Canaries stage fightback to earn deserved point
ON A rain soaked afternoon in Suffolk, Barwell came from two goals down to grab a point at Needham Market.
Eddy Nisevic and Lucas Powell scored the goals late on, after the Canaries had sparked in to life with 20 minutes of the game left to go. Needham Market were the better side for the previous 70 minutes and played the conditions far better than the side from Leicestershire but they couldn’t hold on for a first league win.
The opening signs for Barwell were ominous when Ben Fowkes had an early shot on goal. This was followed by a rocket from Kyle Hammond. Max Bramley, playing well in the number 1 shirt at the moment, dealt well with both of these chances. The Hammond save was particularly impressive as he tipped the ball over the bar at full stretch.
The Marketmen looked after the ball well and had the majority of possession. They also had the strong wind with them and the weather was a factor all afternoon. De La Paz and Lawrence also had chances for Needham Market as they looked to turn their dominance in to a goal.
Barwell were limited to a small number of chances, the best of the first 20 minutes came from Ben Stephens who picked up a Brady Hickey pass but shot wide.
Despite the best efforts of the back four and Bramley, Needham Market took the lead on 37 minutes. The home side knocked the ball about well and managed to get it to Kieran Morphew who had a low shot from around 20 yards out. Bramley couldn’t reach this one and it struck the inside of the right hand post and pinged back across the line and in to the back of the net.
Barwell had the wind with them for the second half and it might have been expected that they commenced this period on top. It was, however, the home side who started strongly and soon doubled their lead. Callum Page was played in with a through ball and he was free to slot the ball under the on-rushing Bramley to make it 2-0.
Just two minutes later it was almost three for the home side but the goal was ruled out for offside and Barwell could breathe again.
Tristan Dunkley and Lucas Powell were brought on for Barwell around the hour mark, as Guy Hadland looked to change the game. It, however, remained a fairly one sided affair as Needham Market continued to have the better of the play. Page went close again but shot wide to give the travelling fans a heart stopping moment once more.
Around 70 minutes, Barwell started to become more adventurous and push players both forward and wide. This gave Needham Market some problems and the away side probably sensed that they could push on against a team without a league win this season. This approach got rewards when Eddy Nisevic tapped home a cross from Ben Stephens at close range to get a goal back. Suddenly it seemed as if at least a point for Barwell was possible.
The equaliser came just three minutes after the first Barwell goal. A good ball forward from Brady Hickey, catching the Needham Market defence out of position for once, was well controlled by Dunkley. He did well to keep the ball and then feed it on to the path of Lucas Powell. Powell surged in to the box and fired past Marcus Garnham for his first goal for Barwell.
There was still time in the game for a cameo from legendary goalkeeper Liam Castle.
He came on to replace Ben Stephens and played outfield for the first time in his long career with the Canaries.
Towards the end Needham Market, bruised by the lead that had slipped away, were still pressing and making Barwell worry. An outstanding block by Tyreace Brown at the death prevented a certain home winning goal.
The game ended all square and the crowd of 209 had seen an entertaining game of football in very poor conditions.
Guy Hadland gave his reaction after the game saying: “I thought Needham Market were an excellent footballing team and in all fairness they probably deserved the win . Credit to the Barwell players and fans, they never gave in and pulled a great result out from 2-0 down. I’ve got a great bunch of players that never give in. They show character and are honest. I love working with them.”