MARKET TRIUMPH DELIGHTS HORLOCK
NEEDHAM Market moved to within a point of league leaders Redditch with a clinical home win over Telford.
The first half was a tentative affair, although Needham keeper Marcus Garnham denied Remi Walker in the sixth minute. The stopper again thwarted the winger, helping his 15th-minute shot wide.
Adam Mills, meanwhile, saw a shot deflected just wide for a corner after 29 minutes, while the winger had a close-range shot well saved by Brandon Hall seven minutes later.
The Marketmen took the lead three minutes after the break as Dan Morphew poked home from a corner, following Seth Chambers’ shot being saved after 48 minutes.
Needham almost doubled their lead after 71 minutes as man-of-the-match Chambers shot just over following McGrath’s flick on.
Telford, however, thought they had pulled a goal back two minutes later following a header from a corner, but ruled out for a foul.
Needham doubled their advantage in clinical fashion when Chambers broke through on goal before finishing smartly with 14 minutes of the contest remaining.
Garnham then thwarted Telford smartly as the game entered the crucial final ten minutes, superbly tipping over a shot.
Needham almost added a third at the death, but Kyle Hammond shot just wide of the target.
Needham manager Kevin Horlock said: “That was massive.
“Obviously, everyone’s aware Telford have obviously been on a really good run and not lost for 17 games, which was the last time we played them and beat them.
“They’re in among it, so it was a big game in terms of them needing to win to really kick on.
“But, from our point of view, it was to bounce back after last week’s disappointment shows the character the lads have got and togetherness.
“It wasn’t a spectacle first half, by any means.
“For the second half, we stepped on to them and dominated the game and could have won by more.
“We had a little spell where we were on top and then, obviously, the first goal came, albeit a little tap-in, but it was massive.
“Then we had a 15-minute spell where i t looked like there was going to be more following soon after, but they didn’t.
“Then, obviously, Seth’s popped up. He was exceptional, holding the ball up, running the channels.
“He just looks like a real goal threat and is obviously starting to realise his potential.
“It was a good finish on his left foot.” STAR MAN: Seeth Chambers (Needham) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★