Suffolk relegation month

Tuesday 1 April 2025, Needham Market 2 Curzon Athletic 3 - National League, North, Bloomfields

Thought I needed to see Needham play at least once at this level as this may be the month of a quadruple relegation for Suffolk teams- Ipswich Town, Needham, Lowestoft and Ipswich Wanderers after last season when it was all about promotion.

Been to Bloomfield a few times this season as used occasionally by Ipswich Town Under 21 and U18 teams, always a friendly welcome.

Curzon were out of the blocks quick and it looked like it would be a difficult night for the hosts, but as the half went on, Needham found their feet and it ended up quite an even half, finishing 0-0.

Needham actually started the second half on top, but some poor crossing, poor fishing meant they could not get the first goal, and then Curzon took advantage of that by going 2 ahead after 68 and 73 minutes, it looked all over but an obvious handball gave Needham a penalty after 75 minutes so it was game back on, however Curzon added a soft third goal from a corner after 83 minutes and that looked like it but Needham kept coming forward, the Curzon keeper was becoming the hate figure for the home crowd with his play acting and time wasting, Needham got a goal back in injury time, Curzon keeper got booked and was lucky not get a red as he kept hold of the ball after the goal, Needham kept the pressure on but could not get back on terms.

Needham will go down, but at least they have not bankrupted themselves, they have not been cut adrift and can look forward to next season with numerous local derbies. 

Lead thrown away

Tuesday 1st April 2025, Ipswich Town Under 21s  2 Wigan Athletic Under 21s 2 - Professional Development League, Bent Lane Training Ground

Final result was about right but Ipswich had been 2 up at one stage and were unlucky to not add a third from a free kick.

Wigan probably had more of the ball during the game, however it was Ipswich who took the lead after 25 minutes. Then we had a strange 5 minutes, Wigan player pulled down on edge of box, could have seen a red card but only yellow shown, Wigan scored from free kick via a deflection but then goal chalked off as a Wigan player had got too close to the wall? Then 3 minutes later (55th) Ipswich were 2 up.

Wigan still had plenty of the ball and then the Ipswich subs saw them slightly sloppier when retaining the ball and allowed Wigan to get the 2 goals back in the 76th and 80th minute and it was the visitors who finished on top.