Canterbury 2, Harleston 1HARLESTON made a long journey to face their toughest test of the season so far - against table-topping Canterbury. They started strongly, moving the ball around well.

Canterbury 2, Harleston 1

HARLESTON made a long journey to face their toughest test of the season so far - against table-topping Canterbury.

They started strongly, moving the ball around well. Despite coming under early pressure from the aerial threat that Canterbury possessed it was Harleston who took an early lead.

Great movement from Bale created space for Duncan Graves in the D, the young forward found Andy Hipwell unmarked to finish in fine style.

Canterbury soon came back at Harleston forcing the away team back deeper into their own D.

Harleston were unable to keep pressure on the home side as they were forced back with the long aerial ball.

Harms saved well from a well-taken short corner but eventually the team's resistance was broken when the ball fell to a Canterbury forward at the top of the D who fired across goal where the ball was turned over the line at the back post.

Despite conceding Harleston fought back strongly but went a goal behind when Canterbury slotted home from a short corner. The tide started to turn and Canterbury started to create chances from short corners where Mark Wheelhouse cleared off the line twice.

Harleston had a chance to equalise before the break when Bale broke into the D only to see his shot ricochet off Graves wide.

During the second half Harleston started to step up earlier to minimise the aerial threat - despite Canterbury still finding their forwards high Harleston were able to hit them on the break.

Both Hipwell and Gowing were denied by saves. Despite giving corners away Harleston defended this threat well, Harms again producing a couple of fine saves. From one of these corners Canterbury thought they had won a flick but the ball struck Wheelhouse in the face outside of the post.

In a frantic finish Canterbury were reduced to 10 men but Harleston could not grab a vital equaliser from two short corners at the final whistle, one of which was cleared off the line by a defender.

The team now have a week's break before the league recommences in a fortnight when the team are at home on Sunday against Indian Gymkhana.