Womens 1s vs Slough W1

March sunshine, but bitter winds greeted Harleston Magpies at Slough as they head into the last three games of the 24/25 campaign.

Anticipated to be a competitive match – Slough needed to take three points from Magpies to avoid relegation and Magpies battling with Southgate and Guildford to finish in third position. Magpies look focussed in their warm up, welcoming Mia Spaull into the team for her debut performance.

The first quarter kicked off high energy (perhaps in line with the brilliant beat of the Holi Festival happening next door) with Magpies finding the goal multiple times after successful out-letting and connection between the three lines. A series of saves from the Slough keeper kept the score equal.

An impatient second quarter saw the energy levels drop on both sides and delivered a more back-and-forth game than Magpies would have wanted. Magpies lost a little self assurance and focus with a series of passes going astray, handing Slough the opportunity to look threatening with a couple of balls pinging across the D - trying to locate a lingering high forward - slightly too close for comfort for keeper Sophia Colman who’s communication kept the back four in shape.

Slough came out hard for the second half pressing the Magpies back four aggressively. Composed out-letting performances from Ella Picton and Lauren Barber and a series of robust tackles from the halves and midfield meant slough weren’t able to capitalise on their threatening press.

Having had a 2 minute mental reset – Magpies looked more collected starting the final quarter and five minutes in Issy Wolfe was able to flip the ball over the line in a scrappy but hugely important goal for the team. Magpies were able to hold their composure for the subsequent 12 minutes to finish the game 1.0.

A confident debut performance from Spaul and returning performances from Issy Wolfe and Jess Lamprell speaks to the depth of the Magpies squad. A positive result for Magpies who showed progress keeping their calm and taking three points from a challenging mental game; and disappointing for Slough who never fail to bring unconventional, passionate and stoic performances to the league.

Magpies will now turn their attention to preparing for their penultimate game against Bristol Firebrands next Saturday 22nd March at home, with the hope that a big home crowd can help them secure another win as they approach the end of the season.