Important victory for Harwich in title race as Newbury Forest draw at home to Dedham

This top versus bottom clash went according to the form book but provided plenty of incident for a below average crowd of about 60 on a bitterly cold afternoon. Illness robbed the Shrimpers of teenagers Jordan Heath and Joss Neale but they were able to bring in the experienced Michael Murray plus Mark Palmer, on his return from Little Oakley. Harwich opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Robbie Marks scorching shot rocketed into the roof of the net following a cross from skipper Michael Maclachlan. Marks scored a second 5 minutes later with another good finish, this time following good work by Ashley Brundle. Harwich goalkeeper Scott Wass has been in fine form all season and in the 20th minute he pulled off a good save from Greg Bryant. Two minutes before half time Maclachan scored with a shot from the right wing which sailed into the far corner of the net to give the Shrimpers a commanding three goal interval lead.
Harwich continued to dominate in the second half and scored their fourth goal in the 63rd minute when Brundle tapped home a cross from Nicky Palmer. White Notley won a penalty in the 75th minute but Bryant shot over the crossbar. Later they created another opportunity but Wass saved at point blank range. Simon Pratt had worked hard throughout and he was rewarded a couple of minutes before the final whistle when he scored Harwich 5th goal with a shot from 20 yards.