Harwich lose to Championship chasing Halstead in a close game

In the opening minutes Harwich goalkeeper Sam Felgate made two good one on one saves to prevent his team going behind. Harwich then settled down and it was Town's keeper Jack Cherry's turn to shine saving twice from Michael Hammond. Kevin Coyle twice shot over the bar from further Harwich chances and at the close of a goal less first half it was the Shrimpers who had double the opportunities of their opponents. Halstead took the lead in the 52 minute when Felgate was forced to come off his line but his pass was lost and Joe Jones seized the chance to put the ball into an unguarded net. Worse was to follow 2 minutes later when Tom Cook's effort was deflected in for Halstead's second goal. On the hour Harwich were unlucky when from Luke Barnard's pinpoint cross Hammond's header struck the crossbar. Halstead almost scored when Jones shot struck the angle of post and bar. Halstead defence was proving a tough nut to crack with their taller players gobbling up the ball in the air but in the 75th minute the duminitive Tyler Rose was rewarded for all his hard work when he ran through to reduce the arrears. Harwich comeback was dented 6 minutes later when despite their appeals for handball Cook put Halstead 3-1 up. The Shrimpers were not done and in stoppage time substitute Jamie Beecham tucked their second goal inside the far post but only a couple of minutes remained for them to press for an equaliser.