The visit of Needham Market to St James Park is another “first”. The sides met for the first time ever in October when Saints took on The Marketmen at their Bloomfields stadium in a midweek game. Two goals from Danny Newton and another from George Carline sent Gavin Cowan’s side back to Northamptonshire with the points and lifted Brackley into 12th place in the league table. Today sees the return fixture and a first visit to St James Park.

Needham won the Eastern Counties Premier League in 2009-10 gaining promotion to the Isthmian League Division One North and after the 2014-15 season were promoted again to the Premier Division. They were switched to the Southern League for the 2018-19 season due to the pyramid re-organisation finishing 11th in that first season before winning promotion to the National League North last time out as champions.
Needham have an enviable cup history reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup in 2022-23 losing to Burton Albion. Last season they exited in the final qualifying stage where York City needed a replay to progress and this season they lost out against National League South side St Albans City.

They reached the semi-final of the FA Vase in 2007-8 and the quarter-finals in both the following seasons before entering the FA Trophy. In 2022-23 they navigated six rounds of the competition beating the likes of Wealdstone and Yeovil Town before losing to Stockport County in the quarter-final who then lost against Wrexham.

Currently 24th and joint bottom in the table with Marine and Warrington curiously away form is strong with home form proving an obstacle to climbing the table. Just two home wins to date came in October against South Shields and last week against Warrington. Away form is strong, unbeaten in four games on the road before the 2-0 defeat at Scunthorpe.

Until the weekend Kevin Horlock was Needham’s manager and also in charge of the Northern Ireland U21 side. The surprise resignation was announced following the win over Warrington. We await news of his replacement and any temporary arrangements in place at the club.
Saints’ player Liam Cross is currently on loan at Needham but is unavailable to play against his home club.