PREVIEW: Woodbridge Town U23s vs Needham Market U23s

Woodbridge Town U23s player Luke Gotts in action

Woodbridge Town U23s are back at the Homestyle UK Ground this weekend as they welcome Needham Market U23s in the Thurlow Nunn U23 North Division. With both sides enjoying good campaigns, today’s clash is bound to be a competitive and close affair. As we enter the second half of the season, every point matters if the Peckers want to keep climbing the table. 

The two teams have already met once this season, where Woodbridge fell to a 3-2 defeat away from home. Despite goals from Southgate and Page, the Peckers were edged out by Needham in that game. Looking back to last season however, when Woodbridge completed the league double over the Marketmen, winning 1-3 away and 4-0 at home. Expect another close game, where on their day either side could take the three points.

Last time out the Peckers travelled to Brantham, with the hosts taking the victory 2-0. Before that came a strong win away at Framlingham Town, where goals from Fleitas Branson, Hunt and Howlett saw Woodbridge come away with the three points. The visitors this weekend come into today’s fixture in good form, as they remain unbeaten in their last six fixtures - winning four and drawing two. They’ll be hoping to extend that run today and complete the league double over the Peckers for the first time.

The Woodpeckers have plenty of players in fine nick at the moment, with top goalscorer Joshue Fleitas Branson netting his 10th goal of the season last time out, seeing him jump to third in the league’s top scorer standings. Owen Cameron will also hope to add to his 8 goals so far this season, alongside goalscorer last time out against Needham Marcus Page, who’s bagged 4 in 6 games this campaign. Despite not having a standout goalscorer, Needham Market have many players that could cause the Peckers problems this afternoon, with Oliver Wakeling and Oscar Bowman leading the way for the Marketmen. Neither side have kept a clean sheet in any of their last four matches, so both backlines will be hoping for a much more solid performance. 

A win for Woodbridge in this game would see them jump above Needham Market into 5th, and start to put pressure on the top four with a game in hand. A win for the Marketmen could see them rise to 4th, depending on other results. The middle of the table is extremely close, so wins can send you flying up the league, but a loss could see both sides lose at least one position in the table.

Make sure to get up to the Homestyle UK Ground and show your support for the young Peckers. It was a brilliant night on Thursday for the U18s as they reached the Semi-Finals of the Midweek Cup, so come get behind the U23s for what should be an equally great game of football this afternoon. Thank you once again for your support, and as always, UP THE PECKERS!

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