Harpenden 0 Harleston Magpies 3

NE14 Hockey East League

Premier A

Harpenden 0 Harleston Magpies 3

Harleston Magpies continued their 100% start to the season at Harpenden on Saturday.

The visitors started the game looking to show the attacking play that has taken them to top of the league, coming out the blocks the stronger.

However, for all their possession, Magpies were unable to produce any real clear-cut chances and, after their initial good spell, Harpenden came back in to the game.

The away team were unable to produce their usual brand of passing hockey and became increasingly frustrated as Harpenden looked to play on the break.

Harleston were generally comfortable at the back but did have one scare when a lone Harpenden striker was put through, however veteran keeper Martin used all his experience to hold the forward up long enough for Leigh Sitch to make a covering tackle.

The second half started with the home team still packing the defence and clearly looking to hold on for a draw.

Magpies were still unable to get into top gear but eventually a break through came after some scrappy play in the 'D' resulted in James Fangor poking the ball over the line.

The goal relaxed Harleston and two further goals were added from Richard Gill through neatly deflected short corners.

Tristan Baynes also went close with a reverse stick shot that narrowly went over the bar.

Magpies were pleased to keep a second clean sheet of the season and, although this was not their best display of hockey, a ninth successive win meant that, with St Albans not playing, they stretched their lead at the top of the league to six points.