HORLOCK’S HEROES WRITE NEW HISTORY
NEEDHAM MARKET manager Kevin Horlock said that winning the title with three games remaining is a bigger high than anything he experienced in his illustrious playing career.
The Marketmen clinched title after a clinical hat-trick from Jamie McGrath.
Former Manchester City midfielder Horlock said: “As a player, you can affect it physically, but as a manager you work with players who listen and learn and take it on to the pitch.”
“We’ve created history in terms of cup competitions in seasons gone by, but me and Tom [Rothery, the assistant manager] have spoke about it and this year we wanted to improve our league form and be up there and be contenders.
“Did we think we were going to win it with three games to go? Probably not, but the lads have been brilliant and we’ll enjoy tonight.”
The Marketmen were dominant in the first half, with Seth Chambers forcing an early good save from Rylee Mitchell after four minutes. McGrath looped a header from Tevan Allen’s free kick on By Drew Kendall to the crossbar in the 24th minute, while Chambers directed a smart close-range bicycle kick just wide five minutes later.
The Marketmen got their breakthrough just after the half-hour. Kyle Hammond threaded McGrath clear on goal and he finished smartly into the bottom corner.
Hammond hit the post on 35 minutes, Ingram was thwarted twice by Mitchell in the space of a minute soon after, and Dan Morphew saw his header from a corner acrobatically held.
After all the pressure, Royston equalised through substitute Kian Harness, but the Marketmen were not to be denied their celebrations.
McGrath finished it with his clinical finishing, beating Mitchell twice – on 81 and 85 minutes – when through on goal.
Assistant Rothery heaped praise on the players, saying: “Kev talks about what amazing lads they are. The biggest change for me this season is that we’re so resilient.
“Every game where we’ve been up against it, we’ve reacted.” STAR MAN: Jamie McGrath (Needham Market) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★