Bowditch's tame penalty was parried by Liam Jones and the Town striker fired the rebound into the side netting.

Exchanges continued to be even with both sides playing neat football on a bumpy pitch. Chances were few and far between as Towns' final balls were too often wasted.

Reggie Lambe and Jaime Peters looked lively on the wings and the latter fired a terrific shot inches over early in the second half. Matt Daniels and Ronan Murray replaced Cawley and Wickham after 48 minutes and Murray immediately began to run at the heart of the Needham defence.

Although Town were having more of the play a run and shot by Danny Thrower was a reminder that Needham were still a danger.

With extra time looming, Lambe conceded an unnecessary freekick which was cleared only as far as Needham's central defender Richard Butler who fired an unstoppable shot past an unsighted Ian McLoughlin.

With just three minutes left Town had no time to respond and the final whistle was greeted with joy by the majority of the crowd of 345.

Needham's Rhys Barber was named man of the match whilst his opposite number in the Ipswich defence Jack Ainsley was the pick of Blues side.

Needham will meet Lowestoft Town in the final of the Suffolk Premier Cup at Portman Road on April 28th

Team - McLoughlin, Hyam, Richards, Cawley, Eastman, Ainsley, Peters, Upson, Wickham, Bowditch, Lambe. Subs. Murray, Ward, Daniels, Clark, Watson.

Thanks to Paddy Lillistone.

Photo: Action Images

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