Harleston Magpies survive furious fight back to beat Chelmsford

Harleston started off the livelier team, with neat exchanges of passing, transitioning the ball from defence to attack well. The visitors had Chelmsford against the ropes and hit them on the break several times but to no avail.

That was until player coach Ben Wright managed to put them ahead just after the 15 minute mark with some superb build-up play down the left wing and a cheeky nutmeg which turned into an assist by Stuart Leate.

This opened the game up and Harleston started to find their rhythm, adding to their lead with a superb snap shot from their young Belgian forward Vincent Van der Horn.

Chelmsford quickly hit back after the break to make it 2-1 with a reverse stick shot getting the better of magpies keeper John Livings.

Chelmsford decided to go with three men at the back and push through an extra man in midfield which unsettled Harleston’s rhythm, suddenly the sides were even in the middle of the park and the game went from end to end, both sides creating chances.

However, the visitors replied almost straight away through Matthew Richardson whose winding run ended in a reverse stick effort that crept in at the far post. Vincent Leruth then made it 4-1 to the Magpies.

The game became scrappier and with Chelmsford’s defence camped on the half-way line, they were finding their men in wide positions and creating dangerous chances, which ended in a scrappy shot that wrong footed the Harleston keeper.

The balance well and truly swung into Chelmsford’s favour and they got on top of possession, bombarding Harleston with through balls time and time again.

This possession soon saw the home team grab another break away goal, with Harleston failing to clear the ball.

The game hung in the balance, but Harleston managed to plug the holes, shore up their defence and hold on until the final whistle.

East Premier A

Chelmsford 3

Harleston Magpies 4