Needham Market welcome back former Ipswich Town midfielder Byron Lawrence for first appearance in two years since broken fibula

Needham Market welcomed back former Ipswich Town midfielder Byron Lawrence to the pitch as he played 45 minutes of the Marketmen’s dramatic 3-2 victory at Long Melford in the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup last night.

Kevin Horlock’s side had to come from behind twice in Wednesday’s second-round tie at The Skyline Networks Stadium as Callum Page’s goal off the bench secured a quarter-final spot for the competition’s holders.

But, the Needham boss said the most pleasing aspect of the game was seeing Lawrence play in the first team for the first time since he broke his fibula, fracturing his tibia and dislocating his ankle against Peterborough Sports at Bloomfields. almost two years ago to the day.

Speaking to the media team at Needham Market, Horlock said: “It was probably quite a nice game for him (Lawrence) to be involved in, because they didn't press and just let us have the ball all over the pitch.

“It was not a great surface for him to play on, but he's played 45 minutes for the first team which pleases me on my birthday. It's the best birthday present I got today.”

Their win sets up a last-eight meeting with Stowmarket Town, who the Marketmen defeated 6-5 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw in last season's final at Bury Town FC.

Harry Whiting-Noakes converted a low right-wing cross to put the home team in front after 10 minutes, but Dan Morphew headed home a Tevan Allen corner to equalise in the 22nd minute.

Long Melford, who play two levels lower than Needham, restored their advantage after 35 minutes through a Ryan Gibbs lob, before Seth Chambers volleyed home from Allen’s corner six minutes later.

Substitute Page had already hit a post before netting the winner in the 76th minute, arriving at the far post to score from Ollie Fraser’s cross.

Horlock told the Needham Market X feed: “It was about getting through. It was always going to be difficult coming here, obviously the pitch was heavy, and the way they set up I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before really, I think it was a goalkeeper, nine behind the ball and one up top, and it's difficult to break down at times.

“There's a lot of bodies, but we were resolute, we kept going, we got the winner in the end, so I’m pleased, albeit bored during the game – and it’s not one I’ll watch back.

“I expected to come here and win, obviously I would’ve liked it to have been by a bigger score margin, but when people sit behind the ball like that it’s difficult at times and if you want to get through, and we have, obviously it was a little bit, not nervy but, touch and go at times.”

The cup victory makes it three wins in a row for the Marketmen, who beat Royston Town 2-0 away from home on Saturday thanks to a second half brace from Jamie McGrath.

The next test for Horlock’s men, who sit second in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, sees them host Nuneaton Borough tomorrow (3pm) before welcoming Berkhamsted to Bloomfields on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Elsewhere, Needham Market Women lost 3-1 away at Real Bedford on Sunday in the Eastern Region Women's Football League Premier Division – Lucy Loomes grabbing the Marketwomen’s only goal.

Looking to bounce back quickly, Warren Lewis-Claxton’s side travel to Hertford Town on Sunday in the second round of the League Cup (1.30pm).