Honours even for these two title challengers but favourites West Bergolt win at Great Bentley

Newbury Forest have become renown in the league for their clever close passing style and they started the match the livelier of the two teams on a difficult surface made slippery by the constant rain. Speedy winger Jason Reynolds-Blanche has tested defences throughout the season and the Shrimpers rearguard also found him a threat. The Shrimpers were all at sea in the 38th minute and should have done better when Terlochan Singh bundled the ball over the goal line to give Forest the lead. Harwich keeper Scott Wass pulled off a great save when an own goal from Michael Maclachlan’s header looked on the cards. The Shrimpers best effort of the half came in the closing minutes when Robbie Mark’s shot bounced on the crossbar.
Forest continued to look the more likely team to score after the interval until the 70th minute when Marks created the opportunity from which Jordan Heath shot Harwich equaliser. In the 80th minute Forest lost goalkeeper Mark Parker to an injury and Man of the Match Singh went in goal. He proved to be an excellent deputy, making first class saves from Marks and both Jordan and Ryan Heath. In an exciting finish both teams went all out for victory and at the final whistle a draw was a fair result.
The league is coming to a thrilling climax. West Bergholt visit Hatfield Peverel and have home matches against Arlesford, University and Harwich. Newbury Forest will be playing until the end of May and all their matches could be away against White Notley, Wormingford, Hedinghams, Gas Rec., Hatfield Peverel, Arlesford and White Notley. Harwich have a key match at West Bergholt and a final home match against Great Bentley. Bergholt are favourites having a possible 75 points, Newbury Forest 71 points, and Harwich 69 points.
Fingers crossed but it looks as though Runners Up would be a fine achievement for Harwich at this stage.