Needham Market Reserves 7 Wisbech St Mary 0 - Eastern Counties League, Division One North
The Suffolk town of Needham Market
initially grew around the wool combing industry until the onset of the plague
which gripped the town between 1663 and 1665. To prevent the spread of the disease,
the town was chained at either end. Today there are two road names in the town
with links to the plague. Notably, Chainhouse Road and the Causeway (a
variation of Corpseway). The actress June Brown (Dot Cotton in Eastenders) was
born in Needham Market.
Although records show the existence of a Needham Market football club during the late 1890s, the current club was established in 1919. The first team has progressed over the years via the Ipswich & District League, the Eastern Counties League and the Isthmian League. Currently the first team compete in the Southern League, Premier Division Central. The Reserve team previously played in the Essex & Suffolk Border League and currently compete in the Eastern Counties League, Division One North.
I initially set off to watch
Lowestoft Town and had already enjoyed a pleasant rail journey via Ipswich and
a pint at Britain’s easternmost point, before hopping back on a train to
Norwich, another to Stowmarket and finally a further connection to Needham
Market. The walk to Bloomfields from the station takes less than ten minutes
and I reached the ground an hour before kick-off. I previously visited
Bloomfields in February 2007 when the club’s first team played in the Eastern
Counties League. The changes and improvements made to the ground since then are
remarkable.
The most significant change is
the addition of Bloomfields 3G, a completely separate ground
adjacent to the main stadium. This facility was introduced in 2018 and is the
permanent base for the reserve team. The impressive artificial surface is
complimented by a 50 seat stand and changing rooms for players and officials.
Upstairs is a café/bar with a separate area for club and visiting officials.
There is also a covered balcony from where matches can be watched.
I enjoyed a couple of informative
conversations with the Academy Director and it is abundantly clear that this
facility is not just about the football, as it provides an educational platform
for the players, as well as a pathway to the first team. Visitors Wisbech St
Mary are having a torrid time this season and were propping up the league going
into this match. They will not have enjoyed the home sides blistering start and
at half time had already conceded four goals. This was due to a combination of
slick passing and good finishing supplemented by a quality long range effort.
The second half followed a
similar pattern with a further three goals for the hosts. For a young team,
they showed great maturity and still showed respect for the opposition and
match officials. Wisbech St Mary, another young team, never gave up and always
attempted to play organised football. They just did not have enough, but will
have better days. During the match it got progressively colder and just before
the second half commenced the referee asked me if the temperature had dropped?
I informed him that since he last blew his whistle, my gloves had gone on, which
was an affirmative response.
Just a couple of minutes from
Needham Market station is the Rampant Horse public house. With my train to
Ipswich due at 17:47, I took the opportunity to take shelter. Refreshment was
enjoyed in the form of Mole Trap (3.8%) from Mauldons Brewery (Sudbury) and
Brandeston Gold (4.5%) from Earl Soham Brewery. Both were in superb condition
and I am pleased to have been able to sample a couple of local ales. The connection
at Ipswich was on time and the entire days travel cost £5:00 (thanks again
Martin) with a discounted rail voucher.
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