Needham Market set to recruit ‘in key areas’ as Dylan Williams departs for personal reasons reveals Tom Rothery

After seeing title-winning midfielder Dylan Williams depart, Needham Market’s Tom Rothery says the club are ‘working hard’ to replace him as well as ‘add players into key areas’ in their bid for survival at Step 2.

The former Cambridge United, AFC Sudbury and Lowestoft Town mainly left-sided midfielder joined the Marketmen in January 2023 from St Ives Town. And he went on to make just shy of 100 first-team appearances, featuring 47 times in last season’s historic double-winning season.

After he was left out of the last two squads and only made five league appearances (one start), having been injured in the early part of their first season in the Vanarama National League North, assistant manager Rothery explained his departure to SuffolkNews, including addressing the 27-year-old being replaced.

He said: “Dylan unfortunately can’t commit to us with the travel involved (at Step 2) and his business growing.

“We have had some conversations and are trying to improve the squad but currently have nothing to announce, but we are working hard behind the scenes to add players into key areas.”

It comes after Needham followed up back-to-back 1-1 draws with a 1-0 home defeat to Chester on Saturday which left Kevin Horlock and Rothery’s side second bottom, one point off the foot of table, with basement side Rushall Olympic having played a game less. The gap to safety is six points.

However, Needham had looked on track for a point until Harrison Burke headed home the winner in the 86th minute, followed by a controversial red card for ‘keeper Marcus Garnham in stoppage time – which saw Danny Cullum come on and save Kurt Willoughby’s spot-kick.

It means Garnham will be start the first of a three-match suspension going into tomorrow’s trip to Derbyshire to face divisional rivals Alfreton Town (3pm) in the second round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Loanee defender Josh Tomlinson, who captained parent club Northampton Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, is also unavailable again while attacking midfielder Reggie Lambe is on international duty with Bermuda.

But Rothery said captain Kieran Morphew, included on the bench against Chester following injury, is ‘improving and close to a comeback’ ahead of undergoing a fitness text.

Reflecting on the Chester defeat, Rothery said: “The result’s disappointing but I think the performance was pretty good.”

He felt Garnham’s sending off was a tough one to take, saying: “Watching it live, I think it’s harsh.

“The forward’s tried to block which you see in a lot of games, I didn’t think there was too much in it but maybe I’ve not seen something or not seen what the officials feel they have.

“Danny coming on, as I said to him; no pressure just gamble and enjoy it. Danny’s a very capable young goalkeeper so that’s a good thing for him but unfortunately doesn’t help us today but still again shows what Danny is capable of.”

‘Doctor Dan’ brings up 300

Stand-in captain Dan Morphew, made his 300th appearance for the Marketmen in last weekend’s fixture and said: “It’s a nice milestone, but a disappointing day in general as three points would have been nicer.

“I’m pleased to have made it to 300. Hopefully I’ve got 400 in the legs.”

Reflecting on the defeat to Chester, he said: "I think we dominated the game, if I'm telling the absolute truth.

“I think most of the game, we're the team on top; we're the team pushing, trying to score.

“I think the only thing you'd say is we didn't really create enough clear-cut chances.

“We had some half chances, some good crosses in the box, but no one really on the end of it. But we were the team in the ascendancy the whole game. There were 11 men behind the ball, all in their half.

“But I think if you ask their manager, he'll most likely say it's a perfect away performance; kept it tight, didn't give too much away, and then they've nicked a winner. So it's disappointing from our point of view. I think the dressing room is disappointed. I think we all felt we were the better team today and we were on top the whole game, but we just couldn't do enough to get it over the line, which is unfortunate."