Harleston Magpies 0 Richmond 1

HA Over 50s National Final

Most of the portents were good; none of the team was suffering from hypothermia after a team photo shoot on Monday, all arrived safely on the Saturday night at the hotel in Walsall and Pete Finnie managed to make it there without triggering off any roadside cameras. The environs of the hotel ensued that no members of the team went out on nocturnal strolls though manager Robert Stimpson took it upon himself to check this. In the morning, two magpies flew over the M6- so far so good.

Anyway to the game, Richmond started strongly and pressurised Magpies from the start who struggled to keep possession and so created more pressure on themselves. However the defence allowed few clear chances other than from short corners. Here Murray Graham made exceptional saves Richard Organ's drag flicks. Magpies struggled to have any meaningful possession in the Richmond third of the pitch.

With two minutes to half time Richmond were awarded a fifth short corner and after switching the point of play several times Mark Precious scored with a rising shot.

In the second half, Magpies gradually got themselves into the game and Richmond became less enamoured with the umpires, themselves, us and life in general culminating with a both a green and a yellow card. Magpies gained their first short corner with 15 minutes left and then three others and for the first time there was real pressure on the Richmond goal.

With minutes left, Magpies took off Murray and played with eleven outfield players but to no avail.( I was requested to put in a note at this point to state that Jerry Blackmore spent longer on the pitch than Murray but I won't). There could be no faulting the effort and Richmond were relieved to hear the final whistle.

The heavens now opened as if weeping at our demise and we all got very wet at the presentation.

On reflection were we beaten by a very good team and perhaps our path to the final had been too easy as at no time had we been put under anything like the pressure that Richmond did.

Thanks go to all those who travelled from Norfolk to cheer us on. As always Magpies supporters outnumbered and outshouted those of the opposition- thank you Mike.

Also thanks to Philip for his organisation etc etc and even washing the kit.

Magpies Ladies IV 2 - 1 Watton II

Magpies faced Watton in their final league match of the season, with a victory vital in their fight for survival. And although Magpies were relying on results from elsewhere to keep their Premier Division status alive, they were determined to do their part.

Nerves were clear to see in the opening few minutes, Magpies not quite getting their timing right, with Watton being first to any loose balls. But as the half settled down it was Magpies who had more of the posssession and more of the chances in front of goal and went close from a short corner. Watton were dangerous on the counter attack down the right wing, but couldn't take the lead. And it was the home side that scored first, forward Laura Schultheiss, in good form of late, beating the 'keeper with a shot cracked into the corner. Magpies looked to press forward and extend their lead, but when Watton won a short corner minutes before the half time whistle they equalised with a well taken strike.

Magpies were still confident they could get the win they so desperately craved, and the team battled hard for the last 35 minutes of their season, and had plenty of chances but couldn't convert. Once again Katherine Ridley at left back for Magpies put in an outstanding performance, competently defending and quick on the break, and Emily Parsons, in her last match for Magpies, playing well in her differing roles through the middle, and Sarah Legg as always at the heart of Magpies positive play. So it was fitting when Magpies won a short corner close to the final whistle, for Sarah Legg to step up and crack the ball home. Magpies held on for the deserved victory.

This brought Magpies their third win in a row, showing just how well they have improved over recent weeks, and their determination and fight to stay in the Premier Division. Now it is a waiting game for the other results.

On a personal note, from all the players, a big thank you must go to Mark Legg, for his expert coaching over the last month, without which Magpies would surely not be in the position they are now.


Kay Dennis, Magpies Ladies 4th's.