East Harling see winning run in Anglian Combination Division One ended by UEA

East Harling saw their four-match winning run in Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination Division One come to an end at the weekend.

Stacey Lawrence’s men hosted an in-form UEA side at Church Road, knowing they would have to be at their very best to maintain their 100 per cent home record against the free-scoring university side.

East Harling were beaten 5-1 to leave them eighth in the Division One table, with focus now turning to a Mummery Cup quarter-final at Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves tomorrow (1.30pm).

Saturday’s clash with UEA got off to a slow start, with the visitors passing the ball round the defence with confidence, but under little pressure from East Harling. Possession was made to count in the 20th minute, when a long diagonal pass found the home defence wanting, and a ball across the box was met by the volley of an unmarked striker.

The lead was doubled soon after when Artur Leszczynski was well-tackled on the halfway line, and a quick breakaway found a striker on hand to turn the loose ball home, after goalkeeper Jamie Woodcock had unfortunately let the first effort squirm from his grasp.

The game sprung into life only minutes later when a great pass from Jack Flynn found Leszczynski racing down the left, who crossed to Brad Rivett, only to see a defender fire into the top corner, as he desperately tried to beat the Greens winger to the ball.

But, just as the home side had found a way back into the game, they were hit by a sucker punch on the stroke of half-time when the ball was once again given away in a dangerous area, and the cross fired in saw skipper Harley Durrant misjudge the ball and kick air, with a waiting striker turning in from close range.

In the second half, East Harling pushed bodies forward and Matthew Allin caused problems with a high ball, but Andrew Morris struck over and Durrant saw a header drift just wide, before UEA hit the hosts with another goal at a crucial stage.

A visiting striker was allowed far too much space to run, before playing back to the in-rushing left back to curl home past Woodcock from 18 yards to make it 4-1.

The goal took the game away from East Harling, with some silly fouls and frustration getting the better of them in the final minutes, before UEA found a fifth to finish off the scoring.