Harleston Magpies 1, Cambridge City 1Cambridge City started the better of the two teams as Magpies looked edgy when defending and when the home team did win the ball back their passing let them down allowing the opposition easy possession.

Harleston Magpies 1, Cambridge City 1

Cambridge City started the better of the two teams as Magpies looked edgy when defending and when the home team did win the ball back their passing let them down allowing the opposition easy possession.

Cambridge made the most of this spell, winning two quick penalty corners.

The first corner strike was well saved by Calianne Clark standing in for Lucy Hayman in goal, but when Magpies immediately conceded another for a foul outside the circle Louise Richardson gave Cambridge the lead on 16 minutes.

Magpies responded by winning two penalty corners. The first corner was cleared but by the time the second corner was awarded 16 years old Emily Wilford was on the pitch and her strike was deflected by the goalkeeper's stick high into the net.

With the scores level at 1-1 this gave Magpies the boost they needed and gradually they were able to build up the midfield tempo and start to put some pressure on the Cambridge defence.

Charlotte Harrison also came off the bench to make her first appearance of the season and bearing in mind this was her first match for 10 months did very well.

Magpies knew they would need to force the pace in the second half but were well aware from the earlier game in the season that Cambridge could defend well with plenty of players behind the ball. Magpies played well in the second half creating chances and were unfortunate not to take all three points missing a penalty flick whilst Emily Wilford was unfortunate to have a good goal disallowed.

Unfortunately Magpies squandered several opportunities from penalty corners by not exercising the basics to a high enough standard.

As Magpies went for the win there was always the risk of being caught on the break and sure enough Cambridge created two good chances, one of which was well saved by Calianne Clark with a diving stick interception at the top of the circle and the other being scrambled away by the defence.

In the end Magpies had to settle for the draw but, on a positive note, their fitness stood up well considering this was their first League game since November and they created good chances especially in the second half.

In addition, Magpies had no five U18s in their team.

Magpies will be away to Northampton next week.