Mens 1s vs City of Peterborough M1

Harleston Magpies Men, sponsored by Seven, started the match knowing that a win would secure their place in the National League for next season. However, Peterborough Town also needed to win to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation.

Peterborough Town started the match very strongly, creating several good goalscoring opportunities in the first few minutes which they were unable to take. This pressure was eventually rewarded just before the end of the first quarter with a well taken shot from the top of the circle.

Magpies started the second quarter much better with longer periods of possession. With Will Donsworth, Andy Bedwell and Ed Cross distributing the ball better from the back Magpies created more pressure on the Peterborough goal. A flowing passing move involving Ben Gowing and Tom Ridley led to an equaliser for Magpies scored by Dave Skinner with a great finish into the roof of the net from close range.

The second half started with Peterborough pressing hard and winning a couple of penalty corners which Magpies defended well. Magpies were unfortunate to lose Will Donsworth for part of the third quarter after sustaining a cut on the face, received in making a last ditch tackle. During this time Magpies were temporarily reduced to 10 players with a green card for Ben Emms and Peterborough Town capitalised, scoring from a well worked penalty corner. Magpies responded well and won two penalty corners but were unable to convert either. The third quarter ended 2-1 to Peterborough Town.

The fourth quarter was a scrappy affair. Peterborough Town sought to retain possession and hold onto a precious lead with Magpies pressing and seeking to create chances with turnovers higher up the pitch. The midfield of Ben Emms, Nicolas Urquhart-Pearce, Lawrence Williams and Ben Brand worked hard to put pressure on Peterborough Town but Magpies were unable to create a clear cut opportunity. Even when Magpies won a couple of penalty corners, they were unable to score. With time running out and Peterborough Town slowing down the play, Magpies frustration was evident with a further two green cards temporarily reducing them to 9 players. With the match in the last minute, Magpies worked the ball into Peterborough territory and Andy Bedwell produced a splendid reverse stick pass to the far post where Dave Skinner was on hand to rescue a point for Magpies. This was the final play of the match with there not even time for Peterborough Town to restart the game.

With Bedford beating Banbury 4-3 in a relegation fixture, Magpies still need a point from their last two matches to be sure of national league hockey next season. Next week Magpies are at home against high flying Barford Tigers.