Magpies make tough debut

WITH Harleston Magpies firsts making their National League debut last week, this week was the turn of the second team to make their East Premier B debut with a difficult trip away to Pelicans firsts.

After an outstanding performance against Norwich City the week previous Magpies were full of confidence when the whistle went to start the match.

However Magpies didn't get off to the best of starts, going behind within five minutes of the match starting.

An aerial thrown from defence cleared the Magpies defence and a Pelicans forward moved onto it slipping it past Livings in goal to his colleague who slotted home from close range.

Magpies then quickly responded with their opening goal of the league campaign, when Robbie Kinsella had a reverse stick shot from the top of the circle to then be deflected in by Duncan Steven.

The goal, however, was nearly not given when the umpire seemed to have not noticed the deflection from Duncan and without the help from his colleague, it was the Pelicans goalkeeper who in the end sportingly said to the umpires that it was a goal.

Even though Magpies had drawn level the nerves were still on show and not 10 minutes later Pelicans where back ahead with a goal from close range after the Magpies defence had tried their best to keep it out.

After a slow start to the second half, Harleston finally started to play Magpies hockey in the second half and thus started to dominate possession and the game.

Ten minutes into the second half Magpies were back on level terms with a goal from Ben Wright, who pounced on the rebound from a Kinsella strike which was once again saved by the Pelicans keeper.

Now that Harleston were back level they were pushing for the lead and this allowed Pelicans to attack on the break with their aerials posing problems all game it was a good defensive display to help keep the attacks at bay.

Magpies took the lead not long after equalising from a short corner when the initial flick from Hamish was saved only for Dave Francis to set-up Lawrence Baines for his first of the season.

With Magpies finally in the lead they went looking to seal the win and in quick succession forced the Pelicans keeper to keep his team in this encounter.

Whilst Magpies were in the lead whilst there was still only one goal in it Pelicans still had a chance of saving the game and on several occasion forced Livings to impose himself on the game and make several decent saves.

With Magpies absorbing another Pelicans attack, Si Hipwell received a green card after a tangle with the Pelicans right back. Richard Ling also received a green card after stick tackle on the Pelicans by-line.

Magpies sealed the win 10 minutes from time when an inch perfect cross from Simon Hipwell found Jamie Legg at the far post who slotted in to give Magpies the three points.

Man of the match went to Lawrence Baines who had a solid performance in the centre of midfield and scored the goal to put the Magpies ahead for the first time.

After this well-deserved win Magpies II have a difficult encounter with Cambridge City who also recorded their first victory of the season with an 8-0 win over Ipswich II.