STILL AWAITING THAT FIRST VICTORY. FOURTH DRAW FOR HARWICH & PARKESTON

Barkingside were relegated from the Essex Senior League last season and in their bid to return are at present midway in the league table. Despite the recent heavy rain the Gwinnell & Sons Royal Oak still looked in good condition but the strong wind was going to make conditions tricky. The dye was set with defences on top early on and the teams seeking midfield supremacy. Midway through the first half attacks came into their own with Jamie Beecham giving Harwich the lead with a well taken powerful low shot struck from just inside the penalty box. The Shrimpers lead was short lived as within five minutes James Peagram equalised with a 25 yard shot which goalkeeper Sam Felgate got a hand to but could not prevent going in off the far post. Harwich had hopes of regaining the lead before half time when Charlie Lindoe fired in a fierce drive that was heading for the top corner of the net but Barkingside keeper Duncan Smith pulled off a great save and the scores remained level at the break.
With the wind strengthened Harwich found the second half difficult against the big strong and powerful Barkingside outfit. Barkingside striker Peagram, a noted goalscorer who seeking to regain fitness, led the attack with guile but Harwich central defenders Nicky Palmer and Elwin Lartley were in good form with the latter looking dangerous when he went forward to join the Shrimpers attack at set pieces. On a couple of occassions there were scares for Harwich when Barkingside attackers got behind the defence. First Felgate failed to reach the ball when forced to rush out but Harwich escaped and later he again had to leave his line but this time managed to get a hand on the ball before being fouled. The Harwich attack struggled to get in a telling shot and the best effort came from defender Rory Harman whose rocket shot skimmed the crossbar. Harwich were reduced to ten men in the closing stages when a frustrated Harman was sent off for an impetuous tackle.
Harwich have not had the rub of the green with results the season but in this instance a draw was a fair result and they could not complain.