Vital win boost for Harleston

Chelmsford 0, Harleston Magpies 2

THIS was a big result for Harleston Magpies as they took on second-placed Chelmsford knowing defeat would see them slip into midtable whereas a win would see them take over second spot.

Not only did they come away with all three points but with Ipswich dropping points at Horsham, Harleston moved into second, one point from the leaders.

This was Magpies' best team performance of the season as they knew they were going to have to dig deep at times, battle when they had to but had enough composure to control spells of the game and the goals came at crucial times.

Magpies started brightly, taking the game to Chelmsford with good midfield build up but not really creating any real chances.

Gradually Chelmsford came into the game and Magpies had to cope with a difficult ten minutes spell when Chelmsford tested them fully in the first half. Most of Chelmsford's threat came from long passes from the back which Magpies were able to cope with plus a few penalty corners.

Fortunately most penalty corner strikes were struck wide or Lucy Hayman smothered them.

Magpies took the lead through Cherry Seaborn from a penalty corner and from then on the game changed considerably with Magpies dominating.

At the start of the second half the midfield of Ellie Bale, Debbie McAllen, Frances Sumner and Bryony Lund enjoyed their best spell of the match. Despite creating chances Magpies could not find a second goal, even seeing Chelmsford clear one off the line.

The forwards were working hard with prominent displays from Verity Blyth and Gemma Jones, and all the attackers put in a hard shift. Hayman had to make a couple of good saves while Bryony Lund cleared a chance off the line.

Defenders Louisa Greenacre, Katrina Warnes and Lucy Fields were all putting in big performances.

Artemis Clark scored the winner from a penalty corner after good work by Angie Wheelhouse.

Next week Magpies play Old Loughtonians away at 11.30am.