Needham Market preview

Wingate & Finchley entertain a team they have already played this season, Needham Market, at home on Tuesday evening. The first time these two sides played each other was on the 7th September 2010 at Bloomfields Stadium, when Wingate were in the Ryman Division one North. The fixture saw the Blues travel back to North London empty handed, having been beaten convincingly 4-1, after David Laird had given them the lead. The home game was better, after two goals from Leon Smith helped Wingate to three points, after a 2-1 victory. Needham Market are now competing in the Ryman Premier Division for the very first time, having won promotion last season. After playing 8 games so far, they find themselves in 21st position and are yet to win either at home, or on the road this season. However, they have been difficult to beat when playing away, as the only side yet to beat Wingate this season, Tonbridge Angels, found out after playing a 3-3 draw with Mark Morsley's men. The previous fixture this season saw Wingate win 1-3 with goals from Billy Healey, Karl Oliyide and Tommy Tejan-Sie giving the Blues all three points. Despite their run of results, Adam Mills will be eager to continue his goal scoring form, coming into this game off the back of scoring 3 goals in four games. The visitors also possess Sam Newson, a player who played well against Wingate and who has looked comfortable at this level. As the game in Suffolk proved, the key battle will be in midfield. The creativity and movement of Martel Powell and Tommy Tejan-Sie caused Needham's defence to be pulled away from their positions, which allowed space for the full backs to deliver balls in from the by-line on countless occasions. The visitors will be wary of this, especially having yet to keep a clean sheet. After that disappointing and frustrating narrow loss at home to Tonbridge Angels, Manager of the Month Simon Lane will be eager for his side to get back to the type of form which gave them a near perfect August, by completing the double over the Marketmen. Match Preview by Khalid Karimullah