Ryan Miles | Needham Market

Needham Market have had a brilliant start to the season, after narrowley missing out on a play-off spot by just goal difference at the end of last season. As usual, the Marketmen kept the majority of their squad, lost just three players, and added just four.

Tom Rothery's side are currently on a four match unbeaten run, and just ran out 4-0 winners against bottom of the table Stamford on Tuesday night. This result moved the Suffolk side up to 8th place in the table. An incredible first half saw Ryan Miles score a 24 minute hat-trick, while Tevan Allen added a fourth before the break.

The hat-trick hero, Miles, has had a terrific start to his second season at the Marketmen, having joined from step 4 Wroxham in the summer of 2025. The 27 year old scored three goals in 21 league games last season, but has already beaten that tally, with five goals in his seven league appearances.

Currently Needham's top scorer, and having missed just one of their opening eight league matches this season, it's clear Miles is one of the key men in Rothery's side. I spoke with the hat-trick man to discuss his reaction to his three goals, the potential reaction goal forward for the team, his performances this season and message to the fans.

"It was a great feeling to get my first hat-trick at this level and even better getting it in such a small period of time, also pleasing in the type of goals they were. It’s certainly up there with the memories over the years and one that I’ll remember.

"Of course, last year was a tough one to take with missing out on play offs in the last game of the season. This year I feel like we’ve played some really good stuff, but not quite found the results we have been after. In our recent form, we’ve started to get the ball rolling and found some momentum.

"Last night was a great confidence boost for the club and everyone involved. It keeps the momentum going, which is key in football, but even after last night, I think we all felt there is still more to come. We have some statements to make in upcoming matches, and more goals to be score with our confidence in front of goal.

"Last night was a great confidence boost for the club and everyone involved. It keeps the momentum going, which is key in football, but even after last night, I think we all felt there is still more to come. We have some statements to make in upcoming matches, and more goals to be score with our confidence in front of goal.

"Personally, it's been a decent start to the season for me. I have felt good coming off an injury last year so the main aim was to come back and get amongst it all again, and make some what of an impact. It’s good to find the back of the net, but if I’m critical of myself, I should probably have a couple more, but that’s me just being picky. I’m just really enjoying it at the moment which is the main thing.

"Now, games are coming thick and fast, with Saturdays and Tuesdays, but that’s why we play football and play matches, as we all enjoy them. Our targets are pretty clear, pick up as many points as possible over the coming games, to put us in a good position to be fighting for plays offs, or even more when we get round to the end of the season and still have something to play for in April. To the fans, we just want you to keep supporting us like you have, and has been great home and away. I know I do but certainly the lads appreciate it."

So where has this season gone so right in certain aspects for the Marketmen. Well, the sides first half goalscoring rampage on Tuesday has massivley bolstered their overall record, and could be something to improve on further. Eight goals have flown in over that 45+ minute period, and only six sides have scored more. All six having played a game more*. This stat has contributed to a purple partch of scoring four goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches. Only Banbury United (5) have scored more.

The club have excelled and hold a very good record this season of conceding very few goals in the second half of matches in the division. Just three goals have gone in their net across eight games, and only Alvechurch (1), Kettering Town (2) have conceded fewer. In fact, this is a statistic they have carried over, as only Harborough Town (19) & Worcester City (22) conceded fewer than their 25 in the whole of last season.