After a weather enforced lay off and the Christmas break Harwich were looking forward to getting back to action albeit in bitterly cold and windy conditions. Harwich looked rusty from the kick off and the normal fluent passing and ball control was perhaps understandably lacking and possession was given away cheaply on numerous occasions. Chances were created but not converted and the boys were becoming frustrated at their inability to break down a resilient Alresford side who were clearly set up to defend in numbers. It was midway through the half when the deadlock was eventually broken as Ryan weaved his way through the defence and calmly slotted the ball past the imposing Alresford keeper.

Sam stabbed the ball home for a second and Will H slammed the ball into the net from the edge of the box for a third. Ryan completed the first half scoring and effectively end the match as a contest with a fourth. Unfortunately, I was distracted at this point so I must confess I have no idea how the goal come about !

Half Time
Harwich 4 - 0 Alresford

The half time team talk focused on using the width of the pitch more involving the wide players more effectively. Despite kicking against the wind, Harwich started the second half better with a succession of quick goals with 2 for Lex, a second for Sam and a goal for James E following a lovely flighted corner from Will H. Ryan completed a terrific hat-trick and Jerome who had no luck in front of goal today but was full of running and a constant menace to the Alresford defence eventually scored to take his tally to 17 for the season. Alresford to their credit battled on and scored a decent late consolation goal as the game ended.

Harwich 10- 1 Alresford.

Man of the Match was Thomas who had an excellent game today with some terrific defending including a superb last ditch tackle in the box with the Alresford centre forward about to the pull the trigger.

Injuries are beginning to bite again and we have rarely been able to field our strongest team this season but we will have to patch ourselves up for a massive game away to Frinton next week in a crucial fixture as second plays third - the promotion battle is about to hot up ! Come on boys - we can do it !!

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