READING 4-1 Harleston Magpies

Despite the score line this was a much improved performance by Magpies and the game in the end was turned by some crucial decisions. Magpies made a shaky start in the opening ten minutes and were saved by some excellent saves by goalkeeper Lucy Hayman.

Unfortunately the first penalty corner conceded saw Reading taking the lead with a drag flick. This Magpies side were not phased by this early set back and in fact improved their performance considerably as the strikers Angie Wheelhouse and Cherry Seaborn received much better support from midfield this week with Artemis Clark on the right playing much higher as wells good play from Jess Hull, Laura Parker and Sarah Cave. This positive response saw Magpies equalise before half time when Angie Wheelhouse made it 1-1.

Reading were 2-1 up immediately after the break on a hotly disputed goal which was clearly never touched by an attacker in the circle but the goal was confirmed by the second umpire 40 yards away. This probably had an impact on the third goal which was conceded within minutes from a penalty corner to make it 3-1. Within the space of 5 minutes a tight game had once again slipped away from Magpies.

Again Magpies produced a strong response and Angie Wheelhouse was denied three times by the Reading goalkeeper who made some good saves after the Reading defence had been opened up.

The attitude of the Magpies team was excellent and Debbie McAllen produced a real battling performance in front of the defence. Reading added a fourth goal near the end but Magpies can take great encouragement.

Magpies 5s 4-1 Pelicans 3s

Magpies ladies 5ths went into the game with a 14 strong team eager to make their mark against Pelicans.

Magpies had the first push back and immediately sped up the field towards the Pelicans goal where an attempt to score was made, but denied. This really gave a good feel for what was to follow in this quality game.

Magpies played like a team keen to score, working the entire pitch and playing to our strengths. Lisa Kent had an amazing game scoring two goals the first of which came in the first quarter of the game. The play came up the left of the pitch and found Rachel Clifford on the left post who couldn’t get a clear shot and ably crossed it in front of the keeper for Lisa Kent to pop it into the net.

Pelicans came back quickly with an equaliser which found it’s way through the otherwise solid defence of Frances Fulcher, Georgi Bore, Karen Hunt and Virginia Crawford. Peggy Bridges in goal also made her presents felt by making some very good kicks away from goal.

Magpies did not let this affect their play and very quickly made several attempts at goal Becky Ford featured with two reverse stick shots which were saved by the Pelicans goalie. Becky throughout the match made attempts at goal but just couldn’t convert it to the scoreboard. The second goal came from a sharp cross from Kay Dennis which found Rachel Clifford.

After the half time break Magpies made some positional changes which gave the fresh legs of Laura Potter, Sam Williams and Sophie Hoseason a run out. The third goal came from a three touch move up the field, stemming from Georgie Bore who assisted the ball up the field to Becky Ford who passes through to the very quick Lisa Kent who then popped it in the goal.

The girls were hungry for more goals and the final one came from a short corner hit out by Becky Ford to Sam Williams who powered home a strong goal.

The final score was 4 – 1 and the play was of very high quality and extremely enjoyable.

Players of the match were Becky Ford and Lisa Kent

Lowestoft 2s 2-6 Magpies 6s
(2 reports!)

(1)
Magpies enjoyed an emphatic victory at Lowestoft against their 2nd eleven.

Magpies had first pushback and opened the scoring within minutes. Rachel Clifford, taking the ball up the left of the field, went on to score. Lowestoft quickly had Magpies on the back foot as they stormed down the middle with a man over and levelled the score a few minutes later. Lowestoft had the upper hand for the next 20 mins or so, with numerous short corners which Magpies did well to defend and some excellent goal keeping maintaining a level score.

Magpies gradually began to play their game with greater confidence, with some good passing and great pace. After several short corners, Janet struck from the top of the “D” – the ball bounced off a few Lowestoft bootlaces but crept over the line for Magpies to take the lead again.

Shortly before half-time, Lowestoft were awarded a short corner which squeeked in off the post despite a valiant attempt to clear by a defender.

After a constructive half-time chat, Magpies came out and took the game by storm. A fantastic pick up on the right from Julia, crossed to Zoe in the centre was well laid off to Rachel on the left and easily slipped in past the goal keeper.

Magpies continued the pressure and increasingly dominated the play. The 4th goal came as Katie converted a short corner and Zoe’s fearless persistence in front of goal paid off with number 5 shortly after.

Magpies rounded up the game with a great play on yet another short corner – Janet slipping to Katie, who slipped back to Janet – Number 6!

Man of the Match went Rachel Peters who chased every ball on the right of the pitch, showing both skill and strength throughout the game.

(2)
Magpies Ladies 6ths were away today to Lowestoft! Even though Lowestoft was top of the table it didn’t stop Magpies from winning the game 6-2.

Magpies started with a very early goal from Rachel Clifford but then Lowestoft fought back making it 1 all. Then Janet scored a smashing short corner but Lowestoft managed to get back to 2 all from there with an own goal from Janet. But then for Magpies it was all up hill from here.

Their 3rd goal was scored with an excellent shot on goal hit from Katie. Zoë then set up a stunning goal scored but Rachel Clifford and then scored her own goal. Magpies were slowly but surely taking over the game. Just to put the cherry on top Janet set up a shot goal for Zoë to score, but Janet gets the credit for that goal.

This truly was a magnificent win for the Magpies ladies 6ths. Even though they faced tough challenges including Janet Brown getting a green card, Magpies were truly in the game.

Rachel Peters got ‘Man of the Match’ slowly followed Natasha Stead (Larry) with some truly amazing saves.

Well Done Sixths.

BARNES HOUNSLOW & EALING 5-1 Harleston Magpies

Magpies made the perfect start when Angie Wheelhouse dispossessed the Hounslow defender in the opening ten minutes and although they saved her first shot she followed up to give Magpies an early lead. This clearly gave the young Magpies side a much needed boost in confidence whilst it had the opposite effect on the home side.

Gradually Hounslow started to force Magpies back into their half and they equalised with a well struck shot from the top of the circle through a crowd of players. They increased their lead before half time when Lucy Hayman saved the short corner strike comfortably but the defence did not react quickly enough to clear her pads and the resulting melee gave Hounslow a cheap goal.

The score remained 2-1 until well into the second half but Magpies were finding it increasingly hard to get the ball out of their half and were giving away too many corners for them to feel comfortable. In the end two quick goals from Hounslow gave them a very comfortable 4-1 lead. Ironically with the result certain Magpies seemed to play with the shackles off and gave a glimpse of what the forwards Cherry Seaborn, Angie Wheelhouse and Laura Parker could have done with better service from midfield, as they played some of their best attacking hockey of the match.

16 years old Amy Tuffs came on in the second half to make her National League debut but Magpies will look back on this match and know they must eliminate the repetitive errors that are costing them so dearly. Sarah Cave worked hard in midfield and as always the experienced players Lucy Hayman, Debbbie McAllen and Louisa Greenacre gave it everything.

For the second week running Magpies conceded a goal in the final minute of the game.