Needham Market progress to the Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round after beating Sheringham 2-0
Needham Market booked their place in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup after beating lower-league Sheringham 2-0 at Bloomfields on Saturday.
Jacob Lay put the Marketmen in front midway through the first half, before Ross Crane's penalty in second half added time ensured Needham avoided a banana skin in football's oldest cup competition.
Kevin Horlock's side are now two more wins away from reaching the first round proper for the first time in the club's history, with the draw for the third qualifying round due to be published on Tuesday at 1pm.
Two leagues separated the two sides at Bloomfields for this second qualifying round tie, with hosts Needham, of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, facing Step 5 outfit Sheringham, who play in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.
While the Marketmen are now an established club at Step 3, with the 2022/23 campaign being their eighth consecutive season at that level, for the visitors it has been a sharp rise up the pyramid over the last four years.
After winning the Fosters Solicitors Anglian Combination Premier Division in 2018/19, the Norfolk side had their first two years in the Thurlow Nunn League cut short due to the pandemic.
Last term the Shannocks clinched the First Division North title to earn another promotion, and wins over March Town United, Fakenham Town and higher league Lowestoft Town in this season's Emirates FA Cup set up a trip to Bloomfields in the second qualifying round.
Needham had fought back from a goal behind to get the better of Suffolk rivals Leiston in their first outing in this season's competition, and went into the clash with Sheringham having thrashed Royston Town 5-0 at home in the league four days earlier.
Horlock made one change to the side which started against Royston, with captain Keiran Morphew returning from injury, while Jake Dye (knock) dropped out.
After a fairly quiet opening 25 minutes, the game sprung into life when Jamie McGrath teed up Crane for a shot which crashed off the Sheringham crossbar.
A minute later Crane was in the thick of the action again, this time sprinting past his marker on the right wing and sending the ball across the box for Lay to finish in front of goal.
Dan Morphew struck the crossbar as the hosts went in search of a second, before Sheringham threatened an equaliser when Seamus Bobby's cross was tipped over the bar by Marcus Garnham, the Needham goalkeeper.
The Marketmen created chances after the break to stretch their advantage, with Christian Frimpong missing an inviting chance on the hour mark when he headed over at the back post when left unmarked in the box.
Needham's profligacy looked like it could cost them when Tim Cary prodded the ball past the home defence and raced towards goal, but his effort went wide of the target when under pressure.
The impressive Lay almost turned provider at the other end when his cross found its way to Crane, but Sheringham goalkeeper Denham Oliver produced a smart save to keep his side in the tie.
The Marketmen's place in the next round was confirmed in added time, as Frimpong went down in the box and Crane slotted home from the penalty spot to make it 2-0.
There was still time for substitute Seth Chambers to strike the post, the third time Needham had hit the frame of the Sheringham goal, but goals from Lay and Crane was more than enough to seal Needham's spot in the third qualifying round.
Needham Market: Garnham, Hammond, D Morphew, Frimpong, K Morphew (c), Cullum (Clark 74'), Lay, N Collard (Fitzgerald 56'), McGrath (Chambers 56'), Brothers, Crane. Subs not used: E Collard, Dye. Attendance: 176. Free Press man of the match: Jacob Lay.
