Pelicans II 3 - 1 Magpies Ladies IV

Magpies travellled to Kings Lynn for their third consecutive midday push back, the need for points now vital for their survival in the Premier Division.

Magpies started very well, keeping possession and attacking the home side's defence, and their positive start was rewarded when Kay Dennis put Magpies in front inside five minutes. Magpies continued to press, passing the ball around well between the midfield and forward lines, but couldn't extend their lead. Ellie O'Sullivan in the Magpies goal kept the away side in it with a brilliant save in a one on one situation, but Pelicans equalised soon after following a short corner, taking the level scoreline into half time.

Magpies came out for the second positive they could get something from the match, playing with much more confidence than has been apparent in recent weeks, but were unfortunate to concede again. This spurred Pelicans on, and shortly after they won a penalty flick which they executed perfectly to further extend their advantage. Magpies heads stayed up and they continued to fight to get back into the match, with Gina Scott, Emma Tolhurst and Bella Hall playing well in the Magpies defence. But it wasn't to be, and the final score was 3-1 to the home side.

A much improved performance from Magpies, which they must take into the match against Watton next week.


Kay Dennis, Magpies Ladies 4th's.

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.

Ladies 5ths 0 Norwich City 3rds 4

Magpies battled well and enjoyed some good possession throughout the match but were unable to contain an experienced top of the table Norwich City side.

The highlight of the day was the impressive tea laid on by the team to celebrate important birthdays for David Brown and Shirley McAllen.

Ladies 2's through their toughest test and still undefeated!

Sprowston 1sts 2 – 4 Harleston Magpies 2nds

Magpies came to Sprowston expecting a tough physical match against their closest rivals, but started the match well and dominated the first 20 minutes of the game. Magpies continued to create chances, with Anouska Hipperson finding Krystal Bishop in the D, who neatly slapped the ball into the right hand corner of the goal, for Magpies to take the lead. Sprowston made a quick break and found the back of the net after a neat passing move. They pressed Magpies back into their own half and forced a penalty corner, which lead to their second goal. Magpies were shaken by this second goal and worked hard to create a short corner. Sprowston failed to clear and Krystal Bishop netted her second with a reverse stick sweep, to even the scores at half time.

Magpies came out strongest in the second half, with Anouska Hipperson leading the attack. Kiira Wooltorton played an excellent ball into the Sprowston D, for Keira Booty to confidently finish and for Magpies to regain the lead. Both teams became frustrated with play in the second half, Sprowston were first given a green card for a tackle and then Magpies' Anouska Hipperson was unlucky to be given a green card for a tackle from behind. Sprowston were then punished for not retreating after a free hit was awarded, leaving them to see out the match with 10 players. Magpies were again controlling play, moving the ball around well and creating a lot of chances. They sealed their win after a scrabble in the D, Lucy Whiting was the quickest to react to a loose ball.

Magpies go into their next fixture confident and with their 100% winning record intact.

MOM and DOTD - Anouska Hipperson.

Beccles 2 - 1 Magpies Ladies IV

After drawing with Beccles at the beginning of the season, Magpies knew a better result was required this time around if their Premier League status was to remain intact next season. But facing Beccles away from home, following their previous three good results, Magpies knew a tough match was in front of them.

The opening moments saw Beccles take the initiative, attacking quickly and making progress into Magpies' defensive third, and Beccles soon won a short corner. Magpies defended well though, and were then able to keep possession and settle themselves into the match. Play was evenly balanced for the first twenty minutes, Magpies had some shots on target and Beccles had a one on one with the 'keeper but saw their shot go wide. It was the home side, however, that broke the deadlock mid-way through the half, but Magpies came back strong equalising from a Sarah Legg short corner strike.

The second half found both teams desperate to take all three points and the intensity and effort increased. Again it was Beccles that went in front, scoring early in the second half, but Magpies continued to push on with Laura Schultheiss, Kay Dennis, and Georgi Scott creating chances on the forward line. And when a ridiculously bad tackle, more suited to the rugby pitch, came in from a Beccles defender, the away side were awarded a penalty flick, but unfortunately Legg shot wide. Magpies continued to search for the equaliser, with Emily Parsons impressing on her debut, but could not find the back of the net. Their third win of the season remains elusive for Magpies, but it must come soon if they are to avoid relegation.


Kay Dennis, Magpies Ladies 4th's.