Harleston Magpies II 3 Cambridge Uni 2

NE14 East Men's League

Division One

Harleston Magpies II 3 Cambridge University 2

WITH the new away kit being displayed for the first time this season, Magpies II travelled to Cambridge University and came away with a narrow 3-2 victory. In a game played in a gale force wind, conditions were not easy and Magpies failed to produce their free flowing form that has destroyed many a team this season.

The game started quite slowly with neither side managing to create opportunities, Martin Fields had the first opportunity for Magpies when a shot from a narrow angle was well saved from the keeper, whilst at the other end the students created a clear chance only to be thwarted by John Livings, who stuck out a glove to push the ball round for a long corner.

Magpies struggled to put a passing movement together although it improved the longer the half progressed. Magpies had several short corners which the students keeper saved from Will Harrison who didn't give up and eventually produced the type of drag flick that has lead him to be top scorer this season.

The second half saw Cambridge put more pressure on the Magpies defence but thanks to good defensive work from Lawrence Baynes, Dan Legg, Will Harrison, Phil Cobbald, and Stu Leate who kept them at bay. When they did penetrate John Livings in good form, making several good saves.

On a rare excursion into the opponents circle, Magpies gained a short corner which was initially saved only for Dan Safa to fire home to make it 2-0 to Magpies. Ten minutes from the end Cambridge finally breached the Magpies defence from a well worked short corner.

Dave Miller returned for Magpies when the umpire offered him the chance to umpire himself after being an outspoken remark about some decisions. A couple of minutes later Magpies eased the pressure when a good ball out of defence from Dan Legg set Dave Francis free who carried the ball to the edge of Cambridges 25 before releasing a precision pass into the path of Duncan Rocket Steven who fired past the advancing keeper.

Cambridge pulled a second goal back late on, but Magpies held on to claim all three points. Man of the match was John Livings for a number of good saves. Next up for the second team is the visit of Redbridge and Ilford to Weybread.