Needham Market Preview (5-4-11)
The crucial matches are coming on thick and fast for Forest, and Tuesday’s match is no different, as we travel to Needham Market.
After top of the pile of so long, Market have gone off the boil of late, only winning three of their last eight games. Forest meanwhile, have been rejuvenated, scoring six goals in two games, after having previously only scored one in nine.
When we met Needham Market earlier in the season, we started very badly, and allowed our visitors to be 2-0 with only 20 minutes played. Despite this, we held firm until half time, and an improved second half performance saw us get a goal back. However, Market’s class came through and they won 3-1. Brian Okwera got our goal that day.
This match was originally due to be played on the 26th of February, but was postponed on the morning of the match due to a waterlogged pitch. This match is therefore our game in hand over Ilford, and if we want to have any chance of catching them, we will have to come away from Suffolk with at least a point.
Our opponents only made one last-minute signing last week, compared to our eight or nine. They signed Jamie Godbold from Ryman Premier side Lowestoft Town.
Kick-off is 7.45 PM.
Travel information:
By Car: Make your way to the A12 towards Colchester and Ipswich. On the outskirts of Ipswich turn left onto the A14 towards Bury St Edmunds. After about 8 miles join the A140 (Kettle Lane) for about ½ mile and then join the B1078 (Coddenham Road) for about a mile. Take the 3rd left into Pump Street, then left onto B1113 (Ipswich Road), then right onto B1078 (Barking Road), and right again onto Chainhouse Road. Then 4th right onto Quinton Road. Ground is on the left.
By Public Transport: By National Express East Anglia train to Ipswich and change for Needham market. From the Station walk to High Street and turn left into Ipswich Road, then right into barking Road, right into Chainhouse Road, 4th right into Quinton Road; ground is on the left. Allow about 20 minutes to walk from the station. Please note that the last train back leaves Needham Market at 21.49.
The Beer Hunter’s Guide to Needham Market:
Your Beer Hunter had the opportunity to research here at leisure a few weeks ago, when he set out for the original Saturday fixture and had reached Colchester before he learned it was off. Adopting the Mastermind attitude (“I’ve started so I’ll finish) didn’t seem quite such a good idea when the final leg of the journey turned out to be a rail replacement bus, but Needham proved to be a very pleasant little town with some good pubs along its main street. The Rampant Horse near the station is a curious mixture of traditional pub and 70s guest-house, but the beer was good (including a real name from the past – Ansells Mild), and it does B&B – might be useful if you’re planning to go to the rearranged fixture. The Swan opposite is a solid Greene King local, but the pick of the bunch is the Limes Hotel, which had Timothy Taylor Landlord and also did good food.
