Harleston Magpies Men, sponsored by Seven, travelled to Peterborough Town hoping to get back to winning ways after last week’s home defeat to University of Birmingham 2.
The opening minutes of play were keenly contested with both sides probing for an opening. After 10 minutes, Peterborough Town won a penalty corner and after a good save from Chris Leek, scored from close range through Matt Goodley. Play continued to be even with both sides creating shooting opportunities but the score remained at 1-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Magpies started the second quarter with some excellent short passing moves that created good opportunities for Tom Ridley and Ben Gowing but on each occasion the Peterborough goalkeeper kept out the shots. Peterborough threatened with a number of aerial passes behind Magpies defence. Despite good recovery tackles from Will Donsworth, Tom Dunnett and Mark Flatman Peterborough finally scored again from a well worked open play move with the ball deflected into goal at the back post by Matt Goodley.
As the third quarter started, Magpies increased pressure on the Peterborough defence and were rewarded when Ben Emms was fouled in the circle. From the resulting penalty corner, Myles King gave the goalkeeper no chance with a drag flick to reduce the arrears. In a decisive two minute period towards the end of the third quarter, Magpies had two players suspended on a Green and a Yellow card. During this time Peterborough forward George Morris scored a scrappy goal after a goalmouth scramble and a minute later a flowing Peterborough move was ended by an illegal tackle in the circle resulting in a penalty stroke. This was confidently converted by Peterborough captain Joe Finding to make the score 4-1.
With the game seemingly lost, Magpies launched an all out offensive on the Peterborough goal during the fourth quarter. After relentless pressure Magpies won a penalty corner on 60 minutes which Myles King dispatched into the roof of the net. Magpies continued to press Peterborough high up the pitch and created plenty of mistakes in their defence but could not find a clear shooting opportunity. After a rasping reverse stick shot from Myles King was well saved by the Peterborough goalkeeper, Magpies won another penalty corner and Myles King scored a third drag flick, again giving the goalkeeper no chance. Despite a great last quarter performance, the score remained 4-3 to Peterborough Town at full time.
Magpies were left to reflect on an inconsistent performance and a couple of minutes of ill-discipline that ultimately cost them the match.
Next week, Magpies have another tough away match against Barford Tigers.
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