Harleston Magpies hand Investec Women's League Conference East leaders Cambridge City first defeat
Harleston Magpies handed Investec Women’s League Conference East leaders Cambridge City their first defeat of the season on Sunday.
On a warm afternoon at Weybread, Magpies were expecting a difficult challenge ahead, with Cambridge having won all three of their games so far this season.
Harleston were without Emma Lee Smith through injury and Charlie Harrison, but were pleased to welcome Rose Winter and Lottie Summers back into the squad.
After a good warm-up, Magpies started the game well which was pleasing and an improvement on previous weeks.
The home side’s forwards were putting great pressure on the Cambridge defence and resulted in a string of corners for Magpies.
The final one was converted by Lauren Rowe on the 10th minute with a powerful drag flick to the top corner, putting her on four goals for the season and joint top goalscorer in the league.
The latter part of the first half belonged to Cambridge, who kept the ball well and moved it across the pitch, but nothing clinical was created as a result of some excellent defending in the Magpies D by Lauren Barber, Louisa Greenacre and Katrina Sitch.
After more inspirational words at half-time by the coaching team, Magpies started the second half well and forced more corners and this time a low and hard drag flick by Summers on the 45th minute put the hosts 2-0 up.
From then on Magpies played with confidence and dominated the play. Superb pressing and leg work by the forwards led by Winter, and supported by Lizzie Clymer, enabled the Magpies midfield to step up and turn over possession high up the pitch.
Harleston did concede some corners towards the end but they were defended well, including some excellent saves by Megan Brown, in goal for Magpies.
The second half was a commanding display by Magpies, disciplined, organised and controlled with plenty of attacking flair and many happy supporters who added great atmosphere to a quality game.
Harleston’s player of the match was Debbie Francis, who stood out with a dominant second half performance in which she controlled the centre of the pitch.
Magpies (3rd) travel to fourth-placed Sevenoaks tomorrow (12pm). The two sides are separated by just one point, with new leaders Hampstead & Westminster one point better off than Harleston.
Cambridge, who dropped off the top and into second spot, are on the same number of points as Magpies, with only a superior goal difference separating the two sides.