Harwich winning run comes to an end in 13th match

A good crowd produced a noisy atmsophere and the teams were buoyed up for this important clash wtih both teams mounting a strong championship challenge. In the 5th minute Harwich's Tyler Rose was brought down and the Assistant Referee signalled a penalty kick but play was waived on by the Referee. Five minutes later Jake Brown burst through for Halstead but goalkeeper Sam Felgate came to block and save a certain goal. Jamie Beecham spotted an opening to send in a clever pass but Rose was just unable to make it count. Harwich were holding their own at this stage and when Jordan Heath was fouled Shaun Kioussis excellent free kick was only inches outside the goal. Halstead were a team of giants and when Harwich lost the ball in midfield Brad Westley was forced into a hopeless tackle against his bigger opponent. From the resultant penalty kick Callum Vincent gave Halstead a 35th minute lead. Only another 4 minutes elapsed when Kane Munday increased Town's lead with a super shot that dipped in under the crossbar giving Felgate no chance. So the damage was done and the Shrimpers went in at half time facing a difficult task against such strong opponents. After the break Harwich mounted a good move with Ryan Heath's shot accross the goal agonisingly close. Harwich were not making the best use of free kicks and on the heavy pitch Halstead's big central defenders were dominating the Shrimpers strikers. Rose and Jordan Heath did combine to bring a good save from Town's keeper Jack Cherry but the Shrimpers could not get the goal which would bring them back in contention and Halstead ran out deserved winners.