Harwich & Parkeston put in yet another improving performance but are still chasing a victory

REPORT BY TONY ARMSTRONG:-

Harwich made the journey to Canvey Island FC ground to take on unbeaten Benfleet on Saturday in a Thurlow Nunn League fixture. Sadly yet again they returned pointless despite putting in yet another improving performance and even the Benfleet Management team were in agreement that Harwich had undoubtedly deserved a share of the spoils at the minimum. Missed chances again proving very costly for Harwich. Benfleet netted twice inside two minutes midway through the second half to cancel out the first half Harwich goal to snatch the points from the Shrimpers grasp. Pre match preparation is now very much changed due to Convid restrictions with only six players changing at a time in the dressing room and most of the pre match and half time team talks being done on the pitch. Harwich welcomed back Elwin Lartley and Wayne Blackman and both players were very influential in the Harwich improvement with Brad Westley moving into a holding midfield position and having another outstanding game. Harwich were clearly the better side in the opening period with Charlie Lindoe and Adam Hampson causing the Benfleet defence a lot of issues but unfortunately Harwich failed to turn their pressure into goals until a moment of sheer opportunisum from Harry Miller gave Harwich a deserved lead. Lindoe did well down the left and his excellent cross was headed to the end of the six yard box and Miller scored with a sensational overhead kick. The opening period had not seen the best of the Benfleet attack with Sam Felgate rarely troubled. The second period opened very similarly with Harwich looking dangerous on the break but still no increase in the scoreline but Benflett made a substitution bringing on striker Bobby Bird and he seemed to bring Benfleet back to life with his pace up top. In the 70th minute Benfleet equalised in very bizare circumstances. A free kick was floated to the far post and Billy Latto did well to get his head to the ball to head away from goal only to strke Ben Foord in the face and rebound back into the net with the player not knowing anything about it. That virually showed Harwich luck at the moment and worse was still to come a few minutes later when Miller unnecessarily gave the ball away too easily catching out many of the Harwich players out of position and a long ball over the Harwich defence allowed Bird to race clear, round Sam Felgate and fire home much to the jubiliation of the Benfleet bench. Harwich kept pushing for an equaliser but failed to penetrate the home defence but were unlucky five minutes from the end when a thunderous shot from Billy Latto looked fully destined for the top corner but the home goalkeeper made a top class save to turn the ball over the bar and finally finalised Harwich fate leaving the Shrimpers still looking for their first win of the season. Based on this 90 minutes it shouldn't be far away!.
Harwich are at home on the R.Gwinnell & Sons Royal Oak on Saturday to Barkingside, kick off 3pm and then travel to Wivenhoe on Tuesday 27th ko 7.30pm.