Harleston Magpies 0 IES 1

Magpies were under pressure this week without their manager Nigel Wooltorton and U16 girls missing due to indoor. The game began well with everybody pushing forward creating numerous chances, particularly Krystal Bishop and Anouska Hipperson. But IES were proving a tough side to break down, with some tight control in the centre and some good defending. Towards the end of the first half IES scored from a short corner, with their only shot of the game, and despite some strong attacking play from Magpies in response the score at half time remained 0-1.

The second half began with further pressure from a solid Magpies midfield, with the majority of play down the left side of the pitch. Tensions were rising as both teams struggled to secure victory, and the last half of the game saw an IES player receive a green card. The last few minutes of the game gave Magpies two short corners but they were unable to convert either, allowing IES to break into attack, though some strong defending from Siobhan Wooltorton and Arianne Dyball kept them from shooting.

Despite working tirelessly and an overall good team performance, Magpies were unable to beat a very strong IES keeper, who made several superb saves preventing the home side scoring and resulting in the first points dropped of the season.

Player of the match: Lauren Barber

Thetford 6 - 2 Magpies Ladies IV

A midday push back at Breckland Leisure Club was the setting for Magpies away fixture against Thetford.

For the first ten minutes or so, Magpies looked good, keeping possession of the ball and making ground into Thetford's defensive third. However, on the counter attack Thetford were dangerous and quickly won two consecutive short corners, and when, after the second of these, the ball wasn't cleared away properly, the home side went a goal infront. Thetford doubled their lead soon after, capitalising on Magpies losing the ball after their own short corner and made a quick breakaway, resulting in a quality reverse stick shot. Jess Harvey, in the Magpies goal, played well, making several crucial stops to keep the score down, but Thetford got a third goal midway through the half. Magpies kept their composure and found some of their promising play from the opening minutes and tried to get themselves back in the match, and they were rewarded with a Sarah Legg goal straight from a short corner, taking the scoreline 3-1 into half time.

Despite good work in the midfield by Magpies with Hannah Booty, Treacle Snelling, Rachel Goodson and Emily Parsons combining well, the second half was a carbon copy of the first. Thetford scored three more before Magpies doubled their tally, another super Sarah Legg short corner strike. Credit must go to the centre defender for her continuing quality performances and her fight and determination. Final score 6-2.

Kay Dennis, Magpies Ladies 4th's.

UEA 3rd XI 0 Harleston Magpies 7th XI 4.

With the last game a distant memory from the start of December and the most strenuous exercise undertaken by most of the team being walk from the car park to the sports centre and out to the pitch at UEA, captain Bardwell realised that the start of the game could be a bit of a nightmare and showed great tactical nous by starting himself on the bench. He was right- passes were misplaced and the ball was given away too easily. There was a general lack of preparation highlighted by the sight of a Magpie kneeling down to do up a lace and not noticing that a weak UEA clearance passed within three feet without him knowing. No names, Well so no one takes umbrage.

Eventually a gradual improvement came and slowly Magpies established an element of control. Several short corners were won but came to nothing due in part to good goalkeeping.

An astute pass from Stuart Peters gave Pete Dolton a shooting chance from the top of the D. Roger Kent who was hovering near the goal thought the safest place would be in line with the goal. Unfortunately the shot was surprisingly accurate and was only stopped from going into the goal by a part of Roger's anatomy and caused great pain or amusement depending on who you were. The remedial treatment was to crawl and lie down beyond the back board. Magnanimously, Peter held not hard feelings towards Roger and Roger is incapable of hard feelings towards anyone.

In the cold light of day, I know Peter is now very embarrassed by the incident. What was he doing as a left defender getting a shooting chance in the opponents circle? If only he had stayed where he should have been, grazing peacefully in his own half none of this would have happened

Magpies approached the second half in a more positive way and as would be expected fitness told. (Please note when it was Joe's turn to go on the bench there was no-one on the pitch between the age of twenty two and forty two.) At last corners were converted and life became a whole lot easier. Goals came from Jon Wells and the rejuvenated but not totally recovered Roger Kent.

Thanks go to Eric, who went in goal as Murray was unavailable, and did not touch the ball in play throughout the game.