LUCKLESS HARWICH & PARKESTON PLAY WELL BUT SUFFER DEFEAT

REPORT BY TONY ARMSTRONG

Harwich returned from East London Saturday wondering how they were returning to the R. Gwinnell & Son Royal Oak pointless. Leading by a solitary goal at half time the home team piled on pressure in the second half and ran out 3-1 winners. Harwich included new signing Brad Westley and Connor Mclauglin but were missing the influential Wayne Blackman and centre back Elwin Lartley. Harwich certainly turned in their best opening 45 minutes of the season as they took the game to unbeaten Athletico Newham (previously Lopez Tavares). The Shrimpers caused many problems to the home defence and twice got through with only the keeper to beat but failed to hit the target. Miller and Hampson being the culprits. Twice the giant custodian kept Newham in the game with absolutely outstanding saves when a goal seemed certain. It came as no surprise after 25 minutes when Harwich took the lead when an excellent cross by Miller was about to land on Hampson's head six yards out but a home defender in a desparate attempt to clear diverted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net. Another effort from Miller struck the bar as well. The second half however was a reversal of superiority as Newham took control. They brought on a forward substitute and from a left wing cross he shot home from close range 5 minutes after the break. It didn't take long for Newham to take the lead when in the 60th minute a similar move this time down the other flank was shot home in similar fashion. Harwich never gave up and still attacked regularly. Probably on another day they would have netted a couple of opportunities but as has happened all season the chances went begging. Newham had caused Harwich a lot more problems in the second half especially down the flanks and made the game safe in the 77th minute. An aerial pass out to the left wing saw Billy Latto get elbowed in the face which unfortunately inexplicably the referee failed to see. Latto went down clutiching his face but the referee failed to respond and the culprit raced clear to complete the scoring. Harwich deserved something without doubt from this game. Newham will definitely be in contention to win the League at the end of the season such is the quality of some of their players but for Harwich it was a long trip home pointless but some very positive considerations for the hard working Management duo of Michael Wallace and Gary Kioussis.