Stortford started the game with a high tempo but, as the half wore on, Magpies began to dominate the game.

Harleston created a host of chances with Tristan Baynes going close with a reverse-stick shot. Richard Ling almost squeezed in a shot at the back post and Chris Barber deflected over the bar.

The Stortford keeper made several good saves, including getting a good hand to Andy Hipwell's drag flick.

The pace of the game changed midway through the second half, when a ten-minute period saw three yellow cards flashed by the umpires.

David Ling was sin-binned for an innocuous tackle just inside his own half, Baynes saw yellow for stick tackle and a Bishop's Stortford also had to leave the pitch as the match was played for a brief spell with just 19 players.

Harleston took advantage of the extra space, when good work down the right wing resulted in Pete Bale squeezing the ball home a goal on his league debut. But Stortford looked an improved side and continued to take the game to Harleston.

They forced a couple of short corners as well as forcing some good saves from Richard Harms on his debut. Harleston lost another player to the sin-bin late on when Bale was shown a yellow card to make it a bitter-sweet match for the new boy.

* Harleston Magpies Men play Norfolk rivals Dereham at home tomorrow, 2.15pm.

While Magpies won 1-0 at Bishop's Stortford on Saturday, Dereham suffered a home defeat against Havering.

Harleston have no injury doubts and look forward to the game with the squad in fine form, benefiting from the combined efforts of coaches Phil Cobbald and Les Howlett.

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Harleston Magpies VI 1 Norwich City IV 3
Magpies should be proud of their performance against an experienced team.

Harleston started strongly with an early goal scored by Kevin Ridley in the first minute of play. But by half-time, Norwich City had scored twice.

Magpies did well only to concede one further goal in the second half.

Harleston's forwards maintained pressure throughout the second half, and were unlucky not to score, with a near miss by Nick Tibbenham from a short corner.

Keeper James Graham made a spectacular save from a one-on-one.