Harleston Magpies II 10 St Ives 0

NE14Hockey East Men's League

Division One

Harleston Magpies II 10 St Ives 0

MAGPIES Twos travelled to St Ives who had previously beaten close rivals Brentwood and Vauxhall and drawn with league leaders Letchworth. Expecting a difficult afternoon Magpies were immediately under pressure and Livings in goal had to make a couple of saves in the first two minutes.

Magpies' first visit to the St Ives half saw Martin Fields finish off a fine move involving Jamie Legg and Dave Francis. A second goal quickly followed from a Robbie Kinsella strike at a short corner. Fields then went on to complete his hat-trick with two goals both from open play. Not to be out done Will Harrison despatched a short corner into the roof of the net with just 12 minutes played.

Harrison went on to complete his hat-trick with two further goals from short corners and James Stacey added a further goal.

With Laurence Baynes controlling the midfield, well supported by Si Hipwell and Robbie Kinsella and Craig Snelling and Dan Legg regularly finding their forward players with accurate passing, well backed up by excellent work down the right from Sam Moore and Ben Wright. Magpies totally destroyed the opposition and went in at the half leading 8-0.

The second half was a bit of an anti-climax with St Ives battling to regain pride as Magpies struggled to get to the heights of their first-half performance. Eventually Magpies increased their lead when Duncan Steven finished off an excellent passing move. Magpies 10th quickly followed when Dave Francis beat the beat the keeper at the third attempt. The closest St Ives came in the second half was a well-struck shot from the edge of the area, which Livings kept out confidently.

A superb team performance in which Martin, Lawrence and Will shone with Harrison taking man of the match. Next up for Magpies is the visit of Wapping to Weybread. Where Magpies aim to maintain their unbeaten record at home and increase the screws on Letchworth at the top of the table.